Download Chemistry 104: Introduction to the Chemistry of Materials

Chemistry 104: Introduction to the Chemistry of Materials
Dr. Mihalick
Guidelines for Paper on a Metal
September 17, 2008
You will research a metallic element (randomly assigned in lecture).
Most of the information should be available from the websites "WebElements Periodic Table",
"Periodic Table of Videos", "C&EN Periodic Table special issue", and " Crystal Lattice
Structures", which have links on the Chemistry 104 web page:
< http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/mihalick/materials/materials.html >
Due Date: The typed paper is due in class on Wednesday, September 24. Late papers will be
penalized 10% per day. No papers will be accepted after 12:45 pm on Monday, September 29.
Grammar and Spelling 2 points
Although the paper will be only a few paragraphs long, the information should be reported in
complete sentences. Please use double spacing.
Content 6 points
1. Identify the element: give its name, chemical symbol, atomic number, period and group.
2. Describe physical properties of the element such as density and melting point.
3. Describe the crystal structures of the pure element and, if possible, one of its compounds.
4. Report on its geological significance: state its relative abundance in the earth's crust (high,
medium or low compared to other elements); mention if it is more abundant in the ocean; and
describe a commercial use for it.
Sources of Information 2 points
At the end of the paper include a bibliography, listing your sources in correct format.
The Writing Center Resources website <http://www.english.uwosh.edu/wcenter/resources.html>
has links that can help with standard citation formats, descriptions of grammar rules, and other
helpful information.