Download The Elements Oxygen, Uranium, and Mercury

The Elements Oxygen, Uranium, and Mercury
Jennie Le
2/4/2013
Sci.-1
Complete name of the element: oxygen
How name was derived: from the Greek words ‘oxy’ (acid) and ‘gen’ (origin of)-oxygen is the origin of acid
Symbol of the element: O
Atomic number of the element: 8
Atomic mass of the element: 16
Natural state of the element: gas
Structure of the element: 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 8 electrons
Valences of the element: 16, 2
Characteristic properties: Oxygen is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas. Its melting point is at -218.4 oC and its
boiling point is at -183 oC. Oxygen dissolves more readily in cold water than warm water. Liquid and solid
oxygen are pale blue and are strongly paramagnetic.
Occurrence: Oxygen is by far the most abundant of all the elements. It constitutes 21% of the atmosphere. It’s
also found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and in numerous organic compounds. Oxygen comprises
about 87% by weight of the oceans as water.
Uses: The major commercial use of oxygen is in steel production. Oxygen is used in oxyacetylene welding, as
an oxidant for rocket fuel, and in methanol and ethylene oxide production. Plants and animals rely on oxygen
for respiration. Pure oxygen is frequently used to help breathing in patients with respiratory ailments. We
can’t live without oxygen. It’s essential to life. 46% of Earth’s crust is oxygen and 61% of a human is oxygen.
Drawing:
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/o.html
Complete name of the element: uranium
How name was derived: named after the planet Uranus
Symbol of the element: U
Atomic number of the element: 92
Atomic mass of the element: 238
Natural state of the element: solid
Structure of the element: 92 protons, 146 neutrons, and 92 electrons
Valences of the element: 6, 7
Characteristic properties: Melting Point: 1132.0 °C Boiling Point: 3818.0 °C. Uranium is a silvery white, weakly
radioactive metal, which is harder than most elements. It is malleable, ductile, slightly paramagnetic, strongly
electropositive and is a poor electrical conductor. Uranium metal has very high density, being approximately
70% denser than lead, but slightly less dense than gold.
Occurrence: Uranium is a naturally occurring element that can be found in low levels within all rock, soil, and
water. Uranium is the 51st element in order of abundance in the Earth's crust. Uranium is also the highestnumbered element to be found naturally in significant quantities on Earth.
Uses: nuclear fuels, nuclear weapons, gyroscopic compasses, ceramic glazes, colored glass, x-rays
Drawing:
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/u.html
Complete name of the element: mercury
How name was derived: named after the planet Mercury that was named after the Roman god of travel
Symbol of the element: Hg
Atomic number of the element: 80
Atomic mass of the element: 201
Natural state of the element: solid
Structure of the element: 80 protons, 121 neutrons, and 80 electrons
Valences of the element: 12, 6
Characteristic properties: Melting Point: -38.83 °C Boiling Point: 356.73 °C. Mercury is a dense, silvery-white,
poisonous metal with a mirror-like appearance. It is the only common metal that is liquid at room
temperature. Mercury evaporates slowly at room temperature.
Occurrence: Mercury is an extremely rare element in the Earth's crust, having an average crustal abundance
by mass of only 0.08 parts per million. However, because it does not blend geochemically with those
elements that constitute the majority of the crustal mass, mercury ores can be extraordinarily concentrated
considering the element's abundance in ordinary rock.
Uses: Mercury is used in barometers and manometers (instruments for measuring the pressure of gases and
liquids), because of its high density.
Drawing:
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/hg.html
Works Cited
"Oxygen Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
http://www.chemicool.com/elements/oxygen.html
"Uranium Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
http://www.chemicool.com/elements/uranium.html
"Mercury Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
http://www.chemicool.com/elements/mercury.html
"Uranium." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Feb. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium
"Mercury (element)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Mar. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)