1.H (Hydrogen) – Found in water (H?O), stars, and gas clouds; most abundant element in the universe.
2.He (Helium) – Found in natural gas deposits, extracted from radioactive decay underground, also abundant in stars.
3.Li (Lithium) – Found in minerals like spodumene and lepidolite; used in rechargeable batteries.
4.Be (Beryllium) – Found in minerals such as beryl and bertrandite; used in aerospace alloys.
5.B (Boron) – Found in borax, kernite, colemanite; used in glass and detergents.
6.C (Carbon) – Found in all living things, coal, graphite, diamond; backbone of organic chemistry.
7.N (Nitrogen) – Found in the atmosphere (~78% of air), also in proteins and fertilizers.
8.O (Oxygen) – Found in the atmosphere (~21%), water, oxides, and needed for life.
9.F (Fluorine) – Found in minerals like fluorite; used in toothpaste, Teflon, refrigerants.
10.Ne (Neon) – Found in trace amounts in the atmosphere; used in neon lights.
11.Na (Sodium) – Found in salt deposits (NaCl, halite); essential for life.
12.Mg (Magnesium) – Found in dolomite, magnesite, seawater; used in alloys and fireworks.
13.Al (Aluminum) – Found in bauxite ore; most common metal in Earth’s crust.
14.Si (Silicon) – Found in sand, quartz, silicates; used in electronics and glass.
15.P (Phosphorus) – Found in phosphate rocks; used in fertilizers and DNA backbone.
16.S (Sulfur) – Found near volcanic areas, sulfide ores; used in sulfuric acid and matches.
17.Cl (Chlorine) – Found in salt deposits (NaCl), seawater; used in disinfectants.
18.Ar (Argon) – Found in the atmosphere (~1% of air); used in welding and light bulbs.
19.K (Potassium) – Found in potash, sylvite; essential nutrient, used in fertilizers.
20.Ca (Calcium) – Found in limestone, gypsum, bones, shells; essential for life.
21.Sc (Scandium) – Found in rare minerals like thortveitite; used in aerospace alloys and lighting.
22.Ti (Titanium) – Found in rutile and ilmenite ores; used in strong, lightweight alloys and implants.
23.V (Vanadium) – Found in vanadinite and magnetite; used in steel alloys and catalysts.
24.Cr (Chromium) – Found in chromite ore; used in stainless steel and chrome plating.
25.Mn (Manganese) – Found in pyrolusite; essential in steelmaking and batteries.
26.Fe (Iron) – Found in hematite, magnetite; most used metal, key in construction and blood hemoglobin.
27.Co (Cobalt) – Found in cobaltite and as a byproduct of nickel mining; used in batteries and blue pigments.
28.Ni (Nickel) – Found in pentlandite and laterite ores; used in stainless steel and coins.
29.Cu (Copper) – Found in chalcopyrite, malachite, native copper; used in wiring and plumbing.
30.Zn (Zinc) – Found in sphalerite ore; used in galvanization, alloys, and enzymes.
31.Ga (Gallium) – Found in trace amounts in bauxite and zinc ores; used in semiconductors and LEDs.
32.Ge (Germanium) – Found in sphalerite and coal; used in fiber optics and electronics.
33.As (Arsenic) – Found in arsenopyrite; used historically in pesticides, now in semiconductors.
34.Se (Selenium) – Found in metal sulfide ores; used in glassmaking, electronics, and photocells.
35.Br (Bromine) – Found in seawater brines; used in flame retardants and photographic chemicals.
36.Kr (Krypton) – Found in trace amounts in the atmosphere; used in lighting and lasers.
37.Rb (Rubidium) – Found in lepidolite and pollucite; used in research and special glasses.
38.Sr (Strontium) – Found in celestite and strontianite; used in fireworks (red color) and magnets.
39.Y (Yttrium) – Found in rare-earth minerals like xenotime; used in LEDs and superconductors.
40.Zr (Zirconium) – Found in zircon minerals; used in nuclear reactors and ceramics.
41.Nb (Niobium) – Found in columbite and pyrochlore; used in superconducting magnets and alloys.
42.Mo (Molybdenum) – Found in molybdenite; used in steel alloys, catalysts, and enzymes.
43.Tc (Technetium) – Synthetic; produced in nuclear reactors (byproduct of uranium fission); used in medical imaging.
44.Ru (Ruthenium) – Found in platinum ores; used in electronics and catalysts.
45.Rh (Rhodium) – Found with platinum ores; used in catalytic converters and jewelry plating.
46.Pd (Palladium) – Found with platinum ores; used in electronics, catalytic converters, and jewelry.
47.Ag (Silver) – Found in argentite and native silver; used in coins, jewelry, electronics, and photography.
48.Cd (Cadmium) – Found as a byproduct of zinc ores; used in batteries and pigments (toxic).
49.In (Indium) – Found in zinc ores; used in touchscreens, LCDs, and solders.
50.Sn (Tin) – Found in cassiterite; used in solder, bronze, and coatings.
51.Sb (Antimony) – Found in stibnite; used in flame retardants and alloys.
52.Te (Tellurium) – Found as a byproduct of copper refining; used in solar panels and metallurgy.
53.I (Iodine) – Found in seawater and iodine-rich salts; essential nutrient, used in medicine and disinfectants.
54.Xe (Xenon) – Found in trace amounts in the atmosphere; used in lighting, anesthesia, and ion propulsion.
55.Cs (Cesium) – Found in pollucite; used in atomic clocks and drilling fluids.
56.Ba (Barium) – Found in barite and witherite; used in contrast dyes, fireworks, and ceramics.
57.La (Lanthanum) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in camera lenses and batteries.
58.Ce (Cerium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in catalysts and glass polishing.
59.Pr (Praseodymium) – Found in monazite; used in magnets, glass coloring, and alloys.
60.Nd (Neodymium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in strong permanent magnets and lasers.
61.Pm (Promethium) – Synthetic; produced in nuclear reactors via uranium fission; used in luminous paint and nuclear batteries.
62.Sm (Samarium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in magnets, lasers, and cancer treatment.
63.Eu (Europium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in phosphors for TV screens and fluorescent lamps.
64.Gd (Gadolinium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in MRI contrast agents and magnets.
65.Tb (Terbium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in green phosphors and solid-state devices.
66.Dy (Dysprosium) – Found in monazite and bastnäsite; used in magnets and nuclear reactor control rods.
67.Ho (Holmium) – Found in monazite and gadolinite; used in lasers and nuclear control rods.
68.Er (Erbium) – Found in monazite and xenotime; used in fiber optics and lasers.
69.Tm (Thulium) – Found in monazite; used in portable X-ray devices and lasers.
70.Yb (Ytterbium) – Found in monazite; used in lasers and alloys, and as a stress gauge in materials.
71.Lu (Lutetium) – Found in monazite and xenotime; used in PET scan detectors and catalysts.
72.Hf (Hafnium) – Found with zirconium ores; used in nuclear reactors and electronics.
73.Ta (Tantalum) – Found in tantalite and coltan ores; used in capacitors and surgical implants.
74.W (Tungsten) – Found in wolframite and scheelite; used in filaments, tools, and armor-piercing rounds.
75.Re (Rhenium) – Found in molybdenite ores (trace amounts); used in superalloys and jet engines.
76.Os (Osmium) – Found in platinum ores; used in fountain pen tips and electrical contacts.
77.Ir (Iridium) – Found with platinum ores; used in spark plugs and scientific equipment.
78.Pt (Platinum) – Found in platinum ores; used in catalytic converters, jewelry, and medical devices.
79.Au (Gold) – Found in native deposits and ores like quartz veins; used in jewelry, currency, and electronics.
80.Hg (Mercury) – Found in cinnabar ore; used historically in thermometers and lamps (toxic, now restricted).
81.Tl (Thallium) – Found in trace amounts in sulfide ores; used in electronics and historically in rat poison (toxic).
82.Pb (Lead) – Found in galena (lead sulfide); used in batteries, shielding, and pipes (restricted due to toxicity).
83.Bi (Bismuth) – Found in bismuthinite; used in cosmetics, medicines (Pepto-Bismol), and alloys.
84.Po (Polonium) – Rare; found in uranium ores or synthesized in reactors; used in anti-static devices and space power (radioactive).
85.At (Astatine) – Extremely rare, radioactive; produced artificially in particle accelerators.
86.Rn (Radon) – Radioactive noble gas; produced from natural decay of uranium in rocks/soil.
87.Fr (Francium) – Extremely rare, radioactive; only trace amounts found in uranium ores; mainly synthesized.
88.Ra (Radium) – Found in uranium ores; used historically in luminescent paint (radioactive, now avoided).
89.Ac (Actinium) – Found in uranium ores in trace amounts; also synthesized; used in radiation therapy.
90.Th (Thorium) – Found in monazite sands; proposed as nuclear fuel.
91.Pa (Protactinium) – Found in uranium ores in trace amounts; also synthesized; research use only.
92.U (Uranium) – Found in uraninite and pitchblende ores; used in nuclear fuel and weapons.
93.Np (Neptunium) – Synthetic, formed in reactors from uranium; used in research and neutron detectors.
94.Pu (Plutonium) – Synthetic, produced in reactors from uranium; used in nuclear weapons and power.
95.Am (Americium) – Synthetic; produced in reactors; used in smoke detectors and research.
96.Cm (Curium) – Synthetic; produced in reactors; used in space power sources.
97.Bk (Berkelium) – Synthetic; made in particle accelerators; research only.
98.Cf (Californium) – Synthetic; made in reactors; used in neutron sources and research.
99.Es (Einsteinium) – Synthetic; made in nuclear explosions or reactors; research only.
100.Fm (Fermium) – Synthetic; discovered in hydrogen bomb debris; research only.
101.Md (Mendelevium) – Synthetic; produced in particle accelerators; research only.
102.No (Nobelium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
103.Lr (Lawrencium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
104.Rf (Rutherfordium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
105.Db (Dubnium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
106.Sg (Seaborgium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
107.Bh (Bohrium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
108.Hs (Hassium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
109.Mt (Meitnerium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
110.Ds (Darmstadtium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
111.Rg (Roentgenium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
112.Cn (Copernicium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
113.Nh (Nihonium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
114.Fl (Flerovium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
115.Mc (Moscovium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
116.Lv (Livermorium) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
117.Ts (Tennessine) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; research only.
118.Og (Oganesson) – Synthetic; made in accelerators; a noble gas-like superheavy element, highly unstable.
Facts I
Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not.
Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood.
Sharks existed before trees.
Wombat poop is cube-shaped.
There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth.
Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins.
A day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus.
The fingerprints of a koala are almost indistinguishable from humans.
Your stomach gets a new lining every few days.
Honey never spoils; edible honey has been found in ancient tombs.
Water can boil and freeze at the same time under the right pressure.
The Eiffel Tower grows taller in summer due to thermal expansion.
The heart of a blue whale is the size of a small car.
Time passes faster on top of a mountain than at sea level.
A teaspoon of neutron star material would weigh billions of tons.
Space smells like seared steak, according to astronauts.
There’s a species of jellyfish that can essentially live forever.
Every two minutes, humans take more pictures than were taken in the 1800s.
Your body has more bacterial cells than human cells.
The Great Wall of China is not visible from space with the naked eye.
The Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world’s oxygen.
Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun.
Some turtles can breathe through their butts.
Saturn could float in water because it’s less dense than water.
There’s enough DNA in your body to stretch to the sun and back many times.
You are about one centimeter taller in the morning than at night.
The longest recorded time between two twins being born is 87 days.
The human brain has more connections than there are stars in the galaxy.
Pineapples take about two years to grow.
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth is -144°F (-98°C) in Antarctica.
Cleopatra lived closer in time to the first moon landing than to the building of the Great Pyramid.
Your stomach thinks all potatoes are mashed.
Cows have best friends and get stressed when separated.
The average cumulus cloud weighs more than a million pounds.
There are more possible moves in a game of chess than atoms in the observable universe.
Antarctica holds about 70% of the world’s fresh water.
There are more plastic flamingos in the U.S. than real flamingos.
The dot over the letter “i” is called a tittle.
Some cats are allergic to humans.
The Earth’s rotation is gradually slowing down.
The human nose can remember 50,000 different scents.
If you shuffle a deck of cards, chances are that exact order has never existed before in history.
The longest time someone has hiccupped continuously is 68 years.
The brain uses about 20% of the body’s oxygen supply.
A cloud can travel at more than 100 miles per hour.
There’s a species of fungus that turns ants into “zombies.”
The Moon is slowly drifting away from Earth.
Some frogs can be frozen solid and come back to life when thawed.
The inventor of the Pringles can is buried in one.
The Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are on a collision course.
