Chemical Elements Word Search Puzzle

A chemical element can be defined as: Any of the more than 100 known substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter.

Ninety-three chemical elements are known to occur naturally, with oxygen being the most prevalent on Earth. Oxygen is the predominant element in the Earth's oceans, makes up almost one-quarter, by volume of the atmosphere and almost half, (by weight), of the Earth's crust. Oxygen is also a component of all living tissues, with the majority of all the plants and animals on Earth requiring the element for life.

Silicon, atomic number 14, is the second most common element in our world and is widely used in the electronics industry, and in manufacturing.

Another abundant element in our world is carbon, a fundamental element in all living organisms on Earth and in all organic compounds, which includes a plethora of materials used in everyday living, right down to the foods we consume. Carbon is also a major element of coal and petroleum, and the valued diamond is a crystalline carbon. The element is also plentiful in the stars, including our Sun.

Calcium is another important component of the majority of plants and animals and the fifth most abundant element found in the Earth's crust. Calcium also plays a vital role in various bodily functions including the clotting of blood and the transmission of nerve impulses.

Potassium, the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, also is found in all plant and animal tissue.

In the atmosphere, nitrogen is the most prevalent element, making up almost 80 percent by volume. Nitrogen is also present in all living tissues.

Hydrogen, the tenth most common element on Earth, is in turn the most abundant known element in the universe. It is also the simplest and lightest, having the smallest atoms of any element and is labeled atomic number 1.

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Fun Facts: The metallic element tungsten, atomic number 74, has the highest melting point of any metal and lithium, atomic number 3, is the lightest metal known. Silver conducts electricity and heat more efficiently than any other metal and next to gold, is the most malleable of all the metallic elements, meaning it is a soft metal and can be easily shaped. Gold, the most malleable element is highly valued and will not rust or decay. An ounce of gold, about the size of a marble, can be flatten out to cover an area of approximately 300 square feet. Gold, in its pure form is labeled as 24-karat. Next to silver, copper has the highest conductivity of the metallic elements and is the most abundantly available of the metals, thus it is widely used in the electrical industry.

For more information on chemical elements and to see "the periodic table on the web", visit Web Elements.

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