Author: Madhulima Acharya

What is Inconel Inconel is a family of alloys made from nickel and chromium that has major applications in manufacturing. These alloys can withstand high temperature and pressure, and oxidation-corrosion without losing their structural integrity. Though not naturally magnetic, some of them exhibit the property [1, 2].

What is Radium-223 Radium-223 is a radioactive isotope of the radium metal with a half-life of 11.4 days, denoted by the symbol Ra-223 or 223Ra. A high energy alpha-emitting radionuclide, it is mainly used in the medical and research field [1]. It can be produced from an actinium-227/thorium-227 generator system through elution 

What is Aluminum Aluminum (pronounced as ah-LOO-men-em) is a soft and lightweight metal, represented by the chemical Al. It exists in the form of several mineral compounds, having a wide range of commercial uses due to its non-toxic nature and high-corrosion resistance. It has 15 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 22 to 35 of… Continue reading Aluminum

What is Silver Silver (pronounced as SIL-ver) is a shiny metal denoted by the chemical symbol Ag. Though it is not highly reactive, it gradually tarnishes in air to form a black coating of silver sulfide. It has 35 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 94 to 128 of which only Ag-107 and Ag-109 have… Continue reading Silver

What is Hydrogen Hydrogen (pronounced as Hi-dreh-jen) is a colorless gas represented by the chemical symbol H. It is the first element in the periodic table, belonging to the family of nonmetals [1]. Since hydrogen is a diatomic gas, it’s denoted by the molecular formula H2.

What is Lithium Lithium (pronounced as LITH-ee-em) is a soft metal with a silver appearance, represented by the chemical symbol Li. It belongs to the family of alkali metals and reacts spontaneously with water. Out of its seven isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 5 to 11, only Li-6 and Li-7 have a natural existence.

What is Nitrogen Nitrogen (pronounced as Nye-treh-gen) is a chemical element, existing in the form of a colorless diatomic gas. Denoted by the chemical symbol N, it belongs to the family of nonmetals. It is the fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, represented by the molecular formula N2 [1, 2]. There are 12… Continue reading Nitrogen

What is Carbon Carbon (pronounced as KAR-ben) is a soft nonmetal denoted by the chemical symbol C. It forms several allotropes including diamond, graphite, graphene, and fullerene. Carbon is the sixth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, and it can be obtained in the form of black powder by burning organic compounds in a… Continue reading Carbon

What is Magnesium A silver-white tough metal, magnesium (pronounced as mag-NEE-zhi-eem) belongs to the family of alkali earth metals. Represented by the chemical symbol Mg, it burns easily in air with a distinctive bright white light [1, 2]. The eighth most abundant element in the earth’s crust, magnesium has 15 isotopes with mass numbers ranging… Continue reading Magnesium

What is Selenium Selenium (pronounced as si-LEE-nee-em) is a metalloid, existing in both amorphous and crystalline forms, where the former appears as red/black powder and the latter as a silver-gray rock [1]. Denoted by the chemical symbol Se, it has 24 isotopes of which only six exist naturally in different concentrations in the earth’s crust… Continue reading Selenium

What is Iron Iron (prounounced as EYE-ren) is a hard metal with a high commercial value, belonging to the family of transition metals. Represented by the chemical symbol Fe, it is chemically reactive with a tendency to corrode easily in air forming a reddish layer called rust when exposed to damp air [1, 2].

What is Gold Gold (prounounced as GOLD) is a lustrous and valuable metal belonging to the family of noble metals. Denoted by the chemical symbol Au, it is does not react with other elements or compounds. Pure gold is designated as 24 carats that’s soft in nature, and hence alloyed with other metals. It has… Continue reading Gold

What is Chlorine Chlorine (pronounced as KLOHR-een) is a highly reactive diatomic gas belonging to the family of halogens. Denoted by the chemical symbol Cl, it categorized as a nonmetal [1, 2]. It has 16 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 31 to 46 of which only Cl-35 and Cl-37 have a natural existence with a… Continue reading Chlorine

What is Neon Neon (NEE-on) is classified as a non-metal, represented by the chemical symbol Ne, belonging to the noble gas family. A highly inert and diamagnetic element, it does not react with any other element or compound. Out of its 14 isotopes, only Ne-20, Ne-21, and Ne-22 are naturally occurring with a stable half-life… Continue reading Neon

What is Fluorine Denoted by the chemical symbol F, fluorine (pronounced as FLU-eh-reen) is a highly reactive nonmetal existing naturally in the state of gas. When it gains an electron from another atom in a reaction, it forms fluoride whose ion symbol is F– [11].It belongs to the family of halogens, reacting with almost all… Continue reading Fluorine

What is Iodine A crystalline metalloid, iodine (pronounced EYE-eh-dine) belongs to the family of halogens. Denoted by the chemical symbol I, it undergoes sublimation when heated to form a purple gaseous vapor, sometimes called as Iodine gas whose molecular formula is I2. Although it is less reactive than the other members in its group, it… Continue reading Iodine

What is Zinc Zinc is a transition metal denoted by the chemical symbol Zn. It is brittle at room temperature, but turns malleable above 100 °C [1, 3]. It is also used in the form of powder and dust. It has 25 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 57 to 83 of which only Zn-66,… Continue reading Zinc

What is Lead Lead (pronunciation: LED) is a soft, malleable, and ductile element having a high corrosion resistance, denoted by the chemical symbol Pb. A poor conductor of electricity, it slowly forms a dull coating when exposed to air [1]. Belonging to the family of post-transition metals, it has 35 isotopes with mass numbers ranging… Continue reading Lead

What is Bismuth Bismuth (pronounced as BIZ-meth) is a brittle metal, existing in several allotrope forms, and denoted by the chemical symbol Bi. It belongs to the nitrogen family having 33 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 185 to 217 of which only Bi-209 is a natural and stable one with a half-life of 1.9×109… Continue reading Bismuth

What is Uranium Uranium (pronounced as you-Ray-nee-em) is a radioactive metal denoted by the chemical symbol Ur. It has twenty-one isotopes of which only Ur-234, Ur-235, and Ur-238 exist naturally, the last one is the most commonly known isotope with the longest half-life of 4.5×109 years, undergoing decay into thorium-234 through alpha decay or spontaneous… Continue reading Uranium

What is Scandium Scandium (pronunciation SKAN-dee-em) is a soft, light metal exhibiting a high reactivity with air and water, represented by the chemical symbol Sc [1, 4]. It belongs to the family of transition metals, having thirteen isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 40 to 52 of which only Sc-45 is the most common one… Continue reading Scandium

What is Bromine Bromine (pronounced as BRO-meen) is a volatile, oily liquid halogen with an intermediate reactivity between chlorine and iodine. A diatomic element, it is denoted by the chemical symbol Br [2]. In its gaseous state, also called as bromine gas, it is represented by the chemical formula Br2 [1].

What is Iridium Iridium (pronounced as i-RID-ee-em) is a hard and brittle metal represented by the chemical symbol Ir. It is the least reactive element, belonging to the platinum family. It has 34 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 165 to 198 of which only Ir-191 and Ir-193 exist naturally with a stable half-life [1,… Continue reading Iridium

What is Plutonium Plutonium (pronounced as ploo-TOE-nee-em) is a naturally-occurring radioactive element that belongs to the family of actinide metals. It reacts readily with oxygen, carbon, silicon, nitrogen, and halogens to form stable compounds [7]. Denoted by the chemical symbol Pu, it has 17 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 227 to 248 of which… Continue reading Plutonium

What is Radium A highly radioactive and naturally-occurring metal, radium (pronounced as RAY-dee-em) is formed when uranium and thorium undergo disintegration in the environment. Represented by the chemical symbol Ra, it is classified in the family of alkaline earth metals [1]. It has 33 isotopes of which Ra-226 and Ra-228 have a half-life of 1600… Continue reading Radium

What is Technetium A radioactive metal, technetium (pronounced as tek-NEE-she-em) is the first synthetically produced element. Denoted by the chemical symbol Tc, it belongs to the family of transition metals [1].

What is Krypton The element krypton (pronounced as KRIP-ton) is a noble gas belonging to the family of nonmetals. Represented by the chemical symbol Kr, it is inert in nature, not reacting with anything except fluorine [1].

What is Indium Indium (pronounced as IN-dee-eem) is a soft metal that does not react with water or air under normal atmospheric conditions, but dissolves in acids. Represented by the chemical symbol In, it belongs to the boron family. Out of its 38 isotopes, In-113 and In-115 are naturally occurring where the latter has a… Continue reading Indium

What is Cadmium Cadmium (pronounced as KAD-mee-əm) is a naturally-occurring shiny metal denoted by the chemical symbol Cd. Although a non-radioactive element, it is poisonous, causing cancer and prenatal defects, therefore having limited uses. It has eight naturally-existing isotopes of which only Cd-110, Cd-111, and Cd-112 have a stable half-life.

What is Cesium Cesium (pronounced as SEE-zee-em), sometimes spelled as caesium, is a highly reactive metal when exposed to air and water. Denoted by the chemical symbol Cs, it belongs to the family of alkali metals [1]. It has one naturally occurring isotope, Cs-133 while the rest thirty-five are unstable.

What is Barium Belonging to the family of alkaline earth metals, barium (pronounced as BAR-ee-em) is a heavy metal represented by the chemical symbol Ba [1]. Out of the thirty-seven isotopes of barium, only seven are naturally-occurring ones with mass numbers ranging from 130 to 138 (excluding Ba-131) where barium-133 is the most stable, having… Continue reading Barium

What is Gadolinium Gadolinium (pronounced as GAD-oh-LIN-ee-em) is a soft metal belonging to the family of rare earth metals [1]. Denoted by the chemical symbol Gd, it has seven naturally-occurring isotopes of which Gadolinium-160 has the longest half-life [1].

What is Thallium Thallium (pronounced as THAL-ee-em) is a heavy metal with considerable toxic properties, represented by the chemical symbol Ti [1]. Under normal atmospheric conditions, the pure element undergoes reaction with oxygen and moisture to form oxides, thereby limiting its uses [1]. A member of the alkali metal family [9], it has 30 isotopes… Continue reading Thallium

What is Promethium Promethium (pronounced as pro-MEE-thee-em) is a radioactive metal with the chemical symbol Pm, belonging to the family of lanthanides as it does not exist naturally in the earth’s crust [1, 3]. It has twenty-nine isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 130 to 158 of which the most stable one is promethium-145 having… Continue reading Promethium

What is Europium Belonging to the family of lanthanides, europium (pronounced as yoo-RO-pee-em) is a rare earth metal denoted by the chemical symbol Eu [1]. It has thirty isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 131 to 162 of which europium-151 and europium-153 are stable, occurring naturally [3].

What is Neodymium Neodymium (pronounced as nee-eh-dim-ee-em) belongs to the family of lanthanides metals and denoted by the chemical symbol Nd [1, 2]. It comprises of five naturally-occurring stable isotopes whose mass numbers range from 142 to 148 of which Nd-144 is a radioisotope [4].

What is Mendelevium Mendelevium (pronounced as men-deh-LEE-vee-em) is a radioactive metal that belongs to the family of actinides and represented by the chemical symbol Md. Its most stable isotope is Md-258 with a half-life of 51.5 days [1, 4].

What is Protactinium Protactinium is a highly radioactive metal belonging to the family of actinides and denoted by the chemical symbol Pa [1]. It has 27 isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 212 to 238 out of which protactinium-231 is the most stable one with a half-life of 3.276 x 104 years. After which, it… Continue reading Protactinium

What is Thorium Thorium (pronounced as THOR-ee-em) is a less radioactive metal that belongs to the family of actinides and denoted by the chemical symbol Th [1]. Out of its thirty-two isotopes, thorium-230 and thorium-232 are the most stable ones with a half-life of 7.54×104 years and 1.4×1010 years, respectively, where the latter decays into… Continue reading Thorium

What is Nobelium Nobelium (pronounced as no-BELL-ee-em) is a synthetic, radioactive metal belonging to the family of actinides, and denoted by the chemical symbol No [1]. Its most stable isotope is nobelium-259 with a half-life of 58 minutes after which it undergoes decay into fermium-255 and mendelevium-259 through alpha decay and spontaneous fission/electron capture, respectively… Continue reading Nobelium

What is Californium A radioactive metal, californium (pronounced as kal-eh-FOR-nee-em) belongs to the family of actinides and denoted by the chemical symbol Cf [1]. It undergoes reactions when heated with hydrogen, nitrogen, and halogens [3]. It has 20 isotopes out of which californium-251 has a half-life of 900 years [1, 3].

What is Berkelium Berkelium (pronounced as BURK-lee-em) is a radioactive metal belonging to the family of actinides and denoted by the chemical symbol Bk. Out of its 12 isotopes, berkelium-247 and berkelium-249 are relatively more stable with a half-life of 1380 years and 320 days, respectively.

What is Astatine Astatine (pronounced as AS-teh-teen) is a non-metal represented by the chemical symbol At, and belongs to the family of halogens [1]. It is not diatomic as it contains only one atom. Among all the members of the halogen group, At shows least reactivity [8]. It has 30 isotopes out of which astatine-210… Continue reading Astatine

What is Osmium Osmium (pronounced as OZ-mee-em) belongs to the family of transition metals and denoted by the chemical symbol Os. It has thirty-four isotopes out of which seven occur naturally with osmium-92 having an abundance of 40.78% in the earth’s crust [1, 3]. It is also available in the form of powder, bars, balls,… Continue reading Osmium

What is Tantalum Tantalum (pronounced as TAN-te-lem) belongs to the family of transition metals and denoted by the chemical symbol Ta. It has thirty-one isotopes out of which tantalum-181 is the most stable one. It is further processed to produce sheets, capillary tubes, wires, rods, foils, plates, bars, and balls for different commercial applications [1].

What is Dubnium Dubnium (pronounced as DUB-nee-em) belongs to the family of transition metals and denoted by the chemical symbol Db. It has 12 isotopes out of which the most stable one is dubnium-268 with a half-life of 32 hours [1, 2, 3].

What is Lawrencium Lawrencium (pronounced as lor-ENS-ee-em) is a synthetic chemical element denoted by the chemical symbol Lr, and belongs to the family of actinides.

What is Curium Curium (pronounced as KYOOR-ee-em) is a radioactive metal belonging to the family of actinide metals and denoted by the chemical symbol Cm [1].

What is Neptunium Neptunium (pronounced as nep-TOO-nee-em) belongs to the family of actinide elements and is denoted by the chemical symbol Np [1].

What is Einsteinium Einsteinium (pronounced as ine-STINE-ee-em) is a radioactive metal, belonging to the family of transuranium elements, and denoted by the chemical symbol Es. It has 16 isotopes out of which einsteinium-252 is the most stable one with a half-life of 47.1 days [2, 3].

What is Francium Francium (pronounced as FRAN-see-em) is an alkali metal denoted by the symbol, Fr. No more than 15 grams of the element is found in the earth’s crust [1, 5].