Discovery Elements

Hydrogen is the lightest element. It is by far the most abundant element

in the universe and makes up about about 90% of the universe by
weight. Hydrogen as water (H2O) is absolutely essential to life and it is
present in all organic compounds. Hydrogen is the lightest gas.
Hydrogen gas was used in lighter-than-air balloons for transport but is
far too dangerous because of the fire risk (Hindenburg). It burns in air
to form only water as waste product and if hydrogen could be made on
sufficient scale from other than fossil fuels then there might be a
possibility of a hydrogen economy.

Actinium is dangerously radioactive. The chemical behaviour of actinium

is similar to that of the rare earths, particularly lanthanum. It is found
naturally in uranium ores and actinium is 150 times more radioactive
than radium.

Gold is usually alloyed in jewellery to give it more strength, and the

term carat describes the amount of gold present (24 carats is pure
gold). It is estimated that all the gold in the world, so far refined, could
be placed in a single cube 60 ft. on a side. It is metallic, with a yellow
colour when in a mass, but when finely divided it may be black, ruby, or
purple.

Holmium is relatively soft and malleable, and is stable in dry air at room
temperature. It oxidises rapidly in moist air and at elevated
temperatures. The metal has unusual magnetic properties. The metal is
a rare earth metal found in monazite, gadolinite and other minerals.

Iron is a relatively abundant element in the universe. It is found

in the sun and many types of stars in considerable quantity. Iron
nuclei are very stable. Iron is a vital constituent of plant and
animal life, and is the key component of haemoglobin.

The pure metal is not often encountered in commerce, but is

usually alloyed with carbon or other metals. The pure metal is
very reactive chemically, and rapidly corrodes, especially in moist
air or at elevated temperatures. Any car owner knows this. Iron
metal is a silvery, lustrous metal which has important magnetic
properties.

Oxygen is a Group 16 element. While about one fifth of the atmosphere

is oxygen gas, the atmosphere of Mars contains only about 0.15%
oxygen. Oxygen is the third most abundant element found in the sun,
and it plays a part in the carbon-nitrogen cycle, one process responsible
for stellar energy production. Oxygen in excited states is responsible for
the bright red and yellow-green colours of the aurora. About two thirds
of the human body, and nine tenths of water, is oxygen.