Neodymium is used in the strongest magnets known (neodymium magnets).  These magnets are made from an alloy of neodymium, boron and iron (Nd2Fe14B).   next element                                         previous element

    Praseodymium absorbs yellow light very well.  Welders use it in their goggles so as to block the bright yellow flame of a blow torch.  This allows the welders to more easily see what they are welding. next element                               […]

Cerium is used in self-cleaning ovens, where it catalyzes the breakdown of hydrocarbons to prevent their buildup within the oven.  A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a reaction by participating in the reaction, but the catalyst is not used up during the reaction. next element                 […]

  Lanthanum is used in mischmetal, which is an alloy of rare earth metals.  Commonly 50% Ce and 25% La with other elements.  Mischmetal is used as the flint in lighters.   next element                                         previous […]

  Barium is what you do when somebody dies…get it?   next element                                         previous element

    Cesium is very rare.  However, if one could find a lump of solid cesium and throw it in water, it would certainly make an entertaining explosion.  We can predict this due to cesium’s position on the table.  It is in the alkali metal family, and therefore reacts similarly to other alkali metals.  Alkali […]

The Latin name for tin is stannum, thus its symbol is Sn.  Tin is used to make metallic objects like tin cups.  It is also used to make an alloy called brittanium, which is 92% tin and 6% antimony and 2% copper.  Brittanium is used to make the Oscar statuettes that are handed out in […]

Indium, in the form of indium gallium nitride (InGaP) or indium gallium phosphide (InGaP), is used to make light emitting diodes (LEDs).     next element                                         previous element

Cadmium is used in NiCad batteries.  The following reactions take place in these batteries: Cd(s) + 2 OH–(aq) →Cd(OH)2(s) + 2 e–      ( – electrode) 2 NiOOH(s) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 e–>→2 Ni(OH)2(s) + 2 OH–(aq)   (+ electrode) next element                       […]

Silver has been used to make cups, coins and other metallic items; as an antimicrobial agent in socks; and in in black-and-white photography.  The Latin name for silver is “argentum”. next element                                         previous element