The Statue of Liberty is made of copper.  When oxidized, copper forms green or blue salts.  A green oxidation of copper is often called a patina.   The oxidation of copper imparts a green color to the statue of liberty.  Copper is also used to make many coins.  The symbol for copper, Cu, comes from the […]

Electrodeposits of nickel result in beautiful, silvery nodules.  Nickel is also found in NiCd batteries.  The following reactions take place in these batteries: Cd(s) + 2 OH–(aq) →Cd(OH)2(s) + 2 e–                                                                     (negative electrode) 2 NiOOH(s) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 e–>→2 Ni(OH)2(s) + 2 OH–(aq)                   (positive electrode) next element               […]

The addition of cobalt to glass gives a deep blue color to the glass. next element                                        previous element

Iron is used to make stainless steel sinks and steel armor.  You might also recognize a famous superhero that uses iron in its name.  The Latin name for iron is “ferrum”. next element                                        previous element

Manganese is used in zinc batteries.  The chemical reaction that gives energy to zinc batteries is: Zn(s) + 2 MnO2(s) →ZnO(s) + Mn2O3 (s). Manganese is also found in the enzyme that catalyzes the initial reaction in photosynthesis, which happens to be: 2 H2O → 4 H+ + 4 electrons + O2 Finally, Manganese forms ions […]

Chromium is used to make boat propellers.  It also was used as the magnetic compound in cassette tapes.  The chromium compound chromate ( CrO42- ) is yellow, while the chromium compound dichromate (Cr2O72- ) is orange.  Compounds that contain transition metals (like chromium) are often brightly colored, and they can display multiple colors.  The presence of […]

Vanadium forms ions that exist in a variety of oxidation states.  Solutions of these ions each have a particular color:  V2+ is violet,  V3+ is green, V4+ (as VO2+) is blue and V5+ (as VO42-) is yellow.               next element                               […]

Titanium is a low density (D = 4.54 grams per milliliter) metal used in paints, airplanes and hip replacement parts.   next element                                        previous element

Scandium is named for Scandinavia, where the Vikings originate.  It was first discovered in minerals that came from Scandinavia.   next element                                        previous element