Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas, the chemical element with atomic number

1. One of its isotopes, H3 Tritium is a radioactive isotope used in making the hydrogen bomb. Its
most common use is in rocket fuel in which hydrogen is used as a propellant to accelerate in low-
orbit atmosphere. Other uses include; hydrogenation of fats and oils
methanol production, hydrodealkylation, hydrocracking, and hydrodesulphurization

Helium is an odorless atomic element with the number 2. It is an inert gas that is significantly
lighter than other gases. Due to this, Helium is an excellent gas for hot air balloons. In the field of
science, Helium is commonly used for experimenting with physics at extremely low temperatures
as liquid Helium can go up to -270 C, much lower than liquid Nitrogen and only a few degrees
above absolute zero -273.15 C

Lithium is a highly reactive element with the atomic number 3. Due to lithium’s ability to store
electric charges, it has been used as the main component in almost all batteries for mobile phones,
laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles as it can be recharged compared to other elements.
Lithium is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys and
clocks.

Beryllium is an element of the atomic number 4. Its compounds are highly toxic to the lungs so it
must be handled with care. Beryllium’s properties make it a suitable partner in making alloys with
copper or nickel to make gyroscopes, springs, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes and non-
sparking tools. It also is used in aircraft to provide structural protection

Boron is an essential biological element with the atomic number 5. It is used by plants to form
their cell walls which protect them from damage, and harmful microbes. Its primary use in science
however, is an igniter for rocket fuel, and pyrotechnic flares. Boron’s properties absorb all
wavelengths except green, which is then reflected to us. It is also used in making pyrex, an oven-
resistant glass.

Carbon is a biological element with the atomic number 6. It is the only element with its own field
of study called Hydrocarbons. Due to this, carbon has many uses and combined with its ability to
form strong bonds, Carbon has been used to make the toughest, and strongest material to date.
Graphite for pencils, Graphene as coating, Carbon fiber as a lightweight material. The uses for
Carbon are almost infinite and we keep finding more.

Nitrogen is an element with the atomic number 7. It makes up a majority of earth’s atmosphere is
non-toxic to us except in large amounts. Nitrogen is important to the chemical industry. It is used
to make fertilizers, nitric acid, nylon, dyes and explosives. To make these products, nitrogen must
first be reacted with hydrogen to produce ammonia. Nitrogen gas is also used to provide an
unreactive atmosphere for canned goods

Oxygen is an important biological element with the atomic number 8. Its main use is purely
biological and that is to act as waste disposal for carbon to combine with in the cells. However, in
other fields, it used as antifreeze, and for elements that combine with it to form oxides.

Fluorine is a toxic element with the atomic number 9. Fluorine’s primary use, CFCs (chloro-fluoro-
carbons) were once used as aerosol propellants, refrigerants and for ‘blowing’ expanded
polystyrene. However, their inertness meant that, once in the atmosphere, they diffused into the
stratosphere and destroyed the Earth’s ozone layer. They are now banned.

Neon is noble gas with the atomic number 10. Its eight valence electrons make it an extremely
stable element. The largest use of neon is in making the ubiquitous ‘neon signs’ for advertising. In
a vacuum discharge tube neon glows a reddish orange colour. Only the red signs actually contain
pure neon. Others contain different gases to give different colours. Neon is also used to make high-
voltage indicators and switching gear, lightning arresters, diving equipment and lasers.

Sodium is a biological component of the atomic number 11. It is essential in neuron firing and the
movement of muscles. Sodium is used as a heat exchanger in some nuclear reactors, and as a
reagent in the chemicals industry. But sodium salts have more uses than the metal itself. The most
common compound of sodium is sodium chloride (common salt). It is added to food and used to
de-ice roads in winter.
Magnesium is an element of the atomic number 12. Magnesium is one-third less dense than
aluminum. It improves the mechanical, fabrication and welding characteristics of aluminum when
used as an alloying agent. These alloys are useful in airplanes, cars, and mobile devices such as
laptops, and smartphones

Aluminum is a metal element of the atomic number 13. Aluminum is used in a huge variety of
products including cans, foils, kitchen utensils, window frames, beer kegs and airplane parts. This
is because of its properties. It has low density, is non-toxic, has a high thermal conductivity, has
excellent corrosion resistance and can be easily cast, machined and formed.

Silicon is a non-toxic element of the atomic number 14. It is used to cast molds due to its ductility
and malleability, an uncommon property for non-metal elements. The element silicon is used
extensively as a semiconductor in solid-state devices in the computer and microelectronics
industries. For this, hyper pure silicon is needed and used.

Phosphorus is an element of the atomic number 15. Red phosphorus is in the material stuck on the
side of matchboxes, used to strike safety matches against to light them. By far the largest use of
phosphorus compounds is for fertilizers. Ammonium phosphate is made from phosphate ores. The
ores are first converted into phosphoric acids before being made into ammonium phosphate.

Sulfur is an element of the atomic number 16. Sulfur is used in black gunpowder. Most sulfur is,
however, used in the production of sulfuric acid, which is perhaps the most important chemical.
The most important of sulfuric acid’s many uses is in the manufacture of phosphoric acid, to make
phosphates for fertilizers.

Chlorine is a toxic element of the atomic number 17. Chlorine kills bacteria – it is a disinfectant.
It is used to treat drinking water and swimming pool water. It is also used to make hundreds of
consumer products from paper to paints, and from textiles to insecticides.
About 20% of chlorine produced is used to make PVC.

Argon is a noble gas of the atomic number 18. Argon is used in fluorescent tubes and low-energy
light bulbs. A low-energy light bulb often contains argon gas and mercury. When it is switched on
an electric discharge passes through the gas, generating UV light. The coating on the inside surface
of the bulb is activated by the UV light and it glows brightly.

Potassium is a biological element of the atomic number 19. With sodium, it acts a mechanism to
control muscles in our body. Potassium is essential to life. Agricultural land, from which harvests
are taken every year, needs to have its potassium replenished by adding potassium-based
fertilizers. It also important in maintaining water and electrolyte balance

Calcium is a biological element of the atomic number 20. It is essential in bone production which
supports our muscles. It’s primary use however is as a building material. There are vast deposits
of limestone (calcium carbonate) used directly as a building stone and indirectly for cement, plaster
and hollow blocks.