Chemical Glossary

CAS Number: 7440-24-6. A silvery-white metal that rapidly turns
yellow when it oxidizes. It is used in fireworks, signal flares
and in tracer bullets. Also added to alloys of tin and lead to
add hardness and durability. Strontium usually occurs as a
mixture of four stable isotopes. 26 other less common, yet
unstable isotopes exist, the most harmful of which is 90Sr. 90Sr
is the product of nuclear fallout and can cause health problems.
Chemical formula = Sr. Molecular weight = 87.62 g/mol.

CAS Number: 7704-34-9. Tends to appear as a yellowish solid.
Pure sulfur has no odor, but traces of impurity may create a
rotten egg odor. Sulfur is used widely in the creation of other
chemicals and in industrial and manufacturing applications, and
is therefore rarely found in pure form. Most sulfur is used to
create sulfuric acid. Chemical formula = S. Molecular weight =
32.065 g/mol.

CAS Number: 7440-17-7. A soft, silvery-white, highly reactive
metal. It is used as a catalyst; and in photocells and vacuum-
and cathode-ray tubes. Chemical formula = Rb. Molecular weight =
85.4678 g/mol.

CAS Number: 7439-96-5. A gray-white metal, resembling iron, but
is harder and very brittle. It is reactive chemically, and
decomposes in cold water slowly. Manganese is used to form many
important alloys. In steel, manganese improves rolling and
forging qualities, strength, toughness, stiffness, wear
resistance, and hardness. Manganese colors glass an amethyst
color, and is responsible for the color of true amethyst.
Chemical formula = Mn. Molecular weight = 54.938 g/mol.

CAS Number: 7440-74-6. Indium is a very soft, silvery-white metal
with a brilliant lustre. The pure metal gives a high-pitched
"scream" when bent. It is useful for making low-melting alloys.
When plated or evaporated onto glass, it forms a mirror as good
as that formed by silver, but with superior resistance to
atmospheric corrosion. Indium is a byproduct of the formation of
lead and zinc. Indium metal is isolated by the electrolysis of
indium salts in water. Chemical formula = In. Molecular weight =
114.82 g/mol.

CAS Number: 7440-55-3. Gallium is the only metal, except for
mercury, caesium, and rubidium, which can be liquid near room
temperatures, which makes possible its use in high-temperature
thermometers. Ultra-pure gallium has a beautiful, silvery
appearance. Gallium compounds are also used to create
semiconductors and microwave equipment. Chemical formula = Ga.
Molecular weight = 69.72 g/mol.

CAS Number: 7440-50-8. Copper is a reddish metal that occurs
naturally in rocks, soil, water, and air. It also occurs
naturally in plants and animals. Metallic copper is easily molded
or shaped, and can be found in the U.S. penny, electrical wiring,
and some water pipes. It can also be found in mixtures (called
alloys) with other metals such as brass and bronze. Copper is
also found as part of other compounds forming salts. Copper salts
occur naturally, but are also manufactured. The most common

CAS Number: 7440-48-4. Cobalt is a naturally occurring element
found in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. There are non
radioactive and radioactive forms of cobalt. Non-radioactive
cobalt, referred to as stable cobalt, is used to produce metal
alloys used in the manufacture of aircraft engines, magnets,
grinding and cutting tools, artificial hip and knee joints.
Cobalt compounds are also used to color glass, ceramics and
paints, and used as a drier for porcelein enamel and paints.

Bromine is the only liquid nonmetallic element. It is a heavy,
volatile, mobile, dangerous reddish-brown liquid. The red vapor
has a strong unpleasant odor and the vapor irritates the eyes and
throat. It causes severe burns upon contact with the skin. In
concetrated form, it is a serious health hazard, and maximum
safety precautions should be taken when handling it. Bromine is
used in agricultural chemicals, dyestuffs, chemical intermediates
and flame-retardants. Most is used to prepare 1,2-dibromoethane,

CAS Number: 7440-41-7. Beryllium is a hard, grayish metal
naturally found in mineral rocks, coal, soil, and volcanic dust.
Beryllium compounds are commercially mined, and the beryllium is
purified for use in nuclear weapons and reactors, aircraft and
space vehicle structures, instruments, x-ray machines, and
mirrors. Beryllium ores are used to make speciality ceramics for
electrical and high-technology applications. Beryllium alloys are
used in automobiles, computers, sports equipment (golf clubs and