Common Elements Quiz Questions

The second most abundant element in Earth's crust. It is the principal component of sand and quartz and finds use in solar cells, computer chips, caulking materials, and abrasives.

A metallic element that serves as the negative pole in the common flashlight battery. It is used to plate a protective film on iron objects (as in galvanized buckets). Melted with copper, it becomes brass .

A gaseous nonmetal, the most abundant element of Earth. It makes up some 21% of Earth's atmosphere and is essential to most forms of life.

This metal is the best conductor of heat and electricity. Its scarcity prevents it from common use for such purposes. It was used extensively in the past in the manufacture of coins, but has become too expensive. It is used today for fine eating utensils and decorative objects. Some of its compounds are sensitive enough to light to be used in photographic film.

The lightest and most abundant element; the fuel of the universe. It is believed that all other elements were originally formed from a series of stellar nuclear reactions beginning with this element. It is found in numerous compounds such as water and in most carbon-containing compounds.

 Nicknamed quicksilver, it is the only metallic element that is a liquid at room temperature. It is used in thermometers because it expands significantly and regularly when heated. Its high density makes it a practical substance to use in barometers. It is a toxic "heavy" metal.

The most abundant metal in Earth's crust, this silver-white element is characterized by its low density, resistance to corrosion, and high strength. It is used for a variety of structural purposes, such as in airplanes, boats, and cars.

A highly reactive, greenish-yellow gas used as a bleach and as a water disinfectant.  It is a component of table salt.

A metallic element that is used as a corrosion-resistant coating on the inside of cans used for packaging food, oil, and other substances.

A gaseous nonmetal that makes up 78% of Earth's atmosphere. Its compounds are important components of proteins, fertilizers, and many explosives.

A yellow, nonreactive, metallic element that has been highly valued since ancient times for its beauty and durability.

A soft, highly reactive metal. Its compounds include table salt, lye, and baking soda.

This magnetic, metallic element is used extensively for structural purposes. It is the main ingredient in steel. This element is necessary for the human body to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.

 A reddish, lustrous, ductile, malleable metal that occurs in nature in both free and combined states. It forms the body of the Statue of Liberty. Other uses include electrical wiring, pennies, and decorative objects.

A red, highly reactive, fuming liquid with a foul smell. It finds limited use as a disinfectant.

A yellow nonmetal that occurs in both free and combined states. It is used in making match tips, gunpowder and vulcanized rubber. Its presence in coal leads to acid rain 

A soft, dense metal used in bullets and car batteries. It was once used extensively both in plumbing and in paints. Concern over its biological effects caused a ban on its use for these purposes. It is being phased out as a gasoline additive for the same reason.

 An unreactive, gaseous element used in advertising signs for the bright reddish-orange glow it produces when an electric current is passed through it. 

 A highly reactive metal of low density. It is one of the three main elements found in fertilizer. Its compounds are quite similar to those of sodium, though typically more expensive.

A silver-white, lustrous, radioactive metal. Used as fuel in nuclear power plants and in atomic warheads.

A component of all living matter and fossil fuels; graphite and diamond are both composed of this, as well as soot.

One of the three magnetic elements, this metal is used in 5-cent pieces and other coins, in electroplating, and in nichrome wire.

A reactive, silver-white metal that is second in abundance to sodium in ocean water. Due to its low density and high strength, its alloys are often used for structural purposes in the transportation industry, as in "mag" wheels. It is also used in fireworks and incendiary bombs because it ignites readily. Some of its compounds, such as Epsom salt and milk of magnesia, have medicinal uses.

A solid purple-black nonmetal which changes to a deep purple gas upon heating. An alcohol solution of this element serves as an effective skin disinfectant. A compound of this element is added to sodium chloride to prevent goiter.

A widely distributed nonmetal never found it its free elemental state. It is an essential component in all cells, DNA, and various animal tissues and bones. It is also one of the three main elements in fertilizers.