Common Element Uses

1. H - Most abundant element in Universe 2. Li - Treats mental illness

3. Na - Salt has it; contracts muscles 4. Mg- Makes water “hard”; used in antacids

5. K - Gunpowder; relaxes muscles 6. Ca - Creates bone strength

7. Cr - Shiny metal on cars 8. Fe - Used in steel alloys

9. Ni - Strengthens steel and coins 10. Cu - Used for pipes and electrical wire

11. Zn - Prevents rust on steel 12. Al - Used for making soda cans

13. Ag - Semiconductors, jewelry @ $5/ounce 14. C - Forms long chains of molecules including DNA

15. N - 78% of air we breathe; plant fertilizer 16. O - 21% of air we breathe; necessary for burning

17. F - Prevents cavities; makes teeth hard 18. Ne - Electrified gas makes bright lights

19. Si - Computer chips 20. P - Fireworks; plant fertilizer

21. S - Creates useful acids; builds proteins 22. Cl - Salt has it; kills germs in water

23. As - Used as a rodent poison 24. Br - Used to prepare dyes

25. I - Controls growth and metabolism 26. Sn - Used to make food cans and bronze

27. Pb - Used to shield radioactivity 28. Hg - The liquid metal in thermometers

29. Au - Good conductor, jewelry @ $300/ounce 30. Pu - Waste from nuclear reactors

31. U - Fuel for nuclear reactors 32. Rn - Poisonous gas from soil around houses

33. Ti - Super strong, light metal used in airplanes 34. Pt - Razor blades, jewelry @ $600/ounce

35. He - Non-flammable gas used in blimps 36. W - Gives off light in light bulbs