CHNOPS's definitions

Selenium

Element #34 with the symbol Se. Selenium usually comes as a smooth, black, glossy solid, like a chunk of sexy chocolate. It can also occur as a red powder, which is much more reactive than the black counterpart. Selenium has many applications in today's world, such as being a key ingredient in vitamin supplements and shampoos, solar cells, photoconductors, batteries, fertilizers, and glass production. One property unique to Selenium is that it is quite sensitive to light. This strange characteristic paved the way for the development of solar panels and other devices that utilise light/electricity. Selenium gets its name from the Greek "Selene", which means "moon". The reason for this is because at the time of its discovery, Selenium was placed directly above Tellurium on the periodic table. And Tellurium's name was derived from the Latin "Tellus", which meant "earth". It made perfect sense to name an element after a celestial body with correlation to another similarly-named element.

Selenium is also used in Manganese Electrolysis.

by CHNOPS July 9, 2020

Palladium

The elusive, rare, and extremely valuable 46th element, with the symbol Pd. Palladium is resistant to many forms of corrosion, whether it be physical, or chemical. It is also a hypoallergenic metal, which makes it perfect for making jewelry with sky-high prices. In addition to being tough, Palladium metal is often used to plate fuel cells because of its catalytic properties. Palladium got its name from the asteroid called "Pallas", which in turn, was also named after one of the Gigantes, Pallas, who was slain by Athena in Greek Mythology.

Person 1: I plated the catalytic converter in my car with Palladium, and bought my wife some jewelry made with the same stuff.
Person 2: How broke are you now?
Person 1: Yes

by CHNOPS July 8, 2020

Copper

The 29th element with the symbol Cu and a beautiful pink-orange hue. Copper is a huge multi-tasker metal, with decorative, industrial, plumbing, electronic, and culinary uses, making it extremely useful in everyday life. Most of its practical applications make use of Copper's availability and conductivity. It is widespread in many countries, and is easily accessible. Copper is also the 2nd most conductive metal. In addition to being common and a great transmitter, it is very soft, allowing it to be bent into many different shapes easily. However, as good as Copper may seem, it is chemically reactive in the air, quickly developing a black tarnish that ruins the orange-y hue that many people love. It is also too soft; requiring the support of other metals for strength. The name "Copper" comes from the Latin "Cuprum", meaning "from the island of Cyprus". The Romans discovered that this metal was abundant on Cyprus, and mined large quantities of it.

Copper is an outstanding metal in terms of uses and applications.

by CHNOPS July 8, 2020

Iodine

The 53rd element that occurs as a grey crystalline solid. It gives off a pretty, toxic, magenta-coloured vapour when heated, that should NOT be inhaled under any circumstance. It is one of two naturally-occurring halogens that crystallize at room temperature (the other being Astatine). Iodine's name comes from the Greek "Iodes", which means "violet-coloured".

Iodine occurs naturally in organic compounds in seaweed.

by CHNOPS July 8, 2020