Chemistry Activities for Kids: Week 1 - Learn About Elements

Chemistry Activities for Kids Week 1 - Learn About Elements From Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., your Guide to Chemistry Thank you for subscribing to the Chemistry Activities for Kids weekly newsletter. This week we'll take a look at elements. Elements are basic building blocks of matter. Examples of elements include iron, helium, and uranium. When elements are combined, they can form larger units, like molecules and compounds. Element Facts & Fun Element Photo Gallery  Let's get started by taking a look at the elements. Did you know liquid oxygen is blue? Did you know some radioactive elements really do glow in the dark, even though most do not? Element Symbol Quiz Do you know the names of the elements when you see their chemical symbols? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge. I'll give the symbol and you select its element. Are you ready? Get Your Silver Clean Many metals exist as pure elements. Elemental silver doesn't tarnish (darken), but sterling silver does because it includes the element copper as well as silver. Copper reacts with air to form a coating on its outer surface. Silverware and jewelry is often made using sterling silver. You can clean your silver with a few non-toxic kitchen ingredients... and you don't even have to touch your silver to do it! What Are the Elements in the Human Body? I'll give you a hint. Most of the body is made up of water, which is made up of two elements. Do you know what those two elements are? Can you guess what other elements are inside you? What Is the Most Abundant Element? It's sort of a trick question, since the correct answer depends on whether we are talking about the composition of the Earth or of the Universe as a whole. Do you know the answers? Element Color Quiz Here's a multiple choice quiz you can take to test how well you know the colors of the elements. Hint: Most metals are silver. More Element Resources Periodic Table of the Elements  The periodic table is a really useful tool for chemistry! This table contains the symbols for all of the elements. When you click on a symbol, you'll learn the name of the element and some facts about it. Element Facts Are you looking for more information about elements or groups of elements, like metals or noble gases? This is an index of articles and fact sheets relating to (you guessed it) elements! Got Questions? Visit the Chemistry Forum  If you are age 13 or older you can ask and answer questions at the chemistry forum. Forum members include anyone interested in chemistry. You'll find scientists, engineers, students, parents, and other people just like you with an interest in chemistry. Looking for More Projects? Fun Activities for Kids  Here's a list of some of the most popular science projects for bored kids. These activities are safe and use common household materials. Best Science Toys Sometimes you might prefer to purchase an educational toy rather than start a project from scratch. Are you looking for ideas for good toys? Here's the list I made for myself to jog my own memory before my kids' birthdays and other holidays. Home Chemistry Kit Here's a list of projects that you can do at home. I've included a list of common supplies you might want to have in order to start up a home chemistry lab. For each project, I've listed the materials and stated an appropriate age range. This email is written by:  Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.