15th Photohunt Theme 138: “Metal”
13 Comments Written by dmeemai
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November 29, 2008 – 7:34 am
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popping..
met.al: [met-l] noun, verb, -aled, -al.ing or (especially British) -alled, -al.ling. –noun
1. any of a class of elementary substances, as gold, silver, or copper, all of which are crystalline when solid and many of which are characterized by opacity, ductility, conductivity, and a unique luster when freshly fractured.
“You see metals every day. Aluminum foil is a metal. Gold and silver are metals. If someone asks you whether an element is a metal, metalloid, or non-metal and you don’t know the answer, guess that it’s a metal.”
I chose Chemistry 101 for this week’s theme, that of the purest state of metals categorized under the periodic table of elements. Anybody still remember this from Junior High? We had to memorize the entire table along with its atomic symbol, atomic number and its atomic mass- all 103 at that time (I think!). As of 2006, there are now 117 elements. Glad I’m past memorization and I can just google everything! Yay!
According to this photo:
“Chemical elements (comprising the metals and non-metals) are the building blocks of everything. The Sun and stars, the silicon chips in our computers, and all the cells in our bodies are collection of elements.”
It’s kinda hard to imagine that our bodies are made up of metals, isn’t it? It’s because when we think of metals- we think of hard objects, coins, copper, iron, tin, lead, nickel, cast irons, railroads, bridges, wires, sheet metals, brass, alloys, jewelries, gold and silver, etc!
What’s in our Bodies?
Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) are just some of the major elements in the metals category found in our body and yes, even traces of Lithium (Li), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si) and Arsenic (As) in the metalloids category.
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Properties of Metals
“Metals share some common properties. They are lustrous (shiny), malleable (can be hammered), and are good conductors of heat and electricity. These properties result from the ability to easily move the electrons in the outer shells of metal atoms.”
What are the Metals?
“Most elements are metals. There are so many metals, they are divided into groups: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and transition metals. The transition metals can be divided into smaller groups, such as the lanthanides and actinides.”
Griffith Observatory . Los Angeles . California
September 2008
Whew, that was some lessons! If you want to refresh your memory some more on the elements, the quoted items and further readings are lifted from here.
feels like my chemistry class all of a sudden. great take!!
my entry is here..METAL
Very elaborate details on all source of metals. Thanks for sharing them.
http://crizcats.blogspot.com/
Very cool! Love all the colors!
I love your literal twist on the theme - very clever! FYI - there were even fewer listings on the periodic table than that, when I was in school. And I still couldn’t memorize the damn thing!
I had no idea what to do with this week’s theme, so I’m afraid I did stretch it a bit:
http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com
Have a great weekend!
And the periodic table looks so different when I was in junior high…
When I first saw the small thumbnail photos I thought of “Heavy Metal” CD covers.
My metal is posted. Drop by for a visit if you can!
Happy Hunting.
Ok - I love your take on this theme. A very literal interpretation - great idea!
Stop by and see mine if you can.
http://moderatesuburbanchick.blogspot.com/
Oh this is very cool and interesting information…Happy hunting and nice weekend.
Ah, such a brainy, scientific post for today! The person in the 4th photo looks like she is sleeping or has passed out. lol.
I did Photo Hunt today, too. I hope you get a chance to visit and leave your link.
Mrs. Mecomber
New York Traveler.net Photo Hunters: Metal
A great take on the theme! And I learned something new! Nice…
Thanks for the chemistry refresher course. My favorite subject.
Wow! Not only are the photos of excellent quality, I love your choice for the theme too! Good job!
You remind me of the College Days when I had Chemistry as major subjects! Great post -and presentation of the theme.