Ask a Geologist: Rock the Elements!
By: Alissa Madera About Me ● Graduate Student studying Planetary Science
● B.A. in Chemistry
● Favorite Rock: Moon Rocks!
Ask A Geologist Series Research: Our Moon
● Understanding the thermal history of the Moon
● What can you tell me about the Moon?
Ask A Geologist Series Chemistry 101: What Is An Element? ● Building blocks of our Universe!
● Three components: Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
Proton Neutron Electron
+ 0 -
Ask A Geologist Series Chemistry 101: Structure Of An Element ● Single Element = Atom
● Nucleus: Protons + Neutrons
● Electrons orbit the nucleus (Kind of like planets orbiting our solar system)
Ask A Geologist Series Chemistry 101: Structure Of An Element ● Single Element = Atom
● Nucleus: Protons + Neutrons
● Electrons orbit the nucleus (Kind of like planets orbiting our solar system)
Ask A Geologist Series Periodic Table of Elements
● Dmitri Mendeleev (1969) invented the Periodic Table in order of Atomic Mass
● Left blank spaces in between elements for the discovery of new elements Dmitri Mendeleev: Russian Chemist
Ask A Geologist Series Periodic Table of Elements
● Mass Number = Protons + Neutrons
● Atomic Number = Protons = Electrons
● It’s a math problem! 4 – 2protons = 2 neutrons
Ask A Geologist Series Periodic Table of Elements Columns : Groups Periods Rows :
Ask A Geologist Series Periodic Table of Elements Periods Vs Groups
Alkali Metals: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs are highly reactive
Ask A Geologist Series What Elements Make Up The Earth?
Ask A Geologist Series What Elements Make Up The Earth?
Ask A Geologist Series Breaking Down: Quartz ● SiO2 ● Beach sand is made up primarily of Quartz ● Cape May Diamonds
Ask A Geologist Series Breaking Down: Olivine
Forsterite : Mg2SiO4 Fayalite: Fe2SiO4
One of the most common minerals in our Solar System!
Ask A Geologist Series Breaking Down: Graphite vs Diamond C : Carbon
Common, Soft Rare, Hardest mineral in the world!
Ask A Geologist Series Franklin Township, NJ ● Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World
● Elements (activators) in these minerals make them fluoresce!
Ask A Geologist Series Question Time!