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!.