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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions
McMurry - Chemistry 8th Edition
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMcMurry 8th EditionCh.2 - Atoms, Molecules & IonsProblem 46
Chapter 2, Problem 46

How many elements are presently known? About how many occur naturally?

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Identify the total number of elements that are currently recognized in the periodic table.
Distinguish between naturally occurring elements and those that are synthesized or man-made.
Research or refer to reliable scientific sources or the periodic table for the most up-to-date count of total elements.
Find the number of elements that occur naturally on Earth, excluding those that have been artificially created in laboratories.
Summarize the information to understand the scope of known elements and their natural occurrence.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Periodic Table of Elements

The Periodic Table of Elements is a tabular arrangement of all known chemical elements, organized by increasing atomic number. It provides essential information about each element, including its symbol, atomic mass, and group properties. As of now, there are 118 confirmed elements, with the first 92 occurring naturally on Earth.
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Natural vs. Synthetic Elements

Natural elements are those that occur in nature without human intervention, while synthetic elements are artificially created in laboratories. Of the 118 known elements, 80 are considered naturally occurring, including essential elements like carbon, oxygen, and gold. The remaining elements are typically unstable and have been produced through nuclear reactions.
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Stability and Radioactivity

Stability refers to an element's ability to exist without undergoing radioactive decay. Naturally occurring elements tend to be stable, while many synthetic elements are radioactive and decay quickly. Understanding the stability of elements is crucial for distinguishing between those that can be found in nature and those that are man-made.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Look at the alphabetical list of elements inside the front cover. What are the symbols for the following elements?(a) Gadolinium (used in color TV screens) (b) Germanium (used in semiconductors) (c) Technetium (used in biomedical imaging) (d) Arsenic (used in pesticides)
Textbook Question

Give molecular formulas corresponding to each of the following ball-and-stick molecular representations (red = O, gray = C, blue = N, ivory = H). In writing the formula, list the elements in alphabetical order. (c) Acetic acid (vinegar)

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Textbook Question

Give molecular formulas corresponding to each of the following ball-and-stick molecular representations (red = O, gray = C, blue = N, ivory = H). In writing the formula, list the elements in alphabetical order. (b) Ethylene glycol (automobile antifreeze)

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Textbook Question

What are the molecular weights of the following pharmaceuticals? (a) C33H35FN2O5 (atorvastatin, lowers blood cholesterol)

Textbook Question

Give molecular formulas corresponding to each of the following ball-and-stick molecular representations (red = O, gray = C, blue = N, ivory = H). In writing the formula, list the elements in alphabetical order. (a) Alanine (an amino acid)

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