The universe is made up of many elements.

We use different elements from the periodic table everyday and may not even be aware of it. One element, which is the most abundant element in the universe, is hydrogen. It makes up an estimated 70 % of the total mass in the universe and 90 % of the atoms. It has a melting point of -260 degrees C and a boiling point of -252.9 degrees C. There are weak molecular forces in hydrogen. Hydrogen is colorless, orderless, tasteless and highly flammable. Some important methods of preparing hydrogen are steam reforming and electrolysis. In steam reforming, methane reacts with steam as the two gases pass over a bed of nickel at a temperature of 600-100 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 850 atm. With electrolysis, an electrical current is passed through the water which has some sulfuric acid in it to conduct a current. The water is then decomposed and the hydrogen gas is produced. Some uses for hydrogen are, ammonia for fertilization, producing hydrogenated vegetable oils, rocket fuel and in oxyhydrogen torches which are very hot blow torches. Another important element is oxygen, which is the most abundant element in the earth's crust, is accounts for about 50% of the earths mass. There is basically oxygen in every living organism. Oxygen exists in one or two allotropes O2 or O3 (ozone). It is commercially prepared by distilling liquid air or filtering air. The oxygen is naturally made by photosynthesis, a process by which plants convert sunlight into oxygen. Oxygen is used in the manufacturing of steel, breathing apparatus, oxyacetylene torches, welding and rocket fuel. Oxygen is also used to purify drinking water. Hydrogen peroxide is also made from oxygen. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the volume of the air. Liquid nitrogen is the third-ranking chemical in the US. Nitrogen is found in all living things as a form of protein. It is a colorless, orderless, tasteless gas and it is nonreactive by itself. It is used for fertilizers and ammonia. There are nitrates found in lunch meats and it is used a a preservative for other foods with low

shelf life. Phosphorus is the tenth most abundant element in the earths crust. It can come in the form of red phosphorus or white phosphorus, and both forms are poisonous. Phosphorus is used in matches and pestilences. Sulfur is one of the most easily attainable elements in the earths crust. It exists in several allotrops and it harvested by the Frasch process (superheated water, about 160 degrees Celsius, under high pressure is injected into a bed of sulfur containing rock through the outermost of three concentric pipes, causing the sulfur to melt and form a liquid pool. Sulfur is used to produce sulfuric acid, rubber, insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals, gunpowder, matches, dyes, photographic materials, and textiles. Fluorine is a halogen, that looks like a pale yellow gas. It it used in dental hygiene, refrigerants, plastics and perfluorocarbons. Chlorine is a yellow green gas that is used for bleaches and disinfectants, PVC's, medicines, and crop protection. Bromine, a red-brown liquid, is used for firefighting chemicals, medicines, and photographic film. Iodine, a dark violet vapor or dark metallic looking solid, is used for antiseptic, iodized salt, photographic film, some refrigerants and firefighting chemicals and high powered lasers. These halogens can mostly be used for the same things but they all have different uses and reactions. Helium, a noble gas, is used for a coolant, deep sea diving, industrial applications, filling of balloons, and lasers. Neon is used for neon signs, airport runway lights, and lasers. Argon is used for filling incandescent light bulbs and gas tubes, welding, flushing O2 from molten metals, and lasers. Krypton is used in runway lights and high powered flashlights. Xenon is used in cameras and Radon is used in radioactive treatments and cancer treatments. All these elements and gases make up our everyday lives.