A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

Atomic structure Members of this group have three electrons in the outer shell of every atom. Some elements have unstable isotop ...

130 The Boron Group Forms Boron B 5 5 5 6 State: Solid Discovery: 1808 Some boron compounds are among the toughest artificial su ...

131 The Boron Group Uses Tough, heat-resistant glassware, such as measuring cups, are strengthened with boron. Boric acid is a n ...

132 This slice of aluminium phosphate mineral has a turquoise green colour. This cr ystal contains aluminium and sulfur compound ...

133 The Boron Group This foil does not break even as it is bent and twisted. The aluminium casing protects the touchscreen. This ...

Jet turbine The curved blades of this jet engine are shaped very precisely to catch the air, and they are also strong enough to ...

Aluminium is what makes high-speed, long-range air travel possible. Easily moulded, it is one-quarter the weight of steel, and i ...

136 The Boron Group Gallium Ga 31 Forms Uses Gallium melts at just 29°C (84.2°F), which means it soon becomes liquid when held i ...

137 The Boron Group Indium In 49 Forms Uses Indium is named after indigo, which is the colour of the light its atoms release whe ...

138 The Boron Group Tl 81 Thallium was named after the Greek word thallos, which means “green shoot”: it was first identified fr ...

139 The Boron Group Nihonium Nh 113 toxic and has to be handled with care when used. A chlorine compound of thallium is used in ...

Glassy carbon (C) has a high resistance to rust. 140-141_Carbon_Group_Opener.indd 140 02/12/16 6:52 pm ...

The Carbon Group This group contains one non-metal, two semi-metals, and three metals. The non-metal carbon (C) is the main elem ...

142 Forms Carbon has the largest number of compounds of any element – with more than nine million known. Carbon is the fourth mo ...

143 The Carbon Group can cut into anything. Only a diamond can cut another diamond. Graphite is much softer, which is why it is ...

Pink diamond With a mass of only just over 3 g (0.1 oz), this jewel – known as The Sweet Josephine – is one of the largest pink ...

The Sweet Josephine was cut from raw diamond that is more than 1.5 billion years old. This formed 150 km (93 miles) beneath Eart ...

146 The Carbon Group This purple form of quartz gets its colour from iron impurities. This glassy mineral tube is formed when qu ...

147 The Carbon Group Solar panels This silicone band is flexible and strong. This silicone tray is soft, but it does not melt in ...

148 The Carbon Group Forms Uses This semi-metal is named after the country Germany. It was discovered there in 1886 by chemist C ...