The most common chemical element on earth. Rating of the most important chemical elements and compounds

In 1825, the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius obtained pure elemental silicon by the action of potassium metal on silicon fluoride SiF4. The new element was given the name “silicon” (from the Latin silex - flint). The Russian name “silicon” was introduced in 1834 by the Russian chemist German Ivanovich Hess. Translated into Greek kremnos - “cliff, mountain.”

In terms of prevalence in the earth's crust, silicon ranks second among all elements (after oxygen). The mass of the earth's crust is 27.6-29.5% silicon. Silicon is a component of several hundred different natural silicates and aluminosilicates. The most common is silica or silicon oxide (IV) SiO2 (river sand, quartz, flint, etc.), constituting about 12% of the earth's crust (by mass). Silicon does not occur in free form in nature.

The crystal lattice of silicon is cubic face-centered like diamond, parameter a = 0.54307 nm (other polymorphic modifications of silicon have been obtained at high pressures), but due to the longer bond length between Si-Si atoms compared to the length of the C-C bond, the hardness of silicon is significantly less than a diamond. Silicon is fragile; only when heated above 800 °C does it become a plastic substance. Interestingly, silicon is transparent to infrared radiation.

Elemental silicon is a typical semiconductor. The band gap at room temperature is 1.09 eV. The concentration of charge carriers in silicon with intrinsic conductivity at room temperature is 1.5·1016m-3. The electrical properties of crystalline silicon are greatly influenced by the microimpurities it contains. To obtain silicon single crystals with hole conductivity, additives of group III elements - boron, aluminum, gallium and indium are introduced into silicon; with electronic conductivity - additives of group V elements - phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. The electrical properties of silicon can be varied by changing the processing conditions of single crystals, in particular, by treating the silicon surface with various chemical agents.

Currently, silicon is the main material for electronics. Monocrystalline silicon is a material for gas laser mirrors. Sometimes silicon (commercial grade) and its alloy with iron (ferrosilicon) are used to produce hydrogen in the field. Compounds of metals with silicon - silicides - are widely used in industry (for example, electronic and nuclear) materials with a wide range of useful chemical, electrical and nuclear properties (resistance to oxidation, neutrons, etc.), and silicides of a number of elements are important thermoelectric materials. Silicon is used in metallurgy in the smelting of cast iron, steel, bronze, silumin, etc. (as a deoxidizer and modifier, and also as an alloying component).

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the Universe. But why?

To answer that question, we have to go back to the Big Bang, said Maya Nyman, a chemistry professor at Oregon State University.

The Big Bang led to the creation of all the elements we can find on the periodic table. They are the building blocks that help create the Universe. Each element has a unique number of elementary particles - protons (positively charged), neutrons (neutral) and electrons (negatively charged).

The simplest and most common element

Hydrogen has only one proton and one electron (it is the only element without a neutron). It is the simplest element in the universe, which explains why it is also the most abundant, Nyman said. However, an isotope of hydrogen called deuterium contains one proton and one neutron, and another, known as tritium, has one proton and two neutrons.

In stars, hydrogen atoms fuse to create helium, the second most abundant element in the universe. Helium has two protons, two neutrons and two electrons. Together, helium and hydrogen make up 99.9 percent of all known matter in the universe.

However, there is about 10 times more hydrogen in the universe than helium, Nyman says. "Oxygen, which is the third most abundant element, is about 1,000 times less abundant than hydrogen," she added.

Generally speaking, the higher the atomic number of an element, the less of it can be found in the Universe.

Hydrogen in the Earth

The composition of the Earth, however, is different from that of the Universe. For example, oxygen is the most abundant element by weight in the earth's crust. It is followed by silicon, aluminum and iron. In the human body, the most abundant element by weight is oxygen, followed by carbon and hydrogen.

Role in the human body

Hydrogen has a number of key roles in the human body. Hydrogen bonds help DNA stay coiled. In addition, hydrogen helps maintain the correct pH in the stomach and other organs. If your stomach becomes too alkaline, hydrogen is released as it is associated with regulating this process. If the environment in the stomach is too acidic, hydrogen will bond with other elements.

Hydrogen in water

In addition, it is hydrogen that allows ice to float on the surface of water, since hydrogen bonds increase the distance between its frozen molecules, making them less dense.

Typically, a substance is denser when it is in a solid state rather than a liquid, Nyman said. Water is the only substance that becomes less dense when solid.

What is the danger of hydrogen

However, hydrogen can also be dangerous. Its reaction with oxygen led to the disaster of the Hindenburg airship, which killed 36 people in 1937. Additionally, hydrogen bombs can be incredibly destructive, although they have never been used as weapons. However, their potential was demonstrated in the 1950s by countries such as the USA, USSR, Great Britain, France and China.

Hydrogen bombs, like atomic bombs, use a combination of nuclear fusion and fission reactions to cause destruction. When they explode, they create not only mechanical shock waves, but also radiation.

According to most scientists, the emergence of chemical elements in the universe occurred after the Big Bang. At the same time, some substances were formed more, some less. Our top list contains a list of the most common chemical elements on Earth and in the universe.

Hydrogen becomes the leader of the rating. In the periodic table it is designated by the symbol H and atomic number 1. Discovered in 1766 by G. Cavendish. And 15 years later, the same scientist found out that hydrogen is involved in the formation of most substances on the planet.

Hydrogen is not only the most abundant, but also the most explosive and lightest chemical element in the universe in nature. In the earth's crust its volume is 1%, but the number of atoms is 16%. This element is found in many natural compounds, for example, oil, natural gas, coal.

Hydrogen is practically never found in the free state. On the Earth's surface it is present in some volcanic gases. It is present in the air, but in very small doses. Hydrogen occupies almost half of the structure of stars, most of the interstellar sphere and gases of nebulae.

The second most abundant element in the universe is helium. It is also considered the second easiest. In addition, helium has the lowest boiling point of any known substance.

Discovered in 1868 by the French astronomer P. Jansen, who discovered a bright yellow line in the circumsolar atmosphere. And in 1895, the English chemist W. Ramsay proved the existence of this element on Earth.

Except in extreme conditions, helium is only available as a gas. In space it was formed in the first moments after the Big Bang. Today, helium appears through thermonuclear fusion with hydrogen in the depths of stars. On Earth it is formed after the decay of heavy elements.

The most abundant element in the earth's crust (49.4%) is oxygen. Represented by the symbol O and the number 8. Indispensable for human existence.

Oxygen is a chemically inactive non-metal. Under standard conditions it is in a colorless gaseous state, without taste or smell. The molecule contains two atoms. In liquid form it has a light blue tint; in solid form it looks like crystals with a bluish tint.

Oxygen is necessary for all living things on Earth. It has been involved in the cycle of substances for over 3 billion years. Plays a significant role in the economy and nature:

• Participates in plant photosynthesis;
• Absorbed by living organisms during respiration;
• Acts as an oxidizing agent in the processes of fermentation, rotting, rusting;
• Contained in organic molecules;
• Necessary for obtaining valuable substances from organic synthesis.

In a liquefied state, oxygen is used for cutting and welding metals, underground and underwater work, and operations at high altitudes in airless space. Oxygen pillows are indispensable when performing therapeutic procedures.

In 4th place is nitrogen - a diatomic, colorless and tasteless gas. It exists not only on ours, but also on several other planets. Almost 80% of the earth's atmosphere consists of it. Even the human body contains up to 3% of this element.

In addition to gaseous nitrogen, there is liquid nitrogen. It is widely used in construction, industry, and medicine. It is used for cooling equipment, freezing organic matter, and getting rid of warts. In liquid form, nitrogen is neither explosive nor toxic.

The element blocks oxidation and decay. Widely used in mines to create an explosion-proof environment. In chemical production, it is used to create ammonia, fertilizers, dyes, and in cooking it is used as a refrigerant.

Neon is an inert, colorless, and odorless atomic gas. Discovered in 1989 by the Englishmen W. Ramsay and M. Travers. Derived from liquefied air by eliminating other elements.

The name of the gas is translated as “new”. It is distributed extremely unevenly in the Universe. The maximum concentration was detected on hot stars, in the air of the outer planets of our system and in gaseous nebulae.

On Earth, neon is mainly found in the atmosphere, in other parts it is negligible. Explaining the neon scarcity of our planet, scientists have hypothesized that the globe once lost its primary atmosphere, and with it the bulk of inert gases.

Carbon is in 6th place on the list of the most common chemical elements on Earth. In the periodic table it is designated by the letter C. It has extraordinary properties. It is the leading biogenic element of the planet.

Known since ancient times. It is part of the structure of coal, graphite, and diamonds. The content in the earth's terra firma is 0.15%. The concentration is not too high due to the fact that in nature carbon undergoes constant circulation.

There are several minerals containing this element:

• Anthracite;
• Oil;
• Dolomite;
• Limestone;
• Oil shale;
• Peat;
• Brown and hard coal;
• Natural gas;
• Bitumen.

The repository of carbon groups is living beings, plants and air.

Silicon is a non-metal often found in the earth's crust. It was developed in a free form in 1811 by J. Tenard and J. Gay-Lussac. The content in the planetary shell is 27.6-29.5% by weight, in ocean water – 3 mg/l.

A variety of silicon compounds have been known since ancient times. But the pure element remained beyond human knowledge for a long time. The most popular compounds were semi-precious and precious stones based on silicon oxide:

• Rhinestone;
• Onyx;
• Opal;
• Chalcedony;
• Chrysoprase, etc.

In nature, the element is found in:

• Massive rocks and deposits;
• Plants and marine inhabitants;
• Deep in the soil;
• In the organisms of living beings;
• At the bottom of reservoirs.

Silicon plays a huge role in the formation of the human body. At least 1 gram of the element must be ingested daily, otherwise unpleasant ailments will begin to appear. The same can be said about plants and animals.

Magnesium is a malleable, lightweight metal with a silvery hue. In the periodic table it is marked with the symbol Mg. Obtained in 1808 by the Englishman G. Davy. It ranks 8th in volume in the earth's crust. Natural sources include mineral deposits, brines and sea water.

In the standard state, it is covered with a layer of magnesium oxide, which decomposes at a temperature of +600-650 0 C. When burned, it emits a bright white flame with the formation of nitride and oxide.

Magnesium metal is used in many fields:

• When regenerating titanium;
• In the production of light cast alloys;
• In the creation of incendiary and illuminating rockets.

Magnesium alloys are the most important structural material in the transport and aviation industries.

Magnesium is not called the “metal of life” for nothing. Without it, most physiological processes are impossible. It plays a leading role in the functioning of nervous and muscle tissue, and is involved in lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Iron is a malleable silvery-white metal with a high level of chemical reaction. Denoted by the letters Fe. Rusts quickly at elevated temperatures/humidity. Ignites in purified oxygen. Capable of spontaneous combustion in fine air.

In everyday life, iron is referred to as its alloys with a minimum amount of additives that preserve the pliability of pure metal:

• Steel;
• Cast iron;
• Alloy steel.

It is believed that iron makes up the bulk of the earth's core. It has several levels of oxidation, which is the most important geochemical feature.

The tenth place on the list of the most common chemical elements on Earth is sulfur. Denoted by the letter S. Exhibits non-metallic characteristics. In its native state it looks like a light yellow powder with a characteristic aroma or shiny glass-yellow crystals. In regions of ancient and recent volcanism, crumbly deposits of sulfur are found.

Without sulfur it is impossible to carry out many industrial operations:

• Production of drugs for agricultural needs;
• Giving special characteristics to certain types of steel;
• Formation of sulfuric acid;
• Rubber production;
• Production of sulfates and others.

Medical sulfur is contained in skin ointments, it is used to treat rheumatism and gout, and is included in cosmetic preparations for skin care. It is used in the manufacture of gypsum, laxatives and antihypertensive drugs.

Video

There is the most common chemical element and the most common substance on our amazing planet, and there is the most common chemical element in the vastness of the Universe.

The most abundant chemical element on Earth

On our planet, the leader in prevalence is oxygen. It interacts with almost all elements. Its atoms are found in almost all rocks and minerals that form the earth's crust. The modern period of development of chemistry began precisely with the discovery of this important and primary chemical element. The credit for this discovery is shared by Scheele, Priestley and Lavoisier. The debate about which of them is the discoverer has been going on for hundreds of years, and has not yet stopped. But the word “oxygen” itself was introduced by Lomonosov.

It accounts for a little more than forty-seven percent of the total solid mass of the earth's crust. Bound oxygen makes up almost eighty-nine percent of the mass of fresh and sea water. Free oxygen is found in the atmosphere, making up about twenty-three percent by mass and almost twenty-one percent by volume. At least one and a half thousand compounds in the earth's crust contain oxygen. There are no living cells in the world that do not contain this common element. Sixty-five percent of the mass of every living cell is oxygen.

Today, this substance is obtained industrially from the air and supplied under a pressure of 15 MPa in steel cylinders. There are other ways to get it. Areas of application: food industry, medicine, metallurgy, etc.

Where is the most common element found?

It is almost impossible to find a corner of nature where there is no oxygen. It is everywhere – in the depths, and high above the Earth, and under water, and in the water itself. It is found not only in compounds, but also in a free state. Most likely, it is precisely because of this that this element has always been of interest to scientists.

Geologists and chemists study the presence of oxygen in combination with all elements. Botanists are interested in studying the processes of plant nutrition and respiration. Physiologists have not fully elucidated the role of oxygen in the life of animals and humans. Physicists are trying to find a new way to use it to create high temperatures.

It is known that regardless of whether it is hot southern air or cold air from northern regions, the oxygen content in it is always the same and amounts to twenty-one percent.

How is the most common substance used?

As the most abundant known substance on the planet, water is used everywhere. This substance covers and permeates everything, but it remains little studied. Modern science began to study it in depth relatively recently. Scientists have discovered many of its properties that cannot yet be explained.

Not a single human economic activity can occur without this most common substance. It is difficult to imagine agriculture or industry without water; nuclear reactors, turbines, and power plants where water is used for cooling will not operate without this substance. For household needs, people use an increasing amount of this substance from year to year. So for a Stone Age man, ten liters of water per day was quite enough. Today, every inhabitant of the Earth uses at least two hundred and twenty liters daily. Humans are made up of eighty percent water; everyone consumes at least one and a half liters of liquid every day.

The most abundant chemical element in the Universe

Three-quarters of the entire Universe is hydrogen, in other words, this is the most common element in the Universe. Water, being the most common substance on our planet, consists of more than eleven percent hydrogen.

In the earth's crust, hydrogen is one percent by mass, but by the number of atoms it is as much as sixteen percent. Such compounds as natural gases, oil and coal cannot do without the presence of hydrogen.

It should be noted that this common element is extremely rare in the free state. On the surface of our planet, it is present in small quantities in some natural gases, including volcanic ones. There is free hydrogen in the atmosphere, but its presence there is extremely small. It is hydrogen that is the element that creates the radiation inner earth belt, like a flow of protons.
But the largest star in the universe has a diameter of 1,391,000.
Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen

We all know that hydrogen fills our Universe by 75%. But do you know what other chemical elements there are that are no less important for our existence and play a significant role for the life of people, animals, plants and our entire Earth? The elements from this rating form our entire Universe!

Sulfur (abundance relative to silicon – 0.38)
This chemical element is listed under the symbol S in the periodic table and is characterized by atomic number 16. Sulfur is very common in nature.

Iron (abundance relative to silicon – 0.6)
Denoted by the symbol Fe, atomic number - 26. Iron is very common in nature, it plays a particularly important role in the formation of the inner and outer shell of the Earth's core.

Magnesium (abundance relative to silicon – 0.91)
In the periodic table, magnesium can be found under the symbol Mg, and its atomic number is 12. What is most amazing about this chemical element is that it is most often released when stars explode during the process of their transformation into supernovae.

Silicon (abundance relative to silicon – 1)
Denoted as Si. The atomic number of silicon is 14. This blue-gray metalloid is very rarely found in the earth's crust in its pure form, but is quite common in other substances. For example, it can even be found in plants.

Carbon (abundance relative to silicon – 3.5)
Carbon in the periodic table of chemical elements is listed under the symbol C, its atomic number is 6. The most famous allotropic modification of carbon is one of the most coveted precious stones in the world - diamonds. Carbon is also actively used in other industrial purposes for more everyday purposes.

Nitrogen (abundance relative to silicon – 6.6)
Symbol N, atomic number 7. First discovered by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford, nitrogen most often occurs in the form of nitric acid and nitrates.

Neon (abundance relative to silicon – 8.6)
It is designated by the symbol Ne, atomic number is 10. It is no secret that this particular chemical element is associated with a beautiful glow.

Oxygen (abundance relative to silicon – 22)
A chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8, oxygen is essential to our existence! But this does not mean that it is present only on Earth and serves only for human lungs. The universe is full of surprises.

Helium (abundance relative to silicon – 3,100)
The symbol for helium is He, the atomic number is 2. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and its boiling point is the lowest of all chemical elements. And thanks to him, the balls soar skyward!

Hydrogen (abundance relative to silicon – 40,000)
The true number one on our list, hydrogen is found in the periodic table under the symbol H and has atomic number 1. It is the lightest chemical element on the periodic table and the most abundant element in the entire known universe.