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Over the past 200 years, humanity has carefully cataloged and classified elements, uncovering a total of 118. We've identified many of their common uses—oxygen for breathing, helium for lighthearted fun without attracting attention, gold for making a statement in the hip hop world, and curium, well, it's for something, it seems. Yet, some elements have more unconventional and surprising uses. Here are ten elements with unexpected applications.
10. Copper's Antibacterial Power
Long before the concept of science was even established, ancient civilizations discovered copper's ability to eliminate harmful microorganisms. The strange, fuzzy growths in water would meet their end when exposed to copper. Ancient Egyptian writings suggest that copper was used to treat wounds, purify water, and remedy ailments like burns, headaches, unusual growths, and leg ulcers.
Recent research shows that copper can indeed kill bacteria through a process called 'contact killing.' What makes this process so fascinating is how it actually works. Studies indicate that when bacteria come into contact with copper, the bacteria's membrane ruptures, and copper ions enter, disrupting vital processes until the bacteria die. Copper and its alloys are now known for their ability to harm microbes, which is why they continue to be used today in high-contact items like doorknobs.
9. Phosphorus: A Lethal Weapon
Phosphorus is hardly known for anything beyond its use in matches and fertilizer, but the military saw untapped potential in the element. Enter 'white phosphorus.'
White phosphorus is a form of the element that is incredibly dangerous. It was used during the Vietnam War and earned the nickname 'Willy Pete,' derived from military slang. This substance ignites upon contact with oxygen, causing devastating burns, igniting fuel, clothes, ammunition, and deeply damaging the skin.
White phosphorus is a controversial substance that has sparked intense debate. Some argue it should be classified as a chemical weapon and banned. It was used in Iraq, particularly in Fallujah, and has allegedly been used more recently in Gaza and Ukraine. However, white phosphorus is not solely a weapon; it is also used in tracer rounds and smoke screens due to the large amount of smoke it generates.
8. Arsenic's Potential to Detect Tumors
Arsenic has been under increasing scrutiny for its toxic effects, which is a major improvement from its past use as wallpaper that poisoned entire households. Health authorities worldwide agree that arsenic is harmful, yet new research reveals that a form of arsenic—arsenic-74 isotope—could be useful for detecting tumors.
In a 2012 study, researchers packed their paper with complex scientific jargon. Upon closer inspection, the study revealed that arsenic-74 isotopes were able to clearly identify liver tumors in rats. The research concludes that arsenic might have potential, and further studies are underway to ensure it is safe for human use and that doctors won’t inadvertently harm patients while detecting tumors.
7. Sulfur's Role in Winemaking
If you've ever encountered a foul odor, it was likely sulfur at work—think rotten eggs, skunks, or even body odor. This unpleasant substance is generally something you'd want to avoid. However, some clever people found a way to incorporate it into the winemaking process.
Sulfur dioxide has been a part of winemaking since the 15th century, and possibly even earlier. Roman winemakers used to burn sulfur candles in their barrels when transporting wine to preserve its quality, and a Prussian decree in 1487 officially allowed the use of sulfur dioxide in winemaking.
Sulfur dioxide, a pungent gas, has strong antimicrobial properties. It prevents yeast from growing in the barrels and turning the wine into vinegar. A ten percent solution of potassium metabisulphite is added to the wine, and the sulfur does its job. While this may seem like a quirky, artisanal method, it’s actually a standard practice in the winemaking industry.
6. Gallium's Ability to Detect Neutrinos
Gallium is that fascinating element that melts right in your hand, something that left many in awe back in grade school. But what does an element with a melting point similar to a Popsicle have to do with neutrinos, one of the most mysterious particles in the universe?
Scientists have been trying to unravel the secrets of neutrinos since their discovery. These particles behave like electrons, but without a charge. Due to their incredibly small size and difficulty in detection, finding them is crucial to gaining a deeper understanding of the universe.
Researchers studying neutrinos filled a tank with 101 tons of a gallium-trichloride-hydrochloric acid mixture, containing 30 tons of gallium. They then used neutrinos to induce nuclear reactions, causing the gallium to transform into germanium, which was further converted into germane. When they observed the decay of the germane with a counter, the results aligned perfectly with previous studies on neutrinos. Each decay they detected corresponded with a neutrino detection.
5. Cesium's Role in Atomic Clocks
Atomic clocks are the most precise timekeepers in the world. The time displayed on your phone and computer is most likely synchronized with an atomic clock. These clocks ensure everything runs smoothly, so if you were 'just in time' to watch Wrestlemania on TV, you can thank atomic clocks for that.
In the United States, the standard time is regulated by cesium, an element you may not have heard of and might soon forget. But before you do, remember that atomic clocks operate by locking an electric oscillator to the frequency of an atomic transition. Since these transitions are stable and unchanging, they serve as a reliable measure of time.
During the cycles of cesium atoms, they reach a frequency of 9,192,631,770 Hz. As they pass through a microwave field tuned to almost the same frequency, any cesium atoms that absorb the energy shift to a different energy state. A magnetic field then separates the atoms, and those in the correct state are detected by a sensor. The output peaks, adjusting the microwave frequency, which is divided by 9,192,631,770 to produce one pulse per second. Simple, right?
4. Xenon: An Unexpected Anesthetic
Xenon is often regarded as one of the most intriguing elements, though many are unaware of its practical uses. Some might even mistakenly believe it’s a planet. In reality, it’s a noble gas that naturally occurs in Earth’s atmosphere.
Xenon actually functions as an anesthetic, working as a high-affinity glycine-site NMDA receptor antagonist. Not only does it reduce the risk of hypoxia, but it also outperforms other NMDA receptor antagonists by being non-toxic to the nervous system. In fact, it lessens the neurotoxic effects of more commonly used anesthetics like ketamine and nitrous oxide.
Another advantage of xenon is that it is not classified as a greenhouse gas, meaning its release into the atmosphere doesn’t cause harm. Since xenon is already present in the air, adding more is harmless—much like adding extra toppings to a pizza; unless you’re dealing with a very particular pizza enthusiast.
3. Tungsten: The Element That Can Imitate Gold
Tungsten’s name is derived from the Swedish phrase ‘tung sten,’ which translates to ‘heavy stone.’ It’s also known by the much cooler name of wolfram, which just has a much more satisfying ring to it.
With a density of 19.25g/cm3, tungsten is very close to gold’s 19.3g/cm3, making it an excellent stand-in for gold in basic tests. The most common trick involves gold-plating tungsten bars, a scam that dates back to the 80s but still manages to fool people today. In fact, as recently as 2010, a German bank fell victim to this trick, accepting gold-plated tungsten bars. Tungsten can be purchased for about $30 a pound, whereas gold’s price is significantly higher, making it a very tempting but risky scam. Of course, getting caught will land you in jail, so steer clear of this crime.
2. Zinc: A Potential Remedy for the Common Cold
Zinc is a key player in our everyday lives. It’s present in our food, commonly taken as a dietary supplement, and even found in sunscreen lotions. We seem to constantly need more of it. With its many uses, some researchers believe zinc could also help treat the common cold.
Zinc acetate or zinc gluconate, taken as lozenges or nasal gel, might help ease cold symptoms. Though scientists are still unsure about its exact mechanism, the evidence suggests zinc can be an effective remedy for the common cold. Symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, coughing, and discharge have been shown to decrease by varying amounts when people used zinc. This could be due to its effect on the pharyngeal region. Interestingly, zinc’s potential to treat colds was discovered when a girl with leukemia dissolved a zinc tablet in her mouth and found her cold symptoms disappearing. Since then, researchers have been diving into further studies on zinc.
1. Bismuth: A Cure for Diarrhea
Bismuth has been recognized since ancient times, often mistaken for other metals like tin, lead, or even antimony (although no one really knows what antimony is). Today, bismuth occupies a special place that few metals can claim: it’s a regular guest in the medicine cabinet.
If you’ve ever had diarrhea and had to drink that familiar pink liquid or pop a Pepto-Bismol tablet, then you’ve already experienced bismuth's soothing powers. Pepto-Bismol, also known as bismuth subsalicylate, is a colloidal form of bismuth salicylate with the formula C7H5BiO4. It works by reducing the flow of electrolytes and fluids into your bowels, while also fighting off the organisms that cause diarrhea.
Whenever we feel the stomach bug coming on, we know exactly who to thank. Bismuth doesn’t get nearly enough credit for its work, quietly doing its job to calm your stomach with a refreshing wintergreen flavor.
