Some see hydrogen gas
other uses. In the chemical
as the clean fuel of the
future – generated from
water and returning to
water when it is oxidised.
Hydrogen-powered fuel
cells are increasingly
being seen as ‘pollution-
free’ sources of energy
and are now being used in
some buses and cars.
Most mined gold is stored
as bullion. It is also,
however, used extensively
in jewellery, either in its
pure form or as an alloy.
The term ‘carat’ indicates
the amount of gold
present in an alloy. 24-
carat is pure gold, but it is
very soft. 18- and 9-carat
gold alloys are commonly
used because they are
more durable.
Activated charcoal is used
for purification and filtration.
It is found in respirators and
kitchen extractor hoods.
Carbon fibre is finding many
uses as a very strong, yet
lightweight, material. It is
currently used in tennis
rackets, skis, fishing rods,
rockets and aeroplanes.
Industrial diamonds are used
for cutting rocks and drilling.
Hydrogen also has many
In the glass industry
industry it is used to make
ammonia for agricultural
fertiliser (the Haber
process) and cyclohexane
and methanol, which are
intermediates in the
production of plastics and
pharmaceuticals. It is also
used to remove sulfur from
fuels during the oil-refining
process.
The metal is also used for
coinage, and has been
used as standard for
monetary systems in some
countries.Gold can be
beaten into very thin
sheets (gold leaf) to be
used in art, for decoration
and as architectural
ornament. Electroplating
can be used to cover
another metal with a very
thin layer of gold
Carbon is unique among
the elements in its ability
to form strongly bonded
chains, sealed off by
hydrogen atoms. These
hydrocarbons, extracted
naturally as fossil fuels
(coal, oil and natural gas),
are mostly used as fuels.
A small but important
fraction is used as a
feedstock for the
petrochemical industries
producing polymers,
fibres, paints, solvents
and plastics.
hydrogen is used as a
protective atmosphere for
making flat glass sheets.
In the electronics industry
it is used as a flushing gas
during the manufacture of
silicon chips. The low
density of hydrogen made
it a natural choice for one
of its first practical uses –
filling balloons and
airships.
This is used in gears for
watches, artificial limb
joints, cheap jewellery and
electrical connectors. It is
ideal for protecting
electrical copper
components because it
conducts electricity well
and does not corrode
(which would break the
contact). Thin gold wires
are used inside computer
chips to produce circuits.
Atmospheric carbon
dioxide allows visible light
in but prevents some
infrared escaping (the
natural greenhouse effect).
This keeps the Earth warm
enough to sustain life.
However, an enhanced
greenhouse effect is
underway, due to a human-
induced rise in
atmospheric carbon
dioxide.
Nitrogen is important to Nitrogen gas is also used
Liquid nitrogen is often
the chemical industry. It to provide an unreactive
used as a refrigerant. It
is used to make atmosphere. It is used in
is used for storing
fertilisers, nitric acid, this way to preserve
sperm, eggs and other
nylon, dyes and foods, and in the
cells for medical
explosives. To make electronics industry
during the production of research and
these products, nitrogen reproductive technology.
must first be reacted transistors and diodes.
Large quantities of It is also used to rapidly
with hydrogen to freeze foods, helping
nitrogen are used in
produce ammonia. This them to maintain
annealing stainless steel
is done by the Haber moisture, colour, flavour
and other steel mill
process. and texture.
products.

The greatest commercial

Oxygen gas is used
use of oxygen gas is in
the steel industry. Large for oxy-acetylene
quantities are also used welding and cutting
in the manufacture of a of metals. A
wide range of chemicals
growing use is in
including nitric acid and
hydrogen peroxide. It is the treatment of
also used to make sewage and of
epoxyethane (ethylene effluent from
oxide), used as
antifreeze .
industry.

Oxygen
Carbon
Gold
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Elements
and itsUses