UNESCO designated 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table, so the Chemistry Department at Loreto decided to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev periodic table in its own way, by holding a competition. Students were invited to design an original artwork depicting an element and write a short description about it using no more than 280 characters. Here are the winners:
1st place
“Fluorine” by Fatimah Alsalih
The smoke released from the rocket’s exhaust is illustrated as toothpaste. Fluorine is used in rocket fuels. The name fluorine is derived from the Latin word “fluere” meaning “to flow”. Fluoride is helpful in preventing tooth decay and is used in tap water and toothpaste. The rocket’s window is yellow topaz which contains fluorine.
2nd Place
“Chlorine” by Chloe Parry
Chlorine’s uses can both save and end lives. During WW1 alone, it is estimated that chemical weapons composed of chlorine, including chlorine gas, mustard gas and phosgene, killed more than 100,000 soldiers. Chlorine is also used to treat drinking water, making it clean and safe.
3rd place
“Nickel” by Megan Taylor
Did you know that baked beans contain a large amount of nickel due to the structure of their enzymes? In the USA and Canada, 5 cents coins are nicknamed Nickels as they contain 25% Ni by mass.