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Which element am i???

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poopy | 19:02 Fri 19th Sep 2008 | Science
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Can any1 please tell me which element this is referring to: I have in mind what i think it is, but have found some others it mayb!

I have the melting point of 708 degrees
i conduct electricity & heat well
i form giant structures with non metals
i form ions with charge 2+

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OK don't panic poopy!

First of all, does the question really ask you to name the element? I know that that was the heading of your post but I'm wondering because of the other stuff you've posted since.

In your initial post, you didn't say which scale the 708 degrees was measured in. In your last post, you say it was 708 degrees C. Which is it?

If it does say 708 degrees C, then everything points to this question being worded to test your knowledge of the Periodic Table. This is because as you've rightly sussed, there isn't an element with an mp of 708 degrees C. The fact that it's referred to as "Element Z" and it asks which group of the Periodic Table it is "probably in" seems to support this.

Leave the mp to one side for a moment and look at the three other clues you've quoted in your first post. Then think of the oxides of the group you suspect may be possibilities and the solubilities of those oxides in HCl. It may help if you write down those other three clues on a separate sheet of paper and eliminate groups systematically when they don't match your criteria.

Incidentally, as you probably know, the most commonly used temperature scales nowadays are Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin. At a push you could add in the Reaumur scale of historical significance and the Rankine scale used sometimes by american engineers.

It's many years since I carried around element melting points in my head so I checked this 708 figure out on the Knovel database via my university. However, if you use the two following websites together, you'll see that the 708 figure doesn't match any element.

http://www.science.co.il/PTelements.asp?s=MP

http://www.easysurf.cc/cnver14.htm#rec4
chakka35, 708 degrees C is actually 1306.4 degrees F not 1106 degrees F.

708 degrees F = 375.56 degrees C

708 degrees K = 434.85 degrees C
I should have added to my first post that if you try to use that 708 figure in any temperature scale and convert it to degrees C for the table, no element corresponds with that melting point in degrees C.

Therefore, the element does not exist and you are being tested on your knowledge of the Periodic Table.
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THEPROF - its isnt atcually asking me to name the element it says "element Z has the following properties, mp 708 degrees C, conducts electricty & heat well" etc etc. Then just refers to it as Z. And it does say mp of 708 degrees C. ive so far wrote the paper out thinking it was graphite, then re-wrote it for Radium. Its driving me madddddddddd. my brain hurts! lol. if i know what Z is referring to i can answer the rest of the questions no problem.
708 K please, and not '708 degrees K'
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And GOD LOVE YOU ALL for all your input. Its very much appreciated.
poopy, it's not referring to any element. The element doesn't exist. The question is asking you where in the Periodic Table the element would be if it did exist based upon the information you've been provided with.

north star, nowadays technically you are correct. However, until 1969, figures were referred to as "degrees Kelvin" and I had reason to write the phrase almost daily at the time. Old habits die hard. as far as this thread is concerned, I used "degrees Kelvin" for the sake of consistency with the other temperature scales as it can be difficult enough following the logic of the post itself without being embroiled in scientific convention along the way.
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Rite - now that shines a light on the subject! Well done THEPROF. I think you'r right. I'll give that a bash now and see what i come up with. MANY MANY THANKS - you have a heart of gold.
poopy, it's not referring to any element. The element doesn't exist. The question is asking you where in the Periodic Table the element would be if it did exist based upon the information you've been provided with.
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yes you are correct. im doing it now and it seems to be working OK. it would live between Radium and Barium if it did exsist. YOU ARE SO CLEVER I AM IMPRESSED and want to give you a GREAT BIG KISS - X. thank you
Oops, sorry about the double post, The other one disappeared offscreen and I reposted it as I couldn't remember seeing it! Those Gremlins are on duty again tonight.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll find the answer!
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I really can not thank you enough. I have puzzled over this for so many nights now. Im so happy i could scream. Thank you, thank you, thank you. x
Aw shucks, I'm blushing! I'm glad to have been of help. I'm sorry that others allowed this post to go off at a tangent which really didn't help you at all.

Sorry about the cross-posts towards the end. If I can help in the future, you know where I am!

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