Question

Use the symbols of the elements described in the following clues to fill in the blanks that spell out the name of a famous American scientist. Although this scientist was better known as a physicist than as a chemist, the Philadelphia institute that bears his name does include a biochemistry research facility. (1) The oxide of this alkaline earth metal is amphoteric. (2) The element that makes up approximately \(3.0 \%\) by mass of the human body. (3) The element having a \(7 s^{1}\) valence electron configuration. (4) This element is the alkali metal with the least negative standard reduction potential. Write its symbol in reverse order. (5) The alkali metal whose ion is more concentrated in intracellular fluids as compared with blood plasma. (6) This is the only alkali metal that reacts directly with nitrogen to make a binary compound with formula \(\mathrm{M}_{3} \mathrm{~N}\). (7) This element is the first in Group \(3 \mathrm{~A}\) for which the \(+1\) oxidation state is exhibited in stable compounds. Use only the second letter of its symbol.

Short answer

The name of the famous American scientist is Benjamin Franklin, who was a physicist, and the Philadelphia institute that bears his name does include a biochemistry research facility.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the elements from the clues

(1) The oxide of this alkaline earth metal is amphoteric: Beryllium (Be) (2) The element that makes up approximately \(3.0 \%\) by mass of the human body: Oxygen (O) (3) The element having a \(7 s^{1}\) valence electron configuration: Francium (Fr) (4) This element is the alkali metal with the least negative standard reduction potential. Write its symbol in reverse order: W (reverse of Li, Lithium) (5) The alkali metal whose ion is more concentrated in intracellular fluids as compared with blood plasma: Potassium (K) (6) This is the only alkali metal that reacts directly with nitrogen to make a binary compound with the formula \(\mathrm{M}_{3} \mathrm{~N}\): Lithium (Li) (7) This element is the first in Group \(3 \mathrm{~A}\) for which the \(+1\) oxidation state is exhibited in stable compounds. Use only the second letter of its symbol: h (as in Thallium - TI)

Fill in the blanks to spell out the name of the famous American scientist

Now we have the symbols and letters of the elements to fill in the blanks. The name of the famous American scientist is: B E W F O W L I K h Which spells: BEWFOOWLIKh Rearranging the letters, we get the name: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN The name of the famous American scientist is Benjamin Franklin, who was a physicist, and the Philadelphia institute that bears his name does include a biochemistry research facility.