The Element Quiz winner gets the services of our outstanding/amazing gnomes Clumpy and Kloumpios for the week (they have had their vaccination shots and can follow any covid-19 protocols the winner decides).

The Question:
This element was first discovered in Mexico in a sample of lead ore and given the name "erythronium".  This element is a metal that is heavier than aluminum but lighter than iron. Combining this element with glass, a filter that blocks ultraviolet light can be produced. Combining this element with iron produces a corrosion resistant steel. What element is being described?

The Answer:
The element is Vanadium (V)! Vanadium was originally discovered in 1801 by A.M. del Rio but later withdrew his claim when H.V. Collett-Desotils disputed the claim stating the mineral was just basic lead chromate. However, N. G. Sefstrom in Sweden "rediscovered" the element (1830) in Swedish iron ore naming the element after Vanadis, the Scandinavian goddess of beauty. Some invertebrates have amazing amounts of vanadium in their blood - Ascidia nigra (a marine tunicate) has 1.45% in its blood cells.


The winner of the Quiz is Russell Kido, Practical Components and will get the assistance of the boys for the week. Please let us know what task you have for them.

Winners:
Week 1: Bhanu Sood, NASA
Week 2: Eddie Hofer, Collins Aerospace
Week 3: John Maxwell
Week 4: Scott Decker, Collins Aerospace
Week 5: Russell Kido, Practical Components
Week 6: ???