A-Z: Elements and other chemicals

A

Element sometimes used to poison people in the past

As

B

Component of petrol, also used for lighter fluid and gas stoves

C₄H₁₀

C

Gas which animals breathe out and plants take in

CO₂

D

Isotope of hydrogen used in the nuclear industry

²H or D

E

Used as an alloy to soften other metals, it has atomic number 68

Er

F

Yellow gas element used in refrigerants and electrical insulation

F

G

Sugar which is the body's primary source of energy

C₆H₁₂O₆

H

Gas which is the commonest element in the universe

H

I

Very soft metal with atomic number 49, used in flat-panel displays

In

J

Perfume found in and named after a certain tropical plant

C₁₄H₁₈O

K

Elemental gas used in some high-powered lasers

Kr

L

A sugar found in milk

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁

M

The main component (95%) of natural gas, this is also responsible for about a quarter of global warming

CH₄

N

Highly corrosive chemical, used in explosives

HNO₃

O

The densest naturally occurring element

Os

P

Preservative and flavouring in fizzy drinks

H₃P O₄

Q

Anti-malarial medication

C₂₀H₂4N₂O₂

R

Another name for vitamin B2

C₁₇H₂0N₄O₆

S

Also known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda

NaHCO₃

T

The main psychoactive chemical of cannabis

C₂₁H₃₀O₂

U

Radioactive element used for nuclear power

U

V

Another term for niacin, which the body uses to generate energy

C₆H₅NO₂

W

Useful liquid

H₂O

X

Noble gas used in anaesthetics, and also breathed in by patients who are given an MRI scan of the lungs

Xe

Y

Element which is used in the manufacture of radar

Y

Z

The main component of ZBLAN glass, used in lasers, it has four fluorine atoms

ZrF₄