Currency, elements

The direct focus of the present paper, however, is not this general issue, but rather a famous particular case from the history of science that has become embroiled in it. The episode involves Mendeleev and the prediction of the existence of hitherto unknown elements on the basis of his celebrated periodic table. According to an account that has widespread currency, Mendeleev s table was given little or no general credit by his contemporary scientists in virtue of its accommodation of the already known elements. What really told with Mendeleev s peers, according to this account, was the fact that gaps in the table were used as the basis of predictions of the existence of hitherto unrecognised elements, that turned out really to exist. So, for example, Isaac Asimov writes ... 

The only element that was discovered in body fluids (urine). This is plausible, as P plays a main role in all life processes. It is one of the five elements that make up DNA (besides C, H, N, and 0 evolution did not require anything else to code all life). The P-O-P bond, phosphoric acid anhydride, is the universal energy currency in cells. The skeletons of mammals consists of Ca phosphate (hydroxylapatite). The element is encountered in several allotropic modifications white phosphorus (soft, pyrophoric P4, very toxic), red phosphorus (nontoxic, used to make the striking surface of matchboxes), black phosphorus (formed under high pressures). Phosphates are indispensable as fertilizer, but less desirable in washing agents as the waste water is too concentrated with this substance (eutrophication). It has a rich chemistry, is the basis for powerful insecticides, but also for warfare agents. A versatile element. 

The root causes for the reversal of the industry s fortunes and the persisting harsh business environment are unfavorable developments on both demand and offer sides. The net result is underutilized fine-chemical production capacities, estimated at 40% for the pharmaceutical industry and 30% for the fine-chemical industry, and eventually a serious offer-demand imbalance. Last but not least, the currency exposure is another element of concern. Costs incur in Euros sales are in US dollars. 

The elements copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and gold (Au) are three of the few metals that can be found naturally in their elemental state.These three metals have found great use as currency and jewelry for a number of reasons, including their resistance to corrosion and their remarkable colors. How is the fact that these metals have similar properties reflected in the periodic table ... 

We use them to build homes, appliances, cars, bridges, airplanes, and skyscrapers. We stretch metal wire across poles to transmit communication signals and electricity. We wear metal jewelry, exchange metal currency, and drink from metal cans. Yet, what is it that gives a metal its metallic properties We can answer this question by looking at the behavior of the atoms of the metallic elements. 

An opportunity also existed with these materials to provide techniques for determining small amounts of certain elements that appear within the spectral envelopes of other elements present in high concentrations. For example, lead has been found to be present in such high concentrations in currency that it introduces uncertainties as to the presence of observed elements such as arsenic, mercury, bismuth, and rubidium, which appear at or near the ubiquitous lead peaks. There are also extremely strong iron peaks appearing at or near important trace elements such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper, which require further study to avoid serious error. 

Elements Sought in Study and Their Role in Currency. 

Table XIV. Weight Percent of Principal Elements Found in U.S. Currency ...

The importance (or not) of the distinction between N and P as a model currency is closely related to the concept of the Redfield ratio (Redfield et al. 1963). Because many models impHcidy or expHcitly enforce fixed elemental ratios, the distinction between N and P hmitation is often of fittle importance in models. In most cases a fixed ratio (e.g., Redfield ) model will behave almost identically in terms of primary production, plankton abundance, and carbon fluxes, whether N or P is specified to be the primary fimiting nutrient (the exception is when initial or boundary conditions are drawn from observations in which deviations from the Redfield N P ratio are present). 

Why was gold chosen as a form of currency rather than any other element in the periodic table ... 

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