On a weight basis, carbon is 19th in order of elemental abundance in Earth’s crust. When combined with oxygen as CO2, carbon is part of what we exhale as a waste product and what plants need to photosynthesize. It also contributes to pollution within the air when burned. 

barium (Ba), chemical element, one of the alkaline-earth metals of Group 2 (IIa) of the periodic table. Barium is most commonly used in the form of barium sulfate as a contrast agent in medical imaging, particularly X-rays of the digestive tract, due to its ability to absorb X-rays, allowing for clear visualization of internal organs.

manganese (Mn), chemical element, one of the silvery white, hard, brittle metals of Group 7 (VIIb) of the periodic table. Although it is rarely used in pure form, manganese is essential to steelmaking.

phosphorus (P), nonmetallic chemical element of the nitrogen family (Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table) that at room temperature is a colourless, semitransparent, soft, waxy solid that glows in the dark. Nitrogen and phosphorus are important nutrients for growing crops. Too much phosphorus run-off (when it rains) can pollute our lakes and rivers. 

hydrogen (H), a colourless, odourless, tasteless, flammable gaseous substance that is the simplest member of the family of chemical elements. The earliest known important chemical property of hydrogen is that it burns with oxygen to form water, H2O; indeed, the name hydrogen is derived from Greek words meaning “maker of water.”

titanium (Ti), chemical element, a silvery gray metal of Group 4 (IVb) of the periodic table. Titanium is a lightweight, high-strength, low-corrosion structural metal and is used to form parts in high-speed aircraft. 

potassium (K), chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) of the periodic table, the alkali metal group, is very important for both plant and animal life. It is also an essential mineral for us found in bananas!

sodium (Na), chemical element of the alkali metal group (Group 1 [Ia]) of the periodic table. Sodium is a very soft silvery-white metal. It occurs abundantly in nature in compounds, especially the common salt that we eat—sodium chloride (NaCl)—which forms the mineral halite and makes up about 80 percent of what is dissolved in seawater.

calcium (Ca), chemical element, one of the alkaline-earth metals of Group 2 (IIa) of the periodic table. It is the most abundant metallic element in the human body and the fifth most abundant element in Earth’s crust. We see a lot of it in the form of limestone here in Texas, which all used to be underwater. 

magnesium (Mg), chemical element, one of the alkaline-earth metals of Group 2 (IIa) of the periodic table, and the lightest structural metal. Its compounds are widely used in construction and medicine, and magnesium is one of the elements essential to all cellular life. It also aides with sleep as a supplement. 

iron (Fe), chemical element, metal of Group 8 (VIIIb) of the periodic table, the most-used and cheapest metal like for your desk chair legs!

aluminum (Al), chemical element, a lightweight silvery white metal of main Group 13 (IIIa, or boron group) of the periodic table. Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in Earth’s crust and the most widely used metal (other than iron and steel) like in soda cans!

silicon (Si), a nonmetallic chemical element in the carbon family (Group 14 [IVa] of the periodic table). Silicon is commonly known as a wafer and is the basic material used in computer chips, integrated circuits, transistors, silicon diodes, and liquid crystal displays like on a smartphone!

oxygen (O), nonmetallic chemical element of Group 16 (VIa, or the oxygen group) of the periodic table. Oxygen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas essential to living organisms, being taken up by animals, which convert it to carbon dioxide; plants, in turn, utilize carbon dioxide as a source of carbon and return the oxygen to the atmosphere.