Three atoms, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, want your vote for “Best Atom”. Each atom is given time to tell you several reasons. We can promise you–the decision will be difficult.
Carbon
The study of Organic Chemistry is the study of the chemistry of carbon.
Carbon can be used as a building block for huge complicated molecules, and this makes possible the proteins needed for advanced living organisms.
Vote for carbon if you think the studies of life and your species are the most interesting studies!
Hydrogen
Hydrogen has one electron and it is looking to get one more electron by forming a bond with another atom. Many molecules use hydrogen to “tie up” unused electrons.
We expect hydrogen to be used in the fusion reactors that we hope will go online soon. (15 – 20 years?)
Vote for hydrogen if you want to save Humanity!
Oxygen
When oxygen bonds with hydrogen, it forms water. You know how important water is, because you get thirsty.
Oxygen is the second most electronegative atom. This allows it to do things in chemistry.
Oxygen gives molecules polarity and this is needed to dissolve in blood.
The alcohol we get from adding an oxygen to Ethane is the activity in beer and wine.
Vote for oxygen if you love to party!
Rob Sterling 