Ian’s right (of course) but interesting it’s not the rarest elements that we are most short of. There is growing concern that we will soon run out of elements we need to make mobile phone parts and solar panels – the so called Rare earth elements. It also looks like phosphorus mines (phosphorus is used in fertiliser) could be used up in the next 50 years or so. The problem is that although phosphorus (and rare earth elements) aren’t that rare they are spread about so the concentrations are low, making them too expensive to mine.
Hi 10moothob,
The rarest element is Astatine – there is only an once in the world – but if we can make it (which we are trying to do), it will be used as a treatment for cancer. We already use chemotherapy for cancer, but it has a lot of side effects. Scientists think this new element could be better than what we use now.
But look at this site to see the top 10 most amazing elements. Even the most common elements are the most interesting 😀
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