• Question: what is the most dangerous or most reactive element in our periodic table?

    Asked by riob88 to Davie, Gemma, James P, James V, Nuala on 2 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: James Verdon

      James Verdon answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      Hi riob,

      I’m not sure – probably some of the more exotic, highly radioactive ones, like plutonium. Radioactivity can kill you, because the radiation can penetrate through your skin, affecting your cells, leading to radiation sickness and death.

      Hydrogen can also be pretty dangerous – it is highly flammable, so if a large amount leaks it can create an explosion. Are you familiar with Hindenburg? A huge zeppelin (airship) that exploded in the 1930s. It was filled with hydrogen, and it leaked and exploded spectacularly. These days, airships are filled with helium, which doesn’t explode.

    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      Hi riob88,

      The most reactive element is Caesium, it also decays with a half life that makes it perfect to use in Atmoic Clocks.

    • Photo: Davie Galloway

      Davie Galloway answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      Hi riob88 … think i’m gonna agree with James P and say Caesium

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