The Stuff That Things Are Made Of

Question: What is gunpowder made of?

Answer: Gunpowder, an explosive, originated in 10th-century China. It is made of carbon, sulfur, and potassium nitrate.

Question: Which of these is not an ingredient used to glaze ceramics?

Answer: Iron oxide (green), ferric oxide (yellow), copper (red), and cobalt (blue) are some common glaze ingredients—but not brass!

Question: What material is made up of cement and water?

Answer: Concrete is a manufactured mixture of cement and water, usually with sand and stone added in for strength.

Question: What element is used, with iron, to make steel?

Answer: Steel is an alloy made of iron and carbon.

Question: In which of these is calcium carbonate not found?

Answer: Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient in limestone, marble, chalk, coral, and eggshells. Titanium is a metallic ore.

Question: Which of these elements can eventually become a diamond?

Answer: Carbon, when compressed at very high temperatures, can take the form of a diamond.

Question: Which of these is used to make plastic?

Answer: Most plastics are made from chemicals that come from petroleum (oil), natural gas, or coal.