What chemical elements are used in art?

Answer 1

Carbon (C) makes up the graphite in pencils.Paper is largely cellulose, (C6H10O5)n, a complex sugar molecule containing carbon, hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).Iron oxide (Fe2O3) is umber.Mercury sulfide (HgS) is vermillion.Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the ubiquitous white opaque pigment in paint. (Lead carbonate (PbCO3) used to be used but is toxic).Lead chromate (PbCrO4) is chrome yellow pigment.Uranium salts (ammonium diuranate) were the red/orange glaze in pottery (Fiestaware) made before the US government confiscated all uranium ore for use in the Manhattan project in World War II. These are slightly radioactive.Cadmium sulfide (CdS) is cadmium yellow pigment.Add some cadmium selenide (CdSe) and you have cadmium orange or red pigment.The mineral lazurite, (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,SO4,Cl)1-2, is the principle component of lapis lazuli, which when ground up is the pigment ultramarine. It contains sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and chlorine (Cl)!Art deco clocks and watches from the 20's and 30's with glow in the dark hands and numerals were painted with radioactive radium (Ra) mixed with zinc sulfide (ZnS). Over 100 workers died as a result of cancer induced by the radium paint.The red phosphor in cathode ray tubes (TV screens) contains europium (Eu).Common gems are simple compounds of elements - diamond is pure carbon (C). Ruby and sapphire are Al2O3 aluminum oxide. Opal, citrine, amethyst, onyx, rock crystal etc. are varieties of quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO2). Emerald is a form of beryl, beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate (Be3Al2(SiO3)6)Gilding is done with gold (Au). Jewelry may contain silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd) and copper (Cu).Neon sign art of course is made of fluorescent tubes filled with neon (Ne) gas.