Textbook Problem

Use the symbols of the elements described in the following clues to fill in the blanks that spell out the name of a famous American scientist. Although this scientist was better known as a physicist than as a chemist, the Philadelphia institute that bears his name does include a biochemistry research facility.

(1) The oxide of this alkaline earth metal is amphoteric.

(2) The element that makes up approximately 3.0% by mass of the human body.

(3) The element having a 7s¹ valence electron configuration.

(4) This element is the alkali metal with the least negative standard reduction potential. Write its symbol in reverse order.

(5) The alkali metal whose ion is more concentrated in intracellular fluids as compared with blood plasma.

(6) This is the only alkali metal that reacts directly with nitrogen to make a binary compound with formula M₃N.

(7) This element is the first in Group 3A (13) for which the +1 oxidation state is exhibited in stable compounds. Use only the second letter of its symbol.