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Geology in Your Kitchen

Example Kitchen Items and Minerals/Elements

Counter – Natural Granite (or Engineered Stone)

     Refrigerator – Stainless Steel, Aluminum, 

          Copper, Iron, Nickel, Petroleum Products, Zinc

     Stove – Burners, Natural Gas ;

     Microwave – Copper, Gold, Iron, Nickel, Silica

     Toaster – Copper, Iron, Nickel, Mica, Chromium,

           Petroleum Products

     Lights and Appliances – Electricity, Nuclear

     Stainless Steel Sink – Iron and Nickel

     Apples (and Rice) – Arsenic

     Table Salt – Halite

      Plates – Clays, Silica, Feldspar

      Cutlery – Iron, Nickel, Silver, Chromium

      Medicines :  

              Cold/Flu/Pain – Critical Minerals (Catalysis)

              Upset Stomach – Bismuth

      Vitamins, Supplements – Calcium, Magnesium

      Pencil for Grocery List – Graphite

      Batteries for Technology – Cobalt, Lithium, Graphite 

Chemistry, Geosciences and Environmental Studies Librarian

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Emily Wild
ewild@princeton.edu
Contact:
212 Lewis Science Library
609-258-5484
Website