The story of radium is quite sad. After it was discovered, people were fascinated by this element which glows in the dark. Nobody knew that this was because of its harmful radioactivity. There was a hype around products containing radium, which were sold as cures and cosmetics. Only after workers, who painted glow-in-the-dark paint containing radium onto wrist-watches, began to develop cancer in the mouth, people started to realize that there was something wrong.
The name barium is derived from the Greek word barys, meaning "heavy", because of the density of its mieral baryte. It has only a few special technical applications. Barium is essential only for a particular species of green algae.
Strontium was discovered in a village called Strontian in Scotland. It is used mainly for pyrotechnics and the aluminium industry.
Because the place of discovery is not too far away from Loch Ness, some people claim, that the monster Strong T is an invention, just like Nessie. A dangerous claim, because one might get hit in the head by Strong T for it.
Magnesium burns vigorously, even under water, and is used for flares and fireworks. Humans and animals need it for their muscles, plants need it for photosynthesis.
Magnesio the monster is a little hothead who likes to bite others in their butt with his sharp teeth, when he gets aggravated. But when he’s happy, he starts hugging everyone, before you can count to three. If only his arms weren’t so short...
The soft metal calcium is in our bones as well as in chalk, marble and lime.
Calcius the monster is a moody but hard-working builder. Once work-mania has laid hold of him, one better doesn’t get in his way.
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