Unbelievable, not a single one of you mentioned my favorite.
(I think)
(not that I am trying to say you are all wrong)
In my unique opinion, Bromine is my favorite.
It is very nasty stuff.
Nasty here withholding the reference that bromine reacts with nearly everything, is virtually uncontainable, is derived from the greek word brómos meaning stench, and is a very dark crimson liquid.
Other attributes that catch my interest:
•It is the only liquid non-metal element.
•If temporarily contained in an open container at room temperature, it will soon evaporate itself away.
•556,000,000 kg of bromine was produced in 2007 alone.
•Although it reacts with most metals to produce a pyrotechnic display,
(as seen in link number three) it is primarily used for fire retardants.
In case anyone cares...
I was introduced to element collecting by my good friend Dave who owns a Neon sign shop. (he has barrels of magnesium turnings and 20 pounds of mercury) I have been collecting for a little over a year and currently have 37 elements out of the 86 that are obtainable by someone like me. Ironically I do not have any bromine in my collection, I will within the next two weeks though thanks to this thread: http://www.scienceforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11004&highlight=bromine
Tim Ambrose: Teenage Inventor/Scientist