CodalityCan I Lick It? A Periodic Table GuideSee the lanthanide strip belowSee the actinide strip belowHydrogen (H, atomic number 1). Verdict: can't lick (it's a gas). can't lick a gas, plus it's flammable.Helium (He, atomic number 2). Verdict: can't lick (it's a gas). noble gas, no taste, just a squeaky voice.Lithium (Li, atomic number 3). Verdict: you will die. reacts violently with the water in your saliva.Beryllium (Be, atomic number 4). Verdict: don't, toxic. beryllium dust gives you incurable lung disease.Boron (B, atomic number 5). Verdict: tastes terrible. mildly toxic, definitely not pleasant.Carbon (C, atomic number 6). Verdict: lick away. graphite, diamond, charcoal, all fine.Nitrogen (N, atomic number 7). Verdict: can't lick (it's a gas). gas, makes up most of the air you breathe.Oxygen (O, atomic number 8). Verdict: can't lick (it's a gas). gas, you breathe this constantly.Fluorine (F, atomic number 9). Verdict: you will die. most reactive element on the table.Neon (Ne, atomic number 10). Verdict: can't lick (it's a gas). noble gas, only good for signs.Sodium (Na, atomic number 11). Verdict: you will die. explodes on contact with saliva.Magnesium (Mg, atomic number 12). Verdict: tastes terrible. mildly reactive but mostly fine.Aluminum (Al, atomic number 13). Verdict: lick away. foil, cans, cookware, harmless.Silicon (Si, atomic number 14). Verdict: lick away. sand, glass, computer chips, inert.Phosphorus (P, atomic number 15). Verdict: you will die. white phosphorus burns through flesh.Sulfur (S, atomic number 16). Verdict: lick away. smells like hell but tastes harmless.Chlorine (Cl, atomic number 17). Verdict: you will die. toxic gas, used as a chemical weapon.Argon (Ar, atomic number 18). Verdict: can't lick (it's a gas). noble gas, nothing happens.Potassium (K, atomic number 19). Verdict: you will die. more violent than sodium.Calcium (Ca, atomic number 20). Verdict: tastes terrible. reacts with water, mildly disappointing.Scandium (Sc, atomic number 21). Verdict: tastes terrible. probably ok, definitely metallic.Titanium (Ti, atomic number 22). Verdict: lick away. biocompatible, used in medical implants.Vanadium (V, atomic number 23). Verdict: don't, toxic. compounds are toxic.Chromium (Cr, atomic number 24). Verdict: tastes terrible. metal is fine, hex chrome will kill you.Manganese (Mn, atomic number 25). Verdict: tastes terrible. neurotoxic in any quantity.Iron (Fe, atomic number 26). Verdict: lick away. you taste it every time you bite your tongue.Cobalt (Co, atomic number 27). Verdict: don't, toxic. contact allergen and mildly toxic.Nickel (Ni, atomic number 28). Verdict: don't, toxic. one of the worst contact allergens.Copper (Cu, atomic number 29). Verdict: tastes terrible. tastes like blood, mildly toxic.Zinc (Zn, atomic number 30). Verdict: lick away. cold lozenge ingredient, essential nutrient.Gallium (Ga, atomic number 31). Verdict: lick away. melts in your hand, fine to lick.Germanium (Ge, atomic number 32). Verdict: tastes terrible. probably fine but off
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