Determining the "cheapest element" depends on whether you are considering cost by mass or by volume.
According to the provided reference, here's a breakdown:
Cheapest Elements: By Mass and Volume
The "cheapest element" can be interpreted in two primary ways: cheapest by mass and cheapest by volume. Each metric offers a different perspective:
Cheapest by Mass
The least expensive elements when considering cost per unit of mass are:
- Carbon
- Sulphur
- Chlorine
These elements are abundant and relatively easy to extract or synthesize, contributing to their lower cost per kilogram.
Cheapest by Volume (at atmospheric pressure)
When considering cost per unit of volume, the cheapest elements are:
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Chlorine
These gaseous elements are readily available in the atmosphere and can be extracted relatively easily, leading to lower costs when measured by volume at atmospheric pressure.
