Skip to content

Atomic Numbers 20, 85 and some others too! Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

allieballie: No longer live in Fife

More
Hidden : 5/14/2007
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

You will need to take a copy of the Periodic Table with you to solve this puzzle!

OK, let’s get the teaching bit over with first! Chemical symbols for elements are composed of either one or two letters. When it is two letters the rule is “First letter CAPITAL, second lower case” but we will ignore that rule for this puzzle!

Stand at the above co-ordinates and you should find yourself surrounded by pairs of initials - ten in all (if you find GG - ignore it - I suspect this may be the initials of the sculptor). These represent the initials of the names of each member of the Blairadam Antiquarian Club, close friends of William Adam and Sir Walter Scott, who all met at Blairadam each summer from 1817 to 1831. Two of these sets of initials translate directly to elements which have two letters in their symbol. eg. if there was an AG that would = Ag = silver, an FE = Fe = iron.

Find these two elements from the pairs of initials around you - these equal X and Y as follows:

X = the element crucial for healthy bones and teeth

Y = a solid semi-metal

Once you have established the position of these two elements in the rocks around you:

Look at the pair of initials to the left of X. Take the SECOND letter of this pair = the symbol for a solid non-metallic element. The atomic number of this element = AB

(e.g. if the pair of initials to the left of X = RP, then P would be the second letter = Phosphorus = atomic number 15. So A = 1 and B = 5)

A =

B =

Look at the pair of initials to the right of X. The FIRST letter of this pair = the symbol for a gaseous element. The atomic number of this element = C

(e.g. if the pair of initials to the right of X = OT, then O would be the first letter = Oxygen = atomic number 8. So C = 8)

C =

Look at the pair of initials to the left of Y. Take the SECOND letter of this pair = the symbol for a solid non-metallic element. The atomic number of this element = D

(e.g.. if the pair of initials to the left of Y = JB, then B would be the second initial = Boron = atomic number 5. So D = 5)

D =

Look at the pair of initials to the right of Y (move clockwise). The FIRST letter of this pair on it’s own = the symbol for a metallic element. The atomic number of this element = EF

(e.g. if the pair of initials to the right of Y = VL, then V would be the first initial = Vanadium = atomic number 23. So E = 2 and F = 3)

E =

F =

Cache can be found at:

N56 07. E (C - A) A W003 24. (E - B) (B - D) (F - A)

Please note that this is a LETTERBOX cache. The stamp and ink pad should remain in the box at all times.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oruvaq n fgbar

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)