Mnemonic Device
- SCience Teacher, Very CRuel Man, (does nt give) Free Couching to Needy CouSINE...
Explanation
This mnemonic helps memorize the first transition series - the ten 3d transition metals in Period 4 of the periodic table, from Scandium to Zinc.
- SCience → Scandium (Sc, 21)
- Teacher → Titanium (Ti, 22)
- Very → Vanadium (V, 23)
- CRuel → Chromium (Cr, 24)
- Man → Manganese (Mn, 25)
- (does n't give) → Iron (Fe, 26)
- Free Couching → Cobalt (Co, 27)
- to → Nickel (Ni, 28)
- Needy → Copper (Cu, 29)
- CouSINE → Zinc (Zn, 30)
The first half of the phrase spells its symbols out clearly (SC and CR are capitalized right in the sentence); the second half is looser wordplay rather than a strict letter-for-letter cipher.