Each of the answers to the clues can have the suffix -ium added to sound like an element. The given blanks correspond to the lengths of the element names.
- Neptune -> NEPTUNIUM
- Chrome -> CHROMIUM
- Bear -> BARIUM
- Rowed -> RHODIUM
- Thor -> THORIUM
- Germane -> GERMANIUM
- Sewed -> SODIUM
- Scanned -> SCANDIUM
- Sear -> CERIUM
- Raid -> RADIUM
- Cure -> CURIUM
- Heel/Heal -> HELIUM
- Celine -> SELENIUM
Equating each element to its atomic number allows solvers to transform each element into a new element. For example Neptunium is element 93. 93 – 1 = 92, which is Uranium. The new elements are:
- Uranium
- Nickel
- Nitrogen
- Tellurium
- Rhenium
- Sulfur
- Titanium
- Nitrogen
- Gadolinium
- Oxygen
- Tungsten
- Nitrogen
- Erbium
In order, the symbols for these elements are U, Ni, N, Te, Re, S, Ti, N, Gd, O, W, N, and Er, which can be read as the phrase UNINTERESTING DOWNER. This is a clue for BORE. Adding the suffix -ium again lead to the answer BOHRIUM.