Recently in the Chinese city of Beijing, smog levels rose so high to a point where the sunrise could not be seen. Maybe mother nature is trying to tell us something. Well guess what mother nature! We can still televise a sunrise! The glow of all those mega pixels is really helping me wake up. Not.
To make matters even worse, people casually wore industrial strength face masks in response to the government's severe air warning. This is so bad that children and the elderly have been advised to stay inside. So kids can't even play in the smog without risking breathing problems. Awesome.
People even reported they could not see buildings on the other side of the street because of the smog! The U.S. embassy in Beijing reported that day levels of pollution in the air so high that they were literally off the charts. Of course United States, telling China its air quality sucks in its capitol will definitely help improve foreign relations. Great idea.
Levels of pollution have even been reported to be on the rise in the United States! Experts recognize the heavy dependency on coal to generate electricity as the cause of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Here's a resolution! What if we all abandon generating electricity with fossil fuels and other methods and instead cover the entire nation with solar panels? Oh wait, there's no way our country can afford solar panels with a 16 trillion dollar debt. Read more in the article: http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from-the-field/In-Smog-Beijing-Televises-Sunrise.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tweet
Honestly thinking of the cause of this effect is disappointing. In some cases, nature can fix the many injuries we inflict upon nature constantly. Like recently I wrote about an article that described how an oil spill in a river in Virginia will naturally decay in a matter of weeks because of reactions with all of the other forms of matter surrounding the river. Nature can't even help us out of this issue with air pollution! It has to block out the sun for us to finally realize we're doing something wrong! Just wait until it blocks out the sun completely, and then we'll have the same experience as the dinosaurs.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Aurora Borealis. Sounds like a pig.
Though Aurora Borealis sounds like a species of pig, do not worry, this blog post is not about pigs! It's about the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis. These awesome light shows start from about 93 million miles away on the sun. So if you have never noticed them, you have made these particles travel 93 million miles for nothing. I hope you're happy with yourself.
Now that the guilt show is done, let's get down to the science. When explosions called solar flares occur on the surface of the sun, plasma, meaning high charged particles, are sent flying into outer space. The ones that come in contact with Earth hit the Magnetosphere (No, this is not a field created by Magneto for all X-men fans out there). This Magenetosphere is a constant flow of charged particles around the Earth. Once plasma comes in contact with this Magnetosphere, it is sent flying towards the magnetic poles. Yes, for once getting into a collision is a good thing.
It is on this course towards the magnetic pole when the amazing colors in the sky are created. Remember plasma particles have a high charge, so when they come in contact with other molecules in the atmosphere, such as oxygen, they make these bright colors. Maybe the collision between these forms of matter cause the electrons of the air molecules to enter excited state, and when they return to ground state, they release energy in the form of the light that we see. So see when you learn one thing in chemistry, like the movement of electrons, you try to find an opportunity to relate it to everything. This is what life has come to. Read more in the article: http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2012/october/story78941.html
Besides providing natural entertainment, this chain of collisions with plasma and air molecules can also affect society. In the extreme case, it can bring down satellites and power grids. Maybe these plasma particles are intentionally bringing down power grids so you'll finally notice them! The things matter will do to get noticed! These collisions can also cause the magnetic field to fluctuate. This could provide complications for navigation systems that still use compasses even though most people today use GPS... But still! Just pay attention to these lights, or who knows what these particles might do next.
Now that the guilt show is done, let's get down to the science. When explosions called solar flares occur on the surface of the sun, plasma, meaning high charged particles, are sent flying into outer space. The ones that come in contact with Earth hit the Magnetosphere (No, this is not a field created by Magneto for all X-men fans out there). This Magenetosphere is a constant flow of charged particles around the Earth. Once plasma comes in contact with this Magnetosphere, it is sent flying towards the magnetic poles. Yes, for once getting into a collision is a good thing.
It is on this course towards the magnetic pole when the amazing colors in the sky are created. Remember plasma particles have a high charge, so when they come in contact with other molecules in the atmosphere, such as oxygen, they make these bright colors. Maybe the collision between these forms of matter cause the electrons of the air molecules to enter excited state, and when they return to ground state, they release energy in the form of the light that we see. So see when you learn one thing in chemistry, like the movement of electrons, you try to find an opportunity to relate it to everything. This is what life has come to. Read more in the article: http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2012/october/story78941.html
Besides providing natural entertainment, this chain of collisions with plasma and air molecules can also affect society. In the extreme case, it can bring down satellites and power grids. Maybe these plasma particles are intentionally bringing down power grids so you'll finally notice them! The things matter will do to get noticed! These collisions can also cause the magnetic field to fluctuate. This could provide complications for navigation systems that still use compasses even though most people today use GPS... But still! Just pay attention to these lights, or who knows what these particles might do next.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Don't cry over spilled oil
Recently in West Virginia, a coal-washing chemical was leaked into a river which serves as a source of water to many homes. Now if you're suffering from medical problems related to this water, then this is not like spilled milk and you entirely have the privilege to cry! Though this oil spill was not as much of a debacle as the BP oil spill, locals have been told by officials not to use their tap water except for flushing the toilet.
The chemical is categorized as an alcohol therefore in high concentrations it's even flammable! Being this is a industrial chemical, the effects of it on a person's health are still unknown. Well that's reassuring! Even though this event is inconvenient for the people whose homes are affected by this spill, consider how this is a good promotion for water purification companies like Brita! "Tired of having oil in your water source? A brand new Brita filter will get the job done!"
It's also interesting how factors of nature interact with this chemical in the water. The chemical already has a half-life of two weeks without including other factors. This means half of the harmful molecules of the element will decay after two weeks. When factors such as soil, air, and sunlight are added, this process can even be sped up. Read more in the article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-dangerous-is-the-chemical-spilled-in-west-virginia&page=2.
The case of this oil spill shows even though we may have the chemicals to attempt to repair our mistakes, sometimes it's better to just let nature take its course. It's almost like the water cycle and other cycles were made considering our ignorant behavior! How convenient! Honestly, I'm very impressed some person didn't show up and say "Well let's pump more chemicals into the river to get the chemicals out!" Still, though the decay of the chemical molecules will take place, the thought of the oil spill will always remain in the communities affected by this. Some precaution when dealing with hazardous chemicals would be nice.
The chemical is categorized as an alcohol therefore in high concentrations it's even flammable! Being this is a industrial chemical, the effects of it on a person's health are still unknown. Well that's reassuring! Even though this event is inconvenient for the people whose homes are affected by this spill, consider how this is a good promotion for water purification companies like Brita! "Tired of having oil in your water source? A brand new Brita filter will get the job done!"
It's also interesting how factors of nature interact with this chemical in the water. The chemical already has a half-life of two weeks without including other factors. This means half of the harmful molecules of the element will decay after two weeks. When factors such as soil, air, and sunlight are added, this process can even be sped up. Read more in the article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-dangerous-is-the-chemical-spilled-in-west-virginia&page=2.
The case of this oil spill shows even though we may have the chemicals to attempt to repair our mistakes, sometimes it's better to just let nature take its course. It's almost like the water cycle and other cycles were made considering our ignorant behavior! How convenient! Honestly, I'm very impressed some person didn't show up and say "Well let's pump more chemicals into the river to get the chemicals out!" Still, though the decay of the chemical molecules will take place, the thought of the oil spill will always remain in the communities affected by this. Some precaution when dealing with hazardous chemicals would be nice.
Infinite Money!
Infinite money: something that does not exist in our world! Unless possibly Bill Gates. If anyone would have a money tree, it would be that man.
Now for the real purpose of this blog post. Many common products we use on a daily basis, such as margarine, medication, more efficient and clean car exhausts, and other items are made using catalysts composed of metals such as platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium.
"Well that's great, but why do I care?"
These metals are rare, and the typical trend of pricing is a product with low supply and high demand will translate to a high price. Therefore, as platinum has a price of $22,656 per pound based on information from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/science/building-a-cheaper-catalyst.html?_r=0, you could easily see why scientists would want to cheaper alternatives. Wow, that price hurts my eyes...
Just the fact for $1,000,000, you could buy around 44 lbs. of platinum. So you could buy enough platinum equivalent to the weight of a medium sized dog for $1,000,000... Yes! For a million dollars you can have metals for catalysts to make margarine! Anything for toast! Alright moving on.
In a recent science news journal, three teams of scientists published findings in which they could create catalysts with much cheaper metals that perform as well if not better than these million-dollar catalysts. Too bad these catalysts can't be made of Aluminum. It's only $0.78! I could pay for those catalysts with my lunch money. By adding specific organic molecules to other metals and then dissolving them in a solution, scientists were able to create these cheaper catalysts that won't break the bank! Read more in the article http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/science/building-a-cheaper-catalyst.html?_r=0.
Well this is the point of science! To make life easier! Life surely will be easier since companies won't have to be stressed because of debt caused from purchasing expensive metals such as platinum. But in all seriousness, this shows have humans are approaching a time when these finite resources will one day be depleted. Therefore it's important science invests time into this type of science producing many alternatives. Wait I have boxes of platinum in my kitchen! Just kidding, it's only aluminum.
Now for the real purpose of this blog post. Many common products we use on a daily basis, such as margarine, medication, more efficient and clean car exhausts, and other items are made using catalysts composed of metals such as platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium.
"Well that's great, but why do I care?"
These metals are rare, and the typical trend of pricing is a product with low supply and high demand will translate to a high price. Therefore, as platinum has a price of $22,656 per pound based on information from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/science/building-a-cheaper-catalyst.html?_r=0, you could easily see why scientists would want to cheaper alternatives. Wow, that price hurts my eyes...
Just the fact for $1,000,000, you could buy around 44 lbs. of platinum. So you could buy enough platinum equivalent to the weight of a medium sized dog for $1,000,000... Yes! For a million dollars you can have metals for catalysts to make margarine! Anything for toast! Alright moving on.
In a recent science news journal, three teams of scientists published findings in which they could create catalysts with much cheaper metals that perform as well if not better than these million-dollar catalysts. Too bad these catalysts can't be made of Aluminum. It's only $0.78! I could pay for those catalysts with my lunch money. By adding specific organic molecules to other metals and then dissolving them in a solution, scientists were able to create these cheaper catalysts that won't break the bank! Read more in the article http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/science/building-a-cheaper-catalyst.html?_r=0.
Well this is the point of science! To make life easier! Life surely will be easier since companies won't have to be stressed because of debt caused from purchasing expensive metals such as platinum. But in all seriousness, this shows have humans are approaching a time when these finite resources will one day be depleted. Therefore it's important science invests time into this type of science producing many alternatives. Wait I have boxes of platinum in my kitchen! Just kidding, it's only aluminum.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Walking in a polar vortex land
After having snow storms covering terrains across the country, people then were forced to endure face-numbing temperatures of around 9 degrees Fahrenheit in the current polar vortex. With these true winter temperatures, chemistry students across the nation have been bestowed with the perfect opportunity to observe changes in states of matter! Don't worry, the first thing I think about when I see snow is not "Woo changes in states of matter," but I'm honestly disappointed I didn't perform these cool experiments! Get it? Cool? Even these frigid temperatures can't stop me from making puns!
Anyway the first experiment was conducting using bubbles from household soap. Bubbles in liquid form are entertaining enough, but these bubbles have been frozen in the cold temperatures taking bubbles to a new level of awesome!
Anyway the first experiment was conducting using bubbles from household soap. Bubbles in liquid form are entertaining enough, but these bubbles have been frozen in the cold temperatures taking bubbles to a new level of awesome!
Find more pictures in the article: http://distractify.com/culture/arts/frozen-bubbles-in-wintertime/ Though the article didn't explain this, I think my understanding of the states of matter is good enough to explain this process. The bubbles began in the form of a liquid in the bottle. Liquids are defined by molecules that are less orderly than solids which can also flow past each other allowing liquids to take the shape of any container they are placed in. Once this bubble was created, all molecules were exposed to the cold air. This change in heat caused the molecules to move closer together until they froze creating the pictures above.
The next experiment I actually observed during my lunch period in school. So ha! High school kids really do care about changes in states of matter, they just don't know it! In this experiment, water is boiled or heated and then tossed high in the air. Look at pictures provided and described in this article: http://www.chicagonow.com/new-abides/2014/01/what-happens-when-you-throw-boiling-water-into-freezing-air/
Yes, this experiment isn't just about tossing water into the air. The changes it undergoes in the air is what is really observed! Once tossed from the container, the water now has a greater surface area than it did in the container. This greater surface area allows more water molecules to come in contact with the cold air allowing the water to change into ice crystals or snow, if you prefer. Please do not try this at home, for it may be shocking, but people have obtained injuries while conducting this experiment. How, you may ask? Stupidity. Well to elaborate, some people tossing the hot water into the air did not predict its trajectory causing the boiling water to land on them! The shock these people probably received when they were covered in not snow but instead boiling water! That must have been awkward explaining to the doctor. "So how did you get these burns?" "I threw boiling water on myself..."
Though these experiments are not revealing ground-breaking discoveries in science, they are sparking interest everywhere! As a student of chemistry, I can personally say it's more interesting learning about a topic while performing experiments such as these. Even with chemistry labs, like the dehydration of sugar using sulfuric acid, kids will be more motivated to learn about it because explosions and these reactions are cool! It's because of these experiments which plant a curiosity in us which ultimately lead people to pursuing why and how these reactions happen continuously building upon common knowledge of science. But please do not toss boiling water on yourself in the process. Science is not that desperate.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
"Please pass the planet forming compound"
Well I've never asked for the salt by saying this at the dinner table, but hopefully the compound salt will obtain more recognition for its newly found qualities. In its sudden rise to fame, salt has punched and kicked in the face every chemistry textbook out there. And considering the surprising qualities salt is exhibiting under pressure which is supposedly beginning a "revolution in chemistry," it can do whatever it wants!
I mean, I can do amazing things under pressure too, so I don't understand why salt is getting so much attention!
By applying 200,000 atmospheres of pressure, scientists were able to form compounds which were thought to be impossible to form with salt and other common elements. This explains how unique compounds which formed our planet were made under 3,600,000 million atmospheres. These compounds, NaCl3, NaCl7, Na3Cl2, Na2Cl, and Na3Cl, were not the expected result predicted with the rules of electronegativity. Electronegativity states the combination of these two elements would only form common rock salts. Yeah, I know several chemical formulas won't get the common person excited. Oh well! The formation of these new, "impossible" compounds even defies the octet rule! My entire chemistry class is a lie!
By observing this behavior of salt under pressure, scientists believe they can use a diamond anvil to compress salt and other substances into new materials with incredible qualities! So if I make clothes with these types of compounds, would my clothes be "impossible?" Also, scientists hope to learn more about Earth by knowing elements can exhibit extraordinary properties under certain circumstances. Here is the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131219142138.htm
These types of discoveries are crucial to science, for who ever thought the common table salt could be the metaphorical glue of these almost mythical compounds. The advancement of science is driven by this constant will to prove the impossible to be possible. This sounds like a excerpt from a motivational speech, but not really, it's just a plain fact! We might as well learn more about the formation of Earth also. Chemistry is the study of matter and how it reacts with other forms of matter. Since we're standing on the most obvious product of this, why not learn more about it?
I mean, I can do amazing things under pressure too, so I don't understand why salt is getting so much attention!
By applying 200,000 atmospheres of pressure, scientists were able to form compounds which were thought to be impossible to form with salt and other common elements. This explains how unique compounds which formed our planet were made under 3,600,000 million atmospheres. These compounds, NaCl3, NaCl7, Na3Cl2, Na2Cl, and Na3Cl, were not the expected result predicted with the rules of electronegativity. Electronegativity states the combination of these two elements would only form common rock salts. Yeah, I know several chemical formulas won't get the common person excited. Oh well! The formation of these new, "impossible" compounds even defies the octet rule! My entire chemistry class is a lie!
By observing this behavior of salt under pressure, scientists believe they can use a diamond anvil to compress salt and other substances into new materials with incredible qualities! So if I make clothes with these types of compounds, would my clothes be "impossible?" Also, scientists hope to learn more about Earth by knowing elements can exhibit extraordinary properties under certain circumstances. Here is the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131219142138.htm
These types of discoveries are crucial to science, for who ever thought the common table salt could be the metaphorical glue of these almost mythical compounds. The advancement of science is driven by this constant will to prove the impossible to be possible. This sounds like a excerpt from a motivational speech, but not really, it's just a plain fact! We might as well learn more about the formation of Earth also. Chemistry is the study of matter and how it reacts with other forms of matter. Since we're standing on the most obvious product of this, why not learn more about it?
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A toilet that may be more productive than you
Yeah, I'm writing about toilets, but don't judge this post yet!
In an attempt to create a self-sufficient toilet, innovators at the California Institute of Technology have incorporated an electrolysis cell into their electrochemical water splitting method of making clean water from toilet water. First, water (H2O) is split into two gases, hydrogen and oxygen, so oxygen can react with chlorine found in urine. This reaction creates means for purification of the water. The excess hydrogen gas later reacts with oxygen and water vapor in a high temperature fuel cell to create an electric current stored in batteries. So now's the time when some people must come to the realization, "Wow, this toilet might be more productive than I am."
So whenever I hear of something generating an electrical current, I think of the common science fair project where the potato somehow powers the clock, but here toilet water is creating an electrical current! It would be a waste to not make use of this waste! Buh dum tsssss... Sorry I had to. I won't mind if you REUSE that pun. Alright, enough with the puns now.
Here is the article: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/12/toilet-wastewater-purification-hydrogen-fuel-cell
Still, there's one point this article casually drifts over. This method of toilet water purification water purification produces water which can be used for "toilet flushing or crop irrigation." So our vegetables and other crops can be watered with toilet water? Yum thanks science... It's cool how the scientists were able to use a common knowledge of chemical reactions to purify water and even produce an electric current, but could this water at least be used for something less repulsive? Maybe our houses can be toilet powered one day! Still, I wouldn't want to drink this clean toilet water, and I wouldn't want food made with this toilet water either!
In an attempt to create a self-sufficient toilet, innovators at the California Institute of Technology have incorporated an electrolysis cell into their electrochemical water splitting method of making clean water from toilet water. First, water (H2O) is split into two gases, hydrogen and oxygen, so oxygen can react with chlorine found in urine. This reaction creates means for purification of the water. The excess hydrogen gas later reacts with oxygen and water vapor in a high temperature fuel cell to create an electric current stored in batteries. So now's the time when some people must come to the realization, "Wow, this toilet might be more productive than I am."
So whenever I hear of something generating an electrical current, I think of the common science fair project where the potato somehow powers the clock, but here toilet water is creating an electrical current! It would be a waste to not make use of this waste! Buh dum tsssss... Sorry I had to. I won't mind if you REUSE that pun. Alright, enough with the puns now.
Here is the article: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/12/toilet-wastewater-purification-hydrogen-fuel-cell
Still, there's one point this article casually drifts over. This method of toilet water purification water purification produces water which can be used for "toilet flushing or crop irrigation." So our vegetables and other crops can be watered with toilet water? Yum thanks science... It's cool how the scientists were able to use a common knowledge of chemical reactions to purify water and even produce an electric current, but could this water at least be used for something less repulsive? Maybe our houses can be toilet powered one day! Still, I wouldn't want to drink this clean toilet water, and I wouldn't want food made with this toilet water either!
Would you like some chemicals with that chicken?
With an annual decrease in levels of salmonella in chicken, the U.S. poultry industry seems to be succeeding greatly. After all, what would you expect in our modern society? Certainly not these companies cultivating dirty chickens and using powerful chemicals to hide sources of salmonella. Well that's exactly what's happening. Suddenly Whole Foods' and Fairway's prices don't seem so egregious! Maybe that's why Fairway's slogan is "Like no other market." Doesn't sell chemical coated chicken like every other market?
Researchers were first suspicious when salmonella rates in chicken continued to decreases while the infection rates among the population either remained stagnant or even increased. While the same tests of sanitation and certification were continuously used in factories, companies continue to used more, stronger chemicals. I guess expecting the poultry industry to have common sense was too much? Do inspectors have to tell these companies, "By the way, you can't spray these chickens with chemicals to make them clean." Just to be safe, someone should also make it clear to companies they cannot dump oil in the ocean, for clearly common sense is too much to ask for!
Typically in the past, inspectors instructed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would randomly select pieces of chicken from the production line and dip them in a solution. This solution would remove any chemicals which try to conceal bacteria while not removing salmonella. Since companies have been able to cheat this test, this means companies have been using more and a greater amount of chemicals. Besides masking salmonella, these chemicals have also caused respiratory problems, skin rashes, and other bad side effects. Never before have I had anxiety after eating chicken for dinner...
Read more in this article: http://www.naturalnews.com/041546_salmonella_factory_chicken_chemicals.html
With behavior such as this, modern industries should not focus on capability but instead morality. Yes, it does speak volumes of our development in science that we are able to mask salmonella strains with chemicals though does this help society? People could also choose to only depend on nuclear warfare to solve world problems thanks to science, but we don't because we know it is not morally acceptable.
Researchers were first suspicious when salmonella rates in chicken continued to decreases while the infection rates among the population either remained stagnant or even increased. While the same tests of sanitation and certification were continuously used in factories, companies continue to used more, stronger chemicals. I guess expecting the poultry industry to have common sense was too much? Do inspectors have to tell these companies, "By the way, you can't spray these chickens with chemicals to make them clean." Just to be safe, someone should also make it clear to companies they cannot dump oil in the ocean, for clearly common sense is too much to ask for!
Typically in the past, inspectors instructed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would randomly select pieces of chicken from the production line and dip them in a solution. This solution would remove any chemicals which try to conceal bacteria while not removing salmonella. Since companies have been able to cheat this test, this means companies have been using more and a greater amount of chemicals. Besides masking salmonella, these chemicals have also caused respiratory problems, skin rashes, and other bad side effects. Never before have I had anxiety after eating chicken for dinner...
Read more in this article: http://www.naturalnews.com/041546_salmonella_factory_chicken_chemicals.html
With behavior such as this, modern industries should not focus on capability but instead morality. Yes, it does speak volumes of our development in science that we are able to mask salmonella strains with chemicals though does this help society? People could also choose to only depend on nuclear warfare to solve world problems thanks to science, but we don't because we know it is not morally acceptable.
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