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Showing posts from 2013

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How To Water - Wine - Milk - Beer Chemistry Demonstration

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Chemistry demonstrations in which solutions appear to magically change color leave a lasting impression on students and help instill an interest in science. Here's a color change demo in which a solution seems to change from water to wine to milk to beer simply be being poured into the appropriate beverage glass. Difficulty: Average Time Required: Prepare the solutions in advance; demo time is up to you   Here's How: First, prepare the glassware, since this demonstration relies on the presence of chemicals added to the glasses before the 'water' is added. For the 'water' glass: Fill the glass about 3/4 full of distilled water. Add 20-25 ml of saturated sodium bicarbonate with 20% sodium carbonate solution. The solution should have a pH = 9. Place a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator in the bottom of the wine glass. Pour ~10 ml saturated barium chloride solution into the bottom of the milk glass. Place a very small number of crysta

Valentine's Day Science Projects

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Find a science project that is perfect for Valentine's Day! You can perform a color change reaction, make a chemical "beating heart", prepare a special Valentine gift, and more.

Printable Periodic Table of the Elements

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Print or Download the Periodic Table  The Periodic Table of the Elements is one of your best tools for working chemistry problems and making predictions about the properties of the elements. The online periodic table is useful since clicking on a symbol gives detailed element facts that you can't get on a single printed sheet of paper. However, it's really nice to be able to print out the table and move it around on your work space or write on it. Here are a few printable periodic tables for you. Each table prints out perfectly on a single 8-1/2" by 11" or standard printer paper page. Please feel free to download these to your computer, print them, and use them as hand-outs. This color periodic table has circle tiles containing each element's atomic number, symbol, name and atomic weight.

Make Glowing Water

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There are a couple of ways you get science projects to glow in the dark. You can use glow-in-the-dark paint, which is phosphorescent and glows anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Glowing paint or powder tends not to be very soluble, so it is good for some projects and not others. Tonic water glows very brightly when exposed to black light and is great for edible projects. Fluorescent dye is another option for a bright effect under a black light. You can extract non-toxic fluorescent dye from a highlighter pen to make glowing water : Use a knife to (carefully) cut a highlighter pen in half. It's a pretty simple steak knife and cutting board procedure. Pull out the ink-soaked felt that is inside the pen. Soak the felt in a small quantity of water. I made a video of what to expect. Once you have the dye you can add it to more water to make glowing fountains, grow certain types of glowing crystals, make glowing bubbles, and use it for many other water-bas

The Difference Between Fluorine and Fluoride

First off, yes, it's fluorine and fluoride and not flourine and flouride . The mis-spelling is common, but the 'u' comes before the 'o'. Fluorine is a chemical element. Its anion, F - , or any of the compounds containing the anion are termed fluorides. When you hear about fluoride in drinking water, it comes from adding a fluorine compound (usually sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, or fluorosilicic acid) to drinking water, which dissociates to release the F - ion.

China-Japan tensions: Who has the smartest approach?

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to a shrine honoring war criminals has aggravated tensions between Japan and China, prompting one expert to say Beijing is taking a 'smarter approach' to the strained relations between Asia's two biggest economies. Tensions between the world's second and third largest economies have flared up in recent years following a territorial dispute over the East China Sea islands, which disrupted trade between the two nations. More recently, Beijing's introduction of an air defense zone has raised tensions further. ( Read More : China and Japan trading goods and war threats ) Abe's controversial visit to the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Boxing Day provoked criticism from China, while the U.S. Embassy said it was "disappointed" with Japan's leadership. "The leadership in China seems smarter on this one and more astute on this and recognizing what is going on more than Abe. Abe seems a l

On This Day in Science History - December 30 - Robert Boyle

December 30 th marks the passing of Robert Boyle. Boyle was an Irish chemist who made a significant contribution away from the alchemical idea of Aristotle's four elements to the atomic model of elements. He argued elements consisted of 'corpuscles' (atoms) instead of the four traditional elements of earth, air, fire and water. He also proposed nature could be broken down and described as a set of simple mathematical laws. He also worked extensively with gases, especially with low pressure or 'rarefied airs' and vacuums. He demonstrated that vacuum can exist in nature, sound cannot travel though it, and animals cannot live without air. These experiments led to Boyle's ideal gas law where a gas at constant temperature will have changes in pressure inversely proportional to changes in volume containing the gas. Boyle was also one of the founding members of the Royal Society that formed from a group of science and mathematically inclined people who

Guaranteed Scholarship Information

These are guaranteed scholarship money. Just calculate your GPA in this format: (Your GPA (as on transcript)*4)/ (maximum GPA in your educational system.) For example: In the HSC, if someone got 4.8, his GPA in 4.0 scale will be: (4.8*4)/5=3.84 As for listed scholarships, just see if your score is equal or higher than the required scores of certain university. For example, one student will get full tuition scholarship in University of Alabama with a SAT score of 1400 or above and a GPA of 3.5 or above (if got admitted). An additional scholarship of 2500 is available in the University of Alabama if the student gets enrolled in the engineering school and graduated with a STEM major. For that go to the website. If you have question about such procedure. Ask in the comment box. I will try to response as soon as I can (remember I am not a current undergrad students. I am applying this year) Thanks. University of Alabama Award: Full Tuition Residual COA: $13,122/year Out-of-State Requiremen

Taking Care of Our Pets in Tough Economic Times

News of tough economic times is everywhere, every day. People are spending less on themselves and on their pets. What have you sacrificed in terms of pet food or pet care? See how others are coping, and learn some money-saving tips to use at the food store and the veterinary office. . Ways to Save Money on Pet Care and Vet Bills  Pets not only require our time and attention, they require our money, too. Food, vaccinations, and veterinary medical care all add up. In today's tough economy, people are rethinking their personal expenses and cutting the budget where they can. Here are some tips to keep your pet in good health while saving money. 2. Pet Supplies and Food: Save Money with eCoupons My mom is a coupon clipper. I try to be, but inevitably lose the little paper coupon before I even get to the store. Internet coupons are different though. You can use then online with just a couple mouse-clicks or print them out on my printer. It must be that full size pa

নোয়াখালীতে যুবলীগকর্মী গুলিবিদ্ধ

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নোয়াখালী সদরে দুর্বৃত্তের গুলিতে এক যুবলীগকর্মী আহত হয়েছেন। 0   0   0  

শেখ হাসিনার প্রতিশ্রুতি

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শনিবার বঙ্গবন্ধু আন্তর্জাতিক সম্মেলন কেন্দ্রে এক অনুষ্ঠানে ঘোষিত এই ইশতেহারে প্রধানমন্ত্রী বলেছেন, আগামী নির্বাচনে জয়ী হলে তার দল কী কী করবে। বিরোধী দলবিহীন এই নির্বাচনে ইতোমধ্যে ১৫৪ আসনের প্রার্থী বিনা প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতায় নির্বাচিত হয়েছেন, যার অধিকাংশই আওয়ামী লীগের। বাকি ১৪৬ আসনে নির্বাচনে ভোটগ্রহণের আট দিন আগে ইশতেহার ঘোষণা করলেন আওয়ামী লীগ সভানেত্রী। আওয়ামী লীগের ইশতেহারে উল্লেখযোগ্য প্রতিশ্রুতি *যুদ্ধাপরাধীদের বিচার বানচাল করতে গিয়ে আন্দোলনের নামে নাশকতাকারী অপরাধীদের বিচার করা হবে।যে কোনো মূল্যে সাম্প্রদায়িকতা ও জঙ্গিবাদ নির্মূল করা হবে। ক্ষতিগ্র

Grow Bismuth Crystals

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Are you looking for a gorgeous crystal to grow? Try bismuth crystals. Bismuth is a metal that forms interesting geometrical 'hopper' crystals that are rainbow-colored from the thin oxide layer that forms on them. You can get bismuth at a sporting goods store or you can order it online. The crystals only take a matter of seconds to grow, so give it a try! Bismuth Crystal Materials bismuth 2 stainless steel measuring cups or aluminum cans that you have cut in half to make shallow bowls a stovetop, hot plate, or propane torch You have a few different options for obtaining bismuth. You can use non-lead fishing sinkers (for example, Eagle Claw makes non-lead sinkers using bismuth), you can use non-lead ammunition (the shot will say it is made from bismuth on the label), or you can buy bismuth metal. The quality of crystals you obtain depends in part on the purity of the metal, so make sure you are using bismuth and not an alloy. Grow Bismuth Crystals Bism

Colored Flame Spray Bottles

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Colored flame spray bottles are one of the easiest and most memorable chemistry demonstrations you can perform! The demo also makes a great chemistry "magic" trick, although of course it is based on the emission spectra seen in flame tests. Chemist Mitch at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago shows how to perform this demonstration safely and effectively:. Wear protective clothing. Lab coats look cool, plus they protect your clothes. You can't see this, but Mitch is wearing long pants and shoes that cover his feet. Wear your safety goggles. Modern safety goggles are comfortable, fashionable and safe. Direct the spray away from the audience. When the alcohol hits the flame, it produces a fairly dramatic plume of flame. You don't need to scare anyone or ignite any hair. If you have one, use a clear blast shield. In this demonstration, droplets of liquid can splash harmlessly on the inside of the shield, controlling the flame. Have fun with i

On This Day in Science History - December 29 - Charles Goodyear

December 29 th is the birthday of the man who discovered the process to vulcanize rubber. Charles Goodyear spent several years trying to find a method to convert rubber into a substance that would not turn brittle in the cold or turn to goo in the heat. His early attempts found rubber that would rot after time or still turn sticky in heat. He ultimately found the answer by accident. He spilled a mixture of rubber mixed with sulfur on a hot stove and cured the rubber into a solid mass. After he patented his process, he started a small company to find uses for his rubber. Unfortunately, he spent most of his efforts on defending his patents and in lawsuits and his business failed. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company had nothing to do with Charles Goodyear and was formed 38 years after his death in 1860.

Molecules Formed by Covalent Bonds

For example, the oxygen molecule consists of two atoms of oxygen. In the case of oxygen, the bond that holds the two atoms together is known as a covalent bond, and here is how it works. The oxygen atom has 8 each of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and neutrons are found in the center of the atom, known as the nucleus, and the electrons surround the nucleus in layers, or shells. The oxygen atom has 2 electrons in its first shell, and 6 in its second and outer shell. However, in chemistry, there exists the octet rule, which states that atoms generally strive to have 8 electrons in their outer shell. The oxygen therefore is 2 electrons away from a complete outer shell. When it binds with another oxygen atom, they can share two pairs of electrons and so each will have 8. When atoms share electrons like that, they form a molecule through a covalent bond. Molecules Formed by Ionic Bonds Molecules can also be formed through other kinds of chemical bonds, for

On This Day in Science History -- December 17 -- Carbon 14 Dating

December 17 th is Willard Libby's birthday. Libby was the American physical chemist who developed the carbon-14 dating technique. This method is used to determine the age of 'once living' objects up to approximately 50,000 years. Carbon 14 is an isotope of carbon that is created naturally in the atmosphere by cosmic rays which in turn is breathed by living things or absorbed by plants. Over a lifetime of breathing, plants and animals maintain a natural ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12. When the living thing dies, it stops absorbing the carbon-14 from the air.                                                               14 7 N + 1 0 n → 14 6 C + 1 1 H Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen by beta decay over time, but the process takes a long time. The half life of carbon-14 is 5,720 years, meaning after 5,720 years, the organism will have half the carbon-14 levels it did when it was alive. If you measure the amount of carbon-14 in a once living object, you can deter

Can we turn unwanted carbon dioxide into electricity?

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Researchers are developing a new kind of geothermal power plant that will lock away unwanted carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) underground -- and use it as a tool to boost electric power generation by at least 10 times compared to existing geothermal energy approaches. The technology to implement this design already exists in different industries, so the researchers are optimistic that their new approach could expand the use of geothermal energy in the U.S. far beyond the handful of states that can take advantage of it now. At the American Geophysical Union meeting on Friday, Dec. 13, the research team debuted an expanded version of the design, along with a computer animated movie that merges advances in science with design and cognitive learning techniques to explain the role that energy technologies can have in addressing Climate -Change'> climate change. The new power plant design resembles a cross between a typical geothermal power plant and the Large Hadron Col

Nitrogen deposition poses threat to diversity of Europe's forest vegetation

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Unless nitrogen emissions are curbed, the diversity of plant communities in Europe's forests will decrease. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition has already changed the number and richness of forest floor vegetation species in European forests over the last 20-30 years. In particular, the coverage of plant species adapted to nutrient-poor conditions has reduced. However, levels of nitrogen deposition in Finnish forests remain small compared to Southern and Central Europe. These results will be presented as part of international research published in the journal Global Change Biology . Researchers from the Finnish Environment Institute and the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) participated in this research, which concludes that unless nitrogen emissions are curbed, the diversity of plant communities in Europe's forests will decrease. The work involved the examination of long-term changes in vascular plant communities within a 1 300 monitoring grid coveri

FDA issues proposed rule to determine safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a proposed rule to require manufacturers of antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to demonstrate that their products are safe for long-term daily use and more effective than plain soap and water in preventing illness and the spread of certain infections. Under the proposal, if companies do not demonstrate such safety and effectiveness, these products would need to be reformulated or relabeled to remain on the market. Today’s action is part of a larger, ongoing review of antibacterial active ingredients by the FDA to ensure these ingredients are proven to be safe and effective. This proposed rule does not affect hand sanitizers, wipes, or antibacterial products used in health care settings. Millions of Americans use antibacterial hand soap and body wash products. Although consumers generally view these products as effective tools to help prevent the spread of germs, there is currently no evidence that they are an

‘শপথ এবার প্রতিরোধের’

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যুদ্ধাপরাধের দণ্ড কার্যকর শুরুর পর প্রথম বিজয় দিবসে স্মৃতিসৌধে এসে ‘দেশজুড়ে নাশকতা ঘটিয়ে চলা জামায়াত-শিবির’ প্রতিরোধের শপথ নিতে বললেন মুক্তিযোদ্ধারা। সাত বছরের নাতীকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে সোমবার সকালে সাভারে জাতীয় স্মৃতিসৌধে এসেছিলেন পাথালিয়ার মুক্তিযোদ্ধা মো. দবির উদ্দীন। একাত্তরে দেশরক্ষার শপথ নিয়ে যুদ্ধে ঝাঁপিয়ে পড়ার সেই দিনগুলোর স্মৃতি স্মরণ করে তিনি বলেন, “এবারের বিজয় দিবসে আমাদের শপথ জামায়াত-শিবিরের সহিংসতার বিরুদ্ধে দেশবাসীকে এক করে প্রতিবাদ করা। তাদের রাষ্ট্রবিরোধী কাজের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিরোধ গড়ে তোলা।” মুক্তিযোদ্ধা ইসমত কাদির গামা বলেন, স্বাধীনতার এতো

লাখো কণ্ঠে ‘আমার সোনার বাংলা’

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বেয়াল্লিশ বছর আগে যে মুহূর্তে যে স্থানটিতে বাঙালির মুক্তির সনদ লেখা হয়েছিল, মুক্তিযুদ্ধে বিজয়ের সেই ক্ষণে সেই স্বাধীনতার উদ্যানেই লাখো কণ্ঠ গাইল ‘আমার সোনার বাংলা, আমি তোমায় ভালোবাসি’। রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুরের এই গানটিই একাত্তরের রণাঙ্গনে বাঙালি জাতিকে প্রেরণা যুগিয়েছিল, যা পরে বাংলাদেশের জাতীয় সংগীত হিসাবে গ্রহণ করা হয়। সোহরাওয়ার্দী উদ্যানে স্থাপিত ‘বিজয় ২০১৩’র মঞ্চে সোমবার বিকাল ৪টা ৩১মিনিটে এই গানে কণ্ঠ মেলান উপস্থিত জনতা। এবার সম্মিলিতভাবে এই উত্সব পালন করছে বিজয় ২০১৩ উদযাপন জাতীয় কমিটি, গণজাগরণ মঞ্চ, সেক্টর কমান্ডার্স ফোরাম, মুক্তিযুদ্ধ চেতনা বাস্তবায়ন কমিটি এবং বিজয় ৪:৩১ মঞ্চ। জাতীয় সংগীত পরিবেশনের আগে স্বাধীন বাংলা বেতার কেন্দ্রের শিল্পীরা পরিবেশন করেন একাত্তরে মুক্তিকামী মানুষকে শক্তি যোগানো বিভিন্ন গান। পরে তারাও সমবেত কণ্ঠের জাতীয় সংগীতে অংশ নেন। ১৯৭১ সালের ১৬ ডিসেম্বর বিকাল ৪টা ৩১ মিনিটে পাকিস্তানি বাহিনী এই উদ্যানেই আত্মসমর্পণের দলিলে সই করেছিল, তখন এর নাম ছিল রেসকোর্স ময়দান।মুক্তিযুদ্ধের উপ অধিনায়ক অবসরপ্রাপ্ত এয়ার ভাইস মার্শাল একে খন্দকার বীর উত্তম বলেন, “সেই ক্ষণ

World's largest human flag !

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Bangladesh attempts to create the world's largest 'human flag' It is a unique way of celebrating victory and freedom that befits the passions behind the 1971 Liberation War. 1   0   26  

This Day in Science History -- December 16 -- Johann Ritter

December 16 th is Johann Wilhelm Ritter's birthday. Ritter was a German scientist who invented one of the first dry pile galvanic batteries. Early batteries used electrodes dipped in an acid solution where the energy is produced through oxidation reactions. A dry pile uses just enough moisture to function and did not have the dangers of spilling acid solutions. Ritter's pile used alternating pieces of silver and zinc foil separated by pieces of paper. Ritter was also responsible for the discovery of the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. While investigating the discoloration of silver salt crystals exposed to sunlight, he discovered there was a part of sunlight beyond the violet range responsible for the discoloration. He initially called this part of the light spectrum 'de-oxidizing rays' because of their chemical reactivity. Find out more about electrochemical cells , redox reactions and what else occurred on this day in science histor

Introduction to Chemistry

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What Is Chemistry? Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the interactions between them. This is also the definition for physics, by the way. Chemistry and physics are specializations of physical science . Chemistry tends to focus on the properties of substances and the interactions between different types of matter, particularly reactions that involve electrons. Physics tends to focus more on the nuclear part of the atom, as well as the subatomic realm. Really, they are two sides of the same coin. Why Study Chemistry ? Because understanding chemistry helps you to understand the world around you. Cooking is chemistry. Everything you can touch or taste or smell is a chemical. When you study chemistry, you come to understand a bit about how things work. Chemistry isn't secret knowledge, useless to anyone but a scientist. It's the explanation for everyday things, like why laundry detergent works better in hot water or how baking soda works or why not all