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Carbohydrates

Chemistry of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates or saccharides are the most abundant class of biomolecules. Carbohydrates are used to store energy, though they serve other important functions as well. This is an overview of carbohydrate chemistry, including a look at the types of carbohydrates, their functions, and carbohydrate classification. What Is a Carbohydrate? Carbohydrates are a common class of simple organic compouds. A carbohydrate is an aldehyde or a ketone that has additional hydroxyl groups. The simplest carbohydrates are called monosaccharides, which has the basic structure (C·H2O)n, where n is three or greater. Monosaccharides link together to form oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Two monosaccharides link together to form a disaccharide. Functions of CarbohydratesCarbohydrates serve several biochemical functions: Monosaccharides are a fuel for celular metabolism. Monosaccharides are used in several biosynthesis reactions. Monosaccharides may be converted into space-saving ...

Balancing Chemical Equations

Introductory Stoichiometry A chemical equation describes what happens in a chemical reaction . The equation identifies the reactants (starting materials) and products (resulting substance), the formulas of the participants, the phases of the participants (solid, liquid, gas), and the amount of each substance. Balancing a chemical equation refers to establishing the mathematical relationship between the quantity of reactants and products. The quantities are expressed as grams or moles. It takes practice to be able to write balanced equations . There are essentially three steps to the process: Write the unbalanced equation. Chemical formulas of reactants are listed on the lefthand side of the equation. Products are listed on the righthand side of the equation. Reactants and products are separated by putting an arrow between them to show the direction of the reaction. Reactions at equilibrium will have arrows facing both directions. Balance the equation. Apply the Law of Conservation of...

Worked Example Problem

Tin oxide is heated with hydrogen gas to form tin metal and water vapor. Write the balanced equation that describes this reaction. Write the unbalanced equation. SnO2 + H2 → Sn + H2O Refer to Table of Common Polyatomic Ions and Formulas of Ionic Compounds if you have trouble writing the chemical formulas of the products and reactants. Balance the equation. Look at the equation and see which elements are not balanced. In this case, there are two oxygen atoms on the lefthand side of the equation and only one on the righthand side. Correct this by putting a coefficient of 2 in front of water: SnO2 + H2 → Sn + 2 H2O This puts the hydrogen atoms out of balance. Now there are two hydrogen atoms on the left and four hydrogen atoms on the right. To get four hydrogen atoms on the right, add a coefficient of 2 for the hydrogen gas. Remember, coefficients are multipliers, so if we write 2 H2O it denotes 2x2=4 hydrogen atoms and 2x1=2 oxygen atoms. SnO2 + 2 H2 → Sn + 2 H2O The equation is...

Nobel Prize

Nobel Prize is the greatest honorable prize in the world. The prize was started since 1901 as per famous Swedish scientist and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel's will and his property. 1. How many categories are Awarded Nobel Prize? Ans: 6. Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Economics & Peace. 2. How many institutes is Awarded Nobel Prize? Ans: 4 3. Which institute is Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine? Ans: Karolinska Institute, Sweden. 4. Which institute is Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature? Ans: Swedish Academy. 5. Which institute is Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry & Economics? Ans: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. 6. Which institute is Awarded Nobel Prize in Peace? Ans: Nobel Committee of Norwegian Parliament, Norway. 7. How many people could maximum awarded in one category? Ans: 3 People. 8. Which category Nobel Prize could awarded both person and institute? Ans: Nobel Peace Award. 9. Did not consider f...

What Is Radioactivity? What is Radiation?

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Question: What Is Radioactivity? What is Radiation ? Unstable atomic nuclei will spontaneously decompose to form nuclei with a higher stability. The decomposition process is called radioactivity. The energy and particles which are released during the decomposition process are called radiation. When unstable nuclei decompose in nature, the process is referred to as natural radioactivity. When the unstable nuclei are prepared in the laboratory, the decomposition is called induced radioactivity. Answer: There are three major types of natural radioactivity: Alpha Radiation Alpha radiation consists of a stream of positively charged particles, called alpha particles, which have an atomic mass of 4 and a charge of +2 (a helium nucleus). When an alpha particle is ejected from a nucleus, the mass number of the nucleus decreases by four units and the atomic number decreases by two units. For example: 23892U -> 42He + 23490Th The helium nucleus is the alpha particle This trefoil is the hazar...

Solutions, Suspensions, Colloids, and Dispersions

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Solutions A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more components. The dissolving agent is the solvent. The substance which is dissolved is the solute. The components of a solution are atoms, ions, or molecules, which makes them 10-9 m or smaller in diameter. Example: Sugar and Water Suspensions The particles in suspensions are larger than those found in solutions. Components of a suspension can be evenly distributed by a mechanical means, like by shaking the contents, but the components will settle out. Example: Oil and Water Colloids Particles intermediate in size between those found in solutions and suspensions can be mixed such that they remain evenly distributed without settling out. These particles range in size from 10-8 to 10-6 m in size and are termed colloidal particles or colloids. The mixture they form is called a colloidal dispersion. A colloidal dispersion consists of colloids in a dispersing medium. Example: Milk More Dispersions Liquids, solids, and gases all may ...

Van der Waals Bond Definition

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Definition: A van der Waals bond is a secondary interatomic bond between adjacent molecular dipoles. A van der Waals bond may be permanent or induced. Hydrogen Bond Definition - Chemistry Glossary Definition of Hydrogen Bond Definition: A hydrogen bond is a type of attractive (dipole-dipole) interaction between an electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom bonded to another electronegative atom. This bond always involves a hydrogen atom. Hydrogen bonds can occur between molecules or within parts of a single molecule. A hydrogen bond tends to be stronger than van der Waals forces, but weaker than covalent bonds or ionic bonds. This is a basic diagram of an atom, with protons, neutrons and electrons labeled. Atom Definition: An atom is the defining structure of an element, which cannot be broken by any chemical means. A typical atom consists of a nucleus of protons and neutrons with electrons circling this nucleus. Atom Examples: hydrogen, carbon-14, zinc, cesium, Cl- (a substance can...