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Inorganic Chemistry

If it isn't carbon-based, it's probably covered here. Of course, inorganic reactions of carbon are described, too. You'll find lecture and lab notes, molecular structures, journals, and study guides. Types of Inorganic Chemical Reactions Elements and compounds react with each other in numerous ways. Memorizing every type of reaction would be challenging and also unncecessary, since nearly every inorganic chemical reaction falls into one or more of four broad categories. Combination Reactions Two or more reactants form one product in a combination reaction. An example of a combination reaction is the formation of sulfur dioxide when sulfur is burned in air: S (s) + O2 (g) --> SO2 (g) Decomposition Reactions In a decomposition reaction, a compound breaks down into two or more substances. Decomposition usually results from electrolysis or heating. An example of a decomposition reaction is the breakdown of mercury (II) oxide into its component elements. 2HgO (s) + heat --...

Citric Acid Cycle

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Citric Acid Cycle - Overview of the Citric Acid Cycle The Citric Acid Cycle is also known as the Krebs Cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle. It is a series of chemical reactions that takes place in the cell that breaks down food molecules into carbon dioxide, water, and energy. Narayanese, wikipedia.org The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is a series of chemical reactions in the cell that breaks down food molecules into carbon dioxide, water, and energy. In plants and animals, these reactions take place in the mitochondria of the cell as part of cellular respiration. Many bacteria perform the citric acid cycle too, though they do not have mitochondria so the reactions take place in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells. Sir Hans Adolf Krebs, a British biochemist, is credited with discovering the cycle. Sir Krebs outlined the steps of the cycle in 1937. The overall reaction for the citric acid cycle is: Acetyl-CoA + 3 NAD+ + Q + GDP + P...

Chemistry Glossary and Dictionary

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This chemistry glossary offers definitions for terms which are commonly used in chemistry and chemical engineering. An engineering glossary is available, too. abrasive absolute error absolute pressure absolute temperature absolute uncertainty absolute zero absorbance absorption absorption cross section absorption spectroscopy absorption spectrum absorptivity accelerator accuracy acetate acid acid anhydride acid-base titration acid dissociation constant - Ka acidic solution actinides activated complex activation energy - Ea actual yield addition polymer addition reaction adhesive adsorption aerosol alchemy alcohol aldehyde alkali metal alkaline alkaline earth metal alkane alkene alkyl group alkyne allotrope alloy alpha particle alternating copolymer ammeter amorphous analytical chemistry anion androgen anisotropy annealing antiferromagnetism antioxidant aromatic compound aqueous solution Arrhenius rate equation astrochemistry atactic atom atomic mass atomic mass unit (amu) atomic num...

Quick Emulsifier Chemistry Demonstration

Soap is good at cleaning because it acts as an emulsifier, enabling one liquid to disperse into another immiscible liquid. While oil (which attracts dirt) doesn't naturally mix with water, soap can suspend oil/dirt in such a way that it can be removed. It's easy to demonstrate the action of an emulsifer. All you need are two immiscible liquids and a little dishwashing detergent or soap. Emulsifier Demo Materials water kerosene or oil dishwashing detergent or soap flask or clear glass Perform the Demonstration Add some kerosene or oil together with some water in a flask. Swirl the contents around to try to mix them. What happens? Add a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Swirl or shake the flask to mix the ingredients. How has the layer of kerosene or oil been changed? What could be easier, right?

Make Silver Polishing Dip

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As silver oxidizes it will tarnish. This layer of oxidation can be removed without polishing and scrubbing by simply dipping your silver in this non-toxic electrochemical dip. Another big advantage to using a dip is that the liquid can reach places a polishing cloth cannot. You can use chemistry to removethe tarnish from your silver without even touching it. Mel Curtis, Getty Image Difficulty: Easy Time Required: Minutes Here's How: Line the bottom of the sink or a glass baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil. Fill the foil-lined container with steaming hot water. Add salt (sodium chloride) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the water. Some recipes call for 2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt, whereas others call for 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and salt. Personally, I wouldn't measure the amounts... just add a bit of each substance. Drop the silver items into the container so that they are touching each other and resting on the foil. You will be able to watch the ta...

Sulfur Pentafluoride: The Color of Love... and Death

Here's a cute cartoon to brighten your day. Sulfur pentafluoride presumably binds with itself to make disulfur decafluoride, a chemical warfare pulmonary agent similar to your good old friend phosgene . Fun stuff. Disulfur decafluoride eventually decomposes into sulfur hexafluoride (which can be used as a sort of anti-helium in gas density demonstrations ) and sulfur tetrafluoride (which reacts with moisture in the air to form sulfurous acid and hydrofluoric acid). Incidentally, while I have no idea about the color of sulfur pentafluoride, I can tell you disulfur decafluoride is colorless and one breath can kill you in a day. It takes a while because its actually the acids produced by the sulfur tetrafluoride reacting with water that likely do you in.

How to Make Ink - Easy Ink Recipes

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One of my self-improvement projects has been to try to learn how to write legibly. It would be easy to blame my handwriting on being left-handed, but it probably has a lot more to do with trying to write quickly rather than neatly. So, I got a pen and some ink and have been practicing. Ink is one of the practical contributions of chemistry. You can make invisible inks and tattoo inks in addition to writing and drawing inks. Although ink recipes may be closely-guarded secrets, the basic principles of preparing ink are simple. You want to mix a pigment with a carrier (usually water). It helps to include a chemical which will allow the ink to flow fluidly and adhere to the paper (gum arabic). Here are some easy ink recipes to get you started ma Black Permanent Ink 1/2 tsp lamp black (which you can buy or can make by holding a plate over a candle and collecting the soot or from collecting other char) 1 egg yolk 1 tsp gum arabic 1/2 cup honey Mix together the egg yolk, gum arabic, and ho...