Physical Science

The process of ionic bonding is one that is fundamentally important to our known universe, and it is a vital part of everyday life.  Ionic bonds are a special type of bond that bonds two atoms together.  These atoms must…
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Copper, known as cuprum was named after the island of Cyprus, where it has been mined since ancient times. Copper and gold are the two most ancient metals known to man. They are unique in that both of them are…
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Traditionally, we’re taught that there are only three states, or phases of matter; solid, liquid and gas.  The form that matter takes is a function in differences in the motions and forces and molecules that go into its makeup.  In…
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Of the millions of chemical compounds that make up the universe, the vast majority contain carbon. The Chemistry Explained website estimates that more than 95 percent of all known compounds are carbon compounds. What is it that makes carbon the…
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To understand the capbilities of modern jet engines, it is not sufficient to explain how jet engines work.  The issue is rather how the most sophisticated materials of the day allow operation in the extreme conditions of temperature, mechanical loading,…
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Chemical changes are of the utmost importance to modern society.  We see evidence of them every day, from the most mundane and pedestrian to the highly complex and analytical reactions performed in high-tech labs.  Chemical changes occur whenever the chemical…
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Aerogels are not an exotic type of gel. An aerogel is a solid, highly porous material, with a number of very special properties. The high volume of pores in an aerogel give it very low density and very light weight,…
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Europium was discovered just over one hundred years ago, in 1896, when the French chemist, Eugne-Antole Demaray was investigating the newly discovered element of samarium. His samarium samples were contaminated, and on further investigation he found the contamination was an…
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Our Moon is the only celestial body visited by humans. Those voyages into space taught us many things about our satellite and inspired many of us to dream of traveling further out to visit other planets and moons in our…
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The most significant symbols used in the Laboratory are warning labels. Storage closets and chemical containers display the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) fire diamond. The four quadrants of the fire diamond are color coded. Red in the top quadrant…
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