Physical Science

Always an important and interesting element, hydrogen has gathered increased notice in the public eye with the focus on hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen cars. Surely people long to learn more about this “magic” chemical that will simultaneously help free…
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The single major difference between a star and a planet is that stars always produce radiant energy through nuclear fusion and, briefly at the end of its lifespan, nuclear fission; while planets may or may not produce energy on a…
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Acid-Base indicators provide a quick, visual reference. They show (indicate) by color whether a material is acidic (less than pH 7) or basic (greater than pH 7). An acid-base indicator does not tell you how acidic or basic a solution…
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On November 1, 1952, the first thermonuclear atomic warhead was tested at Eniwetok atoll in the Marshal Islands group. It was a hydrogen bomb much more powerful than any simple atomic bomb. The test was successful producing a fireball that…
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Hydrogen is perhaps the most interesting of the elements in the universe, if not its simplest and most abundant one. Atoms of hydrogen represent about 75 percent of all the matter in the cosmos, and even the Earth’s crust contains…
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Plutonium is one of the most exotic substances known to man. In fact, there is much about this elements properties which remains poorly understood at best, and some behaviors exhibited by it that are barely understood at all. One reason…
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In the past eight years we have been made acutely aware of the importance of energy in economic, environmental, and logistical terms. Gasoline having exceeded $4.50 per gallon, and the awareness that burning of it is contributing to global warming…
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Iodine, symbol I, is a member of the halogen group of elements. Halogens are only found in nature as compounds or ions, because of their highly reactive tendencies. The atomic number of iodine is 53, meaning it has 53 protons…
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There are certainly easier pursuits out there, but it is indeed possible to make crystals using rocks as your starting material. We simply have to use chemical and physical approaches that somehow lead to crystal formation. Nature provides most crystals…
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The Alkaline Earth metals form Group 2 of the Periodic table. Group 2 is the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) preferred nomenclature but other versions of the table may use 2A or IIA. The seven elements forming…
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