Physical Science

Learning important principles of chemistry can be combined with making tasty treats by using the process of making ice cream to demonstrate the concept of freezing point depression. When a solute (such as salt) is added to a solvent (such…
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Part of the definition of chemistry is the study of changes in matter. There are two basic types of changes which can be observed as part of chemical experiments: physical changes in substances, and chemical changes in substance. While both…
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Titanium (Ti) is the 22nd element on the periodic table – meaning it has 22 protons in its atomic nucleus. Since its discovery two hundred years ago, it rested as a relatively unimportant metal until the twentieth-century realization that titanium…
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Charon is the largest of Pluto’s three moons, nearly half the size of the former ninth planet.  With Nix and Hydra, Pluto’s other two moons, the dwarf planet and Charon make up what is known as a double dwarf planet…
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Nitrate and nitrite are both polyatomic ions formed from nitrogen and oxygen: essentially, nitrate molecules contain one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms, but nitrite molecules each contain one nitrogen and only two oxygen atoms. Despite the similarities there are substantial…
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Titanium’s atomic number is 22, and its symbol is Ti. The atomic weight and atomic radius are 47.90 and 144.8 pm respectively. It’s melting point is 1668 C and it Boiling point is 3287 C. Titanium’s oxidation states are 4,3,2….
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Gold has been one of the most sought after metals in the history of mankind and its beauty has been prized since it was first discovered in ancient times. It is one of the most common precious metals in jewelry…
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The acid and base concepts are so prevalent that it occurs in all branches of chemistry including organic, inorganic and analytical chemistries.  It also occurs in physical and green chemistries.  From this we see the importance of this concept so…
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Dry Ice is a unique substance which has many uses. Essentially, dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide (CO2). The first report of what we now call dry ice came from the French chemist Charles Thilorier, in 1834. In 1924, the…
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Hydrocarbons are molecules made of only the two elements: carbon and hydrogen.  One might think that with only two building blocks, hydrocarbon chemistry would be quite limited.  The reality is that hydrocarbon chemistry is extensive, and plays a significant part…
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