2003's Obscure Science
Wednesday December 31, 2003
So, I've told you about the Top 10 Science Breakthroughs of 2003 and even the Top 10 Science Stories of 2003. The news services are rife with end-of-year lists. This ... Read More
You Were Searching for Black Powder?
Tuesday December 30, 2003
I guess it's a fitting search term, as the New Year approaches! These are some of the most popular internal search terms on the About Chemistry website:
Make Black Powder
Chemistry Sets
Chemistry ... Read More
Millikelvin Molecules
Monday December 29, 2003
Millikelvin is cold.... really cold! A molecule that is cold is a molecule that is barely moving. Researchers at Sandia Lab and Columbia University have used lasers that intersect at ... Read More
Mad Cow Disease - What You Need To Know
Saturday December 27, 2003
When it comes to Mad Cow Disease, it's difficult to separate fact from fiction and hard data from supposition. Part of the problem is political and economical, but a lot ... Read More
Top 10 Science Stories of 2003
Friday December 26, 2003
A few days ago, I talked about the top science breakthroughs of 2003, as selected by Science Magazine. Scientific American also has a top 10 list, for the Top 10 ... Read More
You Were Searching for the Periodic Table?
Wednesday December 24, 2003
Here's a look at the most popular search terms within the About Chemistry website this past week:
Periodic Table of the Elements
Chemistry Articles
Soap & Saponification
Chemistry Sets
Rock Tumbler Instructions
Chemistry Concentration Game
Monday December 22, 2003
Fun, fun, fun! I could tell from the 'out-of-office' replies I got in response to the newsletter that many of you are on vacation. Here's a game to help pass ... Read More
Determine Avogadro's Number Yourself
Monday December 22, 2003
Did you know that Avogadro's number isn't a mathematically derived unit. The number of particles in a mole of a material is determined experimentally. This easy method uses electrochemistry to ... Read More
Chestnuts roasting on a colored fire...
Sunday December 21, 2003
Yes, the song is about an 'open fire', but it could just as easily be a colored flame! I've updated my list of colorants for fireplace flames to include more ... Read More
Element Facts
Saturday December 20, 2003
New Index! Find all of the information specific to elements on the About Chemistry site. Click on the symbol for an element in the periodic table to view its facts. ... Read More
Top 10 Science Breakthroughs of 2003
Friday December 19, 2003
Science Magazine has released its 2003 list of the top 10 scientific breakthroughs. Topping the list is the discovery of dark matter and verification that the universe is expanding. Chemistry ... Read More
Applying to Medical School
Thursday December 18, 2003
If you are trying to get into medical school, 'tis the season to start cramming for the MCAT, attend medical school interviews, and get accepted/rejected. Wherever you are in the ... Read More
Thank You for Your Requests!
Wednesday December 17, 2003
In my last couple of newsletters I have been looking ahead to 2004 and inviting readers to suggest topics for upcoming features. The response has been overwhelming! I've been taking ... Read More
Stainless Steel Odor Eaters
Tuesday December 16, 2003
One of the questions I was asked this week concerned stainless steel odor eaters. I'm not proud... I'll admit that I had never heard of them! Here's how it works: ... Read More
You Were Searching for Science Projects?
Tuesday December 16, 2003
Here's a look at the most popular search terms within the About Chemistry site this past week. There are clearly a LOT of people looking for science fair ideas and ... Read More
Warm Blooded Plants
Monday December 15, 2003
Okay, so plants don't have blood, but if I had written 'thermogenic plants', you probably would have thought I was referring to some new-fangled space heater. Anyway... did you know ... Read More
Interpreting Statements in Scientific Papers
Friday December 12, 2003
What does it mean when a scientists writes, "it can be shown" or "a trend is obvious"? Here are translations for these and other common phrases used in research papers.Common ... Read More
Nobel Laureates Get Their Prizes
Thursday December 11, 2003
The awards ceremony for the 2003 Nobel winners for Literature, Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Economics took place in Stockholm on Wedneday, December 10. King Carl XVI Gustaf presided over ... Read More
Science Fair Project Resources
Wednesday December 10, 2003
My children came home from school with requests for poster boards and quickie descriptions of the scientific method. Looks like it's time to talk about science fair projects! I've written ... Read More
You Were Searching for Why Turkey Makes You Sleepy?
Tuesday December 9, 2003
Here's a look at some of the most popular search terms on About Chemistry this past week:
Why Turkey Makes You Sleepy
Flame Tests
Coloring Fire
Chemistry Sets
How Things Work
Additions to the Chemical Structures Library
Tuesday December 9, 2003
Two of the new structures are seasonal-sounding molecules: penguinone and angelic acid. I've also included anol, windowpane, and broken windowpane (fenestrane). Enjoy!Chemical Structures|Molecules Index
Melting Snow & Ice with Salt
Monday December 8, 2003
You know salt is sprinkled on roads and sidewalks to melt ice and prevent it from refreezing, but do you know how it works? Learn about freezing point depression and ... Read More
Drinking Shrinks Your Brain
Sunday December 7, 2003
Scientists have been aware that alcohol kills brain cells, but most studies correlating brain atrophy with alcohol use have focused on older adults. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School ... Read More
Grow a Charcoal Crystal Garden
Friday December 5, 2003
Make delicate, colorful crystals! This is a great classic crystal-growing project. You use charcoal briquettes (or other porous materials), ammonia, salt, bluing, and food coloring to grow a sort of ... Read More
Molecules with Strange Names
Thursday December 4, 2003
I've added technetium cow, magic acid, and microlite to the index of Molecules with Strange Names. This index is the newest addition to the About Chemistry site. It's still relatively ... Read More
Let It Snow!
Wednesday December 3, 2003
...for about an hour. Then it can all melt and the weather can get warm and I can lounge around on the beach! Let's get into the spirit of winter ... Read More
You Were Searching for Common Names?
Tuesday December 2, 2003
Here's a look at some of this week's most popular search terms at About Chemistry. Do you want to see what is hot on the site now? Scroll down to ... Read More
More Incredible Science Fair Projects
Monday December 1, 2003
Last week, I wrote about Ali Botet's science fair project, which led to a recall of thousands of lead-contaminated kid's necklaces. The news this week includes more great science fair ... Read More
Ideal Gas Law - Worked Chemistry Problems
Monday December 1, 2003
Here's the latest addition to the worked chemistry problem collection: some Ideal Gas Law problems. These are straightforward examples of how to apply the Ideal Gas Law. I'll include some ... Read More