How Things Work

Articles Index

Chemistry of Hard and Soft Water
Chemistry of hard and soft water, with information about soaps, detergents, and water softening agents.

Melting Snow & Ice with Salt
Melting Snow & Ice with Salt - Colligative Properties and Freezing Point Depression.

Gasoline & Octane Ratings
Summary of how gasoline is made and how octane ratings are assigned.

Natural Mosquito Repellents
Learn about natural ways to repel mosquitoes and develop strategies to reduce your exposure to them.

Candy Triboluminescence
Learn how to make candy and other items glow in the dark. Find out about triboluminescence.

Why the Flu Vaccine Doesn't Work
Why the Flu Vaccine Doesn't Work

How Do Smoke Detectors Work?
Explanation of How Smoke Detectors / Alarms Work - Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Detectors

Mad Cow Disease
Mad Cow Disease - What You Need to Know About Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Hair Color Chemistry
Hair Color Chemistry - Learn How Haircoloring Works

DEET Chemistry
Learn about DEET, dimethyltoluamide, one of the most commonly used topical insect repellents.