Argon Ice

In the video above, argon is liquified and frozen (wut), using liquid nitrogen, ultimately producing argon ice (double wut). I think it’s quite interesting to think of a solid noble gas.

At room temperature, argon exists as a gas. Argon has a melting point of -186.36 °C (-303.448 °F) and a boiling point of -185.847 °C (-302.525 °F) . The narrow range between the melting and boiling points is demonstrated around 4:37 when the drops of liquid argon immediately boil as it lands on the surface.

Fun fact: argon is the third most abundant gas (0.93%) in the earth’s atmosphere, behind nitrogen (78.09%) and oxygen (20.95%). 

Sources used: “Argon Ice” Video and PubChem

Source: atomicallena

Nitrogen Triiodide

Other than colours, the other characteristic I’m a huge fan of when it comes to chemical reactions is explosions, which can be seen when you detonate nitrogen triiodide (NI3).

Nitrogen triiodide is an extremely sensitive contact explosive that when touched or vibrated lightly will detonate and produce a gorgeous purple-pink cloud of iodine vapour. Nitrogen triiodide can also be detonated when exposed to alpha particles and nuclear fission products, being the only known chemical explosive to do so.

The sensitivity and instability of nitrogen triiodide can be explained by (1) the steric strain caused by the large iodine atoms (indicated by the purple balls in the space-filling model shown below) that are close together (this lowers the activation energy) and (2) the favourable formation of N2.

2 NI3 (s) → N2 (g) + 3 I2 (g)

As a bonus, the video contains a few slow-mo playbacks of the reaction so you can see the reaction in all of its glory over and over.

Also, here’s another neat looking video of a professor performing the same reaction, using a feather to detonate the nitrogen triiodide. It gives this particular demonstration a nice Harry Potter vibe.

Sources used: Wikipedia / Photograph credit: Wikipedia / Video credit: Dr Peter Wothers

Source: atomicallena

The Flame Test One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab. The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner. Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons.  The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour. As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations: The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour) Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3. Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia
Zoom Info
The Flame Test One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab. The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner. Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons.  The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour. As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations: The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour) Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3. Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia
Zoom Info
The Flame Test One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab. The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner. Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons.  The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour. As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations: The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour) Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3. Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia
Zoom Info
The Flame Test One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab. The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner. Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons.  The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour. As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations: The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour) Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3. Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia
Zoom Info
The Flame Test One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab. The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner. Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons.  The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour. As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations: The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour) Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3. Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia
Zoom Info
The Flame Test One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab. The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner. Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons.  The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour. As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations: The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour) Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3. Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia
Zoom Info

The Flame Test

One of the main reasons why I gained interest in studying chemistry was the colours that elements and different compounds have. I just finished my second year at university, and I still get excited when I work with different coloured compounds in the lab.

The flame test is a qualitative way to identify the presence of a certain element or certain elements, usually metal ions, in a compound. The flame test involves taking a sample of a compound and putting it in the flame of a Bunsen burner.

Each element will give off a certain colour based on its characteristic emission spectrum (this also helps to explain the science behind fireworks), which is a spectrum (band of colours as seen in the bottom photo) that depicts the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted due to the movement of electrons. 

The heat of the flame provides energy for the electrons to jump to a higher energy excited state. These higher energy levels are also energetically unstable, so the electrons will fall back down to a lower energy level, which will release energy (in the form of light), resulting in a pretty colour.

As majestic as the flame test is, there are some limitations:

  • The flame test is qualitative, and therefore cannot tell you exactly how much of an element you have in your compound
  • Some elements like to fit in and give off the same colour (e.g. arsenic and indium both emit a blue colour)
  • Some elements are a little shy and don’t give off any colours
  • Like with most things, contaminants are rude and ruin all the fun, making everything a lie

Here are some majestic videos of flame tests: 1, 2, and 3.

Photograph credit: J&Konrad on Flickr and Wikipedia

Source: atomicallena

Canada and the Arctic The Arctic is home to many majestic animals, such as the polar bear, atlantic puffin, harp seal, snowshoe hare, arctic fox, narwhal, beluga, and many more. The Arctic is also inhabited by a variety of indigenous peoples, including the Buryat, Chukchi, Evenks, Inupiat, Khanty, Koryaks, Nenets, Sami, Yukaghir, and Yupik. The Arctic is also a large source for oil and natural gas, holding an estimated 25 per cent of the earth’s known remaining petroleum reserves, which seems to be the only thing Stephen Harper seems to care about when it comes to the Arctic. Environmental protection? Psht. Nope! Naturally, even after Canada becomes the chair of the Arctic Council, Harper still decides to promote drilling in the Arctic Ocean, risking an oil spill like the one that happened in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, and ignoring the protection of the wildlife and lives of the indigenous peoples. Researchers have warned that an undersea blowout could spill up to 10,000 barrels of petroleum a day for months, and we don’t currently have the right technology to clean that up. Remember when Stephen Harper said this in 2007? Canada may be a small contributor to global warming – our greenhouse gas emissions represent just 2% of the earth’s total – but we owe it to future generations to do whatever we can to address this world problem. Well, here are five (of the many) ways Harper is doing all he can to address this world problem: Canada is one of the world’s top ten carbon emitters (according to data from 2012).  Canada gives away 1.3 billion dollars a year to the world’s most profitable companies and cuts support for energy efficiency and renewable energy Doing whatever oil companies want Decreasing funding for environmental research (and looking down upon science in general) Looking down upon those who question Harper’s decisions when it comes to the environment I don’t want to end this post on a depressing note, so here’s a video of polar bear cubs tumbling around in the snow. Photograph credits: Greenpeace, and Paul Nicklen.
Zoom Info
Canada and the Arctic The Arctic is home to many majestic animals, such as the polar bear, atlantic puffin, harp seal, snowshoe hare, arctic fox, narwhal, beluga, and many more. The Arctic is also inhabited by a variety of indigenous peoples, including the Buryat, Chukchi, Evenks, Inupiat, Khanty, Koryaks, Nenets, Sami, Yukaghir, and Yupik. The Arctic is also a large source for oil and natural gas, holding an estimated 25 per cent of the earth’s known remaining petroleum reserves, which seems to be the only thing Stephen Harper seems to care about when it comes to the Arctic. Environmental protection? Psht. Nope! Naturally, even after Canada becomes the chair of the Arctic Council, Harper still decides to promote drilling in the Arctic Ocean, risking an oil spill like the one that happened in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, and ignoring the protection of the wildlife and lives of the indigenous peoples. Researchers have warned that an undersea blowout could spill up to 10,000 barrels of petroleum a day for months, and we don’t currently have the right technology to clean that up. Remember when Stephen Harper said this in 2007? Canada may be a small contributor to global warming – our greenhouse gas emissions represent just 2% of the earth’s total – but we owe it to future generations to do whatever we can to address this world problem. Well, here are five (of the many) ways Harper is doing all he can to address this world problem: Canada is one of the world’s top ten carbon emitters (according to data from 2012).  Canada gives away 1.3 billion dollars a year to the world’s most profitable companies and cuts support for energy efficiency and renewable energy Doing whatever oil companies want Decreasing funding for environmental research (and looking down upon science in general) Looking down upon those who question Harper’s decisions when it comes to the environment I don’t want to end this post on a depressing note, so here’s a video of polar bear cubs tumbling around in the snow. Photograph credits: Greenpeace, and Paul Nicklen.
Zoom Info

Canada and the Arctic

The Arctic is home to many majestic animals, such as the polar bear, atlantic puffin, harp seal, snowshoe hare, arctic fox, narwhal, beluga, and many more. The Arctic is also inhabited by a variety of indigenous peoples, including the Buryat, Chukchi, Evenks, Inupiat, Khanty, Koryaks, Nenets, Sami, Yukaghir, and Yupik.

The Arctic is also a large source for oil and natural gas, holding an estimated 25 per cent of the earth’s known remaining petroleum reserves, which seems to be the only thing Stephen Harper seems to care about when it comes to the Arctic. Environmental protection? Psht. Nope!

Naturally, even after Canada becomes the chair of the Arctic Council, Harper still decides to promote drilling in the Arctic Ocean, risking an oil spill like the one that happened in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, and ignoring the protection of the wildlife and lives of the indigenous peoples. Researchers have warned that an undersea blowout could spill up to 10,000 barrels of petroleum a day for months, and we don’t currently have the right technology to clean that up.

Remember when Stephen Harper said this in 2007?

Canada may be a small contributor to global warming – our greenhouse gas emissions represent just 2% of the earth’s total – but we owe it to future generations to do whatever we can to address this world problem.

Well, here are five (of the many) ways Harper is doing all he can to address this world problem:

  1. Canada is one of the world’s top ten carbon emitters (according to data from 2012). 
  2. Canada gives away 1.3 billion dollars a year to the world’s most profitable companies and cuts support for energy efficiency and renewable energy
  3. Doing whatever oil companies want
  4. Decreasing funding for environmental research (and looking down upon science in general)
  5. Looking down upon those who question Harper’s decisions when it comes to the environment

I don’t want to end this post on a depressing note, so here’s a video of polar bear cubs tumbling around in the snow.

Photograph credits: Greenpeace, and Paul Nicklen.

Source: greenpeace.org

I’ve decided to start using more of my time to educate myself more about today’s environmental issues. Environmental chemistry is a field I would like to eventually go into (I spent all of second year trying to figure out what I want to do with my life), so it’s about darn time I started doing this (better late than never). Also, thanks to people on Tumblr, like shychemist (cool dude who is very tall in real life), and Joe Hanson (who runs my all time favourite blog), for inspiring me to take initiative and look up these issues.

From now on, I’m mostly going to be using this blog to share environmental issues that I’m concerned about, passionate about, or just generally interested in. Keep in mind that I’m learning, so I will most likely be making a lot of mistakes (e.g. being unable to immediately tell what is true and what is false), but that’s part of learning. If you catch a mistake, you are most definitely welcome to send me a message - just try to use proper grammar and punctuation so that I can take you seriously.

The above images are courtesy of Huffington Post’s live map and riding list of the BC Election Results 2013, which I’ve been following for the past 2.5 hours. The BC Liberals will be forming a majority government (i.e. BC will be run by a bunch of ignorant idiots) and I hate everything. However, there was a 48% voter turnout, which is incredible (edit: had to point out that I was being sarcastic - sigh)! Also, I actually almost feel bad for the Conservatives. Almost. Double also, I get the right to complain and write posts full of angst because I actually went out and voted. If you didn’t do that, I don’t feel like you have the right to complain about our horrible government.
Zoom Info
The above images are courtesy of Huffington Post’s live map and riding list of the BC Election Results 2013, which I’ve been following for the past 2.5 hours. The BC Liberals will be forming a majority government (i.e. BC will be run by a bunch of ignorant idiots) and I hate everything. However, there was a 48% voter turnout, which is incredible (edit: had to point out that I was being sarcastic - sigh)! Also, I actually almost feel bad for the Conservatives. Almost. Double also, I get the right to complain and write posts full of angst because I actually went out and voted. If you didn’t do that, I don’t feel like you have the right to complain about our horrible government.
Zoom Info
The above images are courtesy of Huffington Post’s live map and riding list of the BC Election Results 2013, which I’ve been following for the past 2.5 hours. The BC Liberals will be forming a majority government (i.e. BC will be run by a bunch of ignorant idiots) and I hate everything. However, there was a 48% voter turnout, which is incredible (edit: had to point out that I was being sarcastic - sigh)! Also, I actually almost feel bad for the Conservatives. Almost. Double also, I get the right to complain and write posts full of angst because I actually went out and voted. If you didn’t do that, I don’t feel like you have the right to complain about our horrible government.
Zoom Info
The above images are courtesy of Huffington Post’s live map and riding list of the BC Election Results 2013, which I’ve been following for the past 2.5 hours. The BC Liberals will be forming a majority government (i.e. BC will be run by a bunch of ignorant idiots) and I hate everything. However, there was a 48% voter turnout, which is incredible (edit: had to point out that I was being sarcastic - sigh)! Also, I actually almost feel bad for the Conservatives. Almost. Double also, I get the right to complain and write posts full of angst because I actually went out and voted. If you didn’t do that, I don’t feel like you have the right to complain about our horrible government.
Zoom Info

The above images are courtesy of Huffington Post’s live map and riding list of the BC Election Results 2013, which I’ve been following for the past 2.5 hours. The BC Liberals will be forming a majority government (i.e. BC will be run by a bunch of ignorant idiots) and I hate everything.

However, there was a 48% voter turnout, which is incredible (edit: had to point out that I was being sarcastic - sigh)!

Also, I actually almost feel bad for the Conservatives. Almost.

Double also, I get the right to complain and write posts full of angst because I actually went out and voted. If you didn’t do that, I don’t feel like you have the right to complain about our horrible government.

Source: huffingtonpost.ca

Shychemist: In British Columbia, it's Election Day today.

chandri:

Today we have the opportunity - our best opportunity to come for the next ~1,500 days - to replace a government that in my opinion has done more harm than good to a lot of vulnerable segments of the population. Maybe you disagree. What really matters in this equation, though, is…

To anyone and everyone who is on UBC’s campus today, you can vote in the SUB! Go!

Source: chandri