Vincent Summers, Author at Quirky Science

19Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Degrees of Oxidation Using Methane as an Example

Chemistry

One tool of the organic chemist is that of oxidation. There are abundant reagents, which vary in reactivity and strength, to choose from to create this reaction. A plethora of techniques guarantee specificity. All are important to the synthetic organic chemist and to industry. What is a reagent? It is a chemical that is of interest because it can react with the substance chemists wish to modify and study. Oxidizers are one kind of reagent. Consider the progressive oxidation of methane (CH₄) from its lowest to its highest oxidation state. The progression of the oxidation of methane products is written simply, CH₄ → CH₃OH → HCHO → HC(O)OH → HC(O)OOH [→ CO₂ + H₂O ] Their names (left to right) are methane, methyl alcohol, formaldehyde, formic acid, performic acid, and…

19Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Cutting Edge Technology: Gold Nanoparticles for Research

Chemistry, Medicine

[caption id="attachment_24005" align="alignright" width="480"] Using a nanoparticle-based sensing strategy for determining protein levels in blood. Image by Vincent Rotello, University of Massachusetts[/caption] There is spellbinding beauty in “yellow, yellow” gold. But gold is not always yellow. If individual gold atoms are clumped together in small quantities – agglomerated – they assume various colors depending upon the physical properties of the agglomerates. If all the particles are of about the same size and shape, the color and other physical properties, when duplicated, are exactly reproduced. Interestingly, aggregates can be grown with a specific geometry. They can even be grown into the particularly useful form – nanorods. The assortment of colors that can be produced ranges from red to purple to blue. But there is a problem. If gold nanoparticles grown with…

19Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ: The Time-Tested, Inexpensive B.P. Medication

Chemistry, Medicine

Many think that “New is better.” In technology, such thinking often proves true. But is it always the case? No. Consider pharmacology. New drugs promise improved health, a better quality of life. Yet negative side effects, some not having had sufficient time to surface, may discourage a medication’s use, perhaps even warranting its removal from pharmacy shelves. In the United States, one of the most common health issues is hypertension – high blood pressure. So it’s no surprise many medicines have been formulated to fight this condition. Although many new drugs are now available, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) remains a “first choice” for the treatment of hypertension.1 Why so? Few medicines have such a generally excellent track record. HCTZ (or for short, HCT) has few side-effects.2 Hydrochlorothiazide is inexpensive; perhaps it is…

19Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Muonium: An Atom Similar to Hydrogen, Only No Protons!

Chemistry, Physics

[caption id="attachment_23970" align="alignright" width="480"] No proton![/caption] You heard correctly! From cosmic ray bombardments and particle accelerator experiments comes “muonium,” an other-worldly form of atom that, to a degree, resembles hydrogen. This atom is fascinating research scientists, along with another oddball, positronium. An Exotic Element… Sort Of There are some 90 naturally-occurring elements on Earth. There are more than a dozen other artificial elements, as well. Muonium is artificial, but not in the usual sense of the term. All of the more than one-hundred elements found in the periodic table consist of atoms made up of electrons traveling in orbitals about respective nuclei containing one or more protons and neutrons. Though muonium does have an electron orbiting a nucleus, it possesses no proton or neutron. Instead, it’s nucleus consists of an…

19Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 3 Comments

Store-Bought Potatoes Treated with Eye-Growth Inhibitor

Food, Health

[caption id="attachment_23951" align="alignright" width="480"] Would you purchase potatoes full of eyes? Image by ostephy[/caption] Probably, you pick up a can of food to read the label. You may wish to see what the ingredients are. You are either satisfied or not, so you either put the can in your cart, or back on the shelf. Sometimes though, there is no list of ingredients. Like when you buy an apple. If the apple is very shiny, you probably suspect the apple has been waxed. But there are times when you cannot visibly determine what has been applied to a food item. Such is the case when you purchase a potato. Are you aware that after harvesting, the potatoes were given a chemical spray? After all, the potatoes may be in storage…

18Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Introduction to Chemistry Subscripts and Superscripts

Chemistry, Education

Subscript and superscript can make all the difference when it comes to chemical formulas. Molecules, compounds, and other chemical structures include more than one atom. Sometimes, there are multiples of one particular atom. For instance, anhydrous aluminum chloride features one atom of aluminum joined to or combined with three atoms of chlorine. Its chemical formula reflects this: AlCl3. But – simply knowing how to use a number in this instance is not enough. It is essential to know the proper use of subscripts and superscripts. Subscripts in Chemistry Notice the number 3 is written as a subscript, or a number that is smaller than the other text, and below the normal text line, in the formula for anhydrous aluminum chloride above. The concept of a multiplicity of atoms is conveyed…

18Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 3 Comments

Where Does Crude Oil Come From? Biotic or Abiotic Processes?

Chemistry, Education

Crude oil is used in the production of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other important substances, including plastics. The crude oil comes from the ground beneath our feet. But the question arises, how did it get there? Where Does Crude Oil Come From? There are two basic theories for the origin of crude oil: biotic and abiotic. The biotic theory predominates. It attributes oil’s formation to the decay of animal and plant matter. The less widely accepted – even controversial – abiotic theory denies the involvement of living organisms in the production of crude oil. These two theories are finding most of their adherents in two camps – the Western camp (biotic) and the Russian-Ukrainian camp (abiotic) – although there are western scientists in the R-U camp. This division is especially…

18Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Cyclosilicates: Beautiful Gemstones of Technological Interest

Chemistry, Technology

[caption id="attachment_23902" align="alignright" width="440"] Aquamarine cyclosilicate. Image by Vassil[/caption] Straight-chain silicates are common in nature. The anionic or negative portion of the silicates consists of silicon and oxygen, sometimes in conjunction with metals Thus there are aluminosilicates, magnesium silicates, and ferrosilicates. Sodium silicate, one of the most common examples, is simply, Na2SiO3. In its anhydrous form, sodium silicate adopts a tetrahedrally-linked polymeric form. Most silicates are not cyclic. Yet, the most beautiful silicates in the world – the most beautiful gemstones – are cyclosilicates. Interestingly, it is the technological beauty of these silicates that has been turning heads. It may be that the most beautiful thing about cyclosilicates is their hole. What Are Cyclosilicates? Cyclosilicates have the same tetrahedral linkage as other silicates, but in their case, the chain ends…

18Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Beer Bottle Condensation: What Forces Produce Droplets?

philosophy, Physics

Dan asked us¹... "My question concerns condensation droplets. What dictates how droplets form, then combine with each other? When you blow warm breath onto a cool surface, at first nothing appears to happen. Keep it up and droplets appear. These small droplets merge into bigger droplets. What physical laws dictate how this occurs? Also, what role does gravity play on vertical surfaces such as a chilled bottle of beer, producing tiny rivulets of moisture running down the sides?" Initial Commentary The answer, which follows, although it has some basis in well-known physical principles, depends in part upon observation, mental visualization, and (finally) blatant speculation. This is an interesting procedure, since so many of life’s mundane occurrences are in reality quite fascinating when closely examined. Initial Condensation We breathe in and…

17Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Giant Hogweed: The Truly Horrible Plant with Redeeming Qualities?

Health, Medicine

[caption id="attachment_23846" align="alignright" width="480"] Attractive, after a fashion, the Giant Hogweed. Image MabelAmber[/caption] The Giant Hogweed is a hot topic in the United Kingdom, and now also in the United States. Have you personally “experienced” the Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum? We’re not speaking of Heracleum sphondylium, the Common Hogweed, no. Giant Hogweed has a horrific reputation, and is widely considered a noxious weed. Its reputation has taken it from the hospital and the laboratory to detective TV. For instance, Giant Hogweed is the weapon of choice in the Rosemary & Thyme pilot episode entitled, “And No Birds Sing.” Giant Hogweed Toxins The chemicals in Giant Hogweed that provide its sordid reputation are furanocoumarins – or (for short) furocoumarins. This name is derived from the characteristic two ring portions they share…