Vincent Summers, Author at Quirky Science

27Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 4 Comments

Introducing Nutmeg: A Little History, A Little Chemistry

Food, History

[caption id="attachment_24498" align="alignright" width="480"] Grate nutmeg just before use.[/caption] Once, at the grocery store with my wife, the checkout girl picked up a small green bundle and rang it up. She wondered what it was. We informed her, it was asparagus. It shocked the two of us that anyone could fail to know what asparagus was. Introducing Nutmeg As with asparagus, I wonder how many people don't know what nutmeg is? Since it is used in sweets, perhaps only a small number. But how many people, if asked what nutmeg is, would say "It is a can of spice you buy at the store." The word nutmeg refers to a spice. But it also refers to the seed that is grated to produce the spice. Nutmeg grows on trees (Myristica…

25Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Gutta Percha: From Underwater Cables to Golf Balls to Dental Work

Chemistry, History

[caption id="attachment_24465" align="alignright" width="340"] From the 1851 book: Gutta Percha, Its Discovery, History, and Manifold Uses[/caption] Gutta percha thermoplastic1 is a tough and leathery resinous produced from the milky fluid tapped from certain trees. Isoprene is an extremely important building block widespread in nature. The main component of gutta percha is, in fact, the trans-1,4-isomer of polyisoprene. The cis-1,4,-isomer is, interestingly enough, the primary constituent of natural rubber. It is produced from the milky fluid tapped from "other" trees. The reason for the considerable difference in physical characteristics between rubber and gutta percha (or, rather the trans and cis isomers of polypropylene) is the greater crystalline character of the trans isomer. Notice the difference between the trans and cis isomers in Image 2. How do these isomers differ? Synthesis from…

24Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Limonene Citrus Cleaner Chemistry

Chemistry

[caption id="attachment_24444" align="alignright" width="480"] A juicy wedge o' lemon.[/caption] Citrus fruits offer both pronounced flavor and pungent aroma. Where does the pungency come from? From the terpene limonene – more specifically, the dextrorotatory enantiomer¹, d-limonene. Although modern terminology is switching from (D)extro and L(evo) notation to S(inister) and R(ectus), we’ve chosen the older terminology, more often associated with limonene. What is Limonene? Limonene is useful commercially in environmentally-safe cleaning formulations, as a solvent, and as raw material in the synthesis of other chemicals, such as carvone. This chemical is also useful as an insecticide and for assorted other purposes. Manufacturers separate limonene from the fruit’s peel by means of steam distillation, or a centrifugal process. Lab Synthesis of Limonene Citrus Cleaner from Isoprene Labs can prepare limonene (a mixture of…

24Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Chemical Separation by Fractional Distillation and Crystallization

Chemistry

[caption id="attachment_24415" align="alignright" width="480"] Distillation apparatus[/caption] Solids may be subdivided into amorphous solids and crystalline solids. Amorphous solids possess limited order in the way molecules are bonded to each other. Crystalline solids, on the other hand, exhibit an exceptional degree of order. Logic should tell us a mixture of crystalline solids should be capable of chemical separation and purification through some reiterative crystallization process, based on relative solubilities. This proves to be true. The process is called fractional crystallization. Before discussing fractional crystallization, it might prove wise to discuss the simpler process of fractional distillation, the separating by distilling of a mixture of liquids possessing markedly different boiling points. Ordinary Distillation Consider an example of two liquids, Component A and Component B, that are miscible (they dissolve completely one within…

23Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Prussian Blue – The Traditional Blue of Blueprints: Its Chemistry?

Chemistry, History

[caption id="attachment_24391" align="alignright" width="480"] A Canadian architectural blueprint. Image by Chris Gonzaga.[/caption] The image you see at right is a traditional architectural blueprint. In fact, this style of blue-inked drawing is how the word blueprint originated. Now the chemistry of this blue colored “ink” is of interest, both historically, and from the science perspective. Let’s see how. Identifying the Blueprint Ink The blue ink has a number of names including Paris Blue and Berlin Blue. But the name it is best known by historically is Prussian Blue. Perhaps you will note Prussian Blue is similar to another name, Prussic Acid. Prussic Acid is another name for the deadly poisonous hydrogen cyanide, HCN. And in fact, the ink is closely connected to this acid. But which was first to be called…

23Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Diatomic Molecules: Degrees of Freedom and Equipartition of Energy

Chemistry, Physics

[caption id="attachment_24378" align="alignright" width="480"] A useful, but rough working model[/caption] Diatomic molecules have three translational degrees of freedom – but they have rotational and vibrational varieties as well. How do all these degrees of freedom relate to the distribution of molecular energy? To Begin With The location of any particle lies within three-dimensional space. The direction in which a particle moves is described by the three variables, usually written X, Y, and Z. As Ken Koehler of the University of Cincinnati informs us, atoms may be viewed as single points without size – so there are only three translational degrees of freedom for a given atom. Degree of Freedom of Diatomic Molecules Although it’s tempting to assume only three degrees of freedom exist for all “particles,” such is not the…

23Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Cooling Atoms to Millionths of 1 Degree by Laser?

Physics, Technology

[caption id="attachment_24362" align="alignright" width="480"] Laser trapped erbium atoms. Image by NIST[/caption] Laser cooling refers to a variety of techniques. The most common method is Doppler laser cooling. But cooling atoms by laser? Although the math and physics are challenging, we can understand the idea and basic mechanism more easily when we introduce three basic concepts first: quantum absorption of energy, the Doppler effect, and how atomic motion correlates with temperature. The Absorption of Energy "Quanta" It is at the very heart of the quantum theory that an electron bound in an atom cannot absorb just any amount of energy it encounters. In the free state, it can, but as soon as the electron is restrained as part of a new structure in an orbital, only certain discrete amounts of energy…

23Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Chemical Indicators for Advanced Homeschool From Flowers and Spices

Chemistry, Education

[caption id="attachment_24335" align="alignright" width="480"] Tautomers of curcumin found in turmeric.[/caption] "And the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations.” -Revelation 22:2c While the above quote is not intended as a discussion of home remedies, people have converted roots, leaves, flowers, and stems to teas, emoluments, and powders for the purpose of healing for many, many years. Of greater interest to us, you can use flowers and spices in much the same way a chemist uses commercial indicators in chemical titrations in the laboratory. A titration is the measured addition of a solution of known concentration into an another solution of unknown concentration with which it reacts, with the goal of reaching a proper end-point. And how does one know when the end-point has been reached? By…

22Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

DNA: The Modular Staircase of Life

Biology, Chemistry

[caption id="attachment_24326" align="alignright" width="480"] Molecular model of a Portion of a DNA molecule. – Image by Skeeze[/caption] The most common inorganic (non-carbon) compounds have molecular weights no more than about 200 or 300. Organic compounds can run easily into the many hundreds and thousands. DNA by comparison possesses a molecular weight, depending on the variety, of billions, even trillions. Examining a typical model of the DNA molecule, it appears extremely complex. However, this is from a ‘trees versus the forest’ viewpoint. When viewed as a united structure, DNA assumes a basic form – that of a twisting staircase. DNA is the staircase of life. Molecular Weight and Molecules The atomic weight of an element is defined as the ratio of the mass of an atom of that element to 1/12…

22Apr 2019 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Dimethylsulfoxide, DMSO: Snake Oil? Why or Why Not?

Chemistry, History

[caption id="attachment_24310" align="alignright" width="480"] Dimethylsulfoxide[/caption]An exciting discovery received the public’s attention during the 1960s. Researchers discovered an unlikely organic compound, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) might be useful in delivering medications safely through the skin. The general public, in their enthusiasm, sometimes lay hold of a concept and run with it. Then, if there is negative publicity, the fickle public may – just as quickly – drop the idea. This is well-illustrated in an article produced for the (former) Decoded Science website by author John A. Jaksich, entitled Potassium Bromate: Food Additive and Carcinogen? Yet, was the rise and fall of DMSO popularity due to a fickle public, or was it due to an organizational structure of rigid rules that holds back advances, despite advantages the public might receive? For example, drug approval…