Entertainment Archives - Quirky Science

07Jul 2018 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Fireworks Chemistry – Start With a Bang, Add Some Color

Pyrotechnics, often called fireworks, has a long history dating back to the days of gunpowder (black powder), developed in 9th-century China. Whether it is a sizzle, an explosion, or a showy display of colorful lights and sounds, the chemical reactions involve oxidation/reduction (REDOX) chemistry. What Is Oxidation? Oxidation is essentially the removal of electrons. Consider a very simple example. An uncharged sodium atom (symbol: Na) has 11 negatively-charged electrons. The atom has no net charge, however, because in its center part or nucleus, there are 11 positively-charged protons. Sodium can lose one electron to form a positively-charged ion called a cation. Now we can look at this process as if it were a mathematical equation. If we have the number 4 and we wind up with the numbers 3 and…

17Jan 2018 by Vincent Summers 3 Comments

What Went Wrong? Preparing an Alkyl Halide

Chemistry, Entertainment

[caption id="attachment_18523" align="alignright" width="440"] Reflux and distillation apparatus.[/caption] Preparing an alkyl halide was one of the earliest of my home lab experiences. First, allow me to give you a little background. In the 8th grade, we were instructed by our English teacher, Mrs. Best, to write a career report about our intended future employment. My guess is most of us had not thought about that. At least I hadn't. So I chose astronomy. I mentioned this to Mom. "No," she said, "you will not become an astronomer. Astronomers don't make any money." I tried to talk her out of it, but eventually I gave up. "Chemistry," I said. Mom agreed that was acceptable. One of her friends had a chemistry background. So in the '70s I obtained my BS in…

27Sep 2016 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Thumbnail Mystery 2: How the Bee Doth Sting

Entertainment, Technology

[caption id="attachment_15570" align="alignright" width="340"] By Chocolate Horlicks - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0[/caption] It was the beginning of August, the peak of Summer and it was stifling; there was no breeze. If there had been a breeze, the humidity would only have made matters worse. Some had left Chicago because of it. You see, it was the fifth day of an unprecedented power failure. Despite that, the trial was in full swing. The prosecution's key witness was sequestered in the federal building's second floor from the top. Despite the building's state of the art design, because of the power failure, the windows were wide open. Malachi "Ky" Haworth was lone witness to a high-profile assassination. Left unguarded, he'd have been dead before his next breath. The Final Night Ky asked…

31Aug 2016 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Thumbnail Mystery: Mike Rubino – Music to Die For

Entertainment, Logic

Thumbnail Mystery: No one truly liked Mike Rubino. Oh, he had his circle of “friends” and he believed in them. But they all had their reasons to be nice to him. You’d think he’d realize that, but he didn’t. Mike had redeeming qualities. It’s just they were overpowered by the “other” kind. “Hey George, c’mere.” When Mike called, you came. “What? What do you want?” The ‘party of the second part’ was George “Big Nose” Hamlin. One finger or the other was always up-it. George was the closest thing to an actual friend Mike had. Mike viewed George as his “right-hand man.” Uh, yeah. Let's not go there... The catch is, this wore on George’s nerves—George, get this—George, get that. In a low voice Mike said, “D’ja hear from Eddy?”…

12Oct 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

TV Series Lockup – Herbert L Maris (Starring Macdonald Carey)

Entertainment

[caption id="attachment_9530" align="alignright" width="440"] Macdonald Carey plays a Philadelphia lawyer.[/caption] Ever heard of Herbert L Maris? Me neither. But he is the subject of an old TV show! TV is not the only source of video entertainment. Online viewing is increasing in popularity. One such source is YouTube. Classic Viewing at Its Best 1959-1960 was a golden year for TV shows. One was a lawyer series. It starred Macdonald Carey. He played true life Philadelphia lawyer Herbert L. Maris. Introducing Herbert L Maris Each episode opens with the words: “These stories are based on the files and case histories of Herbert L Maris, prominent attorney, who has devoted his life to saving the innocent.” Just who was he? Herbert was the son of George Lewis and Anna Mary Pinkerton Maris.…

09Oct 2015 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Bobby Rydell’s One-Hit Wonder: Swingin’ Together

Entertainment

[caption id="attachment_9515" align="alignright" width="200"] Bobby Rydell in 1960.[/caption] Musicians (not Bobby Rydell) have made one-hit wonders. But music groups aren’t the only source of one-hit wonders. Another source is video pilots of movies and television programs that for one reason and another simply didn’t make it. Watch some of those video wonders, and you’ll say, “It’s no wonder they flopped.” Watch others and you'll wonder what was wrong with broadcasters. What Would Today's Audience Say? It's curious that some of the movies and programs that didn’t make it in the past, if watched by a current viewing audience might be rated fairly well. Some of the shows are surprisingly good, in fact. Probably it’s because there are many current shows that are being foisted on the public that aren’t worth…

19Mar 2014 by Vincent Summers 6 Comments

DIY Milk Based Casein Glue

Chemistry, Entertainment

[caption id="attachment_5956" align="alignleft" width="380"] Casein Glue[/caption] Survivalists desire the skill of doing things for themselves. While they may know how to provide food for their families, could they make their own glue if the need arose for it? Would you like to know how you can make your own glue—from milk? That’s right—from milk. It's called casein glue. Elementary Adhesives There are a number of simple ways to make glues using various starches, flour, or gelatin. An improvement to these formulations is casein glue. While it requires a little effort to make, it is still not difficult and it is a superior product. In fact, it is related to some of the famous brands available at your store, including construction glue. Milk is a Natural Casein is an important phosphoprotein…