In this short article of the New York Times, what is presented is very interesting; a breakthrough in technology. As known, robots are made in the toy industry as pets, for play purposes, and for small tedious tasks. These cheap toy robots are being upgraded and used in a recent study at Yale University for "sniffing" purposes. With the help of highschool students, Yale Univesity researchers have replaced the dogs front legs with two heavy-duty tires designed originally for remote-controlled cars. A smaller wheel took the place of the hind legs. Two round chemical sensors were installed on the dogs' lower jaws, so the sensors detect concentrations of toxic compounds. The new enhanced toy dog robots are being used as actual dogs in order to search for chemical toxins. Recently a team of researchers and students released these hounds into Cement Plant Park in the Bronx, NY to see how well it could sense toxins. Indeed it worked and the amont of the substance actually controlled how fast and what direction the dog would roam the park. Overall, people believe that these hounds are not worthy because they are just toys, but researchers argue they are used for a higher purpose. Toys are originally being used because it is more efficient and cheaper than starting from scratch. In summary, these toxin sniffing dogs prove that science is advancing daily and besides the occasional breakdowns from rain, the hounds can keep areas safer from harmful toxins.
Glassman, Mark. "Are Toxins Astir? Release the Hounds. The New York Times. 5 December 2007.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The sparkling diamond on a finger of the bride may look pretty, but the rock itself had to go under some pretty ugly transformations to get there. Diamonds are formed deep under the Earth’s mantle at about 200 kilometers. It is formed from carbon containing material that is placed in very high temperatures and pressures in molten metal. The carbon then crystallizes in the molten metal to form the diamond. Pure diamond is colorless, but there are also times where the diamond may take on a certain color. A canary diamond is when some iron oxide got into the diamond and turned the diamond a hint of yellow. Diamonds reflect a fair amount of light which gives it its luster. Diamonds are very good heat conductors. They will feel cold when you touch them since they conduct heat away from your hard.
No unknown terms
Every time that I would look at my mother’s wedding ring I never really thought about how it is made. I have always accepted the fact that it was made of carbon at high temperatures. Now that I know that carbon bonds have to be broken in order to form this type of carbon is definitely a surprise to me. Know I really know why diamonds are so tough. A diamond is truly forever.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: Second Edition. “The formation and color of diamonds.” W.H. Freeman and Company. New York. 2006. Page 195.
No unknown terms
Every time that I would look at my mother’s wedding ring I never really thought about how it is made. I have always accepted the fact that it was made of carbon at high temperatures. Now that I know that carbon bonds have to be broken in order to form this type of carbon is definitely a surprise to me. Know I really know why diamonds are so tough. A diamond is truly forever.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: Second Edition. “The formation and color of diamonds.” W.H. Freeman and Company. New York. 2006. Page 195.
For U.S. consumers, allure of Chinese goods still price
For U.S. consumers, allure of Chinese goods still price
This article very briefly highlights the consumer response to Chinese product recalls, and the general attitude toward escalating product safety costs. Some consumers consider the “made in China” scare to have been blown completely out of proportion, and feel no need to worry about contaminants in their goods, and shrug off massive recalls China has made within the past year. In the mean time, others have taken product contamination to the heart making sure to avoid, at all costs, products made in China. Ultimately though, we can track how the consumer’s reactions will be further in the future by monitoring what people buy, and what people don’t buy. If consumers take the threat of safety seriously, discount chains and mass retailer companies will suffer unless they increase the safety standards. Burns’ article however, takes the attitude that we as a society are drawn to the cheap and the fast, and implies that safety precautions will not be made as good as they should be simply because it is too costly for what the majority of people will pay. But changes are being made; China has begun to put more emphasis on their quality control, and has created a somewhat effective recall system. One obstacle that customs inspectors must deal with is the fact that Chinese producers collect their parts and chemicals and such from countless long supply chains that are nearly impossible to trace back to thus making sure that the chemicals and parts are safe becomes difficult. It is not only the consumers though, who have a stake in the situation, the large companies have a lot at risk when they make decisions over their safety inspection standards, and quality control. [1]
I feel this situation is quite a big deal in that products contain hazardous chemicals and are not adequately inspected because it comes down to my own health and I would not want to jeopardize my health if I didn’t have to. I think that the ones who will really suffer in the coming years will be the large corporations because they have to make changes that will satisfy the public as well as to earn reasonable profits, and one bad choice could bring a massive company down. This does not, however, relieve the public from their responsibilities. It is important that we take more consideration to our health, eventually once enough recalls have been made, and enough people have died at the expense of fast and cheap goods, the public opinion will turn and better changes will occur.
[1] Burns, Greg; For US goods, allure of Chinese goods still price; Chicago Tribune Web Edition; august 15 2007. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/shopping/chi-wed_lead0815aug15,1,68574...
This article very briefly highlights the consumer response to Chinese product recalls, and the general attitude toward escalating product safety costs. Some consumers consider the “made in China” scare to have been blown completely out of proportion, and feel no need to worry about contaminants in their goods, and shrug off massive recalls China has made within the past year. In the mean time, others have taken product contamination to the heart making sure to avoid, at all costs, products made in China. Ultimately though, we can track how the consumer’s reactions will be further in the future by monitoring what people buy, and what people don’t buy. If consumers take the threat of safety seriously, discount chains and mass retailer companies will suffer unless they increase the safety standards. Burns’ article however, takes the attitude that we as a society are drawn to the cheap and the fast, and implies that safety precautions will not be made as good as they should be simply because it is too costly for what the majority of people will pay. But changes are being made; China has begun to put more emphasis on their quality control, and has created a somewhat effective recall system. One obstacle that customs inspectors must deal with is the fact that Chinese producers collect their parts and chemicals and such from countless long supply chains that are nearly impossible to trace back to thus making sure that the chemicals and parts are safe becomes difficult. It is not only the consumers though, who have a stake in the situation, the large companies have a lot at risk when they make decisions over their safety inspection standards, and quality control. [1]
I feel this situation is quite a big deal in that products contain hazardous chemicals and are not adequately inspected because it comes down to my own health and I would not want to jeopardize my health if I didn’t have to. I think that the ones who will really suffer in the coming years will be the large corporations because they have to make changes that will satisfy the public as well as to earn reasonable profits, and one bad choice could bring a massive company down. This does not, however, relieve the public from their responsibilities. It is important that we take more consideration to our health, eventually once enough recalls have been made, and enough people have died at the expense of fast and cheap goods, the public opinion will turn and better changes will occur.
[1] Burns, Greg; For US goods, allure of Chinese goods still price; Chicago Tribune Web Edition; august 15 2007. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/shopping/chi-wed_lead0815aug15,1,68574...
Diamonds, posted for Stacey
150-200 kilometers deep into the core you can find where diamonds are formed by carbon containing material. Diamonds arise to the surface with volcanic rock from erupting volcanoes. It is possible to make synthetic diamonds by exposing carbon substances to very high pressures and temperatures. Graphite forms from carbon substances at lower pressure and temperature so diamonds are allowed to form when the temperature and pressure are increased because it becomes more stable than graphite. Pure diamond is colorless and any color that you may see in a diamond is an impurity that was trapped during formation. Diamonds reflect about one sixth of the light that hits it whereas glass reflects only about four percent. This gives diamonds the color that it appears to have when light hits it at certain angles. Diamonds do not conduct electricity but they are very good heat conductors. They feel cool when you hold them because they draw heat away from your fingers.
-Diamonds are heat conductors
-Pure diamonds are colorless
-Graphite and diamonds are both formed from carbon
Diamonds turn out to be a very interesting topic it seems. I definitely did not know that they were considered a good heat conductor but it makes sense that when you hold them they feel cool because they are drawing all the heat from your fingers. Diamonds that are pure have absolutely no color, I did not know that diamonds where impure when they gained their color. Also, I did not know that diamonds reflected so much light most of the time making it seem like they had color in them. I did not know that carbon was such an important element. I know that things such as some hockey sticks contain graphite and that graphite is made from carbon substances. What I did not know was that carbon creates graphite and diamonds, all that needs to be changed is the amount of pressure and temperature and you can obtain diamonds. Overall I actually did not know that it was possible to synthetically create diamonds, I thought that that was why they were so expensive was because they were natural and rare.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York, 2006;
pg. 195-196
-Diamonds are heat conductors
-Pure diamonds are colorless
-Graphite and diamonds are both formed from carbon
Diamonds turn out to be a very interesting topic it seems. I definitely did not know that they were considered a good heat conductor but it makes sense that when you hold them they feel cool because they are drawing all the heat from your fingers. Diamonds that are pure have absolutely no color, I did not know that diamonds where impure when they gained their color. Also, I did not know that diamonds reflected so much light most of the time making it seem like they had color in them. I did not know that carbon was such an important element. I know that things such as some hockey sticks contain graphite and that graphite is made from carbon substances. What I did not know was that carbon creates graphite and diamonds, all that needs to be changed is the amount of pressure and temperature and you can obtain diamonds. Overall I actually did not know that it was possible to synthetically create diamonds, I thought that that was why they were so expensive was because they were natural and rare.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York, 2006;
pg. 195-196
Diamonds.
Diamonds are essentially highly compressed carbon atoms. They Form around 200 kilometers below the earths surface at extremely high temperatures. Once they form they eventually get brought to the surface through mining or volcanoes. Yet diamonds can be made synthetically too. This is done by putting carbon-containing substances in a pressurized molten metal. Carbon normally comes in the form of graphite and its molecular structure is sturdy at around stp, however once higher temperatures and pressures are applied, the molecular structure of a diamond is more stable. The catch is that once the diamond is cooled the structure doesn’t break apart and stays together. Diamonds are notorious for being crystal clear. Yet some of the most prized diamonds are in colored. Color is not as many would thing a trait of perfection, but a flaw. The colors are part of impurities, these impurities give them tinges. Diamonds reflect a large part of the light that hits it and traps another large part, giving it the shiny yet multi colored appeal. Diamonds also have another interesting property. They are poor electric conductors, but amazing heat conductors. This explains why the diamond feels cool to the touch.
There where no real difficult terms in this article.
I have no personal opinion in this matter, due to the fact I am broke and have no way to possibly afford a diamond. However, I am well aware that diamonds cut glass, so that must mean they are extremely hard.
Chemistry in your life “5.13 The formation and color of diamonds” Pg’s 195-196. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York, NY, 2006.
There where no real difficult terms in this article.
I have no personal opinion in this matter, due to the fact I am broke and have no way to possibly afford a diamond. However, I am well aware that diamonds cut glass, so that must mean they are extremely hard.
Chemistry in your life “5.13 The formation and color of diamonds” Pg’s 195-196. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York, NY, 2006.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Recycling
Many people recycle in general, but the recycling of plastic is a controversial issue. The landfills in Europe are reaching their capacity and some people are opposed to garbage incineration. So now, many plastics are collected from consumers and then recycled. There is some resistance to recycling plastics in the plastic industry. The industry’s argument is that virgin plastic, which is the material yet unused and synthesized from fossil fuels, is a low-cost material made from low-cost raw materials such as natural gas and crude oil. As a result the energy used to makes plastics is minimal compared to the amount used to produce metal form raw material. Some people in the plastic industry will argue that the natural way to dispose plastics is to burn them and utilize the energy from the heat. Environmentalists will counter the arguments and mention that if environmental impacts were included in the cost of virgin materials; recycled plastics would be much cheaper. Also mentioned is that the combustion of PVC produced toxic organic compounds that release hydrogen chloride gas, which can damage the lungs when inhaled.
I think recycling is a great idea. Recycling is eco-friendly and can help save money too. I think everyone should recycle. It doesn’t just have to be plastic; it can be aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, etc. The planet would be better off and landfills wouldn’t be overloaded. There are many places and stores that have recycling centers, which people should get into a habit of using. As they say, reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: Second Edition. “The recycling of plastic is a controversial issue” W.H. Freeman and Company. New York. 2006. Page 190.
I think recycling is a great idea. Recycling is eco-friendly and can help save money too. I think everyone should recycle. It doesn’t just have to be plastic; it can be aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, etc. The planet would be better off and landfills wouldn’t be overloaded. There are many places and stores that have recycling centers, which people should get into a habit of using. As they say, reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: Second Edition. “The recycling of plastic is a controversial issue” W.H. Freeman and Company. New York. 2006. Page 190.
New Source for Fuel in Termite Guts?
Termites are a serious pest problem in the United States, but could these costly little bugs be the key to the next major breakthrough in green science? Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute are exploring the possibility that this may be so [1]. Termites eat the wood in trees, furniture, even homes. Their bodies cannot actually digest the wood that they eat without aid, however; that’s because wood is made of cellulose and other indigestible sugars. Cellulose is familiar to humans; it is fiber, essential for a healthy diet. But we cannot digest cellulose and termites can, because termites have symbiotic microbes which can break the cellulose in their guts down into digestible sugars [1].
The microbes inside termites which break down cellulose are currently under serious study. They may be used to produce sugars from cellulose, which forms the bulk of nearly all green plants on the planet; the estimated annual production of cellulose in 2006 alone was 1.5 *109 tons [2], an enormous amount. If this green technology could be harvested to produce ethanol, it could have an astounding impact. Currently, only the kernels in corn are used to produce the biofuel, but the microbes from termites’ intestines could allow the stalk and cob to also produce ethanol [1].
A number of obstacles remain in the quest to harvest microbes from termites to produce ethanol. Microbes from termites and their relatives in the guts of animals like cows are being studied extensively, but it will be much more difficult to apply this technology to mass produce ethanol in a factory than it is for termites to do the same for a few milligrams of cellulose [1]. According to Eddy Rubin, the director of Joint Genome Institute, the genes in the microbes which code for the enzymes that breakdown cellulose have to be isolated first [1]. Once this is done, enough of the enzymes may be mass produced in order to economically produce enough ethanol.
Sources:
[1] “Path to Alternative Fuel Found in Termite Guts” Livescience 3 Dec. 2007
<>.
[2] “Cellulose” Wikipedia 3 Dec. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose>.
The microbes inside termites which break down cellulose are currently under serious study. They may be used to produce sugars from cellulose, which forms the bulk of nearly all green plants on the planet; the estimated annual production of cellulose in 2006 alone was 1.5 *109 tons [2], an enormous amount. If this green technology could be harvested to produce ethanol, it could have an astounding impact. Currently, only the kernels in corn are used to produce the biofuel, but the microbes from termites’ intestines could allow the stalk and cob to also produce ethanol [1].
A number of obstacles remain in the quest to harvest microbes from termites to produce ethanol. Microbes from termites and their relatives in the guts of animals like cows are being studied extensively, but it will be much more difficult to apply this technology to mass produce ethanol in a factory than it is for termites to do the same for a few milligrams of cellulose [1]. According to Eddy Rubin, the director of Joint Genome Institute, the genes in the microbes which code for the enzymes that breakdown cellulose have to be isolated first [1]. Once this is done, enough of the enzymes may be mass produced in order to economically produce enough ethanol.
Sources:
[1] “Path to Alternative Fuel Found in Termite Guts” Livescience 3 Dec. 2007
<>.
[2] “Cellulose” Wikipedia 3 Dec. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose>.
Major league pitcher admits to use of hGH
Paul Byrd, a major league pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, recently admitted to the public of his past, extensive use of human growth hormone, hGH. To date, eleven major league baseball players have been found to have used hGH, including Byrd. Byrd reportedly spent $24,850 on more than 1,000 vials of hGH and many syringes, consuming the drug from August 2002 through January 2005. Byrd tells the public that his use of hGH was strictly medical, as he has had a growth-hormone deficiency. In spring of 2007, doctors found a brain tumor on Byrd’s pituitary gland, which could have relevance to why, in the past, he had a growth hormone deficiency. However, his purchase of 1,000 vials of hGH equates him to of having injected one vial a day during the time he claims to have used the drug. Byrd claims that he did no wrong because the hGH he received was through prescription. He leaves out that he received the prescriptions for hGH from a Florida anti-aging facility and a dentist, whose license was suspended in 2003 for writing illicit prescriptions, not involving the prescriptions he gave to Byrd. Byrd also claims his innocence by stating that he is a devout Christian and that God has control of his life.
Unknown Terms: pituitary gland
· The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and secretes hormones that induce growth in humans.
I think it’s clear that Byrd had more than one intention when he used the hGH. He may have had a growth hormone deficiency, but I think that injecting a vial of growth hormone each day is excessive. Also the places that he received his “legal” prescriptions seem sketchy, the Florida anti-aging facility sounds like a day spa and the dentist who prescribed him additional hGH has had his license revoked for writing prescriptions not medically needed for his patients, which did not involve the prescription the dentist wrote for Byrd.
Unknown Terms: pituitary gland
· The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and secretes hormones that induce growth in humans.
I think it’s clear that Byrd had more than one intention when he used the hGH. He may have had a growth hormone deficiency, but I think that injecting a vial of growth hormone each day is excessive. Also the places that he received his “legal” prescriptions seem sketchy, the Florida anti-aging facility sounds like a day spa and the dentist who prescribed him additional hGH has had his license revoked for writing prescriptions not medically needed for his patients, which did not involve the prescription the dentist wrote for Byrd.
Bob Dutton. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Washington: Oct 22, 2007.
New Fuel Cell Cleans Up Air Pollution and Produces Energy
New Fuel Cell Cleans Up Air Pollution and Produces Energy
A major draw back of using fuel as energy is the pollution it produces as a byproduct. However, recent breakthroughs from scientists in Pennsylvania have discovered a new fuel cell that converts pollution from coal and metal mines into energy. A major problem associated with this pollution is called Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). AMD is the buildup of iron and other metals in everything from plants to water supplies. AMD is a major environmental concern and has very costly consequences. The new fuel cell technology is based on microbial fuel cells; and recent studies have shown, that when placed in wastewater similar to AMD, the new cell efficiently removes dissolved iron and creates electricity. Researchers hope that improvements will lead to more efficient power generation in the future… but this new technology brings hope to a very pollutant fuel. [1]
I always find new technology for renewable energy interesting. I particularly found this article interesting; when it combined the potential for both water treatment and a renewable energy source. Currently, coal has been put on the ‘back burner’ as an energy source because of its environmental effects. But if we could convert the pollution into a good thing; then I think this technology has some very interesting applications. Either way, I think the next few decades will produce some interesting alternative fuels, and recycling methods.
[1] ScienceDaily 4 December 2007. 3 December 2007.
A major draw back of using fuel as energy is the pollution it produces as a byproduct. However, recent breakthroughs from scientists in Pennsylvania have discovered a new fuel cell that converts pollution from coal and metal mines into energy. A major problem associated with this pollution is called Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). AMD is the buildup of iron and other metals in everything from plants to water supplies. AMD is a major environmental concern and has very costly consequences. The new fuel cell technology is based on microbial fuel cells; and recent studies have shown, that when placed in wastewater similar to AMD, the new cell efficiently removes dissolved iron and creates electricity. Researchers hope that improvements will lead to more efficient power generation in the future… but this new technology brings hope to a very pollutant fuel. [1]
I always find new technology for renewable energy interesting. I particularly found this article interesting; when it combined the potential for both water treatment and a renewable energy source. Currently, coal has been put on the ‘back burner’ as an energy source because of its environmental effects. But if we could convert the pollution into a good thing; then I think this technology has some very interesting applications. Either way, I think the next few decades will produce some interesting alternative fuels, and recycling methods.
[1] ScienceDaily 4 December 2007. 3 December 2007
Anabolic Steroids
Several aspects of your body are controlled by a set of closely related molecules, which are steroids. Each of these contains alcohol and or keytone groups connected to a large hydrocarbon structure. The carbon backbone of this structure is the steroid system connected by the sharing of two carbons. Testosterone is one of several anabolic steroids. Testosterone promotes muscle growth, the development if male secondary sex characteristics, and the production of sperm. People in need of muscle growth and athletes in need of weight are tempted to use steroids. The synthetic versions of the hormone have the anabolic characteristics of testosterone but do not rapidly decompose a testosterone itself does if it is taken orally or by injection. There can be significant side effects, such as liver damage, to taking anabolic steroids over long periods at high doses. For females, side effects include the development of male sex characteristics such as facial hair and a deeper voice, and some loss of female sex characteristics. All compounds with the steroid system are highly lipophilic, so they readily dissolve in fat and consequently remain in the body for some time.
Lipophilic: the ability of a chemical compound to dissolve in fats, oils, and non-polar solvents.
The common misconception is that steroids are a substance put in the body to gain just muscle and weight. It is commonly used in medical procedures to rehab injuries. Cortisone shots are a common use for sore muscles and are injected into patients. Steroids are overused because the competition is so extreme in most sports athletes are looking for the competitive edge. It seems that the side-effects outweigh the pros of steroid use. Therefore, why is steroid use so common in professional sports? As long as restrictions and penalties are enforced, then this will limit the amount of athlete enhancement.
Lipophilic: the ability of a chemical compound to dissolve in fats, oils, and non-polar solvents.
The common misconception is that steroids are a substance put in the body to gain just muscle and weight. It is commonly used in medical procedures to rehab injuries. Cortisone shots are a common use for sore muscles and are injected into patients. Steroids are overused because the competition is so extreme in most sports athletes are looking for the competitive edge. It seems that the side-effects outweigh the pros of steroid use. Therefore, why is steroid use so common in professional sports? As long as restrictions and penalties are enforced, then this will limit the amount of athlete enhancement.
Nanotechnology Ethics on the Table
Scientific experts are undecided on whether nanotechnology is beneficial or potentially dangerous. At the nanoethics discussion in Canberra, Australia at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, this particular issue was discussed by experts in the field, who brought up questions like nanotechnology's implication on privacy problems caused by current technologies. According to Dr. Peter Binks of Nanotechnology Victoria, "Nanotechnology is just part of the general march of technology and we don't want to see it treated as anything different." However, physical chemist Dr. John White of the Australian National University in Canberra saw it differently, citing nanotechnology's supremely small scale as a possible concern. One example of this is tiny radio-frequency tags implanted in Mexican government workers to control access to the attorney general's office. Yet like all controversy, it will stimulate conversation and debate which will lead to understanding and compromise in the future.
I thought that the idea of a privacy invasion to be particularly interesting since I had never thought about the small size in that sense before. It is interesting to think about unwittingly ingesting some sort of unwanted material into your system, and what the implications of an industry unregulated in the area would be. Obviously much more government regulation and simple precautions need to be taken before any kind of nanotechnology becomes commercially used.
Salleh, Anna. "Nanotechnology Ethics on the Table", The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Website. July 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1160631.htm. Accessed December 3, 2007.
I thought that the idea of a privacy invasion to be particularly interesting since I had never thought about the small size in that sense before. It is interesting to think about unwittingly ingesting some sort of unwanted material into your system, and what the implications of an industry unregulated in the area would be. Obviously much more government regulation and simple precautions need to be taken before any kind of nanotechnology becomes commercially used.
Salleh, Anna. "Nanotechnology Ethics on the Table", The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Website. July 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1160631.htm. Accessed December 3, 2007.
When They Begin Smoking
Taylor Atchison
Chemistry and Your Future
December 3, 2007
When They Begin Smoking.
In this article, “Adolescent Cigarette Smoking,” the main question is why and when do teens begin smoking. The answer is surprisingly young. More than 70 percent of children who have tried smoking smoke it before they are fifteen. And ninety percent who have tried smoking smoked it before they were 17. The fact that it is at such a young age astonishes scientists today. Not only are they trying it before adulthood but they are obtaining it before they can legally use it. The reasons why they begin to use include parent usage, relieve stress, curious, to look cool, and pleasurable.
This article is important information because we need to pinpoint the use of cigarettes at the source. If we can figure out a way to prevent more adolescents and teens from smoking the less likely they will become smokers later in life. More than two thirds of those who are daily smokers senior year of high school are daily smokers eight years later. It also said only five percent of those daily smokers believe they will be smoking later on. In order to reduce the supply of smokers to the tobacco companies we must deter children with different tactics from smoking.
Johnson, Roberta. “Adolescent Cigarette Smoking.” National Opinion Research Center. 2000. 3, Dec. 2007.
Chemistry and Your Future
December 3, 2007
When They Begin Smoking.
In this article, “Adolescent Cigarette Smoking,” the main question is why and when do teens begin smoking. The answer is surprisingly young. More than 70 percent of children who have tried smoking smoke it before they are fifteen. And ninety percent who have tried smoking smoked it before they were 17. The fact that it is at such a young age astonishes scientists today. Not only are they trying it before adulthood but they are obtaining it before they can legally use it. The reasons why they begin to use include parent usage, relieve stress, curious, to look cool, and pleasurable.
This article is important information because we need to pinpoint the use of cigarettes at the source. If we can figure out a way to prevent more adolescents and teens from smoking the less likely they will become smokers later in life. More than two thirds of those who are daily smokers senior year of high school are daily smokers eight years later. It also said only five percent of those daily smokers believe they will be smoking later on. In order to reduce the supply of smokers to the tobacco companies we must deter children with different tactics from smoking.
Johnson, Roberta. “Adolescent Cigarette Smoking.” National Opinion Research Center. 2000. 3, Dec. 2007.
Recycling of Tires
Tire recycling is an increasing problem in our modern society. They are similar to plastic, both representing a consumer commodity. An average of one 10-kilogram rubber tire per person per year is later discarded, whereas a total of one-third of a billion tires are annually disposed. Their flammable material consists of oil which if ignited, tends to produce smoke, carbon monoxide, and toxins and hold tight air pockets, making it difficult to extinguish. There have been attempts where tires could be recycled and reused for fuel or filter for asphalt, however only 10% of the tires are consumed for those purposes. Although it is quite early to tell whether or not the rubber of tires will be completely resuable, chemists at the GoodYear Tire and Rubber Company have found a way to remove sulfur added to rubber in vulcanization, so that the rubber maybe reused. Pyrolysis is also a process where researches have practiced the reprocess of shredded tires. So far recycled rubber tires have been used to build homes, which are filled with dirt and covered with stucco or adobe. Currently, they have also been appearing in the use of doormats and footwear.
It's too bad that this is a problem that is continously progressing, due to the fact that there are increasing productions and manufacturing of cars which encourage consumers to dispose of their previous ones. However, it is good to know that there are certain uses of recycled rubber tires that are safe. Since chemists of the GoodYear Tire Company have began to find ways to reuse tires almost completely, there is hope that one day it will be commercially viable.
Terms:
1. Pyrolysis-the process of thermal degradation of a material in the abscence of oxygen, where the resulting products are low-grade gaseous and liquid fuels, along with char, can be further treated and converted into activated carbon.
2. Char-a mixture containing minerals and a low-grade version of carbon black.
3. Adobe-sun-dried brick made of clay and straw, in common use in countries having little rainfall.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: 2nd Edition. “Recycling of Tires.” W. H. Freeman and Co. New York. 2006. Pg. 203-204.
It's too bad that this is a problem that is continously progressing, due to the fact that there are increasing productions and manufacturing of cars which encourage consumers to dispose of their previous ones. However, it is good to know that there are certain uses of recycled rubber tires that are safe. Since chemists of the GoodYear Tire Company have began to find ways to reuse tires almost completely, there is hope that one day it will be commercially viable.
Terms:
1. Pyrolysis-the process of thermal degradation of a material in the abscence of oxygen, where the resulting products are low-grade gaseous and liquid fuels, along with char, can be further treated and converted into activated carbon.
2. Char-a mixture containing minerals and a low-grade version of carbon black.
3. Adobe-sun-dried brick made of clay and straw, in common use in countries having little rainfall.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: 2nd Edition. “Recycling of Tires.” W. H. Freeman and Co. New York. 2006. Pg. 203-204.
Steroids
On the DEAs website on steroids, they provide a large amount of information about anabolic steroids as well as different ways in which people use them. They discuss how they can be taken orally, intramuscularly, or simply rubbed on the skin. The site then goes on to discuss how many people who take anabolic steroids take more than one type of drug thinking that different drugs will target certain areas of their bodies. Some people also take steroids for a period of time, stop for a short while and then begin taking the drugs again. This is a popular method for taking anabolic steroids and is known as cycling. Another method for taking the drugs is known as pyramiding in which the athlete gradually increases the amount of steroids throughout the cycle and then eases back down towards the end. This information is very interesting to me because I think that most people do not realize how serious steroids are. The people who take these drugs have very specific things that they do, and routines that they follow. Steroids are a very serious matter and have tremendous effects on the human body both positively and negatively so I guess in a way it is good that those who use the drugs have a regimented system for what they do. On the other hand I highly doubt that pumping yourself full of different types of steroids is the best decision for one’s health but I guess if you are going to cheat you better make sure you are being safe.
Steroids. 2006. 3 Dec. 2007. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/steroids.html
Steroids. 2006. 3 Dec. 2007. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/steroids.html
Plutonium is a radioactive element
Plutonium is not a naturally occurring element. It is only produced as a product through the fission of other elements. For example, during the fission of uranium, Plutonium-239 is produced, an alpha-particle emitter with a half-life of 24,000 years, which is very long.
After 1000 years, used fuel rods will be giving off radioactive waves. Most of these waves will be as a result of plutonium. Almost all the other chemicals in fuel rods have half-lives of less than 1000 years and so have decayed by that time. Therefore, to reduce long-term radioactivity from these rods, [they] could start making fuel rods without using plutonium.
I think there must be a reason plutonium and other heavy elements with longer half-lives are used in fuel rods. Because of that I think there may be a problem with trying to remove these chemicals from the rods. Also, since the plutonium-239 is fissionable, it helps contribute to power output from the reactor (636). Lastly, while there is a process to chemically remove the plutonium called reprocessing, there are always the worries of health effects and safety from just handling plutonium.
Terms:
Reprocessing – The process of removing plutonium from other elements by exploiting the differences in the solubility of their salts.
Breeder Reactors – Nuclear power reactors that are designed to maximize the production of by-product plutonium.
Reactorgrade plutonium – Contains more of the other isotopes of plutonium and other elements, it’s used in bombs.
Works Cited:
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: 2nd Edition. “Plutonium is a radioactive element.” W. H. Freeman and Co. New York. 2006. Pg. 636-637
After 1000 years, used fuel rods will be giving off radioactive waves. Most of these waves will be as a result of plutonium. Almost all the other chemicals in fuel rods have half-lives of less than 1000 years and so have decayed by that time. Therefore, to reduce long-term radioactivity from these rods, [they] could start making fuel rods without using plutonium.
I think there must be a reason plutonium and other heavy elements with longer half-lives are used in fuel rods. Because of that I think there may be a problem with trying to remove these chemicals from the rods. Also, since the plutonium-239 is fissionable, it helps contribute to power output from the reactor (636). Lastly, while there is a process to chemically remove the plutonium called reprocessing, there are always the worries of health effects and safety from just handling plutonium.
Terms:
Reprocessing – The process of removing plutonium from other elements by exploiting the differences in the solubility of their salts.
Breeder Reactors – Nuclear power reactors that are designed to maximize the production of by-product plutonium.
Reactorgrade plutonium – Contains more of the other isotopes of plutonium and other elements, it’s used in bombs.
Works Cited:
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life: 2nd Edition. “Plutonium is a radioactive element.” W. H. Freeman and Co. New York. 2006. Pg. 636-637
Nuclear Waste Disposal Problem is Unsolved
Nuclear energy has extremely good potential, but as we all know, it has very bad and destructive potential as well. Most people are aware of the dangers of nuclear bombs and missiles because of the after-math from World War II and the scares of the Cold War. But many people don’t know that nuclear energy also posses’ dangers that are outside of war. One way nuclear energy can harm us is through radioactive disposal sites. Scientists and politicians still are uncertain as to what to do with and how to dispose of Plutonium, but one thing is not uncertain, and that is the potential damage that could occur if disposed of improperly. One way to dispose of radioactive substances though is to cool spent fuel rods in water for several decades until the radioactivity is reduced. Then the fuel rod can be stored in a dry storage like a concrete canister.
Vitrify: convert something into glass or a glasslike substance, typically by heating it.
I find the nuclear realm of things to be extremely interesting partly because of movies and TV shows. But I also find it interesting because of the amount of people nuclear energy can affect, especially when the substances that give off the energy are so small. Also, three years ago I had the opportunity to go to Japan and for one day I got to visit Hiroshima and the memorial museum that is in the city.
Chemistry in Your Life: Second Edition. By: Colin Baird. Pg. 638-640
Vitrify: convert something into glass or a glasslike substance, typically by heating it.
I find the nuclear realm of things to be extremely interesting partly because of movies and TV shows. But I also find it interesting because of the amount of people nuclear energy can affect, especially when the substances that give off the energy are so small. Also, three years ago I had the opportunity to go to Japan and for one day I got to visit Hiroshima and the memorial museum that is in the city.
Chemistry in Your Life: Second Edition. By: Colin Baird. Pg. 638-640
Sunday, December 2, 2007
“Soap is Manufactures from Fats”
Soap is a very common household product used every day for hygiene purposes. Soap used to be a commercial invention during the Middle Ages, used by the Romans. However, the way in which they made soap was very corrosive to the skin as it contained some of the unreacted base. The soap used during these days was created from natural minerals which include animal fat, consisting of glycerol with three fatty acid molecules. The glycerol and the three fatty acids can be split by using high temperatures, high pressure or by reacting it with a basic substance. 1 The base is made up from a mixture of sodium and potassium carbonate which can also be formed by mixing water with wood ashes. The base therefore converts the free fatty acid into a sodium or potassium salt which is known to be salt. The basic reaction produced is:
Fat + Base → Glycerol + Fatty Acid
Fatty Acid + Base → Soap
Salt is then added to the product created which allows the soap and glycerol to separate from the basic, alkaline solution. The soap then separates further from the glycerol solution and begins to sink to the bottom. The glycerol made from this reaction is also used as a by-product of the soap-making process.1
The same process is used in today’s society using saponification, yet the base used is very pure so that it does not damage people’s skin. Also, before the product is sold, most of the glycerol is removed. Most of the soaps sold are sodium salts of specific fatty acid mixtures. 1 The soaps used in shaving lather and liquid soaps are called soft (semisolid) soaps and they are generally made from potassium salts. Most of the soaps have other substances added to them, such as perfumes, creams, oils and dyes allowing the manufacturers to have a better retail product.
However, water contains magnesium and calcium ions caused by limestone rock found in rivers, lakes and wells which is consisted of calcium carbonate or a mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. So, as water flows through the limestone rocks, calcium and magnesium carbonate ions dissolve in the water resulting in hard water. When the magnesium and calcium ions react with soap, it forms an insoluble compound that is separated from the solution which causes a dilemma on both a domestic and industrial scale. Consequently, most people prefer to wash their hair or dishes in soft water as no residues from the soap remains. This is why people from the Middle Ages used to collect rain water to wash their hair and clothes because it is soft water.
I think that it is very clever that without the knowledge of science, people from the middle ages were able to create such valuable things that we still use today in our society, without realizing what they have created. Many of the products we use today come from some sort of creation that were used during the days when technology was not about.
Saponification – the production of soap by treating fats (triglycerides) with heat and a base to form soap and glycerol.
Soap – the sodium and potassium salt of a long-fatty acid.
1 Braid. Chemistry in Your Life. 2nd ed. New York, USA: W.H.Freeman and Company; 2006. pp 505-506.
Fat + Base → Glycerol + Fatty Acid
Fatty Acid + Base → Soap
Salt is then added to the product created which allows the soap and glycerol to separate from the basic, alkaline solution. The soap then separates further from the glycerol solution and begins to sink to the bottom. The glycerol made from this reaction is also used as a by-product of the soap-making process.1
The same process is used in today’s society using saponification, yet the base used is very pure so that it does not damage people’s skin. Also, before the product is sold, most of the glycerol is removed. Most of the soaps sold are sodium salts of specific fatty acid mixtures. 1 The soaps used in shaving lather and liquid soaps are called soft (semisolid) soaps and they are generally made from potassium salts. Most of the soaps have other substances added to them, such as perfumes, creams, oils and dyes allowing the manufacturers to have a better retail product.
However, water contains magnesium and calcium ions caused by limestone rock found in rivers, lakes and wells which is consisted of calcium carbonate or a mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. So, as water flows through the limestone rocks, calcium and magnesium carbonate ions dissolve in the water resulting in hard water. When the magnesium and calcium ions react with soap, it forms an insoluble compound that is separated from the solution which causes a dilemma on both a domestic and industrial scale. Consequently, most people prefer to wash their hair or dishes in soft water as no residues from the soap remains. This is why people from the Middle Ages used to collect rain water to wash their hair and clothes because it is soft water.
I think that it is very clever that without the knowledge of science, people from the middle ages were able to create such valuable things that we still use today in our society, without realizing what they have created. Many of the products we use today come from some sort of creation that were used during the days when technology was not about.
Saponification – the production of soap by treating fats (triglycerides) with heat and a base to form soap and glycerol.
Soap – the sodium and potassium salt of a long-fatty acid.
1 Braid. Chemistry in Your Life. 2nd ed. New York, USA: W.H.Freeman and Company; 2006. pp 505-506.
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