water is a very interesting molecule, because one can survive for weeks without food, but one day without water can be life-threatening.
it's fun to watch the animations. i wonder how fast the molecules would move around in higher temperatures? it's amazing how the motion seems to be so rapid, yet there's still some order to it..water still remains water....
Monday, January 24, 2011
Neptune's Medicine Chest
A very interesting article and certainly spells hopes for those with a terminal illness for which a cure is still to be found and possibly a lucrative business potential for pharmaceutical companies.
The other thing that came to mind as I read the article was "exploitation of resources" - in the same way coal, petroleum, gas and other natural resources have been exploited by the human race. How long would it be before these wonderful creatures of the ocean disappear before our very eyes because of human greed? And how long would it be before the oceans get so polluted that no living organisms can grow because pharmaceutical companies are employing huge machineries and whatever else to take the resources that they want?
Western medicine takes the approach of extracting the so-called active ingredients of substances, then discard the rest. Such highly concentrated extracts consumed over a long period of time can damage the human body. Chinese medicine takes a different approach. It's not so much about what one single herb can do, or what active ingredients are, but how this single herb, together with other herbs can cure diseases. I am not so sure that "medicine is just chemistry". A few thousand years ago, way before chemistry was known to people, Chinese and many other natives from other parts of the world were already using herbs to cure people, not realizing or paying attention to the active ingredients of substances.
May be the answer to healing lies in how one can live more in accordance and in harmony with nature.
The other thing that came to mind as I read the article was "exploitation of resources" - in the same way coal, petroleum, gas and other natural resources have been exploited by the human race. How long would it be before these wonderful creatures of the ocean disappear before our very eyes because of human greed? And how long would it be before the oceans get so polluted that no living organisms can grow because pharmaceutical companies are employing huge machineries and whatever else to take the resources that they want?
Western medicine takes the approach of extracting the so-called active ingredients of substances, then discard the rest. Such highly concentrated extracts consumed over a long period of time can damage the human body. Chinese medicine takes a different approach. It's not so much about what one single herb can do, or what active ingredients are, but how this single herb, together with other herbs can cure diseases. I am not so sure that "medicine is just chemistry". A few thousand years ago, way before chemistry was known to people, Chinese and many other natives from other parts of the world were already using herbs to cure people, not realizing or paying attention to the active ingredients of substances.
May be the answer to healing lies in how one can live more in accordance and in harmony with nature.
Transitional Metal of the Week - Platinum
The chemical symbol for platinum is Pt, with an atomic number of 78. Pt is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust and has an average abundance of approximately 0.005mg/kg.
The largest known primary reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. In 2009, South Africa was the top producer of platinum with an almost 80% share, followed by Russia at 11%.
Platinum is used in laboratory equipment, dentistry equipment, jewelry and so on. Because it's such a scarce material, it is highly valuable and is a major precious metal commodity.
Currently, one ounce of gold is valued at approximately $1,344, whereas one ounce of platinum is valued at approximately $1,819.
Platinum is not the same as white gold. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. For example, 18kt yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18kt white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months.
Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.
Platinum is, however, very expensive. A platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring (excluding gemstone costs).
The largest known primary reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. In 2009, South Africa was the top producer of platinum with an almost 80% share, followed by Russia at 11%.
Platinum is used in laboratory equipment, dentistry equipment, jewelry and so on. Because it's such a scarce material, it is highly valuable and is a major precious metal commodity.
Currently, one ounce of gold is valued at approximately $1,344, whereas one ounce of platinum is valued at approximately $1,819.
Platinum is not the same as white gold. White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. For example, 18kt yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18kt white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months.
Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.
Platinum is, however, very expensive. A platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring (excluding gemstone costs).
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Elements, compounds & mixtures
Element: cannot be broken down further. Consists of only 1 kind of atom
Molecule: consists of two or more atoms of the same or different elements; bound together chemically
Compound: consists of atoms of two or more different elements bound together. Can be broken down by chemical means, but not physical means
Mixture: consists of two or more different elements and/or compounds physically intermingled.
Molecule: consists of two or more atoms of the same or different elements; bound together chemically
Compound: consists of atoms of two or more different elements bound together. Can be broken down by chemical means, but not physical means
Mixture: consists of two or more different elements and/or compounds physically intermingled.
Discussion of ozone with friends
I talked to a couple of my friends about ozone and the mention of the word immediately elicited the following reactions, "the ozone layer", "ozone depletion", "pollution", "ozone hole in New Zealand".
One friend mentioned about the recent flood in Australia and how this could be a sign of how human activities are affecting nature's natural cycle and hence the weather. I have a few friends living in Australia and although they weren't affected, they say it was the worst flood in history and reconstruction would not only be costly but would take quite some time too.
Another friend very interestingly mentioned about how animal farming is a big contributor of CO2 as well as other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, mainly from animal waste. Clearing of land for animal farming is also to blame for the release of carbon dioxide into the air as forests and wooded areas are natural carbon sinks. As the number of tress start to decline, less CO2 is recycled and hence adding to greenhouse effect. So she suggested we all do our part by adopting a vegetarian, or at least less meat diet to help the planet. Totally agreed!
There are many things we can do to save the ozone layer, just to name a few:
1. use energy saving light bulbs
2. put on a sweater, lower the thermostat
3. unplug electrical appliances if not in use
4. eat less meat or no meat at all!
5. recycle
One friend mentioned about the recent flood in Australia and how this could be a sign of how human activities are affecting nature's natural cycle and hence the weather. I have a few friends living in Australia and although they weren't affected, they say it was the worst flood in history and reconstruction would not only be costly but would take quite some time too.
Another friend very interestingly mentioned about how animal farming is a big contributor of CO2 as well as other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, mainly from animal waste. Clearing of land for animal farming is also to blame for the release of carbon dioxide into the air as forests and wooded areas are natural carbon sinks. As the number of tress start to decline, less CO2 is recycled and hence adding to greenhouse effect. So she suggested we all do our part by adopting a vegetarian, or at least less meat diet to help the planet. Totally agreed!
There are many things we can do to save the ozone layer, just to name a few:
1. use energy saving light bulbs
2. put on a sweater, lower the thermostat
3. unplug electrical appliances if not in use
4. eat less meat or no meat at all!
5. recycle
Element of the Week - Titanium
I chose titanium because it's such a versatile metal. People called it, the "space age metal". The symbol for Titanium is Ti, atomic number 22.
It's highly resistant to corrosion, even from salt water, acids and corrosive gases. Also, due to its high strength to weight ratio, it is much utilised in the aerospace industry. Ti has made space exploration possible. It is also used in the medical field and in particular, for prosthetic implants.
But the uses of Ti do not end here. Ti is also much in demand in the jewellery business, especially men's jewelery due to its hard wearing properties. Application of heat causes a change in the color of Ti, which makes it ideal for making eye-catching jewellery for women too.
It's highly resistant to corrosion, even from salt water, acids and corrosive gases. Also, due to its high strength to weight ratio, it is much utilised in the aerospace industry. Ti has made space exploration possible. It is also used in the medical field and in particular, for prosthetic implants.
But the uses of Ti do not end here. Ti is also much in demand in the jewellery business, especially men's jewelery due to its hard wearing properties. Application of heat causes a change in the color of Ti, which makes it ideal for making eye-catching jewellery for women too.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thoughts on class discussions on Jan 6, 2011
Alternative fuels: bio-fuel is considered a much better alternative to fossil fuel. It's definitely greener and better for the environment. However, the source of biofuel is usually corn or soya beans, a food crop and this raises the question of whether it's ethical or the right thing to do to set aside acres and acres of land to grow corn to produce biofuel for the benefits of mostly first-world-country-citizens while the third-world-country-citizens suffer in starvation?
Back in the days when I was an auditor, I audited a company which produces biofuel, but they don't use corn. They actually use a weed called jatropha. As it's a weed, it grows very easily, even in almost desert-like conditions, so the cost to grow is very low and as it's a weed, it doesn't compete with traditional food production. The cost of producing fuel from jatropha is also cheaper than using corn or other food crops. China, Thailand and many other countries have actually set land aside to grow this plant. It is still in early stage though and production can be unstable at times, but if big oil giants are willing to invest money to research this plant, I think this is the plant that will save the fuel crisis and help us reduce our carbon footprints.
You can read more about it: http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0824-biofuels.html
Environmentally friendly vs cost of public transport: All of us would like to do our share to be green, even the government urges all of us to make use of public transport whenever possible. However, many times, it's actually cheaper to drive than to take Bart. I've been told that Bart is the most expensive public transport in California and since I take Bart, I know this is true!
In Taiwan, public transport is extremely affordable and very convenient. Many people, even those living in the wealthiest spots of Taiwan do not have cars because public transport is so convenient. I think something needs to be done to lower the cost of pubic transportation in order to encourage more people to leave cars at home. There should be some incentives in place for people to take public transport. I know in British Columbia, if you buy monthly Sky Train (similar to Bart) or bus tickets, you can claim these as tax deductions at end of the year. I don't know if there are similar measures here in California, but we need something similar to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
Back in the days when I was an auditor, I audited a company which produces biofuel, but they don't use corn. They actually use a weed called jatropha. As it's a weed, it grows very easily, even in almost desert-like conditions, so the cost to grow is very low and as it's a weed, it doesn't compete with traditional food production. The cost of producing fuel from jatropha is also cheaper than using corn or other food crops. China, Thailand and many other countries have actually set land aside to grow this plant. It is still in early stage though and production can be unstable at times, but if big oil giants are willing to invest money to research this plant, I think this is the plant that will save the fuel crisis and help us reduce our carbon footprints.
You can read more about it: http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0824-biofuels.html
Environmentally friendly vs cost of public transport: All of us would like to do our share to be green, even the government urges all of us to make use of public transport whenever possible. However, many times, it's actually cheaper to drive than to take Bart. I've been told that Bart is the most expensive public transport in California and since I take Bart, I know this is true!
In Taiwan, public transport is extremely affordable and very convenient. Many people, even those living in the wealthiest spots of Taiwan do not have cars because public transport is so convenient. I think something needs to be done to lower the cost of pubic transportation in order to encourage more people to leave cars at home. There should be some incentives in place for people to take public transport. I know in British Columbia, if you buy monthly Sky Train (similar to Bart) or bus tickets, you can claim these as tax deductions at end of the year. I don't know if there are similar measures here in California, but we need something similar to encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
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