Friday 31 August 2012

The Uniqueness of Carbon

Carbon is an element truly in a class by itself. With four valence electrons, it is four electrons short of having a noble gas electron configuration. For more details click here.
A larger model of the diamond structure

Courtesy: http://www.uncp.edu

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Periodic Table of Videos

Tables charting the chemical elements have been around since the 19th century - but this modern version has a short video about each one. For more click here.

Courtesy: video journalist Brady Haran working with chemists at The University of Nottingham

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Acetone - Toxic Level

Acetone (also known as propanone, dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, propan-2-one and β-ketopropane) is a common industrial solvent and the simplest representative of the ketone group of solvents. Read more at toxipedia.org
Courtesy:  Maria Mergel,  http://toxipedia.org

Monday 27 August 2012

Mole Chemistry

The mole concept is in chemistry used to calculate the quantity or amount of chemical substances that are used and produced in a chemical reaction. Read more click here
Amedeo Avogadro

Courtesy: http://www.chemicalformula.org

Sunday 26 August 2012

Researchers capture first-ever image of two atoms forming a molecule


Researchers capture first-ever image of two atoms forming a molecule
Researchers at Ohio State University and Kansas State University have captured the first-ever images of atoms moving in a molecule. Shown here is molecular nitrogen. The researchers used an ultrafast laser to knock one electron from the molecule, and recorded the diffraction pattern that was created when the electron scattered off the molecule. The image highlights any changes the molecule went through during the time between laser pulses: one quadrillionth of a second. The constituent atoms' movement is shown as a measure of increasing angular momentum, on a scale from dark blue to pink, with pink showing the region of greatest momentum. (Credit: Image courtesy of Cosmin Blaga, Ohio State University.)

Neil Armstrong, 1930-2012: U.S. astronaut was first man to walk on the moon

Neil Armstrong, 1930-2012: U.S. astronaut was first man to walk on the moon
Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo 11 Commander, inside the Lunar Module as it rests on the lunar surface after completion of his historic moonwalk. (Credit: NASA)

Saturday 25 August 2012

Thermodynamics - Introduction

Thermodynamics is a macroscopic theory. It deals with the bulk properties of matter. It does not concern itself with whether or not there are atoms or molecules. In fact, thermodynamics does not care whether or not there are atoms and molecules. Thermodynamics is the study of the patterns of energy change. Thermodynamics refers to energy, and "dynamics" means the patterns of change. Specifically the study of thermodynamics deals mainly with (1) energy conversion and (2) the stability of molecules and direction of change.
On the other hand, quantum mechanics is a microscopic theory because it deals with the individual particles of matter. 
Statistical thermodynamics brings us full circle by providing a mechanism for calculating the properties of bulk material (macroscopic samples) from the properties of the atoms and molecules which comprise the material. 

Credit: http://fisitech.wordpress.com/content/thermodynamics/
Courtesy: W. R. Salzman (http://www.chem.arizona.edu) and http://thinkquest.org

Friday 24 August 2012

Functional Group in Organic Chemistry

The structures, properties, and chemical reactions of organic and biochemicals are determined by the functional groups present. For more details click here.
Naming an organic compound

Courtesy: http://www.elmhurst.edu

Thursday 23 August 2012

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons
Credit: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu

Courtesy: http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu

Friday 17 August 2012

Electrochemistry - Basics

All About Electrochemistry

concept map
Courtesy: Stephen Lower - Simon Fraser University - Burnaby/Vancouver Canada

Thursday 16 August 2012

Friday 10 August 2012

Did You Know?

  1. The smallest portion of an element is: Atom
  2. Effervescence means: Bubbly 
  3. Dyes in ink are separated by: Chromatography 
  4. One allotrope of carbon is: Diamond 
  5. A substance which cannot be split up into others is an: Element 
  6. The liquid which runs through a filter paper is the: Filtrate 
  7. A yellow, noble metal is: Gold 
  8. The element which gives violet vapor on heating is: Iodine 
  9. To find out if a liquid is an acid, use: Litmus 
  10. 6.02 X 10^23 number of atoms or molecules: Mole 
  11. 78% of the air we breathe is: Nitrogen 
  12. 21% of the air we breathe is: Oxygen 
  13. Green leaves of plants make starch by: Photosynthesis 
  14. There are two limes. Calcium oxide is: Quicklime 
  15. Taking oxygen from a substance is called: Reduction 
  16. A yellow non-metal is: Sulphur 
  17. To find out how strong an acid is, use: Universal indicator 
  18. In strong alkali Universal Indicator is: Violet 
  19. The colour of gold and sulphur is: Yellow 
  20. A more active metal than copper is: Zinc 
Courtesy: Randal L. Henly, Ireland Reference: CHEM13 News, February 1995

Sunday 5 August 2012

Thursday 2 August 2012

Isotope, Isobar and Isotone

    1. Isotope: Atoms or ions of an element with different numbers of neutrons in their atomic nucleus. Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass number. Isotopes have very similar chemical properties but sometimes differ greatly in nuclear stability.
    2. Image Courtesy of  http://www.suntrek.org
    3. Isobar: Nuclides that have the same isotopic mass but different atomic number. 
    4. Isotone: A group of atoms or ions with nuclei that contain the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons. 
    5. Image Courtesy of http://www.notespal.com
      Message from Bhagavath Geetha
      • Do not get over excited over happiness and do not get over depressed over sorrow.
      • Do not get over bonded with anyone and anybody because it can lead to problems and sorrow.
      • Never think that my duty is the topmost or lowermost. Every duty is respectful. The responsibility undertaken or given as per the position is the noblest duty.
      • Elevate yourselves, family, society and nation and never denigrate yourselves, family, society and nation.
      • We are our own closest relatives and if not properly utilised we will become our closest enemies.
      • There are possibilities of success and failure in any endeavour. One cannot assure success always.
      • Death is inevitable for everyone in this world. In any endeavour at the maximum an individual may die.
      • People may say good and also they may say bad. Approach them with stabilised mind.
      • Take anything after scientifically, logically and rationally analysing them.
      • Perform your duty, responsibility and accept the privileges eligible for you.
      • First change ourselves and then try to change others.
      • We are all instruments /tools in the hands of the nature for performing the duty. So do not think that I am doing the duty. Think that I am an instrument to do the duty.
      • Results of action may not be sweet always. Accept what ever may be the result.
      • Follow the path of great scholars who guided the world. Listen their messages.
      • Results and rewards will come and go but stick to your duty with devotion, dedication and sincerity.