Molality is the number of moles in a solute per kilogram of solvent. It is often confused with the term molarity, which is an alternative unit for concentration that measures the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. Molality is commonly used when experiments require significant temperature changes. This is because a solute’s molality remains the same with increasing temperature, since it is based on mass instead of volume, unlike molarity. How to Calculate Molality Step 1 – Divide the solute mass by the solute’s molecular weight. E.g. Read More

Hydrometers measure a liquid’s density and specific gravity, and rely on Archimedes’ principle of buoyancy. They are made up of a sealed glass bulb with a long, narrow tube connected to one end and a lead or mercury shot under the bulb so it can float in the upright position. The tube has a scale that displays the specific gravity of the liquid being measured. Hydrometers are normally calibrated to measure a liquid’s density at a predesignated temperature and the scale varies based on the instrument’s intended use. What is Read More

Potassium Perchlorate (Potassium Chlorate (VII), perchloric acid, potassium salt, peroidin, and KClO4) is an inorganic salt that is used as a strong oxidizer. The function of potassium perchlorate’s oxidizer trait really depends on the chemical use. Potassium Perchlorate can be found in the following common items: Fireworks – Fireworks have many chemical compounds inside them, which create the flashing spectacle. One of the major components is an oxidizer. Potassium perchlorate is perfect for this as it is quite affordable. Stars and Sparklers – Stars and Sparklers that use a combination Read More

A chalkboard can be made of many different things. To begin with, a chalk board can be made of black or grey stone slate. However, these are very basic chalkboards that are not really used. The modern day chalkboard, however, is still something used to this day and is created by taking taking porcelain enamel and attaching it to very durable steel to act as a base. This creates the green chalkboard that many students are used to seeing in classrooms. How is a Chalkboard Made? The first step in Read More

The elements known as gallium and arsenic form gallium arsenide. It is used in the manufacture of monolithic microwave integrated circuits, microwave frequency integrated circuits, infrared light emitting diodes, laser diodes, solar cells, and optical windows. Chemistry of Gallium Arsenide When in the compound form, gallium has a +3 oxidation state, which means that it is a positively charged ion. To make the compound, there has to be a direct reaction between the two elements. Some of the most common industrial processes are: • Using a horizontal furnace to grow Read More

Covalent bonds are bonds that occur during the chemical bonding of atoms of separate elements. Pairs of electrons share their energy in a way that helps to stabilize the atoms. This helps to attract and repulse atoms to one another and is a major factor in chemical reactions. Atoms share valence electrons with each other to form chemical bonds with other atoms. This allows atoms to bond together without having to be the same element. That is, the atoms only have to be within compatible electro-negativity. When these atoms have Read More

There are many different kinds of energy but the single most widely used in society as well as in nature is chemical energy. Chemical energy allows energy to be stored for later use and it is also easy to access. Without chemical energy, many of the luxuries and even basic necessities that people have grown accustomed to would not be possible such as vehicular transportation, food, clean air, and battery-operated devices. This article will explain what chemical energy is and how it is used in nature and society. What is Read More

One of the largest classes of organic thermoplastic polymers is polyolefin. Polyolefin is an odorless, non-polar, and non-porous material that is used in structural plastics, consumer goods, industrial products, and food packaging. Polyolefin means “oil like” and is commonly referred to as a thermoplastic or polyalkene since polyolefin has a waxy texture. This substance is widely used in research and production in the petrochemical and organic chemistry industries. Polyolefin Use in Shrink Wrap Plastic shrink wrap is the lay term for polyolefin. Shrink wrap is designed to expand when heated Read More

FTIR spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) is a technique that uses infrared light to observe properties of a solid, liquid, or gas. It is used in many different applications to measure the absorption, emission, and photo-conductivity of matter by shining a narrow beam of infrared light at the matter in various wavelengths and detecting how the matter responds to each wavelength. Once the data has been obtained, it is converted into digital information using a mathematical algorithm known as the “Fourier transform.”   How FTIR Spectrocopy Works FTIR spectroscopy is Read More

Fireworks are, in the simplest terms, aeronautical explosives that are used for entertainment and celebratory purposes. Fireworks have been used for nearly a thousand years and are available in hundreds of different shapes, sizes, and colors. There are also various forms of fireworks that burn in different ways. Sparklers, for example, simply produce sparks when ignited and do not explode at all. Skyrockets, on the other hand, are much larger and are launched high into the sky, where they explode into various shapes and colors. Fireworks are used all around Read More