A buckyball is a fullerene with an ellipsoidal or spherical cage that is comprised of covalently bonded carbon atoms. This is another carbon arrangement (allotrope) type that is between graphite and diamond. The first fullerene to be discovered was C60. It was named buckminsterfullerene after Buckminster Fuller who designed well-known geodesic domes that resemble the molecule. The buckyball and other fullerenes are very strong but expensive to produce and purify. A nanotube, another fullerene variant, has similar qualities to buckyballs but are cylindrical instead of spherical. When were Buckyballs First Read More

A linear particle accelerator is a large device that can speed up electrons, ions, or other particles and slam them into a target in order to release subatomic particles and radiation. Sensors then record these by-products, send their data to a central computer system that creates a digital, 3D image of the particle, and labels its specific chemical and physical attributes. Linear particle accelerators differ from circular particle accelerators only in that linear ones speed up particles in a straight, narrow path while circular ones use a large, circular path. Read More

Magnetic Permeability is a term refers to the ability of a material to gain or maintain magnetism. When certain materials are placed in a magnetic field they become magnetized.  For example, when you take a piece of iron and rub it on a substance already magnetized or a magnet, it will become magnetized and have a resulting magnetic field. What is Magnetic Permeability? Permeability is the measure of how a substance or material supports forming a magnetic field within itself. It is the amount of magnetization that the substance will adopt Read More

Also known as body armors, there are different types of bullet proof vests. The most common is the soft vest usually used by the police force and private security; it cannot stop ammunition of big caliber. Hard-plate reinforced vests are necessary when heavy ammunition is involved; they are used as part of the default equipment in the Army. Soft bullet proof vests are formed from advanced woven fibers that can be sewn into vests and other soft clothing. The fibers form a tight interlaced net which disperses the energy of Read More

A stent is a synthetic mesh tube used as a medical apparatus to support an open artery during surgery such as angioplasty. Stents are used in cases where arteries are weak, blocked or have become constricted. Insertion of stents into an artery enhances blood flow and averts the future constriction or blockage of the artery. Patients who have undergone a stent procedure must consume blood thinning medication such as Aspirin and Persantine, in order to decrease the threat of a blood clot forming in the stent. Such medication may have Read More

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

During the nineteenth century the main theory in physics was still Newtonian Mechanics. With the advances in electricity, magnetism and the studies about light, it was clear that the theory had its limitations. The limitations appeared in the limits of the too small (atomic size) or the too fast (light speed). The study of the small limit took a long path and it has several contributors. It started in the beginning of the 1900s and laid the foundation of the modern quantum and particle physics. Max Plank and Albert Einstein Read More

Rayleigh scattering refers to a phenomenon in which light is scattered by particles in the atmosphere that are much smaller than its wavelength. It can also apply to other forms of electromagnetic radiation as well as other media, but can be seen most directly in the sky. Rayleigh scattering is responsible for the sky’s many different colors, such as blue during the day, orange at sunset, and even the yellow hue of the Sun. Different wavelengths of light that are reflected off of small molecules, dust, and other particles in 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