Apart from Nuclear Fusion in stars, there is also what is called as Nucleosynthesis. This is defined as the production or creation of new elements through the process of nuclear reactions. In this process, as more and more particles fuse together, such as the atoms of hydrogen and helium in stars, the new product of the fusion can become unstable and eventually split up or break apart.
Ever wonder why this colorless, odorless, tasteless non-toxic gas is named strong>Helium? The name Helium comes from a Greek word Helios meaning sun. It was in the Sun that this element was first discovered. In 1868 a French Scientist, Jules Janssen was observing a total solar eclipse. He noticed a bright yellow spectrum and thought it was Sodium. It was Norman Lockyer who discovered that this line of thinking did not match that of the spectral line of sodium. He [...]
Photo by: Pumbaa80 Creative Commons Do you know a lot about hydrogen? Did you know that it is the most abundant element? It makes up about 75% of the universe. Stars are formed from it! It is also considered to be the third most abundant element on Earth. It is present in water and all the other organic matter. You might have heard about how the airship Hindenburg exploded back in 1937. In the gas form, it is considered less [...]
What is hydrazine? What is it and why haven’t you heard of it? It is an organic chemical compound that is odorless and flammable. It is a liquid that smells like ammonia since it is derived from the same industrial chemical processes; though the physical properties of this chemical is closer to water.
Photo by: Archaeodontosaurus Creative Commons Tremolite is a member of a group of silicate minerals containing molecules of Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon and Oxygen. It is formed by the metamorphism of sediments with high amounts of dolomite and quartz. Its color ranges from creamy white to dark green, depending on magnesium or iron content. In fact, the gemstone Jade is composed of a mineral which is a green variety of tremolite.
An element is a pure substance which is made of one type of atom. The atom is distinguished by its atomic number, which is equivalent to the number of the protons located in its nucleus. Every object—solid, liquid or gas—is made of an element or combination of elements. Examples of them include hydrogen, helium, carbon, silicon, gold, uranium etc.
Volatiles are chemical elements and compounds that have small boiling points and are found or connected to the atmosphere and crust of both a moon and a planet. Elements such as hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane are types of volatiles. Water is also a perfect example as well as other compounds of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, silver, carbon and sulfur dioxide.
There are three states of matter we are familiar with: solid, liquid, and gas. We don’t even need to define them anymore; their names are their definitions. But there’s the fourth state of matter which many aren’t too knowledgeable about (some may not even know there’s such a thing). It’s called plasma or ionized gas.
It was in 1913 when a radio-chemist named Frederick Soddy first suggested the existence of isotopes. He noticed that the periodic table of elements only allowed for 11 elements ranging from uranium to lead. However, several types of atoms which differ in radioactive properties can still occupy the same place in the table.
Igneous, from the root word ignite which means to catch fire! Did you know how an igneous rock is formed? Extremely hot molten rock from the deep recesses of the earth makes its way out and literally ignites everything it comes in contact with, once the liquid cools down, an igneous rock is formed.