Vincent Summers, Author at Quirky Science

08Feb 2017 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Differences between Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, Incandescence

[caption id="attachment_16099" align="alignright" width="440"] Iridescence[/caption] Fluorescence, phosphorescence, incandescence. Though they sound similar, yet they are different. The differences need not be intimidating. First we’ll provide a brief definition of each; afterward, an explanation. We’ll add a few other similar sounding terms as well. These include iridescence, chemiluminescence, and radioluminescence. Fluorescence First, let us note that every one of these terms possesses some connection to light. Fluorescence is the rapid, even immediate emission of radiation, visible or invisible, proceeding the absorption of higher frequency (higher energy, shorter wavelength) radiation such as ultraviolet light. Certain rocks and minerals as well as marine biological specimens are fluorescent emitters. Phosphorescence [caption id="attachment_16101" align="alignright" width="360"] Phosphorescence[/caption] Similar to fluorescence, except the radiation takes place slowly over an extended time period. Heat and combustion are not…

30Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers No Comments

The Difference Between Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes

Chemistry, Education

[caption id="attachment_16044" align="alignright" width="440"] An acetylene (ethyne) torch.[/caption] Alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes are made up of carbon and hydrogen. The carbon atoms in each exhibit a valency of four. Though these three hydrocarbon varieties are similar, there is a difference in bonding. We illustrate this with the simplest example: ethane vs. ethene vs. ethyne. Common and Scientific Names Common names are names given to many compounds, but they may mislead the uninitiated. For instance, the scientific names of alkenes contain the suffix –en(e) as part of their name. But acetylene is not an alkene. It is an alkyne. The scientific names of alkynes contains the suffix –yne. Acetylene is scientifically named ethyne. Yet, it nomenclature is not the only difference between alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Alkanes Alkanes are completely saturated…

30Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Tetra-Tert-Butyl Methane – The Acyclic Alkane That Seemingly Should Exist

Chemistry, Education

The smallest non-cyclic alkane that theoretically should exist, but to date has never successfully been prepared, is tetra-tert-butyl methane. The reason it is so elusive is crowding or steric hindrance. Introducing TTBM Tetra-tert-butyl methane is the common name of 3,3-ditert-butyl-2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane. A glimpse at the structure reveals the overcrowding. Despite the overcrowding, according to energy calculations, the molecule (we’ll call it TTBM) should be capable of existence. Assembling the Model Even building the model from its component parts presented a measure of difficulty. The 17 carbon atoms (black spheres) and 36 hydrogen atoms (smaller white spheres) required some effort to assemble into TTBM. Still, it was accomplished with all the component atoms not touching one another. What is the problem or problems? [caption id="attachment_16028" align="alignleft" width="405"] Molecular Model TTBM[/caption] Synthesis While…

28Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

White Wheat Bread is Different from Ordinary White Bread

Food, Plants

[caption id="attachment_16014" align="alignright" width="480"] Wheat in the field.[/caption] In the bread section of the local grocery store you notice a moderately new product called white wheat bread. It’s not called just bread, or even white bread, but white wheat bread. Is it somehow different from ordinary white bread? If that is so, in what way is it different? Is it a cause for concern? White wheat bread is a form of whole wheat bread. How can that be? Let’s look at the structure of wheat. Wheat Berries [caption id="attachment_16017" align="alignright" width="228"] Wheat berry cross-section. - NIH Senior Health[/caption] The cereal grain wheat is classified as a berry, variety caryopsis. As an ear of corn does not include the husk, a single wheat berry is the entire grain minus the husk.…

23Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 6 Comments

What Gives Boiled Eggs Sulfur Smell? Is Sulfur Bad for You?

Food, Health

[caption id="attachment_15992" align="alignright" width="440"] Hardboiling eggs.[/caption] Peel a boiled egg, break it open, and you will detect the distinct boiled eggs sulfur smell. Now foods do not contain sulfur (symbol S) in its elemental form. Rather, they contain compounds that include sulfur in their composition. What sulfur-containing compounds do we find in hen's fruit? In themselves, they are nutritious—even essential—compounds. Boiled Eggs Sulfur Smell: Amino Acids Eggs contain proteins such as albumin. Proteins are amino acids that have joined together. Amino acids are nutritious chemicals that contain nitrogen. Most amino acids do not contain sulfur. However, two do contain sulfur in addition to nitrogen—methionine and cysteine. In fact, they contain nitrogen and sulfur in equal amounts. The chemical formula of methionine is C5H11NO2S. Cysteine is C3H7NO2S. Boiled Eggs Sulfur Smell:…

17Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 3 Comments

What is the Difference between Motor Oil and Grease?

Technology, Transportation

[caption id="attachment_15935" align="alignright" width="440"] Silhouette of working oil pumps on sunset background.[/caption] Lubricants are slippery substances that coat mechanical parts having tight tolerances so they can slide against each other with minimal friction. This is very important, since friction heats up the component parts, which lowers their lifetime. Sometimes oil may used to achieve satisfactory results. Sometimes grease is necessary. What is the difference between motor oil and grease? Oil Composition Refined oil is derived, as one would expect, from crude oil. Its composition varies due to the source of the crude as well as the processing needed to create the finished product. Oils are viscous, non-polar organic substances of biotic and/or abiotic origin. They do not readily adhere to other surfaces. That being the case, they afford a high…

02Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 3 Comments

Mistletoe Tree Parasite – the Beautiful Herb of Wintertime

Biology, Medicine

[caption id="attachment_15887" align="alignright" width="440"] A single clump of mistletoe tree parasite.[/caption] If runners develop athlete’s foot, what do rocket scientists develop? –Mistletoe. So goes a bad joke. Most people are familiar with the use of the mistletoe tree parasite in holiday celebrations. The history behind such use is readily available online. But just what is mistletoe? How does it grow? And what is mistletoe good for? Let’s check it out. Mistletoe Tree Parasite There are many varieties of mistletoe. They grow as independent globular clusters in tree branches and some shrubs. As a result, mistletoe in trees becomes most visible in cold weather, when leaves fall. Although the plants largely subsist on nutrients produced by the host plant, mistletoe does produce some of its own food via photosynthesis. So officially…

23Dec 2016 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Fly Ash for Concrete: Lowers Cost, Rids Waste and Aids the Environment

Chemistry, Technology

[caption id="attachment_15873" align="alignright" width="440"] Finding uses for waste products - Fly Ash[/caption] Fly ash for concrete? Most concrete is formulated from water, broken stone or gravel, sand, and cement—generally Portland cement. The formulation can include a small quantity of waste material. Fly ash is one such waste material. It offers three advantages. It reduces the need to dispose of some of earth’s abundant fly ash waste, it decreases cost, and decreases helps decrease damage to the environment. What is Fly Ash? Fly ash is the lightweight particulate carried along by flue gases produced from burning coal in boilers. It may be removed electrostatic precipitation. Although coal is mostly carbon, coal deposits are embedded in rock. Thus, inevitably, burning coal yields some silica (SiO2), alumina (Al₂2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO). Tragically,…

21Dec 2016 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Energy from Matter – Chemical Energy, Atomic Energy, and Annihilation

Physics, Technology

[caption id="attachment_15861" align="alignright" width="440"] An example of fission: a neutron plus U235 produces U236 which breaks down into Kr92, Ba141, and 3 neutrons.[/caption] Energy (E) is crucial for life; there is no life apart from energy. Fortunately energy derived from matter exists abundantly. It is readily obtainable. Chemical E Our bodies require small installments of energy. This leads us to the dinner table. Our body breaks down the food we eat, liberating chemical energy that keeps us functioning and warm. For instance, there is the digestion of starch into sugar and energy. Sugar is further broken down into carbon dioxide, water, and still more energy. This form of energy can also be called molecular energy, since it comes from the breaking down of molecules. This involves the breaking of chemical…

06Dec 2016 by Vincent Summers No Comments

I was a Fuller Brush Door to Door Salesman

History, People

[caption id="attachment_15837" align="alignright" width="380"] The Fuller Brush Girl - Lucille Ball[/caption] I was once, if only for a short while, a Fuller Brush man. Perhaps you were, too. If not, maybe you were a customer. Fuller was one of the more iconic door-to-door enterprises. Two Namesake Movies Two cute movies were named for the firm. One, starring Red Skelton, was The Fuller Brush Man (1948). The other starred Lucille Ball and Eddie Albert, named The Fuller Brush Girl (1950). Is Fuller Brush Still Around? Fuller Brush still has a presence. Certainly it has a web site. While it still offers its superior brushes and brush-related products, it is by no means limited to these. Where Was My Assignment If I recall correctly, my assignment was in the town of Haddonfield…