Vincent Summers, Author at Quirky Science

17May 2015 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Discrete Mathematics: What is a Point and What a Line?

[caption id="attachment_7234" align="alignright" width="440"] Discrete points? An abstract.[/caption] Most technically minded people will probably take me to task over what I am going to say in this article. That is OK, though. I’m used to it. Not only are my writings quirky—I am quirky. Hey! This is QuirkyScience. I want to talk about points and lines in the real world—in other words, discrete mathematics. What is Reality, What Fantasy? To a mathematician, the point may be a dimensionless object in 3D space, a mathematical object with an x, y, z coordinate in Euclidean space. A line would be a collection of such dimensionless points lined up all in a row. But that is in the world of the mathematician. In the real world, there can be no such thing. Rather,…

11May 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Detergent in My Toothpaste? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Health

What is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)? It sounds unbelievable, but it is detergent. I once wrote an article on the chemical difference between soap and detergent. That article discusses the chemical differences between soap and detergent. What is really curious is their end uses, their applications. For instance, did you know detergent is among the most prevalent ingredients in your toothpaste? Yes, uou put detergent in your mouth almost every morning! The most common frequently used of these toothpaste detergents is sodium lauryl sulfate (or sodium dodecyl sulfate). This anionic surfactant is what produces the foaming effect in the mouth. Yum! Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - There's More It’s not what it does so much as just the idea that we purposely put detergent in our mouths one or more times…

26Apr 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

The Futility of Forging Science into Philosophy

philosophy

[caption id="attachment_6638" align="alignright" width="480"] Finding the answer.[/caption] At one time, most people were deeply religious, allowing their beliefs to direct their actions. That is, generally speaking, not the way of most of the world. Religion as a force for good is no longer the norm. In its place, some would forge science into philosophy, a substitute for religion. How futile! Science Into Philosophy Science is one of the most fascinating studies one can undertake. Science helps explain how the universe functions. But just as a hammer isn't the tool to remove a tooth, science isn't the tool to determine origins. Consider some examples. Astronomy The universe inspires believers in creation. Those not believing see only a big bang. Believers in creation can’t "prove" to the satisfaction of disbelievers that creation…

23Apr 2015 by Vincent Summers 6 Comments

Gathering Morel Mushrooms

Food

I'm not one to go gathering mushrooms in the wild. There are too many risks. The one gathering mushrooms must be certain what he is gathering, or he may wind up very sick or very dead. But there is a single exception for me. I don't mind gathering morel mushrooms. Why do I feel so confident about them? Appearance Morel mushrooms proffer a very definite time window for gathering. Morel mushrooms also present a very distinct appearance, different from other mushrooms. Just look at the image associated with this article and it becomes obvious that my words are true. They look like miniature sponges! Preparing In my limited experience, morel mushrooms offer no unique flavor that distinguishes them from all other mushrooms. Still, it has a delicate texture and is,…

13Apr 2015 by Vincent Summers 10 Comments

You Can Eat Onion Grass

Food

Some plants aren't what their name suggests they are. For instance, reindeer (or caribou) moss is really a form of lichens. Or take the blackberry lily. It is really an iris. Again, the may apple does not grow in May on a tree, but is a small plant seen often in April that is only about a foot tall! Then there's onion grass. When I was a youngster (this was in the 1950s to 1960s), we used to pull onion grass and sniff it. I'm not certain what the thrill was in this, but it was a ritual that had to be engaged in by all. We'd pretend we were going to eat the stuff. But is it possible to eat onion grass and not get sick? What's in a…

01Apr 2015 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Spring Daffodils – Grim Hurricane Reminders

History

[caption id="attachment_6598" align="alignright" width="480"] Daffodils in Massies Mill, Virginia serve as a living testimonial. Image courtesy Sean Korte.[/caption] Hurricane reminders can be grim. Rather like Beauty and the Beast. In August of 1969, a terrible storm, downgraded from hurricane status, struck Nelson County in Virginia, killing more than 150 people – washing away and otherwise destroying many homes and other buildings. This tragedy is etched in the minds of survivors and is a hallmark of the county's history. It will not quickly be forgotten. To this day, newcomers can see evidence of the devastation. Green Acres is the Place to Be In the Green Acres area in Lovingston, a mountain cliff can be seen that is naked of soil and trees, though gradually it is filling in with small vegetation. But…

23Feb 2015 by Vincent Summers 5 Comments

Science: Sun Worship?

People

I once read that science for some is roughly the same as Sun Worship. At first, I thought, "That's ridiculous." But over the years, I have changed my mind. Why? Religion a Science? For centuries, men worshiped Nature. Foremost was sun worship. The sun imparted light and warmth. Of course, there were other gods. The moon, rivers, dogs, cats, and so on. I am a scientist - a chemist. I love science. It explains much about our surroundings and about ourselves as well. Science is the source of technological advances. But with anything good, expect misapplication, if not outright abuse. Science a Religion? Science has been glorified with almost mystic properties, as if it is the ultimate source of understanding, in a sense a source of salvation. Journalists have painted…

19Feb 2015 by Vincent Summers 15 Comments

Why Dogs Pee on Tires

animals

[caption id="attachment_6570" align="alignright" width="480"] Where are the tires? Where, huh? Where![/caption] It's a given. Dogs pee on tires. Unfortunately, the public guess as to the reason for the action has been accepted as a given. This is probably due to the assumption that a dog pees on tires for the same reason or reasons it pees on trees or on fire hydrants. But there is a common bumper sticker that discusses our tendency to assume. Common Sense Isn't Always Right No, I’m not convinced such a weak conclusion is totally accurate. I think there’s more to it. On approaching a tree, a male dog is nonchalant – whereas they demonstrate real zeal when they spy an automobile tire. You can be sure a dog is more than willing to travel…

17Feb 2015 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Anatomy of a Dog’s Tail

animals

I have long wondered how a dog's tail wags tail. Clearly the process involves bones [and/or cartilage] and muscles. I was pleased to find, when Googling on the subject, that Highlights for Children put the same question out there – for children. Dog's Tail - A Kid's Perspective What is the anatomy of a dog's tail? Highlights suggested a tail is a string of bones [vertebrae] like a string of beads, and that there are muscles attached to the bones. That’s a nice generalization suitable for kids, but let’s try to go just a little past that. An Adult Point of View Pet Place says that tail vertebrae are highly mobile. They are “enclosed” in muscles that enable delicate tail movements, including lifting, dropping, and left and right movement, plus…

12Jan 2015 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Will the Real Anastasia Please Stand Up!

History

[caption id="attachment_6535" align="alignright" width="380"] Anastasia in Court 1910[/caption] The present inevitably retreats into the past. Yet past events snag public fancy and are featured in media productions. Such proved true of the young Grand Duchess Anastasia1 Nikolaevna Romanov (Великая Княжна Анастасия Николаевна Романова) of Russia. She was a daughter of Nicholas II, the last of the Russian Czars. Nicholas and his family were taken to be assassinated by the Bolshevik secret police. From Fantasy to Fact Not all the bodies were recovered. Missing were the bodies of one daughter, presumed to be Anastasia*, and the son, the Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. Rumors circulated of Anastasia’s possible survival. Anastasia - Where? Claimants appeared, the most mysterious and deemed possible of these, was a woman. She eventually made Charlottesville, Virginia in the U.S.,…