Every fall semester, nearly a thousand bright-eyed freshmen take their seats for Chemistry 111, and told that throughout the course they will learn the story of the electron. It makes for a great cohesive semester (though famously challenging for the students), as the professors move through electron properties, atomic structure, and molecular orbitals to arrive at […]
I like to play a game whenever meeting someone new. I try and guess what the reaction will be when it’s discovered I am a chemist. The most common response is a look of terror and disgust, and the inevitable, “Oh I hated chemistry in high school!” The other most likely alternative is: “Does that mean […]
As Halloween approaches it seems like an appropriate time to have some fun and celebrate confectionery chemistry. We rarely think about chemical concepts when indulging a sweet tooth, but as chemistry is in everything, it’s time to explore our favorite treats in depth: Marshmallows: These squishy goods are produced by mixing gelatin, egg white, corn syrup, […]
We know that an equal amount of antimatter must have been simultaneously created during the Big Bang. But where is it?
We take science for granted in our daily lives, but science also reminds us how dangerous it is to hold beliefs without evidence.
Our nation’s electric grid system remains much the same as when it was first invented and installed, 140 years ago. That many soon change.
Hall’s new K value probes the tenuous relationship currently being built between science and social media and the pros and cons of linking the two.
When it comes to measuring our “carbon footprint,” most of us think of our cars and coal-burning plants. It’s time we also thought of our landscaping.
Common sense tells us that elements most basic to life are comprised of “chemicals.” So why do we shudder at the mere mention of the word?
While nuclear power provided 19 percent of US electricity in 2012, many residents may be surprised that no new nuclear power plants have been commissioned in 40 years.
