Gladfelter,+Samuel

I found this article interesting, but also kind of humerous, (not in a sick way). I just thought it was a good example to always think things through, and to read labels on chemicals and solutions which you are unfamiliar with. Something I learned, and was a bit freaked out by, was that chemical burns can cause devastating damage while leaving little or no physical evidence. This could make it very hard for a victim to receive help, but fortunately our trucker friend was smart enough to bring along the rust remover. Another thing this article enlightened me on was the fact that hydrofluoric acid is so powerful that it can be used to etch images into glass, yet it is a common ingredient to find in solvents and rust removers. Contrary to what I would have guessed, however, hyrdofluoric acid is relatively weak compared to other acids such as sulfuric acid. This article demonstrated that things can react in special ways to create greater effects, such as hydrofluoric acid passing through our skin, and bonding with magnesium and calcium, creating a terrible disturbance in our bodys pH balance. Other things this article only reinforced my knowledge on were such as the difference between chemical and physical burns. Also, I had previously known that an acids strength is determined by the spunk of it's hydrogen bonds. Additionally, I knew from last year in chemistry that a charged ion is simply an atom that has gained or lost at least one, and possibly more, electrons. Overall, I found this tid bit very informative, and I will always make sure I use protection from now on.
 * An Invisible Fire**

Sam, Great post! Very thorough and well written. More on acid/base chemistry later! 5 stars. MW

While I read this article, I selected three "VIP's", or **V**ery **I**mportant **P**oints. After I was finished reading, I went back, and picked out an "MVP", or **M**ost **V**aluable **P**oint. The first VIP I selected was the first paragraph. I thought it was relevant to chemistry, but important to almost everything we do, that the Greek language provides a base for many of the words we commonly use today. The second VIP I selected was the first paragraph under the section titled "Naming Chemical Compounds". I believe this to be important, as it explains how the IUPAC system liberally uses Greek numbers to name compounds. My third and final VIP, was that numerous Greek words in general chemistry courses derive from Greek words. A few examples would be //ion//, //cathode//, //metron//, //cation//, and //atom//. Lastly, my MVP was the conclusion. I really thought this conclusion did an excellent job of summarizing this article, and putting it all into context. Anyone with half a brain could read that conclusion, and gain insight unto the meaning of many terms we use in chemistry.
 * Influences of Ancient Greek on Chemical Terminology**

Sam, Looks like you gained an appreciation for the Greek and Latin influences on the language of Chemistry. 5 stars. MW

In this article I chose three VIP's, and I selected one MVP out of the group. The first VIP I chose was the fact that Heinrich Hertz conceived the photoelectric effect, which has come in handy today, as it is cmmonly used in many things in todays world. My second VIP was Einstein studying dust particles to result with the dimensions of an atom! At the time this was groundbreaking work. My third and final VIP, and also MVP, is that Einstein stated that in a vacuum, the speed of light is constant. This disproved previous genius' conclusions, such as Newton. It just demonstrates how phenominal of a scientist Einstein was.
 * Einstein's Miraculous Year**

Sam, OK. A little late on this one. 4 stars. MW

Personally I found this article slightly drab and dull, however it provided excellent insight into how Chemistry is the universal science; it's in everything. From how the food we eat is digested in our body, to how tracks and turf fields are constructed, and chemistry even explains how our Trucker Friend from the article, **An Invisible Fire**, received critical burns from a seemingly harmless substance. Something I found interesting, and awesome, was how old tires are recycled to provide adults and youth alike forgiving, nice surface to play on. Something I learned is that when rubber is vulcanized, it can be contorted in various ways, but can always return to it's original shape. Lastly, something that is relative to our school, more so than our class, is that we have a turf field, and track. Reading this helped me connect the dots, because I had always subconsciously questioned what the cement and metal grating running around the field was!
 * Polymers in the Field**

Sam, I like your reference to "connecting the dots"! 5 stars. MW


 * Salting Roads**
 * I was able to locate three VIPS and one MVP within this article. The first VIP that I identified, was how the roads are salted. Something as simple as salting a road, can not only eliminate any snow on the ground already, it can prevent future snow from accumulating. A second VIP I found was how road salt can't always be relied on. In some areas, where it is especially cold, road salt is ineffective, and is rendered useless. Another VIP I highlighted was how they are using environment friendly salts now, so rather than your standard sodium chloride, calcium and magnesium chlorides are often being utilized. Lastly, my MVP was the fact that road salt works by lowering the freezing point. This piece of information really jumped out at me, due to the fact that it explains the science behind salting roads. **
 * Sam, **
 * Good call! Just remember to spray the excess salt off of your car so it doesn't rust! 5 stars. MW **
 * PS Sweet talked Mrs. Dubose out of a computer huh? :) **

1. Is there really a chemical that can be used in pools that turns blue when it contacts urine? No, no such chemical exists. Online research yielded information about chemicals that change a pools color temporarily, but no chemical changes a pools color only in the presence of urine. 2. How do you identify and remove foreign chemicals from the pool? Various tests can highlight the presence of unwanted chemicals. These tests can be dye tests or paper tests, and test for pH, total chlorine, total bromine, and the alkilinity of the pool. Any resultless not considered normal could mean foreign objects are in the pool. If this is the case, then the chemical is either countered or balanced using a different chemical, or if need be the pool is drained. 3. Are you ready to save tons of money on your car insurance by switching to Geico?
 * Pool Questions**

Just kidding. Are there any chemicals that can react negatively with chemicals already present in the pool? I do not remember him citing any specific chemicals, but obviously adding Potassium or any other alkaline metal will cause a negative reaction. Also, toxic chloramine gas can be produced when the chlorinated chemicals used in the pool are mixed with ammonia or vinegar. I am unsure if the same effect will take place if the chlorinated chemicals are already mixed into the pool. Sam, You are halfway home. 5.

Sam, Good job. A little late finishing up but overall well written. 8 stars. MW

One thing I knew regarding corrosion is that it is a natural process, it happens over time. Another factoid I knew is that rust is the result of oxygen in the air reacting with the metal. Lastly, I already knew that corrosion does not victimize all metals, only some. An example would be how gold does not rust.
 * Flaking Away**

Sam, Spotty at best. 3 stars. MW