Dalal,+Rajeev


 * Invisible Fire**

When reading this article, I recognized previously learned information. Since I took Human Anatomy and mastered the course, I was well aware of the fact that the stratum corneum was the top most layer of the skin in the epidermis and contained dead cells. Because of this knowledge, I knew that the Hydrofluoric acid could not damage that layer, but when the HF acid travels to the layers where living cells are present, problems may begin to emerge. Furthermore, I already learned that calcium played a vital role in the body. Calcium is important in regulating muscle contractions, nervous system, maintaing homeostasis, etc... So it was not surprising to read that without enough free calcium, nerves can fail. During my sophomore year, in honors chemistry with the chem man himself (Mr. Williams!), I was taught that an ion is a positively or negatively charged atom. When I read the first sentence of the eighth paragraph, I recalled that piece of information vividly. But there was lots of information I did not know. For one, even though Hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid, it is very dangerous because it can enter the human skin due to its neutral charge. I also learned that when HF acid reaches the living cells of the epidermis and dermis, the fluoride and hydrogen ions break free of each other. As a result, fluoride attaches to calcium or magnesium and hydrogen attaches to enzymes which neutralize acids. This disrupts the chemical balance (equilibrium?) and cells start dying. Finally, I learned that calcium can be injected in either a vein or the radial artery to restore stability.

Jeev, I think it's safe to say that fluorine stays attached to H unless it gets a 'better deal" with Mg or Ca. Well done!!! 5 stars! MW

**Influences of Ancient Greek on Chemical Terminology ** While reading this article, I found numerous amounts of interesting facts. My first important point was chemical compounds are named based on the IUPAC system. The prefixes used include mono, di, tri, etc… We had used this system in class when we named compounds involving two non-metals. Another point I thought was significance is that the word chemistry comes from the Egypt word //khem// or the Greek word //cheo//, denoting “I cast or pour.” The last point I believed to be important is that chemistry is also derived from Latin, but primarily from Greek, which leads into my most valuable point. My most valuable point was in order to understand chemistry and any other topic such as medical terminology; you first need to study the prefixes and suffixes of the Greek language. Many chemical terms are derived from the Greek language, and if you know the Greek language extensively, you will be ahead of the game! Jeev, Good and very important point. Keep studying language - probably the greatest human achievement! 5 stars. MW **Einstein's Miraculous Year** Albert Einsten is one of the most revered figures in the field of science; he has done the unthinkable which has shocked the world and will continue to shock the world for many more years to come. My first 'very important point' is regarding the topic of the photoelectric effect. Metals have different threshold frequencies which determines how fast electrons leave that metal. The higher the frequency, the faster electrons are emitted after hitting the metal. For this explanation, Einsten won the Nobel Prize. My second "VIP" I came across is that Einsten supported the Brownian motion. The Brownian motion suggested that the existence of atoms and molecules could be explained through the collisions of particles in liquid. Einsten went on to further prove the Brownian motion and added on to it. His work led to the widely accepted atomic theory. My final very important point is that of Einsten's special theory of relativity. Einsten stated that the speed of light is constant and is the fastest speed in the universe. From this theory came behaviors of the universe which include that of gravity and the Big Bang theory. As for the most valuable point, I decided to take a broader point of view; I believed it to be Einsten discovering answers to all those unexplained questions. Today Einsten has won over the hearts of many people, well...maybe just mine! Jeev, Amusing and well written! The unthinkable quickly becomes the thinkable - you just need a good idea! 5 stars. MW


 * Polymers in the Field and Track**

If there was one word to describe this article, it would be thoughtprovoking-informational-shocking! As a young adolescent, I was just reading this article because I had to. But when I came across an interesting statement, soon to be explained, I started reading more attentively. I found it interesting that football fields, and any other fields for that matter, have a slight slope from the center to the edges. A young naive child may ask, "Why is that so fascinating?" It is due to the fact that when it rains and water pours on to the field, the water doesn't accumulate; It flows toward the sideline. This is why during football games a small pond of water is never formed, which makes it beneficial for those athletes. Let's say hypothetically, you are running for a potential touchdown when you slip due to a small pond of water; how mad would you be? I know I would be extremely upset! This is exactly how chemistry is related to sports. As I continued reading the article I learned a key concept: Vulcanization. Vulcanization is a process in which elastomer chains are cross-linked, resulting in a polymer mass that is solid rather than a liquid. This process explains how a track's two layers are bonded. To further explain this concept, take chewing gum and rubber bands for example. Gum has no shape and can be deformed quite easily, making it an elastic polymer. Rubber bands have a stable shape despite the able to become deformed, thus making them an elastic polymer as well. The main difference is that rubber bands has been vulcanized. Lastly as I was progressing my way through the last section, I came across the fact that when water is sprayed on turf, the temperature of the turf lowers. I recalled, from our class, that water has a high specific capacity and thus has the able to remove heat (I think). This article seemed boring at first, but as it continued I became more and more eager to continue reading. It was like one of those situations in which you can't put a book down, even when your mother is calling you for dinner!

Jeev, Wow! Very well done. I think you really did find some interesting things in this article - and wrote about them in a very impressive way! 5 huge stars! MW


 * Salting Roads: The Solution for Winter Driving**

During the winter season, what is the one thing most kids look forward to? Having a snow day of course! But for most adults, this is a problem. Driving in the snow may be hazardous, especially when there is no substance/material to help melt mother nature. Salt is a solution to melting the snow. For my first "VIP", I believed it to be the concept of freezing point depression. We discussed this in class, but due to its importance, I feel as if I should elaborate a little more. The FRD is the "difference in temperature between where the pure solvent freezes and where the solution starts to freeze." It is contingent upon the solvent as well as the concentration of the solution. The more concentrated the solution, the lower the freezing point. As for my second "VIP", I found it to be how salt actually helps melt the snow on the roads. When Bill the Meteorologist calls for 4 inches of snow, the municipal workers get out and disperse salt on the roads throughout the city. Thus, the road surface becomes warmer and when the initial snow falls, it melts. The solution of the salt and water has a lower freezing point than snow itself, so when more snow falls, the temperature will not be able to get as cold enough as the salty water solution's freezing point. Thus the additional snow will not freeze. The last VIP I found was that magnesium chloride and calcium chloride are more enviornmentally friendly and are better at lowering the freezing point than ordinary table salt. This is because the more dissolved particles in a substance, the lower the freezing point. Don't understand? Magnesium chloride can dissociate to three ions (Mg 2+ and 2CL-). There are two chlorides for every magnesium. This is why magnesium chloride is more effective than sodium chloride, NaCl, which can only dissociate to two ions. In determining the "MVP" I decided to take a broader view. Wherever you go, whatever you do, chemistry plays a vital role whether you see it or not, from putting salt on the road in order to help melt snow to being able to deform a piece of gum.

Jeev, Well done! I like your comments on MgCl2 and CaCl2. 5 stars. MW


 * Flaking Away**

Prior to reading this article, I had some knowledge regarding the this topic. I knew that gold did not corrode easily and would be perfect for a desired car that would not rust, but it is way too expensive and would not be able to support the weight of the car. In addition, I already knew that the reaction, which forms rust rust requires three key ingredients: Cathode, anode, and conducting substance. Furthermore, I knew that iron can be oxidized very easily and thus loses electrons. Because of this, iron is a perfect anode for an electrochemical reaction. However, there were plenty of facts I was unaware of. First off, I did not know that corrosion costs the United States $276 billion a year! This is an issue many people are unaware of and needs to change as soon as possible. Moreover, I gained further insight on the topic of galvanization and how an extra protective coating is added to an underlying metal to help prevent rusting. Lastly, I learned that it is possible to reverse the effect of rusting with energy, although it is too costly for any human to imagine and it is very unlikely!

Jeev, Spot on as usual! 5 stars! MW