The hypothesis was proven, the polymer that was more stretchy and had a very rubber-y consistency. When we added the food coloring to the borax and water mixture, the color of the water became very dark and saturated, looking almost black when it was actually blue and red. The cornstarch was added to the mixture and lightened it considerably. The cornstarch did not change the constancy of the mixture, which surprised us. After the tests have been completed, the mixture separated. The very saturated color sat on top, while the borax and cornstarch sank to the bottom.
When the borax/cornstarch solution was added to the glue, it seemed to take longer to form then without the cornstarch. The color didn't transfer from the solution to the glue polymer very well, only a faint tint really remained. When we were molding the ball, it seemed that there were still some pockets of pure glue in the polymer. The polymer without cornstarch was more consistent in the mixture. When we took the polymer out, we discovered it was harder to mold with the cornstarch added. The polymer had a similar texture to the other experiment. It made noises when we were molding it, most likely because of the air pockets we observed it having. After molding it for a while, it began to become easier to mold as the actual temperature grew warmer.
Once we had the polymer formed into a ball, we performed a rebound and a stretch test. The rebound test was dropped from 30 cm, just like the previous polymer experiment. It bounced 22, 18, 19, and 16cm. This was similar to the chilled test of the pure glue and borax polymer. We took the ball-shaped polymer and performed a stretch test on it. It barely stretched at all before breaking, as did all of the polymers at all temperatures. We later discovered that flattening the polymer would really reveal its stretch potential, but we were only able to test like that with the room temperature polymer. It stretched about 19 cm before breaking, which was considerably farther than the ball stretched at 7 cm.
The frozen rebound test produced about the same results as the room temperature test. It bounced 17, 17, 18, and 18 cm. The chilled polymer bounced extremely low, bouncing at 6, 8, 8, 2 cm. The chilled polymer may have bounced lower because of its shape, which was more oblong than round. By the time we bounced it, it had become pretty warm due to handling.
Overall, I think the polymer with cornstarch didn't have a huge difference from the polymer with just borax and white glue. The mixture used was exactly the same as the other mixture, with the addition of 1T of cornstarch. I don't think the food color changed anything, it just added a pop of color.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sodium Silicate Polymer Lab
The hypothesis was proven, the combined ethyl alcohol and sodium silicate created a polymer. We combined the two substances in a beaker and stirred it together. The resulting polymer was wax-like, white, and hard. If it was molded too much, then flakes would start to come off and the ball would start to crumble.
Silicon is a very unique atom. It makes many branches and can stretch out to form long chemical chains. When the sodium silicate is added to ethyl it created a polymer. It has a strong base, and under those conditions the polymer formed. When they are added together, the silicate starts to link up and form chains. When the ball was formed, water was lost and replace by the ethyl, which acted as a cross-linker.
The rebound test was performed twice, once room temperature, and once chilled. When dropped at room temperature from 30cm, the rebound was about 19cm. It was then put in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. At the chilled temperature, it was again dropped from 30cm, and the rebound was about 20cm. Overall, the polymer seemed more bouncy than the glue polymer.
Both polymers from the two tests came together in the same way, and formed by stirring. They both had bounce and physical shine. The two polymers also had the same whitish color. The main difference between the two was texture. The glue polymer was flexible and putty-like, while the sodium silicate polymer was hard and waxy. Both carbon and silicon have the incredible ability to bond, which may contribute to their ability to polymerize because they can bond to the monomers and bond them together.
Plastics are made of organic (carbon based) polymers. Ethyl is made to make plastic, as well as make the polymer. You could tell that there was a chemical reaction when the two substances were mixed because they changed form and bonded together to create a new substance. The liquid that was pressed out of the ball was water. The atoms are replaced with ethyl when the water is pressed out, forming it together.
Compared with other balls in the class, the members of the group behind us had a ball that was white, hard to mold, and smelled like rubbing alcohol. Physically their ball was very similar to ours, and was similar in the bounce test. After the first rebound test, their ball crumbled, while ours stayed intact. It was also smaller in size.
Darklight, Moe. "silicon vs. carbon." 2/17/07. Online Posting to Physics Forum. Web. 3 Mar 20
Silicon is a very unique atom. It makes many branches and can stretch out to form long chemical chains. When the sodium silicate is added to ethyl it created a polymer. It has a strong base, and under those conditions the polymer formed. When they are added together, the silicate starts to link up and form chains. When the ball was formed, water was lost and replace by the ethyl, which acted as a cross-linker.
The rebound test was performed twice, once room temperature, and once chilled. When dropped at room temperature from 30cm, the rebound was about 19cm. It was then put in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. At the chilled temperature, it was again dropped from 30cm, and the rebound was about 20cm. Overall, the polymer seemed more bouncy than the glue polymer.
Both polymers from the two tests came together in the same way, and formed by stirring. They both had bounce and physical shine. The two polymers also had the same whitish color. The main difference between the two was texture. The glue polymer was flexible and putty-like, while the sodium silicate polymer was hard and waxy. Both carbon and silicon have the incredible ability to bond, which may contribute to their ability to polymerize because they can bond to the monomers and bond them together.
Plastics are made of organic (carbon based) polymers. Ethyl is made to make plastic, as well as make the polymer. You could tell that there was a chemical reaction when the two substances were mixed because they changed form and bonded together to create a new substance. The liquid that was pressed out of the ball was water. The atoms are replaced with ethyl when the water is pressed out, forming it together.
Compared with other balls in the class, the members of the group behind us had a ball that was white, hard to mold, and smelled like rubbing alcohol. Physically their ball was very similar to ours, and was similar in the bounce test. After the first rebound test, their ball crumbled, while ours stayed intact. It was also smaller in size.
Darklight, Moe. "silicon vs. carbon." 2/17/07. Online Posting to Physics Forum. Web. 3 Mar 20
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Chemistry of Addiction
Neurons transmit messages in the brain. They are responsible for passing chemical and electrical signals throughout the brain. They come in many shapes and sizes so that they have specialized functions in the body. Reward pathways sit in the center of the brain. They are responsible for driving our feelings and motivation. The main job of the reward system is to make us feel good while we partake in activities crucial to our survival, such as eating, drinking, and sex. Outside factors can influence your reward system. The brains can also store memories relating positive things to these crucial activities. The reward pathways are also responsible for ensuring that you repeat the behaivor. Neurons communicate through the synapse. The information flows across the small gap, and the electrical signals are translated to chemical signals to cross the gap. There are also other cells in the brain that influence complex brain function, such as glia.
Drugs alter the brain's reward pathway. Drugs create dramatic changes to the synapses in the brain. By bypassing the 5 senses, drugs can cause a jolt of intense pleasure. Drugs of abuse influence the brain in such a drastic way that the brain has to try to cope with it.
Alcohol: Taken by drinking. It is a depressant, which causes a relaxed or drowsy effect. It causes loss of motor coordination, impairs reasoning, balance, speech, reaction, time, and judgment. In large amounts, it can cause nausea, vomiting, lack of physical control, loss of consciousness, and death.
Steroids: Taken by mouth or injection. They are man-made chemicals similar to male sex hormones. They are sometimes used to treat medical conditions. It also promotes muscle growth, so they are used by athletes and bodybuilders. Steroids can cause heart and liver problems, as well as undesirable physical effects.
Cocaine: Taken by snorting, injecting, or smoking. It's a powerful stimulant which speeds up activity in the brain and nervous system. Cocaine causes increased energy, decreased appetite, and mental alertness. It is also very addictive. Causes nausea, disturbances in heart rhythm, respiratory failure, and seizures. It has very severe withdrawal symptoms.
Dissociative Drugs: Taken by snorting, smoking, or by mouth. PCP is most often smoked, and gives the user a sense of detachment from reality. It can cause convulsions, comas, high fever, or death. Ketamine is similar to PCP, but is less potent. Some users experience a terrifying feeling. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that can have effects similar to PCP and Ketamine in high doses.
GHB and Rohypnal: Taken by mouth. GHB is a depressant which causes relaxation. In high doses, it causes seizures, loss of consciousness, comas, or death. Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine which is used to treat anxiety disorders. In abusive doses, it can be deadly.
Hallucinogens: Taken by mouth, snorting, or smoking. They cause hallucinations. Physical effects are dialated pupils, higher body temperatures, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.
Heroin: Take by inject, snorting, or smoking. It is the most widely abused opiate. Heroin causes a rush of pleasure, which is followed by drowsiness. Its side effects are nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. Heroin is extremely addictive. The withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, cold flashes, and vomiting.
Inhalants: Taken in various ways through the nose and mouth. They are chemicals that can he inhaled to get an instant high. The chemicals are found in many household products. They affect the brain with great force, and can cause brain damage or death.
Marijuana: Taken by smoking. It is the most commonly used drug in the US. It causes a peaceful and euphoric sensation, and after wearing off the person may feel drowsy or depressed. It impairs memory, reaction time, balance, and coordination.
MDMA: Taken by mouth. It acts as a stimulant and a hallucinogen, and produces energizing effects and distortions of reality. It causes chills, muscle cramping, teeth clenching, and reduction oif mental abilities. Overdosing can cause panic attacks, loss of conciousness, and seizures. It also puts you at risk of dehydration, hyperthermia, and heart or kidney failure.
Meth: Taken by mouth, snorting, injecting, and smoking. It is a strong stimulant drug. It causes mental alertness and increses energy, but has toxic effects on the brain. It can elevate body temperature and cause convulsions. Long term users may develop violent behaivor, anxeity, insomia, paranoia, delusiouns, and dependancy to the drug.
Nicotine: Taken by smoking, chewing, and dipping. It is the addictive substance in tobacco. It acts as a stimulant or sedative. It can be very addictive. Quitting can cause cravings, irritability, and sleep disturbances. It is also a major cause of cancer, being responsible for at least 30% of all cancer deaths.
There are many ways that the drug can reach the brain. Studies have shown that the quicker the drug reaches the brain, the more addictive it may become. Different methods of delivery-smoking, injecting, or snorting. The fastest way to get a drug to the brain is by smoking it. The delivery method can affect what part of the brain is most affected by the drug.
Once someone gets addicted to drugs, the brain is practically hardwired to needing the drug. The behaivor becomes driven by habit, and becomes almost like a reflex.
Drugs can kill. Some combinations of drugs are lethal, such as heroin and alcohol. Heroin is the largest killer of the drugs, usually leading to respiratory failure. Alcohol can slow breathing to be non-existent, and can also cause vomiting. It is possible to overdose on nicotine by using several methods of delivery at once. Cocaine increases your risk of having a heart attack, even after one time.
Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and MDMA can also kill, resulting in heart attacks, overheating, and brain damage.
Drugs alter the brain's reward pathway. Drugs create dramatic changes to the synapses in the brain. By bypassing the 5 senses, drugs can cause a jolt of intense pleasure. Drugs of abuse influence the brain in such a drastic way that the brain has to try to cope with it.
Alcohol: Taken by drinking. It is a depressant, which causes a relaxed or drowsy effect. It causes loss of motor coordination, impairs reasoning, balance, speech, reaction, time, and judgment. In large amounts, it can cause nausea, vomiting, lack of physical control, loss of consciousness, and death.
Steroids: Taken by mouth or injection. They are man-made chemicals similar to male sex hormones. They are sometimes used to treat medical conditions. It also promotes muscle growth, so they are used by athletes and bodybuilders. Steroids can cause heart and liver problems, as well as undesirable physical effects.
Cocaine: Taken by snorting, injecting, or smoking. It's a powerful stimulant which speeds up activity in the brain and nervous system. Cocaine causes increased energy, decreased appetite, and mental alertness. It is also very addictive. Causes nausea, disturbances in heart rhythm, respiratory failure, and seizures. It has very severe withdrawal symptoms.
Dissociative Drugs: Taken by snorting, smoking, or by mouth. PCP is most often smoked, and gives the user a sense of detachment from reality. It can cause convulsions, comas, high fever, or death. Ketamine is similar to PCP, but is less potent. Some users experience a terrifying feeling. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that can have effects similar to PCP and Ketamine in high doses.
GHB and Rohypnal: Taken by mouth. GHB is a depressant which causes relaxation. In high doses, it causes seizures, loss of consciousness, comas, or death. Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine which is used to treat anxiety disorders. In abusive doses, it can be deadly.
Hallucinogens: Taken by mouth, snorting, or smoking. They cause hallucinations. Physical effects are dialated pupils, higher body temperatures, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.
Heroin: Take by inject, snorting, or smoking. It is the most widely abused opiate. Heroin causes a rush of pleasure, which is followed by drowsiness. Its side effects are nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. Heroin is extremely addictive. The withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, cold flashes, and vomiting.
Inhalants: Taken in various ways through the nose and mouth. They are chemicals that can he inhaled to get an instant high. The chemicals are found in many household products. They affect the brain with great force, and can cause brain damage or death.
Marijuana: Taken by smoking. It is the most commonly used drug in the US. It causes a peaceful and euphoric sensation, and after wearing off the person may feel drowsy or depressed. It impairs memory, reaction time, balance, and coordination.
MDMA: Taken by mouth. It acts as a stimulant and a hallucinogen, and produces energizing effects and distortions of reality. It causes chills, muscle cramping, teeth clenching, and reduction oif mental abilities. Overdosing can cause panic attacks, loss of conciousness, and seizures. It also puts you at risk of dehydration, hyperthermia, and heart or kidney failure.
Meth: Taken by mouth, snorting, injecting, and smoking. It is a strong stimulant drug. It causes mental alertness and increses energy, but has toxic effects on the brain. It can elevate body temperature and cause convulsions. Long term users may develop violent behaivor, anxeity, insomia, paranoia, delusiouns, and dependancy to the drug.
Nicotine: Taken by smoking, chewing, and dipping. It is the addictive substance in tobacco. It acts as a stimulant or sedative. It can be very addictive. Quitting can cause cravings, irritability, and sleep disturbances. It is also a major cause of cancer, being responsible for at least 30% of all cancer deaths.
There are many ways that the drug can reach the brain. Studies have shown that the quicker the drug reaches the brain, the more addictive it may become. Different methods of delivery-smoking, injecting, or snorting. The fastest way to get a drug to the brain is by smoking it. The delivery method can affect what part of the brain is most affected by the drug.
Once someone gets addicted to drugs, the brain is practically hardwired to needing the drug. The behaivor becomes driven by habit, and becomes almost like a reflex.
Drugs can kill. Some combinations of drugs are lethal, such as heroin and alcohol. Heroin is the largest killer of the drugs, usually leading to respiratory failure. Alcohol can slow breathing to be non-existent, and can also cause vomiting. It is possible to overdose on nicotine by using several methods of delivery at once. Cocaine increases your risk of having a heart attack, even after one time.
Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and MDMA can also kill, resulting in heart attacks, overheating, and brain damage.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Chemistry Movie
Discovery of Oxygen:
Joesph Preistly discovered oxygen in 1774. It was a very imortant discovery because before it, people believeed that there were 4 elements: earth, water, fire, and air. When oxygen was discovered, it opened up the study of more elements and started to show what was crucial to human life. After this first discovery, many other discoveries delved deeper into chemistry, such as the discovery of Urea in non-organic atoms, the structure of molecules, periodic table of elements, electrochemistry, Atom Light Signatures (which helped study the chemistry in space), the electron, electrons form chemical bonds, radioactivity, plastics (plastics are polymers), fullerines. These discoveries take us up to where chemisty is today.
Joesph Preistly discovered oxygen in 1774. It was a very imortant discovery because before it, people believeed that there were 4 elements: earth, water, fire, and air. When oxygen was discovered, it opened up the study of more elements and started to show what was crucial to human life. After this first discovery, many other discoveries delved deeper into chemistry, such as the discovery of Urea in non-organic atoms, the structure of molecules, periodic table of elements, electrochemistry, Atom Light Signatures (which helped study the chemistry in space), the electron, electrons form chemical bonds, radioactivity, plastics (plastics are polymers), fullerines. These discoveries take us up to where chemisty is today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)