I was about 12 when the love affair started. I thought it was amazing. Although the mystery has decreased over time as the world discovered more about it. Einstein loved it so much it prompted the statement about God does not play dice with the universe. My chemistry book has several chapters devoted to it but as I progress into higher levels of chemistry and physics, more and more will be spent on it and its magic.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Environmental Thoughts
As I peruse the chemistry text, there are periodic sections devoted to the environment. Over the years, my thoughts have not lined up with the more popular ones, and I am realizing why. I have a chemists point of view, not that of a biologist.
CO2 is required by plants. The fact that the EPA declared it a serious environmental hazard is laughable and the current text that I am reading agrees. In fact they even mention that a significant part of the carbon emissions in the air are due to animal farts. Years go Australia even inoculated their cattle with antibiotics so they would fart less (unfortunately tainting the milk and meat that humans ingest). Instead of reducing our carbon emissions, we need to plant more trees and stop destroying the rain forest. This makes so much more sense.
Matching my thinking, the book does mention the serious hazard sulfuric gases produce in our atmosphere. Sulfur based gases as "naturally" produced by hot springs, and volcanoes but it would be prudent if humans reduced these emissions as much as possible.
Another topic the text touched on is the idea of hydrogen cars. It is a ridiculous idea. H2 released into the air would do far much more harm than CO2 could everdo to the ozone layer. We also do not need more water vapor in the air either; and the tanks required for either liquid or gases H2 is an impossible idea.
I am so completely glad to rad a text that my agrees with my mindset!
Posted by october at 12:59 PM
Monday, June 6, 2011
Reviewing Chemistry
I am thoroughly enjoying reviewing my college chemistry. What an interesting and exciting subject to learn.
It has been nearly 40 years since I went through the complete college course on my own so I was expecting things to have changed. However, the changes I am noticing are much greater than expected. There is more math in the book much to my complete delight!
Life is good! Especially when you are learning.
Posted by october at 1:08 PM