What’s the periodic law in chemistry?

The periodic law suggests that elements arranged by atomic weight have similar characteristics at certain intervals. Dmitri Mendeleev formalized the law, but it was the result of a century of work by many scientists. The modern periodic table is a refined version of Mendeleev’s original chart. John Newlands and Alexandre-Emile Béguyer de Chancourtois also noticed […]

What is Monatomic in Chemistry?

Monatomic refers to individual, unbonded atoms, often gases, achievable at high temperatures. Noble gases are stable and have low reactivity, making them monatomic. Monatomic ions consist of one element, while polyatomic ions have two or more. Single atoms can have different properties than groups of atoms. Monatomic hydrogen is rare but could be used as […]

What’s the standard state in chemistry?

Standard status is a reference point for materials used in research and communication. The standard state is the natural condition of a material, often at 1 atm or 1 M concentration. Researchers can make assumptions about standard states, but they can fluctuate. The superscript symbol ° indicates a material is in its standard state. Property […]

Polymer Chemistry: What is it?

Polymer chemistry studies and manipulates organic and synthetic chemicals called polymers, which are versatile substances with various properties. The field has been around since the mid-19th century and has greatly expanded, resulting in the development of thousands of substances with practical applications. Polymers are used in many everyday objects, and the field is a multibillion-dollar […]

Best online organic chemistry classes: how to choose?

Online organic chemistry classes should cover conceptual, problem-solving, and memorization aspects. Students should review objectives and ensure their academic institution approves the class. Cost is a concern, but free courses can be of high quality. Supplementing with a book may be helpful. Organic chemistry is, for many, a very difficult subject, but many students need […]

Molecular Chemistry: What is it?

Molecular chemistry studies molecules made up of various combinations of atoms. The octet rule is a fundamental fact of molecular chemistry, where atoms bond to gain eight electrons in their outermost shell. Chemical reactions occur when compounds interact, and they are constantly happening in our bodies. Molecular chemistry is the chemistry of molecules, covering most […]

Best grad school for chemistry? How to choose?

Choosing the best chemistry graduate school depends on faculty, research facilities, specializations, financial aid, and employment rates. Ideal programs have experienced faculty, advanced facilities, diverse specializations, financial aid, and high employment rates. Choosing the best chemistry undergraduate school depends on several factors related to your personal career goals and circumstances. The best chemistry graduate programs […]

What are London forces in chemistry?

London forces are weak intermolecular forces that attract or repel atoms or molecules. They occur when instantaneous dipoles form due to the bulk movement of electrons. They affect both non-polar and polar molecules and can affect the physical state of a chemical compound. They are a type of van der Waals force and are the […]

What’s miscibility in chemistry?

Miscibility is the ability of two liquids to mix and form a homogeneous solution. Water and ethanol are miscible, while oil and water are not. Miscibility is expressed as w/w% and some solvents are only partially miscible. Hydrophilic solvents are miscible with water, while lipophilic solvents are miscible with hydrocarbon solvents. Immiscible solvents are used […]

What’s Inorganic Chemistry?

Inorganic chemistry deals with non-biological compounds without hydrogen and carbon bonds. Organic chemistry involves carbon-based reactions. Inorganic and organic chemistry can overlap, and there are many branches of inorganic chemistry, including geochemistry, physical chemistry, and bioinorganic chemistry. Inorganic chemistry has many applications in various industries. Inorganic chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with […]

Start career in molecular chemistry?

To start a career in molecular chemistry, research accredited programs, earn a bachelor’s degree, and continue with a master’s or doctoral degree. Choose a subfield and gain hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions. Starting a career in molecular chemistry means gathering information and applying to accredited chemistry programs to earn a bachelor’s degree. From […]

What’s Chemistry?

Chemistry studies atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions that transform compounds and produce or consume energy. It began in the 17th century with Robert Boyle’s experiments and Antoine Lavoisier’s theory of conservation of mass. John Dalton’s atomic theory followed. Chemistry is essential for producing many things and consumes a significant portion of humanity’s energy budget. Chemical […]

Wet Chemistry: What is it?

Wet chemistry involves direct experimentation with liquids, including measuring, mixing, and testing various aspects of liquids. It may involve high-tech equipment and is sometimes used synonymously with over-the-counter chemistry. NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander had a wet chemistry lab on board for soil testing. Wet chemistry is a term that represents a set of scientific techniques […]

Forensic Chemistry: What is it?

Forensic chemistry analyzes substances related to crimes or dangerous to others. Forensic chemists examine substances, including drugs, fibers, and blood, to determine their chemical compounds. They may also work in the field collecting evidence and use physics to examine blood patterns. Forensic chemists are trained in organic chemistry to identify DNA and run toxicology screens. […]

What’s litmus paper in chemistry?

Litmus paper is made from filter paper treated with dyes extracted from lichens that change color in response to pH changes. It tests for acidic or basic substances, but not their exact pH. The pH scale measures acidity or alkalinity from 0-14, with 7 being neutral. Universal indicator-treated pH paper shows where a sample falls […]

What’s a molecular orbital in chemistry?

Molecular orbitals are paths electrons take around a molecule, determined by whether they move around nuclei in phase or out of phase. Bonding and antibonding orbitals are created by the overlap of atomic orbitals, which determines whether atoms will bond. Atomic orbitals are described by theory, with “s” and “p” orbitals being the simplest. Bonding […]

What’s the oxidation number in chemistry?

Atoms form ionic bonds by giving or accepting electrons and covalent bonds by sharing electrons. Oxidation numbers represent electron sharing, loss, or gain. Oxygen is a strong oxidizing agent, but other elements can also oxidize. Elements have different oxidation numbers, and ions have an overall oxidation number. Atoms combine by giving and accepting negatively charged […]

What is addition reaction in chemistry?

Addition reactions involve two reactants forming a single product without any byproducts. They are made possible by the presence of double or triple bonds in one of the reactants. The Diels-Alder reaction is an important addition reaction that creates carbon rings in molecules. It was discovered by Kurt Alder and Otto Diels and earned them […]

Improve chemistry vocab: how?

There are various ways to improve chemistry vocabulary, including formal instruction, internet resources, library resources, and work experience. Formal classes are effective but expensive, while the internet and libraries offer free resources. Work experience can also enhance vocabulary through communication and training opportunities. It’s important to verify the credibility and currency of sources. There are […]

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