Week 8 General Chemistry: Balancing Equations

I like the way they set-up this tutorial; it was really easy to see how many atoms of each element were on each side of the equation in this example. But, I wish that there was more than just one example. Because when I went back to the previous Chem Balancer equations and Brain Boggle, and tried to apply what I had learned, I still couldn't balance #7 from the first test series -or- the Brain Boggle question. There just didn't seem to be any way to balance them out...

Week 8: Chem Balancer

It seemed so easy in class, when Larry did it. And, indeed the first 6 Chem Balancer questions were pretty easy. But, when we get into the more complicated compound formulas (starting with #7), then I was totally stumped! I just could not figure it out. I tried the trial and error method and wrote it down on paper as well as using the on-line application, but I just didn’t get it.
And when I went on to the Brain Boggle Chem Balancer, I couldn’t even figure out the first one. This requires more review and practice.

Week 6: Alchemy - Science, magic, art?

Back in the 17th century “Alchemy” and Chemistry were synonymous, and both referred to “the study of matter by analysis, synthesis, and transmutation”. Then in the 18th century, the term alchemy started to be used to refer to attempts to turn base metals such as lead into gold. By the 20th century, the meaning of the term alchemy came to be used in yet a different manner, referring primarily to psychic or spiritual transformation.

I would venture to say that alchemy can be considered all three: science, art and magic. The science part is easy, due to the common heritage of today’s chemistry from the soil of alchemy. And, indeed, today there is a new type of alchemy developing in chemistry with the development and future use of super atoms which can combine into super molecules, with the potential for becoming new materials…the chemistry of which might be able to be harnessed to make more efficient fuels. Another possibility, is that these super atoms might provide new types of materials, like expanded crystals, with superconducting capabilities. These, in turn, might be able to be used to bond with other conducting polymers, in order to create new, unique molecules with improved conductivity. And another use of such materials would be as a fuel additive to boost the reactivity and produce more energy from a given fuel. This application is pure science; yet, there is also an aspect of art inherent in this process of discovery and creation of new materials.

On the other hand, alchemy can be considered a magical process, especially as it relates to the human psyche and the healing arts. The alchemical process of healing is inherently one of transformation: with the use of acupuncture and herbs, from illness and imbalance comes health and balance. Certainly the use of the needles and herbs induce changes in the body that invoke changes in the body’s chemistry. To go from a state of sickness to health, due to the body’s own healing mechanism, is nothing short of pure magic!