Memory and Magic
Perception is not always reliable. In TCM terminology, Jun Huo--君火 's quality if clarity. Withour clarity the best and most rigorous logarithms are futile. Perception is not always just visual. The discussion is too narrowly focused on visual input.
2007年8月12日星期日
to live is to know
I would agree with to live is to know as a perspective on our own lives. But, since we can not possibly get into the "minds" of other organisms we can not presume that they undergo cognition. Maybe we can put them under a microscope or petri dish and hypothesize about their cognition, but that does not prove the issue. I believe there may be different modes of understanding different types of living organisms.
I would agree with to live is to know as a perspective on our own lives. But, since we can not possibly get into the "minds" of other organisms we can not presume that they undergo cognition. Maybe we can put them under a microscope or petri dish and hypothesize about their cognition, but that does not prove the issue. I believe there may be different modes of understanding different types of living organisms.
Diversity of species
Obviously, living in a farely urban environment reduces significantly the degree of diversity seen in my immediate surroundings. Firstly, the vegetation is controlled and manipulated by "gardeners" and the insect kingdom is kept at bay with various insecticidal methods. This reminds me of the book "the world without us", it shows how the earth, our yard, our house, our cities would revert back to diversity if we were gone.
Obviously, living in a farely urban environment reduces significantly the degree of diversity seen in my immediate surroundings. Firstly, the vegetation is controlled and manipulated by "gardeners" and the insect kingdom is kept at bay with various insecticidal methods. This reminds me of the book "the world without us", it shows how the earth, our yard, our house, our cities would revert back to diversity if we were gone.
Definition of biochemistry
I support the first definition of biochemistry being the chemistry of life. It seems the other definitions all have a subjective quality on the nature of life and the understanding of life. For instance, biochemistry being "central" to or "fundamental" to the study of living organisms or of biomedicine assumes that living organisms are ultimately and fundamentally chemical. I do not agree with this perspective and therefore I think it simple and to the point for my stand.
I support the first definition of biochemistry being the chemistry of life. It seems the other definitions all have a subjective quality on the nature of life and the understanding of life. For instance, biochemistry being "central" to or "fundamental" to the study of living organisms or of biomedicine assumes that living organisms are ultimately and fundamentally chemical. I do not agree with this perspective and therefore I think it simple and to the point for my stand.
"growing brain cells in the laboratory"
Sounds exciting! We may find solutions for a variety of neurological conditions. I remember seeing the movie "the Man with two brains". One issue is whether the new brain tissue can merge with the original tissue. I also wonder why go to the trouble of growing brain cells in the laboratory when our noggin does the job---if we know how to take care of it.
Sounds exciting! We may find solutions for a variety of neurological conditions. I remember seeing the movie "the Man with two brains". One issue is whether the new brain tissue can merge with the original tissue. I also wonder why go to the trouble of growing brain cells in the laboratory when our noggin does the job---if we know how to take care of it.
2007年7月17日星期二
Inconvenient Truth
These man caused factors on the environment makes our future work as physicians more complicated and challenging. I can't wait to discuss this with my teachers as to how they would account for human acts in our Tian Gan and Di Zhi cycles. I certainly hope that the heavens take pity on "us" and allow a way out of the mess.
These man caused factors on the environment makes our future work as physicians more complicated and challenging. I can't wait to discuss this with my teachers as to how they would account for human acts in our Tian Gan and Di Zhi cycles. I certainly hope that the heavens take pity on "us" and allow a way out of the mess.
Semiconductor of the week
Germanium (Ge) is a elemental semiconductor. Its atomic number is 32 and has an atomic weight of 72.59 and has a melting point of 937.4 degrees celcius. The element is brittle rather than ductile; the atoms in its crystals are arranged as are the carbon atoms in diamond. It is oxidized at 600°–700° C (1,100°–1,300° F) and reacts quickly with the halogens to form tetrahalides. Germanium forms stable oxidation states of +2 and +4, the compounds of the latter being more stable and numerous. The two most important compounds of germanium are the dioxide (GeO2) and the tetrachloride (GeCl4). Germanates, formed by heating the dioxide with basic oxides, include zinc germanate (Zn2GeO4), used as a phosphor (a substance that emits light when energized by radiation). The tetrachloride, already mentioned as an intermediate in obtaining germanium from its natural sources, is a volatile, colourless liquid that freezes at about -50° C (-58° F) and boils at 84° C (183.2° F).
Welcome to Chembalancer
Ahh.... to relive high school chemistry problems. I remember enjoying these problems more as a 16 year old. Conservation of mass was such an eye opener; now it seems like old hat. Some basic algebraic knowledge helped me navigate these exercises.
Genearl Chemistry: Balancing Equations
I am ready to help my son in a year or two when he takes high school chemistry.
Germanium (Ge) is a elemental semiconductor. Its atomic number is 32 and has an atomic weight of 72.59 and has a melting point of 937.4 degrees celcius. The element is brittle rather than ductile; the atoms in its crystals are arranged as are the carbon atoms in diamond. It is oxidized at 600°–700° C (1,100°–1,300° F) and reacts quickly with the halogens to form tetrahalides. Germanium forms stable oxidation states of +2 and +4, the compounds of the latter being more stable and numerous. The two most important compounds of germanium are the dioxide (GeO2) and the tetrachloride (GeCl4). Germanates, formed by heating the dioxide with basic oxides, include zinc germanate (Zn2GeO4), used as a phosphor (a substance that emits light when energized by radiation). The tetrachloride, already mentioned as an intermediate in obtaining germanium from its natural sources, is a volatile, colourless liquid that freezes at about -50° C (-58° F) and boils at 84° C (183.2° F).
Welcome to Chembalancer
Ahh.... to relive high school chemistry problems. I remember enjoying these problems more as a 16 year old. Conservation of mass was such an eye opener; now it seems like old hat. Some basic algebraic knowledge helped me navigate these exercises.
Genearl Chemistry: Balancing Equations
I am ready to help my son in a year or two when he takes high school chemistry.
2007年6月22日星期五
Alkali Earth Metal of the Week
Magnesium is a light, silvery-white, moderately hard metallic element that in ribbon or powder form burns with a brilliant white flame. It is used in structural alloys, pyrotechnics, flash photography, and incendiary bombs. Atomic number 12; atomic weight 24.305. I am fascinated by magnesium fires, they are brilliant.
Colors of Food
Greens galore, we just ate five greens tonight-we need to clear out the refrigerator before our trip. Reds-strawberries, tomatoes, red bell peppers, radishes are all common in our refrigerator. Yellows-bananas, squash, lemons, peaches, yellow bell peppers are yummy. Black-figs are my favorite fruit, blackberries, sesame seeds (black) can strengthen the Water. White-turnips, and more turnips. Orange-carrots, orange bell peppers--they come in all the colors apparently. We also eat various yams, orange, white, yellow. Etc. etc. etc.
Light spectra from gas discharge
These are the unique fingerprints of individual elements. They are beautiful and amazing! The colors of elements sprayed into the meeker burner are also fabulous and are formed when excited states of electrons fall back to base state.
Magnesium is a light, silvery-white, moderately hard metallic element that in ribbon or powder form burns with a brilliant white flame. It is used in structural alloys, pyrotechnics, flash photography, and incendiary bombs. Atomic number 12; atomic weight 24.305. I am fascinated by magnesium fires, they are brilliant.
Colors of Food
Greens galore, we just ate five greens tonight-we need to clear out the refrigerator before our trip. Reds-strawberries, tomatoes, red bell peppers, radishes are all common in our refrigerator. Yellows-bananas, squash, lemons, peaches, yellow bell peppers are yummy. Black-figs are my favorite fruit, blackberries, sesame seeds (black) can strengthen the Water. White-turnips, and more turnips. Orange-carrots, orange bell peppers--they come in all the colors apparently. We also eat various yams, orange, white, yellow. Etc. etc. etc.
Light spectra from gas discharge
These are the unique fingerprints of individual elements. They are beautiful and amazing! The colors of elements sprayed into the meeker burner are also fabulous and are formed when excited states of electrons fall back to base state.
Halogen of the Week
Flourine, is the chemical element with the symbol F and atomic number 9. Atomic fluorine is univalent and is the most chemically reactive and electronegative of all the elements. In its elementally isolated (pure) form, fluorine is a poisonous, pale, yellow-green gas, with chemical formula F2. Like other halogens, molecular fluorine is highly dangerous; it causes severe chemical burns on contact with skin.
Investigate Electrochemistry
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity from a combined chemical reaction and electrical charge transport that occurs within the fuel cell. The hydrogen fuel cell is like a big battery which produces electricity from hydrogen, which is the fuel; an electrochemical reaction takes place between the hydrogen and oxygen that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
Alchemy
Alchemy is not science in the strictest terms of science. Yet it is trying to make sense of the material world like chemistry. In addition there are mystic, magical and art
Flourine, is the chemical element with the symbol F and atomic number 9. Atomic fluorine is univalent and is the most chemically reactive and electronegative of all the elements. In its elementally isolated (pure) form, fluorine is a poisonous, pale, yellow-green gas, with chemical formula F2. Like other halogens, molecular fluorine is highly dangerous; it causes severe chemical burns on contact with skin.
Investigate Electrochemistry
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity from a combined chemical reaction and electrical charge transport that occurs within the fuel cell. The hydrogen fuel cell is like a big battery which produces electricity from hydrogen, which is the fuel; an electrochemical reaction takes place between the hydrogen and oxygen that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
Alchemy
Alchemy is not science in the strictest terms of science. Yet it is trying to make sense of the material world like chemistry. In addition there are mystic, magical and art
Avogadro's Hypothesis
The reading is not easy. when I fund out my guesses were right, I was thrilled.
What is Mole?
22.4 liters of a gas at standard temperature and pressure contains the number of molecules that weigh as much as the molecular weight of the gas expressed in grams. The number of molecules contained in this volume of gas was given the name MOLE.
The reading is not easy. when I fund out my guesses were right, I was thrilled.
What is Mole?
22.4 liters of a gas at standard temperature and pressure contains the number of molecules that weigh as much as the molecular weight of the gas expressed in grams. The number of molecules contained in this volume of gas was given the name MOLE.
Inert Gas of the Week
Neon (Ne) is a non reactive gas with atomic number of 10. Neon is the second-lightest noble gas, glows redish-orange in a vacuum discharge tube and has over 40 times the refrigerating capacity of liquid helium and three times that of liquid hydrogen. In most applications it is a less expensive refrigerant than helium. Neon plasma has the most intense light discharge at normal voltages and currents of all the rare gases. The average color of this light to the human eye is red-orange; it contains a strong green line which is hidden, unless the visual components are dispersed by a spectroscope. Next time you walk the neon lit streets of a major metropolis-----be thankful for Neon!
Neon (Ne) is a non reactive gas with atomic number of 10. Neon is the second-lightest noble gas, glows redish-orange in a vacuum discharge tube and has over 40 times the refrigerating capacity of liquid helium and three times that of liquid hydrogen. In most applications it is a less expensive refrigerant than helium. Neon plasma has the most intense light discharge at normal voltages and currents of all the rare gases. The average color of this light to the human eye is red-orange; it contains a strong green line which is hidden, unless the visual components are dispersed by a spectroscope. Next time you walk the neon lit streets of a major metropolis-----be thankful for Neon!
2007年6月5日星期二
Atom economy
Atom economy takes into account the efficiency of chemical production so as to minimize unusable products which contributes to environmental costs associated with waste treatment. Considerations for the costs of treating waste products in the economic calculations of our industrial processes is certainly a step in the right direction. Although, we may find that cost for good will rise.
Week 4, catalyst of the week
My catalyst is Platinum. Platinum is a soft, dense, ductile metal that is very resistant to corrosion. It is used to make jewelry, wire, electrical contacts and laboratory vessels. Platinum is widely used as a catalyst. It will convert methyl alcohol vapors (CH4O) into formaldehyde (CH2O) on contact. Platinum is also used in a device called a catalytic converter, a device found in the exhaust systems of most cars. Catalytic converters combine carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned fuel from a car's exhaust with oxygen from the air, forming carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). Platinum is also used as a catalyst in the production of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and in the cracking of petroleum products. Fuel cells, devices that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water, also use platinum as a catalyst.
Water concepts
Water dipoles are amazing. Water's properties allow it to dissolve many varieties of compounds and thereby lending itself the basis for life. I love the moving visuals on this site; it gives a real sense of the molecular actions.
Structures of Carbon
There are two types of cargon graphite: One is Hexagonal Graphite the other is Rhombohedral Graphite; which are flate grid structures. Another form of carbon is Cubic diamond, which form the well known diamond crystalline rocks that we are familiar. The newest form of carbon may be in the form of nano structures or tubal structures. These may transform the way we harvest solar energy and building cities.
Week 3, transitional metal of the week
Molybdenum (Mo) is a cool sounding element. I first heard about it in college, mentioned by a professor specializing in cold temperature chemistry. I did not understand why he chose Mo to be a focus of his study at the time. I heard maybe it had something to do with Mo's magnetic behavior near absolute zero.
Molybdenum is a silvery-white, hard, transition metal, discovered in 1778. It was often confused with graphite and lead ore. Molybdenum is used in alloys, electrodes and catalysts. The World War 2 German artillery piece called "Big Bertha" contains molybdenum as an essential component of its steel.
Molybdenum is a silvery-white, hard, transition metal, discovered in 1778. It was often confused with graphite and lead ore. Molybdenum is used in alloys, electrodes and catalysts. The World War 2 German artillery piece called "Big Bertha" contains molybdenum as an essential component of its steel.
Elements, compounds and mixtures
Elements, compounds and mixtures are the three groups of matter that we contact with daily. The behavior and quality increases in complexity going from elements to mixtures. Most of what we are exposed to in nature are mixtures.
Ozone
Ozone(O3) is an important compound in the atmosphere because it helps to shield us from harmful radiation of the sun. At the same time man made ozone is a pollutant. We discussed ozone, and decided to try to identify and eliminate those items that may contain chemicals damaging to the atmospheric ozone; and to limit use of fossil fuel burning machines and vehicles so as not to contribute to ozone pollution.
Week Two, element of the week
Carbon gave me many headaches in organic chemisrty class. But, seeing how carbon constitutes so much of what we are and use, I can forgive and almost forget. Carbon "diamonds" are the most desired and precious objects; carbon "soot, and ash" are some of the least desired wastes; carbon "through nano technology" has the potential to transform our physical world. But most important, we cannot have form without carbon.
Carbon is found in nature in three forms: graphite, diamond, and fullerines. A fourth form, is now thought to exist. Ceraphite is one of the softest known materials while diamond is one of the hardest.
Graphite exists in two forms: alpha and beta. These have identical physical properties, except for their crystal structure. Naturally occurring graphites are reported to contain as much as 30% of the rhombohedral (beta) form, whereas synthetic materials contain only the alpha form.
Without carbon, the basis for life would be impossible. Some of the most important compounds of carbon are carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon disulfide (CS2), chloroform (CHCl3), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), acetylene (C2H2), benzene (C6H6), acetic acid (CH3COOH), and their derivatives.
Quiz results
My results were all correct; except for the salt being a mixture. I did not consider the iodine that is mixed into typical table salt.
My thouhts on class material-cultural influence of Chemistry
Environmental cycles and natural disasters have been the focus of concern over the millenia. It is of utmost importance for our health and survival. Furthermore, traditional chinese perspective on this issue is foundational to our study of TCM. Many of our society's institutions and thoughts run counter to the harmonious management of our environment. From my understanding of the ancient's teachings, we must start by changing our very own selfish nature. In chinese terms we need to "尊天敬德"--"zun tian jing de". Only through a transformation of our understanding of our place within the universe, in which we have reverence to Tian and De, can society embrace the changes necessary for
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