There must have been a recent news story or a blog posting on hypersensitivity to nickel. The reason I say this is because in the past two weeks we have seen and heard from perhaps a half-dozen people asking about nickel test kits. As a result we have added a new solution to our chemical line, Dimethylglyoxime Solution in a 25 mL bottle. This solution, or reagent, turns pink in the presence of soluble nickel.
The same reagent can be used by meteorite hunters and collectors to test their specimens for nickel. For meteorites one first places a drop of 10-36% hydrochloric acid on the specimen and allows it to react with the specimen's surface for about 1 minute. Next the acid is swabbed from the specimen with a cotton swab and a drop of the dimethylglyoxime solution is placed on the swab. If nickel is present, even at very low levels, the swab will turn pink.
This same sort of test can be done with jewelry and other metalic articles suspected of containing nickel. Care must be taken, of course, when working with the concentrated hydrochloric acid.
==JFK==
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Other blogs of interest
Here are a couple of other blog sites that may be of interest to our readers (please let us know):
Our Parkville MO (ourparkvillemo.blogspot.com) is a blog about H.M.S. Beagle's hometown, Parkville, Missouri.
Aquariculture (aquariculture.blogspot.com) is a blog for professionals and hobbyists with an interest in the art, science and technology of aquarium and pond keeping.
==JFK==
Our Parkville MO (ourparkvillemo.blogspot.com) is a blog about H.M.S. Beagle's hometown, Parkville, Missouri.
Aquariculture (aquariculture.blogspot.com) is a blog for professionals and hobbyists with an interest in the art, science and technology of aquarium and pond keeping.
==JFK==
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wear a "Science" Pin
We have but a few days left before the election of the century. I have been wearing my cloisonne AAPS (Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences) pin. When asked about it tell people, "its a campaign button." "Who's it for?," they ask. "Its for the pro-science science candidates and against those candidates who are anti-science," I reply. Of course, I have to carefully explain, to many, who the candidates are that are against science and who the ones are that are for it. This often elicits some surprise or alarm or disbelief, but more and more I am finding folks know exactly who the candidates are.
The cool thing is we should be able to wear our pro-science pins and buttons, with impunity, into the polling places. It seems to me that we can even proudly wear our pro-science teeshirts to vote. None, except those in the know, will be the wiser! There will be a secret communication that others will recognize. When you see someone proudly displaying their pro-science stance on election day nod your head slightly and lay your finger aside your nose.
==JFK==
The cool thing is we should be able to wear our pro-science pins and buttons, with impunity, into the polling places. It seems to me that we can even proudly wear our pro-science teeshirts to vote. None, except those in the know, will be the wiser! There will be a secret communication that others will recognize. When you see someone proudly displaying their pro-science stance on election day nod your head slightly and lay your finger aside your nose.
==JFK==
Friday, October 24, 2008
Honoring those who serve
It came to my attention today that firefighters were to be honored at an upcoming holiday celebration in town. Now, I simply don't know of anyone who can deny that firefighters are true heroes (unlike hypersteroidal baseball players or over-paid running backs who can't keep their noses out of cocaine). However, it occurred to me that even before they were firefighters they were students. They had teachers at some point in their lives. Some of those teachers were scientists. Where would firefighting be without teachers and scientists? Firefighters drive to work in chariots of engineering wonder. Where would they be without teachers, scientists and engineers?
Let's look at scientists (this is, after all, a science blog). Now, I don't mean to slight teachers, because even though we're all born scientists far too many have had the flame of science snuffed out prematurely by a few boring, uninterested, frightened, unqualified and ill-prepared teachers. Those of us that became the scientists we are today, however, had several teachers along the way that kept the sparks fanned and pushed or guided us. I think many of us will agree that those teachers simply are not paid enough and are often under appreciated (especially by some of the very ones they're trying to teach). The thing is, good teachers like good firefighters are heroes, and they're successes and failures are often in front of us daily. After all, politicians are always ready to use teachers, either positively or negatively, as the point of departure for their self-serving discussions.
So, back to scientists. I know for a fact that scientists are both underpaid and under appreciated and far too often are made out to be villains by the rest of the populace. Politicians typically don't pay us much mind except when they want to ridicule us for have our hands out for government support for what they call "pork." Or, when they vehemently disagree with us for our dire predictions, because we all know that along with becoming a politician, that most have at least a college degree in some physical science. Or not.
Recently, there have been the political global climate change deniers who point out that climate scientists are some of the worst feeders from the public trough. That these scientists are only investigating global warming so they can squeeze more money from the government and other public coffers. Some say these same scientists only release the most dire predictions and the worst possible news to keep them in their jobs by scaring the snot out of the public and their elected officials.
Let me see, here. Does any thinking human really believe that there are scientists who live like high-profile sports stars, or like conniving politicians, or like dishonest and lying financial managers, or like rock stars? I'd like to see a list of the 100 most wealthy scientist on earth. Who would be on such a list? Surely, if the right-wing nuts are to be believed, most, if not all, the NASA scientists would be on that list. Hey, maybe the immoral stem cell researchers will be on the list. Most definitely the scientists who are studying global climate change will all be on such a list.
Now it is true that some pitiful few scientists do achieve rock star-like status. The vast majority do not. The vast majority do their jobs, just like firefighters and teachers, for the love of it and they receive relatively insignificant wages. The next time your sitting around in your committees trying to think of some deserving group of people to honor please consider scientists.
Let's look at scientists (this is, after all, a science blog). Now, I don't mean to slight teachers, because even though we're all born scientists far too many have had the flame of science snuffed out prematurely by a few boring, uninterested, frightened, unqualified and ill-prepared teachers. Those of us that became the scientists we are today, however, had several teachers along the way that kept the sparks fanned and pushed or guided us. I think many of us will agree that those teachers simply are not paid enough and are often under appreciated (especially by some of the very ones they're trying to teach). The thing is, good teachers like good firefighters are heroes, and they're successes and failures are often in front of us daily. After all, politicians are always ready to use teachers, either positively or negatively, as the point of departure for their self-serving discussions.
So, back to scientists. I know for a fact that scientists are both underpaid and under appreciated and far too often are made out to be villains by the rest of the populace. Politicians typically don't pay us much mind except when they want to ridicule us for have our hands out for government support for what they call "pork." Or, when they vehemently disagree with us for our dire predictions, because we all know that along with becoming a politician, that most have at least a college degree in some physical science. Or not.
Recently, there have been the political global climate change deniers who point out that climate scientists are some of the worst feeders from the public trough. That these scientists are only investigating global warming so they can squeeze more money from the government and other public coffers. Some say these same scientists only release the most dire predictions and the worst possible news to keep them in their jobs by scaring the snot out of the public and their elected officials.
Let me see, here. Does any thinking human really believe that there are scientists who live like high-profile sports stars, or like conniving politicians, or like dishonest and lying financial managers, or like rock stars? I'd like to see a list of the 100 most wealthy scientist on earth. Who would be on such a list? Surely, if the right-wing nuts are to be believed, most, if not all, the NASA scientists would be on that list. Hey, maybe the immoral stem cell researchers will be on the list. Most definitely the scientists who are studying global climate change will all be on such a list.
Now it is true that some pitiful few scientists do achieve rock star-like status. The vast majority do not. The vast majority do their jobs, just like firefighters and teachers, for the love of it and they receive relatively insignificant wages. The next time your sitting around in your committees trying to think of some deserving group of people to honor please consider scientists.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
This morning's science club demonstrations.
As was promised here are the directions for two of this morning's Science Club demonstrations:
(1) Nitrogen triiodide explosion: This one is very simple and involves mixing two chemicals together. What is needed is (a) at least 10 grams of elemental iodine crystals, (b) 25 mL of ammonium hydroxide, 28% solution (CAUTION: ammonium hydroxide solution is caustic and poisonous if swallowed, it has a highly disagreeable odor, and can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Use only with very good ventilation (e.g. out doors). If skin contact occurs wash with plenty of running water; if eye contact occurs wash for at least 15 minutes with running water and contact a physician.), (c) a small (1 - 2 fl.oz.), clean bottle with a tight-fitting plastic cap and (d) a stainless steel spatula.
Using the spatula carefully transfer the iodine crystals into the clean bottle and immediately add the 25 mL of ammonium hydroxide. Cap the bottle and shake for about 30 seconds. Set the bottle aside for about 1 hour then you're ready to give it a shot!
To cause the nitrogen iodide to explode simply use the spatula to remove a small amount of the brown material from the bottom of the bottle and smear it onto a paper towel or newspaper and allow it to dry in the air. Once it is completely dry any disturbance to the material will cause and endothermic explosion. Another application is to smear the material onto a sidewalk or driveway.
Any stains that result from residual iodine can be easily removed with a few crystals of sodium thiosulfate, wetted with water and worked into the stain. The same will remove any iodine stains from clothing or skin.
For long-term storage be sure to keep the brown material in the bottle always covered with liquid. It is safe when wet. Once the initial reaction, in the bottle, has occurred, about half of the liquid can be discarded (down the drain is okay) and the bottle refilled with ordinary tap water. This will lessen the odor impact of the ammonia when opening the storage bottle.
(2) Sodium acetate crystal tower: You will need: (a) 160 grams of sodium acetate trihydrate, (b) 100 mL of pure water , (c) a 400 mL glass beaker or another suitable PYREX container with a pouring spout, (d) a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, (e) a #6 solid rubber stopper, and, if needed, (f) a lab balance for accurately weighing the sodium acetete, and (g) a 50 mL graduated cylinder for accurately measuring the water. In addition, for the purposes of heating the solution to a microwave oven, set to high, will work well. (CAUTION: Use proper precautions for handling very hot containers!)
Place the 160 grams of sodium acetate (be sure to save back a couple of crystals for later use) into the beaker and add exactly 30 mL of water to the beaker. Place the beaker in the microwave oven and heat it until all the solid sodium acetate is dissolved. There can be no undissolved crystals, or the solution will quickly crystalize before you can do the demonstration. While the solution is heating take about half of the remaining pure water and rinse the Erlenmeyer flask and drain it, but do not dry it. Also rinse the rubber stopper and place it in the mouth of the flask.
After the solution has been made, and there are no undissolved crystals on the bottom of the beaker, carefully pour the hot solution into the flask. At this point is is very important that the solution is gently poured into the flask such that none of the solution is poured down the inside of the flask wall. Be a gentle as possible to prevent splashing of the solution inside the flask and to prevent bubbles from being formed as the solution is poured. When the solution has been poured into the flask carefully insert the rubber stopper and set the flask aside to cool. DO NOT SHAKE the flask!
Place the crystals you save back in the middle a shallow dish or dessert plate. Once the solution has cooled to room temperature unstopper the flask and carefully and slowly pour the solution onto the crystals. You will notice that when the solution first hits the plate it will solidify and spread out a little. Keep pouring, slowly, and watch the tower of crystal grow upward. be careful to not allow the growing tower of crystals to touch the lip of the flask otherwise the solution remaining inside the flask will quickly crystallize.
The crystal tower is safe to touch, but be careful that there may be some hot spots on its interior. When finished you can put the crystals back into the beaker and start all over. Only this time there is no need to add any more water, just reheat in the microwave to fully liquify.
(1) Nitrogen triiodide explosion: This one is very simple and involves mixing two chemicals together. What is needed is (a) at least 10 grams of elemental iodine crystals, (b) 25 mL of ammonium hydroxide, 28% solution (CAUTION: ammonium hydroxide solution is caustic and poisonous if swallowed, it has a highly disagreeable odor, and can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Use only with very good ventilation (e.g. out doors). If skin contact occurs wash with plenty of running water; if eye contact occurs wash for at least 15 minutes with running water and contact a physician.), (c) a small (1 - 2 fl.oz.), clean bottle with a tight-fitting plastic cap and (d) a stainless steel spatula.
Using the spatula carefully transfer the iodine crystals into the clean bottle and immediately add the 25 mL of ammonium hydroxide. Cap the bottle and shake for about 30 seconds. Set the bottle aside for about 1 hour then you're ready to give it a shot!
To cause the nitrogen iodide to explode simply use the spatula to remove a small amount of the brown material from the bottom of the bottle and smear it onto a paper towel or newspaper and allow it to dry in the air. Once it is completely dry any disturbance to the material will cause and endothermic explosion. Another application is to smear the material onto a sidewalk or driveway.
Any stains that result from residual iodine can be easily removed with a few crystals of sodium thiosulfate, wetted with water and worked into the stain. The same will remove any iodine stains from clothing or skin.
For long-term storage be sure to keep the brown material in the bottle always covered with liquid. It is safe when wet. Once the initial reaction, in the bottle, has occurred, about half of the liquid can be discarded (down the drain is okay) and the bottle refilled with ordinary tap water. This will lessen the odor impact of the ammonia when opening the storage bottle.
(2) Sodium acetate crystal tower: You will need: (a) 160 grams of sodium acetate trihydrate, (b) 100 mL of pure water , (c) a 400 mL glass beaker or another suitable PYREX container with a pouring spout, (d) a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, (e) a #6 solid rubber stopper, and, if needed, (f) a lab balance for accurately weighing the sodium acetete, and (g) a 50 mL graduated cylinder for accurately measuring the water. In addition, for the purposes of heating the solution to a microwave oven, set to high, will work well. (CAUTION: Use proper precautions for handling very hot containers!)
Place the 160 grams of sodium acetate (be sure to save back a couple of crystals for later use) into the beaker and add exactly 30 mL of water to the beaker. Place the beaker in the microwave oven and heat it until all the solid sodium acetate is dissolved. There can be no undissolved crystals, or the solution will quickly crystalize before you can do the demonstration. While the solution is heating take about half of the remaining pure water and rinse the Erlenmeyer flask and drain it, but do not dry it. Also rinse the rubber stopper and place it in the mouth of the flask.
After the solution has been made, and there are no undissolved crystals on the bottom of the beaker, carefully pour the hot solution into the flask. At this point is is very important that the solution is gently poured into the flask such that none of the solution is poured down the inside of the flask wall. Be a gentle as possible to prevent splashing of the solution inside the flask and to prevent bubbles from being formed as the solution is poured. When the solution has been poured into the flask carefully insert the rubber stopper and set the flask aside to cool. DO NOT SHAKE the flask!
Place the crystals you save back in the middle a shallow dish or dessert plate. Once the solution has cooled to room temperature unstopper the flask and carefully and slowly pour the solution onto the crystals. You will notice that when the solution first hits the plate it will solidify and spread out a little. Keep pouring, slowly, and watch the tower of crystal grow upward. be careful to not allow the growing tower of crystals to touch the lip of the flask otherwise the solution remaining inside the flask will quickly crystallize.
The crystal tower is safe to touch, but be careful that there may be some hot spots on its interior. When finished you can put the crystals back into the beaker and start all over. Only this time there is no need to add any more water, just reheat in the microwave to fully liquify.
Monday, October 6, 2008
3rd Annual Rocket Science Day in Parkville
English Landing Centre, West Parking Lot, Parkville, MO, 4 October 2008: With over 200 people in attendance during this annual "October Skies" event; it was the largest since the Beagle opened. This year the Kansas City Association of Rocketry (KCAR) again provide the expertise and equipment to launch over 100 rockets. Gene Nowaczek of Raytown, MO, had his record-setting Piper 8 rocket on display for the crowds, and he handled all questions about its exceptional flight of 35 miles in altitude.
A local Boy Scout troop sold hot dogs and refreshments and a local Cub Scout troop did a competition and demonstration of string-guided rockets. The Parkville Police Department had their Identa Kid tent set up and created identification cards and pictures of the kids at the event. Prizes of special event tee shirts, rocket engines and rockets were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in two difference challenges in three heats. At the end of the challenge heats the KCAR guys launched some flying saucers.
A local Boy Scout troop sold hot dogs and refreshments and a local Cub Scout troop did a competition and demonstration of string-guided rockets. The Parkville Police Department had their Identa Kid tent set up and created identification cards and pictures of the kids at the event. Prizes of special event tee shirts, rocket engines and rockets were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in two difference challenges in three heats. At the end of the challenge heats the KCAR guys launched some flying saucers.
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