Skeleton Equations Explained With the Help of Simple Examples
6 min read
Skeleton equations are one of the basic means of representing a chemical reaction. Click here to find out what skeleton equations are, and how they are written.
Chemistry
Elements, compounds and reactions: what things are made of, how they behave, and the everyday uses of the whole periodic table.
Chemistry is the science of what things are made of and what they do about it, and this shelf is the largest on the site for a reason: most "why did that happen?" questions end in a molecule. Here you will find the elements one by one, from hydrogen to the synthetic heavyweights, alongside the compounds you actually meet in daily life: baking soda and washing soda, bleach you must never mix with ammonia, the acids that etch and the alkalis that clean.
The guides run from reference to reaction. Element profiles cover properties, uses and honest toxicity notes; comparison articles settle the cation-versus-anion and mixture-versus-compound confusions that trip up every first-year student; and the practical entries explain lab equipment, dilution order and why "acid into water" is a rule with a burn scar behind it. Every ratio and every temperature is checked before it ships, because a chemistry article that guesses is worse than none.
Start with the featured guides above for the big references, like the electron configuration chart, or head to the article list for a specific element, compound or reaction. If you are here for a school assignment, the comparison pieces are the fastest route to actually understanding the difference you have been asked to explain.
Chemistry
Difference Between Alloy Steel and Stainless Steel
6 min read
Among the types of steel available nowadays, stainless steel and alloy steel are the most popular varieties due to their versatility of applications. In this article, we will discuss more about both these types of steel through a comparison.
Uses and Side Effects of EDTA
6 min read
There are a few compounds that have the ability to bind to a metal ion of a substance more than once and are described as polydentate (many-toothed). EDTA is one such compound and because of this it has many uses in food, industries and others. It has a few side effects as well.
A Simple Method That Shows You How to Convert pKa to Ka Easily
5 min read
The term ‘pKa’ is more commonly used in chemical calculations as compared to ‘Ka’. Despite this, there is a lot of confusion between the two concepts. This ScienceStruck post tells you how to convert pKa to Ka, with the help of an equation relating the two values.
Properties and Characteristics of Chalcogens
5 min read
The term chalcogens has been derived from the Greek word ‘chalcos’, which literally means ‘ore formers’, as these elements of group 16 in the periodic table are commonly found in copper ores. In this ScienceStruck article, we shall learn about their characteristics and properties in more detail.
Understanding Decomposition Reaction: Definition and Examples
4 min read
Decomposition reactions refer to a chemical reaction in which a single compound disintegrates into two or more elements or compounds under desirable conditions. We provide you with the definition and examples of these reactions in this ScienceStruck extract.
Caution!! Know What Happens When You Mix Vinegar and Bleach
3 min read
Can you mix vinegar and bleach? You shouldn’t do that as the combination releases chlorine gas, which has long been identified as a significant inhalation hazard.
Malleability in Chemistry Explained With Appropriate Examples
3 min read
Malleability refers to the property by which metals can be shaped into thin sheets by beating them with a hammer. This property makes metals quite useful in terms of its use in various scientific applications. This ScienceStruck post explains the concept of malleability in science with the help of examples.
Lewis Dot Structure and Polarity of CCl4 (Carbon Tetrachloride)
3 min read
Carbon tetrachloride, also known as tetrachloromethane, is a compound containing carbon and chlorine. It is an inorganic compound that is non-flammable. This ScienceStruck post provides you with the Lewis dot structure diagram and the polarity of carbon tetrachloride.
Double Displacement Reaction: Definition and Examples
5 min read
Double displacement reactions are those in which the reactant compounds exchange positive ions with each other to form new compounds. This ScienceStruck post explains the concept of double displacement reaction in chemistry along with a few examples.
Dry Ice Vs. Liquid Nitrogen - Explore the Differences
6 min read
Dry ice and liquid nitrogen are often used in experiments and other demonstrations. Both are extremely cold and very useful, but very different from each other. Let’s find out the differences between dry ice and liquid nitrogen, and explore more about them.
Silicone Oil - Properties and Uses
3 min read
This article from ScienceStruck presents to you the chemical and physical properties of silicone oil. It has numerous medical, automotive, and other industrial applications.
C6H6 (Benzene): Lewis Dot Structure and Polarity
3 min read
Benzene is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H6. In this ScienceStruck post, we provide you with the polarity and steps to create the Lewis dot diagram of this aromatic compound.
Uses of Silicone Grease
4 min read
Silicone grease is a highly effective waterproof lubricant that is used by a wide range of consumers. In this ScienceStruck article, we shall study the unique properties of this substance, and the different ways in which it is useful to us in our day-to-day lives.
What are the Uses of Transition Metals?
9 min read
Transition metals are extremely versatile elements, which show potential for application in various fields such as medicine, construction, energy, etc., due to their properties of malleability and ductility. Let us now study the uses of these unique elements in some more detail.
Differences Between Compounds and Mixtures
3 min read
It is necessary to understand what is meant by the terms ‘mixture’ and ‘compound’, in order to differentiate between the two. This article helps by providing a table of comparison for the same.
Examples of Single Replacement Reactions
6 min read
In chemistry, there are three basic types of reactions, which include addition reactions, decomposition reactions, and displacement reactions. Among them, this ScienceStruck article comes forward to discuss in length about a type of displacement reaction called single replacement reaction, accompanied by various examples.
Chemical Potential Energy: Simple Definition and Common Examples
3 min read
Simply put, chemical potential energy is the energy stored in atoms and the chemical bonds between them. This ScienceStruck post explains the concept better, with the help of examples.
Drilling for Black Gold: How Does an Oil Derrick Work
4 min read
A derrick, in civil engineering, is a machine used for lifting and moving heavy objects. An oil derrick, however, does much more than just that. In this ScienceStruck post, we shall learn more about the purpose and functioning of an oil derrick.
Butyl Acetate Properties and Uses
3 min read
Butyl acetate is a clear-liquid chemical used in various manufacturing industries. Read this ScienceStruck article to know a lot more about its properties and various uses.
A Simple Explanation of Haber-Bosch Process for Ammonia Production
5 min read
Ammonia is an important compound, essential to man for a variety of diverse uses. It is used as a fertilizer, cleaning agent, antimicrobial agent, etc. Such a diverse applicability, has caused large demand for its production. The development of the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production has made it possible to meet this demand. Learn all about this process in the following ScienceStruck post.
The Basic Difference Between a Cation and an Anion
4 min read
Cations and anions are positively and negatively charged atoms, respectively. ScienceStruck elaborates on the differences between the two, through a cation vs. anion comparison.
26 Funny Periodic Table Puns That Will Make You Laugh All Damn Day
4 min read
There are some who are outright hotshots at physics, physiology, philosophy, while some are natural dabs at puns. So profound is their expertise that they can transmogrify semantics of modest origin into either unsavory or genuinely funny form. Allow us to present you with 26 funny periodic table puns because even chemists need it periodically - play of words, people.
Shedding Some Light on the Properties and Uses of Nylon
4 min read
Nylon is a man-made fibrous material that finds many applications in households as well as industries. This ScienceStruck post provides some information about the properties and uses of nylon.
A Comparative Study of Osmolarity Vs. Osmolality Vs. Tonicity
6 min read
There is a lot of confusion between the terms osmolarity, osmolality, and tonicity, which are incorrectly interchanged. This ScienceStruck post explains these terms by telling you the differences between them along with examples, and how to calculate them.
A Guide on How to Find Spectator Ions in a Chemical Reaction
5 min read
Spectator ions, as the name suggests, are ions that play a major role when it comes to having equal charges on both sides of a chemical equation. This ScienceStruck post tells you how to find these ions in a given chemical reaction.
A Brief Explanation About the Calibration Curve
4 min read
The calibration curve method is an important analytical chemistry technique used to determine the unknown concentration of liquid solutions. Allow ScienceStruck to enlighten you further about this fascinating, yet simple procedure.
Uses of Crucible Tongs
4 min read
If you work in a lab, then crucible tongs are a must to protect you from nasty chemical burns. This article highlights the uses of crucible tongs and their safety parameters.
All About Alkyl Halides: Properties, Uses, and Much More
5 min read
Alkyl halides or Haloalkanes as the name suggests are chemical compounds with a combination of halogen and alkanes.
All About Brass: Composition, Characteristics, and Applications
4 min read
Brass, an alloy made from zinc and copper is well-known for its durability and elasticity. Here’s more about the composition, characteristics, and applications of this alloy.
Understanding the Octet Rule: Definition, Exceptions, and Importance
4 min read
Noble gases have fully-filled valence orbits that make them most stable of all elements. As per chemistry principles, elements always have the urge to attain a stable configuration as that of noble gases. We’ll study an atom’s tendency of attaining a noble configuration which is termed as the ‘octet rule’.
The Varied Uses of Chloroform That You Never Knew Existed
4 min read
You may know chloroform as the liquid popular as an anesthetic. But the fact is, it has limited uses in modern medicine and dentistry. ScienceStruck tells you about several uses of chloroform, such as medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, industrial, besides others.
What is Quicklime and How is it Made?
5 min read
The production of quicklime is one of the oldest chemical processes developed by mankind. But there is often a lot of confusion between terms like lime and quicklime. Are you wondering what quicklime is, and what it is made of? Then you’ve come to the right page! ScienceStruck gives you a lot of information about quicklime, and explains how it is industrially made.
The Amazing Uses of Quicklime You Probably Didn’t Know
4 min read
Quicklime is a chemical compound which is widely used in the chemical industry. Let’s find out how it’s used.
Carbon Steel Vs. Stainless Steel: An In-depth Analysis
6 min read
While most of us are familiar with stainless steel, not many know much about carbon steel. Both these steel types have their own importance, and are manufactured for use in different applications. In this ScienceStruck post, we shall learn more about both through a carbon steel vs. stainless steel comparison.
18 Uses of Silica Gel Packets Worth Knowing
5 min read
Silica gel, is produced synthetically from its compound, ‘sodium silicate’. With a glassy appearance and grainy texture, this naturally occurring compound is processed to be used as a siccative.
List of Alchemy Symbols and their Meanings
14 min read
The study of metallurgy began in the ancient times with royalties and alchemists studying the properties of metals and mostly gold. They experimented with metals to create something unique out of it, thus giving rise to the world of alchemy. The study of alchemy is scientific and magical with methods being adopted into the modern world, this article looks into the various key alchemy symbols and their specific meanings.
LDPE Vs. HDPE
3 min read
LDPE and HDPE are two different types of plastic. This ScienceStruck article provides you with a comparison chart to let you know about the differences between them.
Everything You Need to Know About Noble Gas Configuration
4 min read
Noble gases, also called inert gases belong to the group 18 of the periodic table. Elements belonging to this group are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. This piece highlights the electron configurations of these noble gases.
Chemicals Used in Fracking and Their Purpose
4 min read
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process of extracting oil and natural gas from underground shale formations, by inducing the formation of fissures along the shale rock. These cracks are induced by pumping hydraulically pressurized fluids through the formations. The nature and composition of this fracking fluid is elucidated in this article.