Elements, compounds and reactions: what things are made of, how they behave, and the everyday uses of the whole periodic table.
The smallest bit of a chemical element is termed as an atom. Quantum physics is the branch which explains the structural formation as well as the behavior of an atom. An atom is made up of three particles: electron, proton, and neutron. Transitions of electrons and subsequent changes in energy levels define the state of an atom.
There are 118 elements in the periodic table. Each element has a unique atomic structure that is influenced by its electronic configuration, which is the distribution of electrons across different orbitals of an atom. This article provides you with an electronic configuration chart for all these elements.
An ion is an atom or molecule that has acquired an electric charge due to loss or gain of electrons. Thus, a polyatomic ion is an ion that is composed of 2 or more atoms. ScienceStruck lists down some common polyatomic ions with their charges and oxidation numbers.
The metal platinum is not only known for its lustrous color, but also for its stability, strength, rarity, and density. While describing the importance of platinum in everyday life, ScienceStruck explains why it is considered as a noble and precious metal.
Today, the concept of neutron and its function is common knowledge. Its existence was first hypothesized by Rutherford in 1920, and later proved by James Chadwick in 1932. This ScienceStruck post explains how the discovery came about and the revolutionary impact it had on the understanding of the atomic structure.
One of the most important uses of lycopodium powder is in the pyrotechnic industry. Its ability to form a combustible mixture with air is often used in manufacturing an assortment of fireworks.
Although potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide have almost similar properties, one cannot replace the other in certain applications. This ScienceStruck article describes the slight differences between these two compounds.
Magnesium carbonate is commonly used in antacids and laxatives. This ScienceStruck article presents information on how this compound is used in various industries, from food to fertilizers and from medicine to cosmetics. Read on to know how it benefits athletes and sportspeople too.
Certain properties of potassium hydroxide make it an extremely versatile cleaning agent. This ScienceStruck article presents the uses of this compound in various industries like cosmetics, food, agriculture, and petrochemicals. Know the characteristic properties of potassium hydroxide, and how it is used in day-to-day life.
The basic representation of a compound which denotes the number of atoms of the respective elements that are present in it is called a molecular formula. This ScienceStruck article will show you how to find the molecular formula, along with a few examples and practice problems.
Phosphoric acid is a commonly used chemical in a wide variety of applications. Here’s more about the structure, chemical formula, and uses of phosphoric acid.
Phosphorus pentoxide has a very interesting molecular structure, and it is also used for various purposes.
Lithium-ion batteries might be small in comparison to their competitors, but they sure pack quite a punch. ScienceStruck looks at the lithium-ion battery pros and cons.
Being an oxidizer, the uses of potassium chlorate in explosives, fireworks, and safety matches are well-known. The following Sciencestruck article elaborates more on the uses of this compound.
With its shining yellow color, gold is one of the most sought-after metals around the world. With about 90 countries mining the precious metal, the top 10 countries contribute to almost 75% of the world’s annual gold output. Find out who have made it to the top 10, in this Sciencestruck article.
Gypsum is a sulfate mineral that has found numerous uses in modern times. This mineral also exhibits some interesting properties, which are discussed in this ScienceStruck article.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences annually awards the Nobel Prize to scientists, who have made valuable contributions in the field of chemistry. Here are the scientists, who find their names in the esteemed list of winners.
A precious metal is a metal that is relatively rare and hence, has a very high value. So, which are the different precious metals? In the list of precious metals, given here, we shall learn about the properties of these metals and also a little about the uses of each.
Be it automotive lamps, floodlighting or stage lighting, halogen lamps are used everywhere. The tungsten halogen cycle is the chemical process which boosts the longevity of these special lamps. To know all about how halogen cycle works to lengthen the life of a tungsten filament, read this article.
Curious to know if the simple technique of paper chromatography that we learned in school, is really useful? Then you need to look no further! This article speaks about the various paper chromatography uses, and tells a little about how this technique works.
Krypton is one of the six rare or noble gases. Find out about the different physical and chemical properties of krypton in this article.
Most women have seen and loved platinum jewelry, but do you know much about this highly adored metal? How about a look at some interesting platinum facts right now.
Silicon dioxide or silica, as it is commonly known as, is an important constituent of sand. However, it is found in several other forms too. In this article, we shall look into the physical and chemical properties of silicon dioxide, and learn a little about its molecular structure. Read on...
In IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature, alkali metals or Group 1A elements belong to group 1A in the periodic table. Scroll down to learn about the uses of alkali metals.
Graphite is a semi-metal which has varied uses. Its powdered form is same as graphite, are there any differences in the properties or their uses? Know all about graphite powder in the following article. Read on...
The concept of isotopes is one of the most vital one in the field of chemistry. In this article, we shall know which are the stable and unstable bromine isotopes in detail.
Zinc chloride is a hygroscopic chemical compound which has multiple uses in the industry and also in our daily life. In this article, we shall know about its various uses in detail.
Metalloids are mostly used as semiconductors in many electronic goods. To get more information on the uses of metalloids keep reading the article.
One of the hydrogen bomb facts is that a single hydrogen bomb is 1000 times more devastating than the atomic bomb. Find more facts about hydrogen bomb in this article.
Copper wires are very commonly used in the process of supplying electricity as they have a high level of conductivity. Read the article to know more about the copper wire uses and benefits.
There are a lot of silicon dioxide uses that we may not be aware of. Right from everyday applications, to heavy duty industrial ones, this silicon form has many uses, some of which have been touched upon in this article.
Vegetable leather, edible vegetable leather and vegetable-tanned leather are all different terms used to refer to different substances. There is a lot of confusion on these three things. Let us look at what it is and similar terms associated with it.
What are non ferrous metals? Well, read all about them and check out the non ferrous metals list provided in the following article to get a clearer understanding.
Distillation is the standard process used for separation of chemical mixtures. In this article, a comparison between fractional and simple distillation has been presented, which will identify the prime differences between the two processes.
If you are absolutely clueless about what is the periodic table used for, this article will be a helpful read. Here I shall explain what a periodic table is, how it’s read and what is it used for.
Limewater is a solution of calcium hydroxide in water. This article tells you how to make it and also gives you some applications of the same.
A short write-up on the physical and chemical properties of neon gas which form the basis of its use in various fields of human interest, and make it an apt constituent of neon signs, helium-neon lasers, etc.
There’s something about those vintage neon signs. They have an appeal like no other. For more about these retro pieces, keep reading.
If you are curious about how polarity of a molecule is determined, this article will be an insightful read. Here, I provide you with guidelines about the same.
A compilation of some interesting facts about noble gases intended to shed light on the discovery, properties, and uses of the six naturally occurring noble gases, i.e., helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.
