Perhaps the most famous diagram in science and a chemist’s best friend is the periodic table, created in 1869 by Russian chemist, Dmitri Mendeleev. The periodic table organizes every fundamental atom according to their valence electron numbers, size, type, electronegativity, and much more. The first 92 elements on the periodic table are naturally occurring, the … Continue reading The Basics of the Periodic Table
Informative
These articles are meant to explain basic scientific concepts.
The Fundamentals of the Protein Molecule
Proteins make up approximately 55% of the dry mass of a human cell. They perform an uncountable number of tasks that help keep an organism alive. Because of this, proteins are often called the cellular machinery or the muscle of the cell. Calling them the muscle of the cell is kind of funny, as they … Continue reading The Fundamentals of the Protein Molecule
The Basics of One Dimensional Motion
One dimensional motion is built upon four very important measurements: velocity, time, displacement, and average acceleration. Before jumping into the discussion on these measurements, it should be made known that all of these measurements, except for time, are vectors. Vectors are measurements that describe both magnitude (size or value) and direction. The other type of … Continue reading The Basics of One Dimensional Motion
The Weak Interactions Between Atoms
In a previous article I discussed the following ways atoms bond: Covalent Bonds: bond by sharing valence electrons equally between them, Polar Covalent Bonds: where the valence electrons are still shared between atoms but electrons will tend to hang around the more electronegative atom creating partial charges for each atom, Ionic Bonds: wherein the more electronegative atom … Continue reading The Weak Interactions Between Atoms
Valence Electrons, the Octet Rule, and Electronegativity
Atoms are made up of neutrons and protons located within the nucleus and electrons around the nucleus. Electrons inhabit “orbits” that surround the nucleus. Calling them “orbits” is misleading, they are more like areas of probability where electrons are likely to be found called orbitals. The concept of orbitals will be discussed at another time. … Continue reading Valence Electrons, the Octet Rule, and Electronegativity
What is the Kardashev Scale? Part 2
I have decided to create a second article explaining the add ons to the Kardashev Scale. These add ons that I am referring to are the types 4, 5, and 6 on the scale. I also wanted to give credit to astronomer Carl Sagan. He was a big contributor to the development of the Kardashev … Continue reading What is the Kardashev Scale? Part 2
What is the Kardashev Scale? Part 1
Many of us have wondered what alien civilizations look like. How advanced can they get? Although I nor can any other scientist at the moment answer that first question, one Russian astronomer came up with a tool to measure the advancement of a civilization. His name was Nikoli Kardeshev. Nikoli Kardashev came up with this … Continue reading What is the Kardashev Scale? Part 1
What are Isotopes?
What are isotopes? You may have heard of them many times in movies when they are talking about nuclear weapons, but isotopes are not just unstable atoms used for undergoing nuclear fission (the splitting of an atom’s nucleus), they are, simply put, atoms that have the same number of protons, but vary in their number … Continue reading What are Isotopes?
What is ATP?
ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate and is simply described as the “energy currency” of the cell. This very large molecule is used for cellular activities that require energy and is used by every organism. ATP is what we call a nucleotide, which is made up of a nitrogenous base, a phosphate group, and a sugar. … Continue reading What is ATP?
Exploring Science 