February 28, 2014 Earth Science
The dangers of the world’s oceans and seas has been well known for thousands of years, and even today the profession of fisherman is still regarded as one the most dangerous. One danger that those traversing the seas may encounter…
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With stinging tentacles up to three meters long, and with a transparent body which is nearly impossible to see in the water, the tropical box jellyfish, boxfish or sea wasp is the largest and most venomous member of the lethal…
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February 28, 2014 Physical Science
In an ideal world, there would always be an equal number of hot dogs and hot dog buns, the peanut butter would be used up in the same sandwich that finishes off the jelly, and there would always be enough…
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The coca leaf is a huge part of Peruvian culture and has been for centuries. For many South Americans, coca is part of their everyday lives, much like coffee is for inhabitants of other parts of the world. Coca, however,…
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February 28, 2014 Physical Science
Ethyl mercaptan, also known as ethanethiol, is an organic compound (liquid at room temperature) with a strong, unpleasant odor. It is often added to propane, butane, or liquid petroleum gas, which are otherwise odorless, to make it easier to detect…
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February 28, 2014 Physical Science
To the average person, the word “aromatic” usually means “pleasingly fragrant”. For chemists too, it held this meaning originally. Over time, chemists found that certain organic compounds were much more stable (unreactive) than was normal for similar chemicals. Because many…
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February 28, 2014 Physical Science
What methods are used by evolutionists to date an archaeological find? And do these methods actually support evolution? Radiocarbon dating is a commonly used method to determine the age of archaeological finds. The process, sometimes referred to as “radiocarbon reading,”…
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February 28, 2014 Physical Science
Stoichiometry is often the bane of a chemistry student’s existence. Unlike many lessons which can be learned and forgotten after the test, stoichiometry is a tool that is used constantly throughout the remainder of chemistry. If the skill is not…
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Sometimes the smallest invention can have an enormous impact far beyond anything ever imagine by its inventor. That was certainly the case when Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. His invention made cotton a more economically viable cash crop and…
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February 27, 2014 Physical Science
Spontaneous combustion has always had some mystical quality about it. How can an object suddenly (or slowly) burst into flames in the absence of any apparent ignition? During the Dark Ages it was associated with witchery or other satanical powers….
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