On this day in History : Diana Project
I guess this could also be seen as the beginning of radio astronomy once we learned we could get signals outside of the ionosphere.
Posted to the Fediverse today by Robert McNees @[email protected]
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Auschwitz Memorial
One of the accounts that I am following on the Fediverse is the Auschwitz Memorial
- Fedi id: @[email protected]
This gives a daily account of life at the camp, importantly puts up photos & names of the people who were executed, it gives the victims face rather than a number or part of the statistics.
It is really important that we never forget what happened.
This is even more important when you consider the recent events in Brazil designed to do the same as was attempted in the USA on Jan 6th.
A good reason to make learning about this compulsory, but perhaps when doing so also cover recent events and remind people there are still fascists and racists out there trying to get a foothold in to our democratic systems.
Even more so when you get things like this happening on Twitter
Why are people like this being let back on to Twitter, not that it really matters as surely everyone with moral and ethical values has left. I did back in November, before people trying to post links to Mastodon were banned.
Cornwall Rocket Launch 9/1/2023 Update
Further to the previous post on this, the orbiter plane took off as planned, and the first stage of the rocket was fine. Due to a technical “anomaly “issue with stage 2, the rocket was lost and failed to reach low orbit and deliver the payload.
Investigations in to what went wrong have started.
Links
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Ecology jobs and research opportunities.
If you're interested in jobs within Ecology and Environment it may be worth following @jobsecoevo on the fediverse. As opportunities seem to get posted on a regular basis.
Note: That these seem to be generally PostDoc opportunities, but fedi is also about making connections too.
Also worth following @[email protected]">Ana Rodrigues
An example of a recent post is
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#Science,#Research,#PostDoc,#Opportunities,#Ecology,#Environment
The structure of Proteins
Another really good resource for anyone interested in Biology and Chemistry related topics.
Stephen Moran @stephenj[email protected]
“Amazing visualisation and overview of the structure and action of proteins”
This packs a lot of information in a short video, there are also some related videos in the side bar which look equally as informative.
If you're studying science subjects, sometimes you may not quite understand something so finding different explanations can be quite helpful.
You can follow Stephen on the Fediverse, (details above) and discuss. Feel free to also ask questions on :
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#science #biochemistry #OrganicChemistry #biology #video https://youtu.be/wvTv8TqWC48
Cornwall Rocket Launch 9/1/2023
Virgin Orbit’s jumbo jet has taken off and is en-route to where it will deliver a rocket containing satellites in to space. This is a demonstration of the technology and helping to launch the UK space industry in to a new era.
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Home Chemistry 4 – Indicators
For some reason, the universal indicator paper I have isn't working properly, it could be as it is quite old.
Nevertheless it does seem that if emersed in Water, the chemicals within leech out. I tried this with a few pieces and it has produced a nice blue colour.
So I am assuming that the liquid produced can act as an acid / alkali indicator.
So to investigate further. I am going conduct an investigation.
Equipment
- Test tube rack
- 2 Test tubes
- Beaker with indicator solution
- Dropper
- Spatula
Chemicals
Both in powder form.
- Bicarbonate of Soda
- Citric Acid
Predictions
- Bicarbonate of Soda – Should change colour towards Purple (Alkali)
- Citric Acid – Should change colour towards red (Acid)
Method
- Add Bicarbonate of soda to 1 test tube
- Add citric Acid to the other
- Make a note which is which
- Using a dropper add some of the indicator to each of the test tubes
- Note colour
Results
Colour changes noted as follows:-
- Bicarbonate of Soda – Stays blue
- Citric Acid – Does turn a very pale pink colour
Conclusions
I don't think I had an indicator in the first place, as this was blue,any change in colour would not be very noticeable with the addition of the alkaline bicarbonate of soda.
I would have expected the citric acid to be a clearer colour to indicate acid.
I think my indicator paper is simply out of date due to age.
Recommendations
- Repeat part of this experiment using fresh indicator paper, only just use the paper to test the above two chemicals mixed with water. As the paper needs a liquid to work anyway.
- Throw old papers away and buy new.
Update
As confirmed on Science forums the indicator paper has degraded and needs to be replaced. So my Hypothesis as to the issue was on the right track.
Links
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How far does light travel?
Interesting video from NASA on how far light travels in a given period of time.
Links
Happy do discuss further on Mastodon, my id is : @[email protected]
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Home Chemistry 3 – Molar Solutions
Last year, I had a go at preparing a known concentration 1M of Sodium Chloride (Salt). Using the instructions at Quora.
In order to some chemicals for future use. I will use the same instructions to create a known concentration of Citric Acid, given I want to test the reactivity between this and various metals, in a similar way to my previous experiment in Home Chemistry 1
Calculations
- Decide how much solution is needed – 250ml
- Determine Molar mass of Citric Acid
- According to PubChem this is 192.12g
- Work out how much solid powder is needed
- Given 1 Mol is the molecular weight in 1 litire of water
- We are producing 250ml – so need to weigh out ¼ of the molar mass
- 192.12 / 4 = 48.03g
- So based on the instructions I found for NaCl
- We need to dissolve 48.03g in 250ml of Water to produce 250ml 1 molar concentration of Citric Acid
Safety
- Refer to data sheet – We know that Citric Acid is a Irritant, therefore it would be prudent to stick the CORRECT label on the bottle storing the solution.
- Correctly label the bottle
- Wear goggles when preparing the solution
- Wear gloves and Lab Coat
- Clean Surfaces
- Wash hands when finished
Equipment
- Scales or Balance
- Volumetric Flask *1
- Stirrer
- Spatula
- Paper to write notes
- Paper to put on scales for powder
- Funnel
- Label saying 250ml 1 mol Citric Acid
- Label giving formula and Molar weight
- Irritant label
Equipment Replacement
*1 As I don't have a volumetric Flask, I can use a 250 or 500ml Conical Flask
Considerations
My weighing scales are only basic and do not measure to 2 decimal places, there for we can weigh out 48g. As this is for home chemistry, while accuracy is important, we can probably make minor compromises.
Chemicals
- Water
- Citric Acid Powder
Method
Read fully first
- Prepare equipment
- Measure out 250ml Water
- Fold paper in ½
- Unfold paper
- Put paper on scales
- Ensure Scales are ZERO
- Weigh out required amount of Citric Acid Powder
- Pour powder in to flask and stir or move flask around in a circular motion*
- Pour solution in to suitable container
- Stick on labels
- Wash up and dry equipment
- Wipe down surfaces etc
- Wash hands
- Store solution safely
Note the fold in the paper,just makes this easier.
- You may need to pour small amounts in to the flash, and dissolve before adding more
Further reading and advice
There will be a related thread on Science Forums for this, as I want to double check everything is correct.
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#Home,#Chemistry,#HomeChemistry3,#Molar,#Solution,#CitricAcid