Week Six: Molecular Weight and Molar Mass

Alkali Earth Metal of the Week

So far, I've enjoyed learning about the Earth Alkaline Metals most because they are all found naturally on Earth. This is more appealing to me because the more I learn about synthetic chemistry and synthetic anything, really, the more I see a relationship between creating something and in turn creating some sort of imbalance.
All Alkaline earth metals are shiny. They are somewhat reactive at standard temp and pressure and are usually a silvery-white color.
I chose Magnesium for my Alkaline Earth Metal of the week because I have been learning a lot about it in Nutrition and Vitamins and also in Physiology.
Magnesium (Mg), along with the other alkaline earth metals, has two electrons in their outer shell. This forms cations with a charge of +2. It is also in group 2 and the s-block of the periodic table of elements, which also means that the outer electrons in are in an s-orbital.
Mg has many uses. Mixing it with other metals can make the over all product lighter. It can be used as a reducing agent and helps with many physiological aspects of the body.

Avogadro's Hypothesis
After looking over Avogadro's Hypothesis "equal volumes of gases, at the same temperature and pressure, contain equal numbers of molecules." I obviously also agree with it although I'm not sure how I could "test" this. I could see how there was much confusion before about the mixing of molecules and compounds, but because of Avogadro and his hypothesis we can now see that molecules come in units. So H2O is 2 sets of hydrogen molecules with one set of oxygen molecules.

Molecular Medicince
Molecular medicine seems like an amazing way to help get rid of immediate pain and discomfort in certain conditions and could maybe even be life saving for some, but it sure isn't going to come without a price. Inhaling medicine because of the vast surface area on our lungs seems like a great idea, and I'm not saying that it isn't, but if we look at where we're at now, our gut has suffered both individually and as a people, because of medicine hitting our stomachs, I can't help but worry about what it may do to the condition of our lungs. I suffer with an auto-immune disorder which is directly related to the over use of anti biotics given orally, not just to me but to my parents and grandparents. Antibiotics and other western medicines given in pill form has caused so many epidemics while trying to "cure" others. There is no doubt that molecular medicine will also have drastic side effects causing new problems.

Week 5 The Chemistry of Color and Nutrition

Inert Gas of the Week

For my inert gas of the week I am picking Neon. With an atomic number of 10 Ne has an atomic mass of 20 meaning there are 10 protons and 10 neutrons as well as 10 electrons. Ne is the fourth most abundant element in the Universe and was discovered shortly after Krypton in the year 1898. Two chemists were studying liquid air when they found this element. The largest use of Ne is in signs but is also used as a refrigerant. In a test tube it's color is a rich orangish red.

Food Colors In My Kitchen

I usually eat a pretty "strict" diet in the way that I stay away from processed foods and TRY to stay away from sugar, although I definitely struggle with this addiction.
Here are a couple pictures of some common foods you might find in my kitchen.

After looking at this I see that I am lacking in foods that are blue and red. I'm not sure what else I could eat besides blueberries that are blue, but I did buy some at the store yesterday. For the red maybe I can introduce peppers.
Last week I introduced black into my diet by incorporating Hijiki. I'm excited about that. I am also looking forward to incorporating more black sesame into my diet.
At first I thought I was also missing yellow, but I drink bone broth every day and I think that will suffice.
One other thing that is ALWAYS in my kitchen is chocolate. It's not in the picture tho because right now the chocolate happens to be my bed. Can't live without it! 

Thoughts From This Weeks Class

This was my favorite class so far and I wish we could have explored the actual chemistry behind the colors of food even more. I find food to be so interesting and also beautiful. Not a day goes by where I am not impressed by the beauty of food.

I also liked learning a little more about Chakras and have been incorporating visualizing the colors in my body when I meditate. In fact, even today, I have a sore throat and have been eating blueberries to help that areas chakra. I look forward to learning a lot more about color theory and how it relates to food.

Week 4 Green Chemistry

Catalyst of the Week

Cobalt
Co
Atomic Number 27
32 Neutrons

Cobalt found in the Earth is only found mixed with other elements, usually in Iron. You must reduce it down to it's elemental form using a technique called smelting. It is then a silver, hard metal.

People in the past have used Cobalt for dying. Hence the term "Cobalt Blue".

Discussion Write Up

Science without social responsibility is a huge discussion these days because we are living with the repercussions. There are many reasons how this happened; in fact I feel like I could spend hours talking about the human psyche, privilege, money, and Colonialism and how it relates to where we are now environmentally because I think it's all related. The one thing I can't figure out, is how are the people who are making this chemical waste and doing the extreme extractions of our Earth's elements not scared out of their minds?! I just feel like there has to be a lot of running away from one's own conscience. Or did they really not know how bad it was? I don't know, but either way it's mind blowing to me. It makes no sense.