Many chemistry experiments involve the release of gases. While some gases can be safely vented through fume hoods or into well-ventilated areas, there are situations where certain gases need to be collected. In such cases, gas jars are used. The primary role of a gas jar in the laboratory, therefore, is to collect and temporarily … Read more
Just as science is divided into different fields, chemistry is also segmented into various branches. There are five main branches of chemistry: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry. These branches form the foundation of chemical study, each focusing on different aspects of the subject, from the behavior of molecules to chemical … Read more
Oxygen is an essential element for various scientific and industrial processes. In the laboratory, it is commonly prepared using a few established methods, each leveraging chemical reactions to produce this vital gas. 1. From Hydrogen Peroxide The most common method of preparing oxygen in the lab is catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. At room temperature, … Read more
In chemistry, elements are represented by letters. These letters are called chemical symbols. As of February 2024, 118 chemical elements had been identified and named officially by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Each of these elements is represented by a chemical symbol. Chemical symbols consist of one or two letters, which … Read more
In the previous section, we described chemical changes as those in which two substances react to form one or more new substances or those in which one substance changes to two or more new substances. In chemistry, such changes are referred to as chemical reactions. For chemists to describe or explain chemical reactions to … Read more
We have already learned about the physical properties of acids in this previous post. Let’s now focus on the chemical properties of acids (or how they react with other substances). 1. Reaction of Acids with Metals Acids react with metals to form a salt and hydrogen gas. Acids contain chemically bound hydrogen, which can be … Read more
In the previous post, we mentioned that one of the properties of acids is that they have sour tastes, while bases have bitter tastes. Using taste to classify substances as acids or bases is not an accurate method. It is not safe either due to the potential harm that acidic or basic substances can cause … Read more