{~Chem~}

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Global Warming

I do strongly believe that everyday activities undergone by humans have contributed greatly to Global Warming. With such careless abuse of energy, humans are destroying the ozone protective layer of the atmosphere, causing destructive results, such as heat waves, increased wild fires, and more powerful hurricanes than ever before.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1489955,00.html

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science/Fingerprints.html

http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_cse.htm

With increasing industrialization and use of fossil fuels in industrial plants, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have also increased over the past few centuries. This has brought about the increase in yearly average temperatures.

The Kyoto Protocol was an agreement made under the UNFCCC to reduce the emission of the five greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. The map below reveals the countries that have signed the agreement with or with out ratification:

The major nations that have singed with ratification include China, India, Canada, Russia, Spain, Italy, The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico.

Causes of Global Warming
The greatest cause of global warming must be the excessive amount of traffic that our world has become exposed rather recently. All the burning gasoline and emissions of carbon dioxide in dense urban areas , and through out the world for that matter, have greatly impacted the problem. Air traffic has also had a significant impact, as it is estimated that 3.5% of global warming is caused by aviation and could possibly raise to 15% by the year 2050.

Another cause is deforestation, which is the second main reason of the elevation of atmospheric carbon dioxide. With so many trees being cut down, not as much carbon dioxide is absorbed and converted to oxygen. Emissions of carbon dioxide also occurs with the burning of fossil fuels in power plants to produce electricity.

Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption
As we rely on these "causes" to facilitate life for us everyday, we cannot completely eliminate them. However, there are various ways we can be cautious about our use of energy. We can reduce traffic pollution by taking public transit or carpooling on a regular basis. Another simple way to reduce traffic pollution is to not leave a car running idle, as it also wastes fuel.

Many actions can be taken around the house to conserve energy. We should use as little power as possible by not leaving refrigerator doors open, not leaving electronic appliances on, and try to refrain from keeping the heat or air-conditioning on for long periods of time.

A useful technology that could be utilized to reduce the intensity of global warming would be solar or wind energy. Since 93% of emissions occur from coal burning in the electric industry, replacing it with solar or wind energy would continue the creation of electricity but with much less contamination.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Lithium

Atomic Number – 3

Mass number – 6.941amu

History and Properties

As the 31st most abundant element, Lithium is one of four of the only element that was created in the first few minutes in the universe as a result of the Big Bang. Discovered in 1817, by Swedish chemist Johann Arfvedson while studying the mineral petalite, it was given the name “lithium” from the Greek word “lithos” which means “stone”.

The lightest of all metals, the density of Lithium is half that of water and is quite buoyant. Lithium metal is flammable and likely to explode when exposed to air and even more likely when exposed to water. Due to the element’s high ability to react, it does not occur in its pure form, but chemically combined with other elements.

When burned, a sharp, crimson red flame is created. In 1818, German chemist Christian Gmelin was the to first observed that the salts in Lithium give this color to the flame. If the burning continues, the flame changes to a bright white color.

Uses

The production of Lithium metal was successfully begun in 1923 and was greatly increased after the conclusion of World War II. The top manufacturer in the world is currently Chile, followed by Argentina.

Nowadays, Lithium metal is used in many common devices, including batteries, especially cell phones and cameras, toasters, microwaves, and other household appliances, as well as in more complex construction, such as aircraft materials. It is also a component for the development of nuclear weapons.

Lithium also has various medical uses and is notorious for its positive effects on the nervous system. It is used in the treatment of severe mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, and to enhance the effectiveness of other antidepressants. Lithium compounds are used as mood stabilizing drugs. They can also be prescribed as prevention for migraine disease and cluster headaches.

Interesting Facts

Lithium is soft enough to be cut with a knife.

It is the only metal that reacts with nitrogen at room temperature.

It has the highest specific heat capacity of all solids.