Ask a physicist anything. (2)

[canehdianhotstuff]

The DANGERS of gummy bears . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ-pSfXcXtw&feature=fvw

(This is the result of a single gummy bear reacting with molten sodium chlorate, contained in a test tube.)

potassium chlorate actually works better. Doesnt have to be a gummy bear. Any carbohydrate will work. Just throw in some sugar basically.

This one is a decompostion reaction as well.

C12H22O11(s) + 8KClO3(s) => 12CO2(g) + 11H2O(g) + 8KCl(s)

 

[catzrfluffy]

Aw, there I was thinking gummy bears were scientifically special for some reason.

 

[Chesterton]

I'm going to complain to People for the Ethical Treatment of Gummy Bears.

 

[catzrfluffy]

They like to bite the heads off first!

 

[catzrfluffy]

What type of xylophone does Patrick Moore play?

And what makes that scaly stuff in my kettle that ends up at the bottom of my cup of tea?

 

[Cabal]

And what makes that scaly stuff in my kettle that ends up at the bottom of my cup of tea?

Water hardness is usually caused by dissolved magnesium and calcium ions coming out of solution as some of the water evaporates while the kettle boils, which probably means there's calcium or magnesium rich rocks upstream of wherever your water source is, or in the water table.

It can be filtered or reacted out, but that can sometimes be a tricky process.

 

[Cabal]

They like to bite the heads off first!

Jelly babies are quite a psychotic concept, when one stops and thinks about it.

Especially given that they were invented as "peace babies" following WWI armistice.

I believe the technical term is "epic fail."

 

[Wiccan_Child]

What type of xylophone does Patrick Moore play?

Not an clue. I didn't even know he played the xylophone till today!

And what makes that scaly stuff in my kettle that ends up at the bottom of my cup of tea?

Limescale. Calcium bicarbonate is in all water in small concentrations, but loses solubility when heated. With a lower solubility, it forms deposits called limescale.

 

[catzrfluffy]

Does limescale contain lime?

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Does limescale contain lime?

Ah, if only. Then all my cups of tea would be lime flavoured.

 

[Cabal]

Does limescale contain lime?

Sort of. Limescale is calcium carbonate, lime is a name for calcium oxide - they're similar but not identical.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Sort of. Limescale is calcium carbonate, lime is a name for calcium oxide - they're similar but not identical.

I thought limes were green and citrous-y?

 

[Cabal]

I thought limes were green and citrous-y?

I can't see that pic, and I hope you're just mucking about here....

 

[Wiccan_Child]

I can't see that pic, and I hope you're just mucking about here....

Sorry?

 

[Cabal]

Sorry?

You didn't know that lime is an old name for calcium oxide?

Sorry, just I'm not sure if you're joking about or not. It's been a long week in the lab....

 

[Wiccan_Child]

You didn't know that lime is an old name for calcium oxide?

Sorry, just I'm not sure if you're joking about or not. It's been a long week in the lab....

Ah. The image might have helped demonstrate the humour, as it is most jocular.

 

[catzrfluffy]

Don't worry he's just got lime disease.

 

[laconicstudent]

Don't worry he's just got lime disease.

 

[catzrfluffy]

Why is it bad to swallow toothpaste? How is flouride dangerous?

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Why is it bad to swallow toothpaste? How is flouride dangerous?

Toothpaste contains some nasty chemicals that, in excess, are toxic, so you shouldn't swallow it. The fluoride in toothpaste can cause fluorosis in young children, which is why they shouldn't have fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is toxic because it binds to calcium and interferes with a various proteins and enzymes, buggering up your metabolism, especially in your gut.