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Chemistry v2
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by
on 2008-03-15 19:30:35 (edited 2008-03-16 15:42:13)
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Hello! I want to ask a question about the Physics subforum. I saw a topic entitled "Chemistry" which happens to have been locked. I think that it isn't against the rules to post a Chemistry topic in the "Physics" subforum, but can I post topics about Biology or Chemistry there since there's no separate subforum for that? Thank you very much. I won't post there until I'll get an answer just to play safe. I searched for this in the FAQ, but I can't find it in there. Sorry if this topic breaks the rules in any way. ~Chemical.Rainbow|Alchemy  |
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Re: Chemistry v2
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by
on 2008-03-16 15:41:30 (edited 2008-03-16 15:41:47)
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You have my permission to create your own Chemistry thread, in fact, this one is it! 
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Re: Chemistry v2
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on 2008-03-18 02:42:01 |
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Oh, ok. Thank you for very much. I'll just edit this topic when the time comes that I decide to post something about Chemistry. |
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Re: Chemistry v2
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by kudoushinichi
on 2008-03-18 10:32:54
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Can I ask something about Chemistry then? I learned quite sometime before that Group I metals (the Alkali metals) produces flames with colour characteristic to the element being burnt under strong heat eg. by using a Bunsen Burner. But I don't quite remember the colours of the flames each metal produces when burned. The other day in my old school's chemistry lab, my friend and I were fiddling with the chemicals. We burned salt crystals of Group I compounds, namely Potassium Sulphate and Lithium Chloride. We also burned a few other salts like Strontium Chloride, Copper Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate and Calcium Sulphate. MgSO4 and CaSO4 doesn't give out much of a colour, but K2SO4 gave out bright orange flames, LiCl gave out a nice reddish carmine coloured flames while CuSO4 gave out brilliant green flames. I don't remember the colour of the flame of SrCl2... My question is, is the colour of the flame when we burn an element of Group I the same as the colour of the flame when we burn the salt of the element? And... what actually causes this variety in the colour of the flames?
Shinjitsu wa itsumo hitotsu!
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Re: Chemistry v2
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on 2008-03-18 11:31:10 |
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I can certainly answer your second question. Color of the flame is a result of the wavelengths of the photons being emitted. Physicists call the assortment of wavelengths of emitted light "spectra". As you well know, photons (light particles) are sent off as chemical bonds break. Each element on the periodic table has a unique stable electron configuration, and therefore, it's own unique spectral properties. Atoms joined together into molecules can produce further unique spectra. So, the color of light is based on the spectral properties of the material being burned. The schrodinger equation can be used to predict the spectral lines of hydrogen, and every other atom. It is very difficult to solve the equation accurately for heavier, more complex elements. Still, we know that the quantum mechanics is able to explain the specific frequency of light we see from burning different atoms. As for your first question, I don't think isolate atoms will burn all by themselves. Burning (combustion) is the process is breaking chemical bonds between atoms using thermal (internal kinetic) energy. A lonely Potassium ion wouldn't burn, but Potassium Sulphate certainly does. I hope that answer is satisfactory, and correct!
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