Theophrastus

Not quite... you see, the hydrogen chloride you refer to is hydrochloric acid. It all has to do with solubility, as if the substances in question are polar, they will be soluble in polar solvents. If they are nonpolar they will be soluble in nonpolar solvents. As such, you need to account for the solubility (through Ksp) as if the substance is soluble, you will lose a certain amount of your existent yield. Thus, find out whether water is polar, and then in contrast, examine your solutes. You need to also see if there are any chemical interactions, as these can also deter your final yield.

In regards to your question regarding magnesium oxide, yes it will react with water, in a similar fashion to calcium oxide, however, it is not something that you can attain by electrolysis. I recommend attaining oxide, through the decomposition of magnesium hydroxide, which can be done at a relatively low heat. A simple method to attain magnesium hydroxide is to add epsom salt (MgSO4) to an ammonia solution. You'll quickly get a milky white precipitate which can be easily filered out. (magnesium hydroxide) In regards to any compounds you make, I recommend use of MSDS's (material safety data sheets). Just do a google search, they're incredibly useful. Cheers! MgSO4 + 2NH4OH > Mg(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4 Mg(OH)2 > MgO + H2O (The last reaction can then be performed in reverse, by dropping the magnesia into water) MgO + H2O > Mg(OH)2 The best part is that, as the reaction with water, gives you hydroxide, you can simply filter the magnesium hydroxide from the solution, and perform the reaction again, decomposing, and then combining with water. (Though it does begin to get old over time)

For the greater benefit of clarity, I shall address all of these issues in turn. Firstly, the excess of KCN, is required, because if you are to make the stoichiometric calculations, the following reactions take place: 2KCN + Fe(II) SO4 > K2SO4 + Fe(CN)2 Fe(CN)2 + 4KCN > K4Fe(CN)6 As you can see, first, two moles of potassium cyanide, react with one mole iron (II) sulphate, to produce one mole of potassium sulphate, and one mole of iron (II) cyanide. The iron cyanide, then reacts with the excess 4 moles of KCN to produce potassium hexacyanoferrate, as shown below. So, knowing the stoichiometry, by molar mass, the ratio is 6 moles of potassium cyanide, per one mole of iron sulphate. For macroscopic benefit, you can simply translate from moles to grams, and then find how many grams of potassium cyanide and iron sulphate are needed for the reaction. Secondly, technically speaking, the resulting solution of hexacyanoferrate, can easily be used in the making of prussian blue, but if you want to extract it from the solution, simply do what woelen said, adding acid and iron. For your final merged post, you are right to say that it hydrates, to form iron sulphate heptahydrate, and this can interfere with your calculations, and as such, if you purchased the chemical, simply check the label to say whether the iron sulphate is hydrated. If you're still unsure, simply heat it to a fair bit higher a temperature than 100 degrees centigrate, and this ought to dehydrate your iron (II) sulfate. In regards to the temperatures required by the reaction, I doubt it would be too high. I'm a little lazy to make any calculations, but I'ld guess that just a light heat, around 80, 90 degrees celsius is all the heat you'll need. Cheers!

Well, I find one problem is that where I live, a requirement of completing a course, is that to take it, you need to have completed the preceding one, so on and so forth. Thus, I really find that at least where I live, nobody goes to a university or college, until finishing grade 12, regardless of aptitude. Are there any ways to surpass this in Canada? I was just wondering, as I'm thinking of taking some higher level courses, without the nuisance of taking the consistent route through the easy predecessors. Any ideas?

Really interesting iNow. While I'm not interested so much in this debate, unless it is another case of religion, posing an inhibition to scientific study and more importantly, reason, and common sense! (Which it is easy to see occurs often throughout history) The points mentioned, were very interesting. I particularly found interest in the separation of the body and mind, and the effects it can have. I have now gained some new rhetoric armour in a rather recent debate, I've entered, regarding the reasoning behind the existence of religion.

Yeah... and feels even worse, when I read books like Uncle Tungsten, discussing hobby chemistry in the 40's and 50's; Alas, how time has flown, and how society has changed.

Molecular geometry, really has much to do with the number of valence electrons, and the type of bonds present and the like (double, single, sigma pi). Generally, I'd elaborate, though I'm feeling lazy. Simply google molecular geometry, and I'm sure you'll find the answer, typing in several of the keywords above.

The second thing you mentioned with ionic solvents, only being suitable for ionic compounds, and the same with covalent, is incorrect, as table salt, sodium chlorine (An ionic compound) is soluble in water (A covalent compound). But the first that you mentioned was true- you should find out whether the solutes are polar or nonpolar, whether your solvent, acetone is polar oir nonpolar, and then solve accordingly, as like dissolves like.

Excellent choice, in stickying this point. Everyone I know, when they first start chemistry, have a taste for things that "go boom." Metallic sodium is one of many of the compounds that go upon this list. The other alkali metals, acetylene gas, and homemade 90% hydrogen peroxide are among other sought after compounds, that are not as easy to make, but seem to be much desired. It's interesting, that everyone seems to have a natural affinity to using electrolysis as their "magic bullet," as you fairly pointed out. Certainly a worthy topic for the psychology thread.

No, UC, you're absolutely rightr, as Ksp is the product of the molar concentrations of the dissolved ions. It's also useful as it governs, the common ion effect, which governs a change in the solubility equilibrium of a solution, in the case of the addition of another substance.

In all honesty, I'm not really sure why I'm even making this post, as it is of direct relevance, however, I don't understand, what with the tedious clarifications of what science is, in the pseudoscience and speculations section, what is the point of the pseudoscience and speculation forum. Surely, any reasonable, and reputable speculations can be placed in their designated area, and if not, they can be placed in general sciences. Why, by creating the pseudoscience and speculation forum, isolate and encourage these kinds of thought, sharing propaganda myths, and conspiracy theories, unless you expect to attempt to enlighten the ignorant. Or is it rather some kind of isolation, to prevent interruption in the other threads? Might I attain an answer, as every time I go to the main page where the forums branch off, I always wonder why anyone bothered to even make a sub- category devoted solely to pseudoscience and speculations? Am I the only one unnerved at this?

I'm not sure of freezing, however, I do know that adding heat, will only increase the rate of decomposition, will it not, so technically, in boiling it down, it won't concentrate the solution due to the peroxides decomposition, which is rather unstable, at high temperatures, as many have already pointed out. There's good reason why people don't simply boil the peroxide, down to jet fuel concentrations. Because not only is it futile, but you run the risk of injuring yourself and those around you.

I, too, have actually quite recently read the Republic, and while I didn't necessarily agree with all of what Plato states, it is a very good book to establish philosophical inquiry into the nature of morality, virtue, and any other topic you might bump into along the way. (Thus I do second that recommendation.) However, I don't see where you find the greatest influence to morality, the corporation, and secondly, can you please give a concrete definition of corporation, as it would be most helpful to understand the logic involved. (I got lost somewhere in the middle of the fifth paragraph) ps: If you read Glaucon's initial opinion of morality in The Republic- Book 1, you may gain a little insight into my own thoughts

A bit unrelated, though similarly, you could use the wax method to incribe words or pictures, into the metal. I' ve done it before, and it works quite well. You simply heat the metal plate, upon which you desire to right, then place atop it a lump of wax, which will soon melt, and form a thin layer on the metal, you then then write, with an iodine soultion, on the metal plate, the pressing of the utensil, making a hole in the wax. Having written your desired message, leave the metal to cool, and rid yourself of the wax, and any salt (cough, cough) that may be on the metal. Very useful, actually.

Agreed, all it does, is induce the corrosion of the magnesium metal, and release hydrogen gas, in the process.

It's true that there exist hobby chemistry suppliers, however, they are scarcer, and are generally careful in selling particular products to people. Basic chemicals, such as dilute hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, certain organic acid, are less suspicious, however, what with the billion dollar international drug industry, caution, towards certain chemicals, can certainly be expected. Similarly for chemicals, generally associated with pyrotechnics. So yes, suppliers exist, however, it is certainly more difficult to be a hobby chemist today, what with impending restrictions due to the existence of lunatics, and the like.

"Was that so hard" - lol. Sorry, due to outward laziness, I generally ignore the magic of google, and simply post certain questions, hoping for a reply. My general apologies ps: Laziness does have its upsides, however. For example, one of my friends, mutters "rather nasty curse words" to me, under his breath in french, when he is angry. Now, were I to have the "determination" and "work- ethic" to translate these words, I might be offended. Instead laziness prevails, and there is no unnecessary strain upon our friendship. May laziness flourish, to the detriment of virtue! (Sorry, that last note, may be a little on the anarchistic/ communistic side) pps: Yes, I know, my carbohydrate intake, is clearly excessive. Ah, sucrose...

Ah, thanks for the clarification, i was thinking in more of a theoretical context. However, I do have a question, simply under heat, were one to perform the decomposition of magnesium sulfate, would the reaction ensue like this: MgSO4 > MgS + 2O2 or MgSO4 > Mg + SO2 + O2 I understend that what would occur would also be based upon the decomposition point of MgS, so, what would occur?

Where did you attain the hydrogen ion? In the electrolysis of pure (molten!)magnesium sulfate, you attain magnesium at one end, and a sulfate ion on the other. The sulfate then decomposes to form sulfur dioxide (a rather poisonous gas) and diatomic oxygen. However, while early on, many people see electrolysis as the source of all their problems, electrolysis of salts is often very difficult due to the high temperatures involved (as they must be in a liquid form), and use of an aqueous solution often interferes with the attainment of desired products. Without a high current, its also a rather slow process, certainly not an optimum one. It's not, by any means the "magic bullet."

As explained previously by woelen, the use of a fume hood or a well- ventilated area, should be sufficient in dealing with any cyanide that is released. An alternative would be use of a closed chamber apparatus, however this then produces the added complication of the disposal of the cyanide. It's much easier, in this case, to simply use the methods prescribed above You should also use excess potassium cyanide, my guess would be about 5 times as much (we're refering to molar ratios of course), as the iron sulphate, or whatever iron salt you plan to use. Acid, as explained before, can be used to catalyze the reaction. And voila! (Seriously speaking, I don't see how you couldn't simply achieve that through examinations of the previous posts, as all of this was specified.) Happy "chemical- ling!"

I suppose it might be because their greater structural strength, due to their molecular structure would result in lesser elasticity, which would make them easier to break. Is that what you were asking? Can you perhaps specify further to the identity of the polymer in question as there is certainly more than one type of thermoconductive polymer. Secondly, are you refering to attributes purely related to the polymer's structure, or rather a particular polymer?

Ah, I should have been more clear, I meant that independently, they do not react in the archityped acidic manner, though you make an excellent point and correction, Hermanntrude; the term acid is based upon governing laws of interaction, and not physical properties. I suppose, in regards to that, I suppose the names of the theories are suitable clarifications, to distinguish physical properties. (Lewis acid, Arrhenius base, etc.) Thanks for the update!

I think the first step to building the functional system of medicine, was its deviation from religion, in the time of the greeks, by hippocrates. As long as medicine and religion remained synonymous, the so- called "cures" were simply blessings administered by a priest or various other things based on the doctrine of the religion in question. (That's where we start getting into these pseudomedicines: "Hello, sir, do you want one hole, or two?") In studying the human body, (albeit cadavers, for ethical reasons) and trying to find the underlying cause of disease, hippocrates really began the study of medicine. Mind you it took years and years, to get to the point it is today. I'ld also include x- rays, NMR (or MRI, whichever you prefer), PET, and methods of viewing living tissue, to directly help patients. I agree with many of the things previously mentioned, such as vaccines, antibiotic, painkillers and anesthetics. Genetics is also a revolutionary concept, in that it explains the nature of numerous inherited diseases, and finds an underlying cause for various diseases, resulting of genetic mutations: ie cystic fibrosis Cheers!

Despite claiming to have stated your case poorly, Kaeroll, I find that this is a good point, as it seems that in society, people seem to find some matter of enmity in authority, and those more knowledgeable than themselves. This of course, I can easily back up by the current romantisism of gangsters, and antagonism of authority, in the media. Due to an ill- knowledge populace in various matters, conspiracy theories can be found in many branches. I myself recently heard one of my friends, stating a claim, that they believe that a cure for cancer has already been found, but it is being withheld from the general populace, in an attempt by the medicinal community to make money off of numerous different treatments. (An obvious lie) Scams are just as frequent, including numerous instant weight- loss supplements, and various pseudomedicines. It is, simply put, an assault on reason, in society. Thanks for revising my definition of homeopathic. I particularly like the fact that homeopathic "medicines," take the care to call themselves supplements to avoid testing. One other thing I find interesting is that people believe that herbal medicine has something that ordinary medicine doesn't, to that, I enjoy directing them to the synthesis of urea, which proved that organic compounds, while generally more complex are in fact (contrary to popular belief at the time, and conspiratorial belief today) made of the same atomic matter as inorganic compounds

A long post, and quite thorough and well said, however, you must take note that the Lewis theory, while displaying the flaws of the previous Arrhenius, and bronsted- lowry theories, bears some flaws of its own. For example the definition for an acid in this theory, is a subtance that would accept an electron pair, from the predefined lewis base, to form a coordination complex. If one were to accept any compound with these tendency as an acid, you could easily define many transition metal ions as acids, when truly, they are not.