Reed,+Jason

What airlines go through for security is truly amazing. I always thought that the x-ray machines simply showed their operators what was going through them. As it turns out, the machines themselves turn out to do most of the searching. Using x-ray technology at different times and powers, the machine gets an idea of the inside of the bag. At the same time, it’s running several different complex calculations to identify the contents based on the amount of penetration the rays have through the material. Based on this, the machine can identify the different elements and whether or not they’ll explode together. The periodic table being used in the middle of an airport…? Airline security will never be the same.
 * __Article Reflection:__**

Jason, Good post but this article is not on the current list. Save this and do another one. MW

__**Article Reflection, Take 2:**__ I find it rather comical, and yet also rather interesting, that cities and towns across the USA name themselves after elements and other Chemistry terms. Then again, it makes sense to name the area after what's found there. Arsenic Tubs, Arizona because of amounts of arsenic... Boron, California due to amounts of boron... But, even if you take into account the fact that these elements are found there, you have to wonder where they came up with Sandwich, Illinois. The world may never know... Jason, Good post. Funny too. 5 stars. MW

__Crude Oil Notes:__ Oil needs to be distilled before it can be used Hydrocarbons begin to be removed at 40deg. C --These are flammable Others can be removed at higher temps. With a flame Longer molecules = higher boiling points Oil refineries run on massive distillation --Removes various hydrocarbons at the same time based on condensation at different levels Gasoline leaves at higher levels Fuel Oil/Asphalt/etc. leave at lower levels

Crude Oil. Used for just about everything we do. Even typing this requires crude oil. After all, something had to make these keys. And yet, its interesting what kind of work had to go into separating the crude oil into the many forms it is used in. Along with how it all relates so easily to a high school course such as this. After all, distillation, as simple a process as it may be, is present in both the class and the oil processes. The oil, however, takes a more complex and efficient spin with multiple outputs for different kinds of oil. For our purposes, though, a basic setup like in the books is more than enough for our needs.

Jason, Looks good! 5 stars. MW

So, If I read it correctly, scientists are not planning on //replacing// the kilogram, rather they're just setting up a more "permanent" way to count out and keep track of "what is a kilogram." Personally, I think that that is quite a bit of work just to define how much something weighs, but I see that it can be rather important. After all, if scientists can freak out about losing 0.0000000001 of a gram, then I think it could be said that having a solid standard will prevent scientists all around the world from getting a heart attack. Thus leaving them able to create the future that we all look forward to.
 * __Redefining the Kilogram:__**

Jason, Unique perspective. Preventing heart attacks is always a good idea! :) 5 stars. MW

From what I gather, just about everything I look at was once a part of a several-billion-degree ball of "Space stuff." Interesting. Looking around, you wouldn't think of that, but it makes sense. Explosions have to give off more than just fire, light, and heat, after all. But it makes me think. If all the elements were once hydrogen, then where sis the hydrogen come from? The big bang? Where did that come from, then? What exploded to make all this stuff? On an unrelated note, neutrons are apparently made of fused protons and electrons. Well, it explains why they're neutral. Good stuff.
 * __Where do Elements Come From?__**

Jason, The particle physicists call the origin a singularity. Very bizarre stuff. Good questions - some will never be answered. 5 stars. MW

So. The mole has some interesting stuff about it. It's abbreviated "mol" because "m" is already taken, along with "mo" and "M." However, despite the abbreviation, we still have no idea who came up with the actual word. Was it Latin...? German...? In fact Avogadro didn't even come up with it; he just "paved the way." For something so useful, one would think that we'd know this kind of stuff.
 * __The Mole__**

Jason, I agree - it's origins are kind of mysterious. I think it has survived by common usage and goes on. I mean we could have set up the system anyway we wanted. The scientific community arbitrarily picked C-12 as a standard. Oh well it works so why change it?? MW