Gold

August 1, 2012

If you have been living on Mars [more on this soon] for the last week or so you may not have realised that the 30th Olympics have started in London. For everybody else I am sure that you were aware of this fact. I have been swept along by the excitement gripping the...

‘R’ day

July 11, 2012

So, the results were published last Friday. Now that the dust is beginning to settle, how did you do? If you are not happy with the results there are a few options available to you if you are a teacher or a student: Via your diploma coordinator: 1, Ask for a recount...

The Mpemba Effect (2)

July 2, 2012

So, you have been mulling over the answer to this one all weekend. What is the Mpemba effect and how will it make me richer? First, the effect: Named after Erasto Mpemba, a Tanzanian student who posted the question in 1968 to a visiting professor to his school...

The Mpemba Effect

June 29, 2012

Todays question: What is the ‘Mepemba Effect’? Can you explain why it happens? If so, you could be in for a treat. Answers below please. Next week I will explain what the effect is and how, if you know what causes it, you could be in for a nice...

Interesting Elements

June 18, 2012

Praseodmium (Pr). Most of us haven’t heard of this element, yet alone know what is interesting about it! Praseodmium has been written about elsewhere in this blog. It is one of the rare earth elements and was featured in a series on the rare earth’s around...

The Holey Grail of Climate Change?

June 15, 2012

Hot off the press. NOTT-202. This substance is an interlocking metal organic framework that will absorb gases and if you haven’t heard of it yet, you may find it becomes very common place in the future. The substance absorbs gases at high presures. When the...