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Answers to Readers' Questions on Chemistry:
Chemical Formulas
The following 8 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- I'd like to be a chemistry teacher
- Nessler's Solution
- How to balance an equation in chemistry?
- How can you tell how many atoms in a compound?
- Why is NaCl not written ClNa?
- Chemical reactions that produce heat
- Please ask more questions
- Science makes me sleep
I'd like to be a chemistry teacher
Question
October 27, 2009
I'd like to be a chemistry teacher.
Donald - USA
18579
Answer
Being a chemistry teacher is a great job. However, you really must enjoy chemistry, as well as working with students in trying to teach them a difficult subject.
Take plenty of chemistry courses and plot out your path to becoming a top-notch chemistry teacher. Best wishes in school and in your career.
Nessler's Solution
Question
July 3, 2009
I want to know about the Nessler's Solution. How does it work??
sourav - Bangladesh
17975
Answer
Nessler's solution is also called Nessler's reagent. It is a water based solution of potassium hydroxide and mercuric iodide and potassium iodide. It is used to test and detect for the presence of ammonia.
How to balance an equation in chemistry?
Question
June 29, 2009
What is the balance equation and how to balance a equation in chemistry?
Ghazi Abdul Basit - Pakistan
17951
Answer
See our lesson on Chemical Equations at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/chemistry/equations.htm
How can you tell how many atoms in a compound?
Question
December 17, 2008
I have been set a task to work and write out chemical formula's for compounds, I know you put the symbols together but how do u know how many of each element there is the compound when working it out, e,g. in water, how do you know there is 2 Hydrogen atoms in it.
Katy - England
16969
Answer
Knowing how many atoms of each element are in the molecule is the big task in chemistry.
The chemical formula for water is H2O, meaning it has two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. Unfortunately, for something like water, you need to memorize the formula. Other compounds have names which indicate the number of atoms. Carbon dioxide indicates there are two atoms of oxygen (di-). On the other hand, the formula for sulfuric acid must be memorized.
Why is NaCl not written ClNa?
Question
December 4, 2008
Why is NaCl not written ClNa? or MgS not SMg? How does one determine which to name first?
Amy - USA
16903
Answer
That is a good question. Often the elements are in alphabetical order, but there are a number of exceptions. See our new lesson on the subject for a good explanation:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/chemistry/formula_order.htm
Chemical reactions that produce heat
Question
March 31, 2008
1. What are chemical reactions that produce heat called? 2.What is a surfactant molecule?
- USA
15638
Answer
An exothermic reaction gives off heat and an endothermic reaction requires heat. A surfactant molecule aligns on the surface of water and are used in detergents.
Please ask more questions
Question
March 13, 2008
Sir, please ask few more questions in mini quiz.
akila - India
15532
Answer
Thank you for the suggestion. We will try to add more questions.
Science makes me sleep
Question
December 19, 2007
I DON'T LIKE THIS SCIENCE THINGS IT MAKES ME SLEEP
Emelda - USA
15002
Answer
It is just another great benefit you get from studying science.
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