The science of matter and the changes it can undergo.
Questions tagged [chemistry]
151 questions
10
votes
1 answer
Is flatus flammable?
Wikipedia deems this topic significant enough to merit its own article:
Fart lighting, or pyroflatulence, is the practice of igniting the gases produced by human flatulence, often producing a flame of a blue hue. The fact that flatus is flammable,…
Patches
- 8,162
- 8
- 44
- 58
10
votes
2 answers
Does (liquid) nitrogen react with chlorine or other chemicals in a swimming pool?
Various news outlets are claiming that people suffered from poisoning after
liquid nitrogen was poured into a swimming pool. The intended effect
was to produce mist.
For example,the telegraph reported (text directly below the headline, above the…
Dave
- 2,433
- 19
- 23
9
votes
2 answers
Would tying sulphur to the feet of birds allow you to burn down a house?
According to legend:
The last vengeance took place in the year 946 when Olga traveled
around the land of the Drevlyans in order to gather tributes. She
besieged the town of Iskorosten, which refused to pay her. According
to legend, the…
Casebash
- 10,199
- 5
- 55
- 84
9
votes
1 answer
Is "Malenium Polycarbonate" (from blue-blocking sunglasses) real?
There are some sunglasses I bought back in the 1990s containing lenses that were constructed from plastic materials that blocked blue light. Although claims were made by some vendors that the lenses were made of a material called "Malenium…
Randolf Richardson
- 2,034
- 2
- 19
- 21
9
votes
2 answers
In the event of a siren warning the public of a gas leak, is it actually advisable to listen to the radio when smelling gas?
The Finnish website pelastustoimi advises to listen to the radio in the event of smelling gas.
If you are already indoors and smell gas
put a wet cloth in front of your mouth and breathe through it
go upstairs and stay there if possible
stay calm,…
infinitezero
- 312
- 2
- 9
9
votes
1 answer
Does this video show a Hong Kong protestor disabling a tear gas cannister with liquid nitrogen?
A recent tweet from @PatriotCoburn says:
Holy Shit the protesters in Hong Kong are grabbing the canisters of tear gas dropping it into liquid nitrogen and turning it into its harmless solid form.
It shows a video of a person in a gas mask and…
Oddthinking
- 140,378
- 46
- 548
- 638
9
votes
2 answers
What do we know about red mercury?
My friend, known as a liar, came to me two days ago and told stories about red mercury, something I never heard about. Could do magic, the pharaohs used it. 1 kg worth 30 million dollars, used in weapons something like that.
I never believe him,…
Lynob
- 417
- 5
- 12
9
votes
1 answer
Is bamboo charcoal safely edible?
Bamboo charcoal is made up of pieces of bamboo, which are taken from plants five years or older and burned inside an oven at temperatures over 1000°C.
Bamboo charcoal is well known about its high porosity, which makes bamboo charcoal has excellent…
Popopo
- 301
- 2
- 7
8
votes
2 answers
Does Pureit Polisher remove the chlorine from chlorinated water?
This purifier claims to produce 100% pure water. They use chlorine. Chlorine, when taken in for a long period, is bad for health.
The 4 stage purification process.
Polisher
Removes chlorine and other contaminants to make water clear, odourless…
Aquarius_Girl
- 1,085
- 5
- 15
- 27
8
votes
1 answer
Are dioxins the most toxic chemicals known to science?
Dioxins are implicated in The Seveso disaster in Italy and the lingering disputes about deformities and birth defects caused by the use of the Agent Orange defoliant in the Vietnam war (Wikipedia summary). They are often described as the most toxic…
matt_black
- 56,186
- 16
- 175
- 373
8
votes
3 answers
Does skimmed milk have more added chemicals than whole milk?
I've heard that skimmed milk has more added chemicals than whole milk. Is this true?
daviesgeek
- 251
- 2
- 3
- 8
8
votes
1 answer
Is photosynthesis 60% efficient?
In this article it is claimed that photosynthesis efficiency could be up to 60%.
The closest process to artificial photosynthesis humans have today is photovoltaic technology, where a solar cell converts the sun’s energy into electricity. That…
FluidCode
- 740
- 1
- 5
- 10
8
votes
2 answers
Do certain fruit combinations ripen faster?
It is commonly claimed that certain fruits (e.g. apples, bananas, high-ethylene fruits and their dastardly "ripening hormone") make other fruits ripen faster. These claims appear on mainstream media and are often repeated by experts, but they are…
Sklivvz
- 78,578
- 29
- 321
- 428
8
votes
2 answers
Do Duracell batteries last longer than normal batteries?
The claim is
Up to 10 times longer lasting power
(*) vs. ordinary zinc carbon batteries in high powered toys and flash cameras
(picture from Amazon)
Do Duracell batteries last longer than Zinc Carbon batteries?
If so, how much of the ten times…
Dudey
- 879
- 9
- 23
8
votes
1 answer
Should I refrain from putting my clothes to dry outside on a full moon?
This website (French) explains:
N'étendez jamais votre linge de couleur un soir de pleine lune. En effet, ces nuits sont plus froides que les autres et font poindre une rosée contenant du peroxyde d'hydrogène, composant qui décolore le linge.
My…
nic
- 1,466
- 2
- 14
- 23