Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Chemistry

Metals, Metalloids, and Non-metals

• Metals: Good conductors of electricity.
• Metalloids: Intermediate between metals and non-metals.
• Non-metals: Poor conductors of electricity.

Atomic Orbitals

The last significant electron shell fills with gas.

Examples of Orbitals

• S orbital
• P orbital
• D orbital
• F orbital

Orbital Shapes

• Orbital S: Spherically symmetric around the atomic nucleus.
• Orbital P: Two flattened areas at the point of contact, oriented according to the coordinate axes.
• Orbital D: Four lobes of alternating signs, with the last being a double lobe surrounded by a ring.
• Orbital F: More complex shapes.

Quantum Principles

1. Pauli Exclusion Principle: No two electrons can have the same quantum numbers.
2. Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill the lowest energy levels first.

... Continue reading "Atomic Structure: Metals, Metalloids, Orbitals, and Principles" »

Defining Raya

Raya refers to the color of a mineral when it is pulverized into a fine powder.

Defining Brightness and Its Significance

Brightness

Brightness describes the general appearance of a mineral's cool surface when observed under reflected light. It is influenced by factors such as the refractive index, degree of transparency, and surface polish.

Types of Brightness

Metallic

Minerals with a metallic brightness exhibit a glow similar to polished metals and have a high refractive index.

Non-Metallic

Non-metallic minerals are typically light in color and have a low refractive index. They can be further classified as:

• Silky (resembling silk)
• Pearly (exhibiting a peel-like appearance)
• Earthy (scattering light completely)
• Greasy (having an oily appearance)

... Continue reading "Mineral Properties: Identification and Classification" »

Biophysics II

Colloids

Colloids are suspensions of very small particles (micelles), even much larger than the dispersed molecules within a liquid. They are also called pseudo-solutions or colloidal solutions.

State of Sol and Gel

Protoplasmic colloids undergo sol-gel processing, also called reversal or phase change. Colloids present an intermediate state between solid, liquid, and gas. States in the protoplasm of sol and gel usually alternate due to changes in concentration. The most important sols in biology are protein dispersions in water.

Types of Colloids According to the Physical State of the Phases

The dispersant phase can be a solid, liquid, or gas, just as the dispersed phase may be liquid, solid, or gaseous. The passage from a sol to a... Continue reading "Biophysics II: Colloids, Properties, and States" »

1. Decomposition Reactions

The scheme of a decomposition reaction is: A → B + C + ...

Decomposition reactions are those in which a substance is transformed into simpler ones due to an energy intake that can be performed in two ways:

• Thermal decomposition: Heat energy is supplied.

2Ag₂O → 4Ag + O₂

Electrolytic Decomposition: The energy provided is electric current.

CaCl₂ → Ca + Cl₂

2. Synthesis Reactions

The scheme of a synthesis reaction is: A + B + ... → C

These are reactions where two or more simple substances, elements, or compounds react to give a single compound.

3. Substitution Reactions

The scheme of a substitution reaction is: A + BC → AC + B

These are reactions in which an element of a reagent is replaced or exchanged for an element... Continue reading "Chemical Reactions: Types and Characteristics" »

Density of States

Density of states: Each value of K determines an orbital state of e-, double degeneracy due to spin. It is agreed that:

1. The electronic states always include spin degeneracy.
2. When an electron current is assumed, the electron charge of each spin is always included.
3. Electron density N is defined as the total number of electrons per unit volume.

Now the following is discussed:

1. E is a quantized continuous distribution of values, as the quantized E is increased by small integer steps of K, leading to small ΔE of the order of h².
2. Given the continuous distribution of E, the probability of a particular value of E must be zero.
3. We define the density of states n(E), which is the density of energy electrons in the range around energy E per unit

... Continue reading "Understanding Density of States, Bloch Function, and Fermi Energy" »

Chemical Bonding and Intermolecular Forces

Polarity

When two atoms with different electronegativities bond, the electrons in the bond are drawn closer to the more electronegative atom. This creates a negative charge density around that atom, which in turn causes the other atom to exhibit a positive charge density. This forms a dipole, and the bond is called polar or heteropolar.

Metallic Bonding

Various theories explain metallic bonding. The most consistent and widely accepted theory suggests that metallic bonding results from the strong attraction between a delocalized "sea" of electrons and the positively charged nuclei of the metal atoms. This explains the characteristic properties of metals, such as hardness, toughness, and malleability.

Hydrogen

... Continue reading "Understanding Chemical Bonds, Reactions, and Forces" »

Glass Manufacturing

Key Concepts in Glass Production

Glasses containing cuprous oxide have a red color.

The process used in the manufacture of glass is called continuous casting.

The most common fining agents used in glass manufacturing include nitrate and sodium antimony.

Opalescent substances commonly used in glass manufacturing include sodium silicate, cryolite, and calcium fluoride.

In glassmaking, soda ash and sodium sulfate act as fluxes.

Modern glass consists of a mixture of calcium oxide, sodium carbonate, and silica.

Bleaching agents used in glass manufacturing include manganese dioxide and selenium.

Types of Substances Used in Glassmaking

Vitrifiers: These substances transition from a crystalline structure to an amorphous structure under the... Continue reading "Glass and Paper Manufacturing Processes & Chemical Industry Overview" »

Radioactivity

Radioactive substances are characterized by emitting radiation capable of penetrating bodies that are opaque, ionizing the air, impressing photographic plates, and exciting the fluorescence of certain substances.

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Radiation

Radioactive nuclei emit α radiation (helium nuclei), β (fast electrons), or γ (electromagnetic waves more energetic than X-rays). These radiations are ordered by their penetrating power in this way: α, β, and γ (from least to most penetrating).

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is a random process. The number of nuclei, N, which have not yet disintegrated at an instant of time t is given by:

N = N₀e^-λt

The half-life, T, is the time required to disintegrate half of the initial nuclei.... Continue reading "Radioactivity, Atomic Nucleus, and Nuclear Reactions" »

Zinc Concentrate Roasting Process: 850 T/day Capacity

Blende-Roasting Furnace and Heat Recovery Steam Generator

This includes the furnace that carries out the oxidation of ZnS, the heat recovery steam generator for cooling the gas, and the partial removal of solids carried by the gases.

Treatment Water for Steam-Water Circuit

This is the demineralized process water. This water will be used in the heat recovery boiler and furnace beams, which form part of the same circuit.

Purification of Gases from Roasting

The functions of the gas produced are to eliminate impurities and reduce the gas temperature for treatment.

Contact and Absorption

This is the transformation of SO₂ into sulfuric acid for reuse in marketing or the leaching stage.

Feedstock and Products

This... Continue reading "Zinc Concentrate Roasting Process in a Fluidized Bed Furnace" »

Chlorides

Chlorine, as an element, has a huge tendency to form the chloride ion (Cl^-, a chlorine atom with a negative charge). This ion, in turn, will tend to form salts with other positively charged elements or cations (Na⁺ sodium, K⁺ potassium, Mg²⁺ magnesium, etc.). The chloride ion is one of the main inorganic anions in natural water and wastewater. The chloride content of water is variable and is mainly due to the nature of the terrain traversed. Typically, the chloride ion content of natural waters is less than 50 mg/L. In drinking water, the salt produced by the Cl^- is variable and depends on the water chemistry.

Chlorite and Chlorate

These are salts derived from chloric acid and chlorous acid. These compounds tend to form chlorine gas,... Continue reading "Chloride: Properties, Uses, and Health Effects" »