B for Barium

This is the second in the series of 26 posts this month, one post a day, barring four Sundays, each on a theme corresponding to a letter of the English alphabet. The theme this year is "Chemicals in our life", spurred by my interest in chemistry. Here we go.

Barium, which has the symbol Ba, is an alkaline element with the atomic number 56.

Barium is a soft, silvery-white metal, and is highly reactive. 

So, it's not found in nature as a free element. Instead, it is found in compounds, most commonly barite (barium sulphate) and witherite (barium carbonate).

Barium compounds are hazardous and can cause various problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc. 

Yet, it has many uses in science and technology. Here are five of the most common ones:

1) TV and laptop monitors: Barium oxide is used to make cathode ray tubes for televisions and computer monitors, as it emits electrons when heated. 

2) Magnets, hard disks: Barium ferrite is used to make magnets, magnetic tapes, and hard disks. It is resistant to environmental factors like humidity. So, it's a good candidate for long-term data storage.

3) Fireworks: Compounds of barium - barium nitrate and barium chlorate - are what give fireworks and flares the green colour. 

4) X-ray imaging: Barium sulphate suspension (made by mixing barium sulphate with water) is used in hospitals as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging of the digestive system. It is swallowed or injected into the body and helps to highlight the organs and systems in the X-ray images.

5) Rodenticide: Barium carbonate is toxic and is a major component of rat poison.

Barium and its compounds are poisonous. Therefore, it is important to wear protective equipment and follow safety precautions when working with barium or its compounds.

Images from Pixabay

The information provided in this post has been obtained from multiple, authentic resources. However, it is presented in an abridged format and might not have all the details. Therefore, before acting on any information, readers are requested to exercise caution and do further research.

This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023. I am also on A2Z April Challenge.

A for Aluminium

This is the first in the series of 26 posts this month, one post a day, barring four Sundays, each on a theme corresponding to a letter of the English alphabet. The theme this year is "Chemicals in our life", spurred by my interest in chemistry. Here we go.

Aluminium (or Aluminum in the US) is the third most abundant element on earth’s crust, after oxygen and silicon. It makes up about 8% of the earth's crust.

The symbol is Al, its atomic number is 13 (corresponding to the number of protons), and the atomic mass is 27 amu (Atomic mass units) 

It is silvery-white, lightweight, malleable (meaning it can be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking) and ductile (meaning it can be drawn out into a thin wire).

It has a melting point of approximately 660°C and a boiling point of around 2,460°C, which makes it a good conductor of heat and electricity.

It is found in minerals such as bauxite and cryolite, and it is extracted via a process that involves treating bauxite with sodium hydroxide and heating it.

It has a lot of applications mainly because it's very light and it's a good conductor of electricity. In Japan, the 1 yen coin is made of aluminium.  

Here are some uses of aluminium in our daily life:

1) Packaging: It's used for cans, foils, trays, and other products. It is recyclable and helps to keep food fresh.

2) Construction: It's a good material for windows, doors, siding, roofing, and other building materials. It is durable, corrosion-resistant, and can be easily shaped and manipulated.

3) Transportation: Aluminium is used in the manufacturing of cars, planes, boats, and bicycles. It is strong, and energy-efficient, making it an ideal material for vehicles.

4) Electrical wiring: Wiring made of aluminium is used in homes and buildings for electrical power transmission since it's a good conductor of electricity and is resistant to corrosion.

5) Outdoor furniture: The fact that the metal is weather-resistant, it finds wide application in outdoor furniture, like chairs, tables, etc.

6) Consumer electronics: The lightweight nature makes it a good candidate for use in devices like smartphones, laptops, cameras, and other electronic appliances, too.

7) Cookware: Since the metal conducts heat well, it's widely used in cookware.

Overall, aluminium is an essential metal that is used in various industries and applications, making our daily life more efficient and comfortable.

Images from Pixabay

The information provided in this post has been obtained from multiple, authentic resources. However, it is presented in an abridged format and might not have all the details. Therefore, before acting on any information, readers are requested to exercise caution and do further research.

This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023. I am also on A2Z April Challenge.

India election season

I just realised that it's been a month since I blogged last. I have been erratic in following my blog pals' posts as well.

I have been trying to do too many things, and as I prioritized, the blogosphere went down the to-do list.

However, I mustn't let one month go without a post!

Politics is one topic I have kept away from my blog for many years. That might not be so in the near future.

All the talk everywhere here now is about elections.

As many as nine states in India go to the polls to elect their Assemblies this year. Of them, three are over - Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. 

Karnataka will have the elections on May 10, and the counting of votes is on May 13. It's an election that a lot of politics-friendly people are keenly watching.

An electronic voting machine and VVPAT
(Voter-verifiable paper audit trail) machine.
They are used for all elections in India.
(Source: Election Commission website)

After that, in November-December, people in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Telangana cast their ballots.

Next year, around April-May, we will have the Lok Sabha (national) elections. This and the US Presidential polls at the end of the next year will attract interest around the world.

India may have many problems. But, one thing that the nation and its people can be proud of is democracy. It's not perfect by any means. But it has truly stood the test of time, over the past 76 years.

The political discourse in India also has its flaws. But it has been proved many times that politicians can't take their electorate people for granted.

Politics in no democratic country is clean. The gloves are off at some time or the other. It can get very personal and dirty at times. That's probably the price we pay for the freedom to choose our governments.

Already it's hotting up in the run-up to the polls.

Elections in India are like a festival or sports tournaments. However disinterested, you are bound to know about it. There is nothing to indicate that it won't be so this time around.