Whether you know it as an Erlenmeyer flask, conical flask, or by some other name, it’s a piece of glassware most of us, chemists or not, have likely used at some point. The Erlenmeyer flask is the most stereotypical piece of chemistry glassware there is, and today marks its creator’s birthday. Emil Erlenmeyer was born on 28 June in 1825; here we take a look at his eponymous flask, as well as some of his other achievements.
The latest in the series of food chemistry graphics looks at the chemistry of onions – specifically, what causes their odour, and why chopping onions will make your eyes water. Interestingly, none of the compounds that cause these effects are present in the intact onion; rather, when the cell walls of the onion are damaged by chopping, an enzyme released produces a range of compounds as a defence mechanism, which act as irritants.
Today (June 29) is National Camera Day, so it feels appropriate to share this recent graphic. Polaroid photography lets users snap a photo and print it on the spot. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in Chemical & Engineering News, we focus on the chemistry that makes this instant printing possible. Click through to the C&EN site to view the full graphic.
With summer on its way in the Northern Hemisphere, the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in Chemical & Engineering News looks at a popular garden plant, hydrangeas, and how the soil they’re planted in can affect their colour. View the full graphic on the C&EN site and then afterwards test your knowledge with this quiz.
Chemistry, art and history collide in the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN. The graphic examines pigments with links to the death of Napoleon, blue poo and cow urine. Read the full graphic on the C&EN site.
Today is International Women’s Day, and to celebrate here’s another edition in the Women in Chemistry History series. This graphic highlights another twelve women whose achievements in chemistry range from the discovery of the greenhouse effect and the production of wrinkle-free cotton fabrics to the invention of non-reflective glass.
On 1 March in 1896, French physicist Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity. This graphic summarises his discovery.
Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, or Chūnjié in Mandarin, and it usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we look at some of the celebration’s customs and the chemistry behind them. Click through to the C&EN site to see the full graphic.
