Chemistry fail

[pne]

One of the very first things we learned in chemistry (it may even have been on the first day) was the difference between chemical compounds and mixtures, and how the properties of a mixture are a combination of the properties of the components but the properties of a compound may be very different.

The example we used was iron filings mixed with

Comments

[quinctia]

There's the whole thing where elemental sodium kind of explodes in water...so salt is two dangerous chemicals! XD But yeah, it's a shame people don't retain any of that knowledge they learn in intro chemistry.

[pne]

There is that, too!

[oh_meow]

My school science teacher managed to burn the lab ceiling dropping sodium into water. We'd had a go ourselves with lithium, and she wanted to show us something stronger, but misjudged how big a lump she was using. Everyone thought it was great because she was a humourless disciplinarian, and it made her look stupid.

[quinctia]

Mine did something similar in a class period before ours, so by the time our demonstration rolled around, he'd put on lab goggles and used a bell jar. Boo.

When I had him for AP Bio later on, he did manage to light his arm hair on fire once. Clumsy scientist, just like me!

[asciident]

Sigh. Yeah.

Margarine is ONE MOLECULE!!1one away from being plastic!

And the people who legitimately get tripped up by the H2O satire petition.

[pne]

And water is only ONE ATOM away from being hydrogen peroxide! Would YOU like to drink something that's basically bleach?!

[kait_the_great]

Hey man, chemicals are DANGEROUS.

(Yeah I am so tired of this exact phenomenon.)

[pne]

While everything "natural" is safe and wholesome! Like that nightshade-and-hemlock smoothie I just enjoyed!