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November 12, 2007
 ASK THE EXPERTS :
CHEMISTRY
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How do we manage to remember smells despite the fact that each olfactory sensory neuron only survives for about 60 days and is then replaced by a new cell? How can graphite and diamond be so different if they are both composed of pure carbon? Why do apple slices turn brown after being cut? How does sunscreen protect skin? Occasionally the ice cubes in my freezer's ice trays will develop a stalagmitelike shape without any obvious, unusual interference. Can you please explain what causes this? Why is there an ozone hole in the atmosphere, whereas there is too much ozone at ground level? Why doesn't ground level ozone rise to fill the hole in the stratosphere? Why does the ozone up high stay there, and not sink to the ground? How do scientists detect new elements (such as element-118) if they only last milliseconds before disintegrating? How can an artificial sweetener contain no calories? Why does combining hydrogen and oxygen typically produce water rather than hydrogen peroxide? Why does inhaling helium make one's voice sound strange? How do food manufacturers calculate the calorie count of packaged foods? How does club soda remove red wine stains? How do batteries store and discharge electricity? Why do bubbles form if a glass of water is left alone for a while? Why do we put salt on icy sidewalks in the winter? What makes Kevlar¿ so strong? And how can it be so light at the same time? How do sunless tanners work? How can a bullet be traced to a particular gun? How are the abbreviations on the periodic table of elements determined? How does decanting red wine affect its taste? And why is it suggested for red wine, but not white? 1 2 3 next page» |
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