Welcome to my science resources page. In addition to content regarding classes that I am currently teaching, you will find links to science related resources, software and information. Please note that although I try to screen all external links, I have no control over how this content changes and cannot be held responsible for its material. If you find objectionable or outdated links, please Email me and I will investigate the situation. If you would like to see something added to this site or have a question, I would appreciate hearing from you. Please note that this site is best viewed with Macromedia Flash Player 6 or higher. Please override any attempt by your browser to block the active Flash content on this page. I guarantee there is nothing dangerous to your computer and absolutely no personal information is gathered. I hope you find this Web site useful.

Welcome to Elements of Science

 

To My Students: Grade summaries can be accessed through the main Edline Web Page. This site is for chapter outlines, problem set information and resources. You can access your specific class information by clicking on the related link in the menu.


 

Have You Ever Wondered...?

Water can Kill???
Many people find it hard to believe that water can actually kill you. The fact is, it's not the water itself that is poisonous, but the fact that an excess of its consumption over a short period of time can lead to the dilution of critical electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) in your body. This condition is known as hyponatremia, or water poisoning. Left untreated, it can lead to death. The artist Andy Warhol is said to have died from this condition after a surgery due to the improper monitoring of fluids in his body. For a brief, but excellent summary on water poisoning, check out the wiseGEEK web site for more details.

(added 3/13/07)

Note: The Have You Ever Wondered...? section is meant as a fun way to learn about intriguing questions concerning everyday (and sometimes not so everyday) things. It is not intended to sway your opinion in one way or another or to express a personal view about a topic. If you have a topic you are interested in, let me know and I'll see what I can find out for you. Previous topics will be archived for later viewing.

Humor Only a Scientist Could Love!

Have You Ever Wondered...?

Here's a mystery that has always intrigued me. For those of you that still use (or remember) ice cube trays (instead of an ice making machine), you may have opened the freezer to find little "spikes" of ice coming off the top of the cubes. If you've ever wondered what in the world causes this, take a look at this web site from Cal Tech and have your curiosity satisfied.

(added 4/10/06 - Image from Caltech web site)

Note: The Have You Ever Wondered...? section is meant as a fun way to learn about intriguing questions concerning everyday (and sometimes not so everyday) things. It is not intended to sway your opinion in one way or another or to express a personal view about a topic. If you have a topic you are interested in, let me know and I'll see what I can find out for you. Previous topics will be archived for later viewing.

Have You Ever Wondered...?

Aspartame (trade name NutriSweet) is a nonnutritive sweetener that is used as a substitute for sugar in many brands of diet beverages. You may have seen the words PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE
on the sides of beverages containing this artificial sweetener. Have you ever wondered what this means, or how it might affect you? Here is a great explanation of what this all means. The answer might surprise you!

(added 11/12/05)

Have You Ever Wondered...?

Why has pseudoephedrine (a common decongestant) been removed from over-the-counter store shelves (in Oregon) and what does it have to do with the making of the illegal drug, methamphetamine?

The answer lies within the structure of the two molecules. Below are images of the pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine molecules (respectively).



The two molecules have some things in common. They both contain a ring of carbons (in black) known as a benzene ring and both contain the atom nitrogen (blue) that is part of an organic functional group known as an amine. The physical structures are almost identical. In fact, the only significant difference between the two is the alcohol (hydroxyl) group (made up of an oxygen (red) and hydrogen (white)) found only on the pseudoephedrine molecule. In order to convert pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine the maker must chemically remove the hydroxyl group and replace it with a hydrogen. Chemically speaking, this is not very difficult to do. However, the dangerous, flammable reaction chemicals, hazardous by-products and toxic nature of the drug itself makes it a ticking time bomb for anyone involved in its use or manufacture. Anyone who has viewed images on the news of HAZMAT teams in contamination suits going into meth houses can see how dangerous these chemicals are considered by law enforcement officials. For further information on this drug I recommend the following sites:
MethNet: Web site produced by the Illinois Attorney General's office. Although it has information specific to Illinois law, there is excellent general information here as well.
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Government information on health hazards.
NIDA for Teens: Site geared towards teens which explores the science of meth drug abuse. Highly recommended.
Office of National Drug Control Policy: Extensive facts sheet.
Drugstory: Excellent information, links and articles.

(added 11/15/05)


Please Note: Various images from around the internet have been used in the construction of this Web site. If you are the rightful owner of these images and do not wish them used here, please contact me via email and I will remove them.
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Content 2009 - Darrell L. Feebeck
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