Why » Practical

Why is TNT explosive?

Hari — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:38:29 +0000

TNT, or trinitrotoluene, is chemically known as 2,4,6-trinitrotolouene. It is a solid chemical compound that is yellowish in color. As a chemical, the common use of TNT is for chemical processing or synthesis. In terms of applications, TNT is widely used as an explosive material by the military and various industries. And since there is a great risk involved in making or handling explosives and associated materials, TNT is highly valued because of its high resistance to friction or shock. This property makes TNT a very great chemical to work on in handling and/or creating an explosive device because there is minimal risk involved when it comes to the detonation process.

There are actually quite a few reasons that make TNT explosive. One such reason is its chemical content or composition. TNT, or trinitrotoluene, contains carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. These three chemicals are considered common and basic when it comes to explosives. When these chemicals are used together, a huge amount of energy can be released which is ideal for an explosive. This particular energy is said to travel at very high speeds which causes the increase in the blast pressure. This overall process involving the fast release of energy is referred to as the detonation process and is very important in creating explosives.

Another reason for TNT’s explosive properties is the nitro group it contains. This nitro group of chemicals is said to be very unstable making them easily disturbed even with minimal force or pressure. Bonds of chemicals can easily be broken with a small amount of force causing various molecules to fly apart from each other and create an explosion. This property is well demonstrated using one gram of the chemical compound TNT which is able to produce up to a liter of gas that could expand enough to propel an object such as a gun bullet. TNT has been a useful benefit to society.

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Why is bottled water bad?

Hari — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:10:42 +0000

The consumption of bottled water has become very popular in many countries around the globe. Some are produced by means of simply purifying water from its various impurities while are others are sourced from the natural environment to gain the benefits of added minerals. There are also bottled water varieties that are flavored and processed in many different ways just to entice customers to buy them. For health reasons, drinking water is needed by the body. But instead of regular water from the faucet, many people nowadays buy bottled water. This scenario has become a concern to many people because of several reasons.

One such reason points to the plastic container used in bottled water. The more bottled water is consumed, the more plastic is also used to produce the bottles, and more of these bottles are also dumped into the environment. There are not many countries in the world that have facilities to re-use and recycle used bottles from bottled water. These waste products are said to be non-biodegradable, and so they stay in the environment for very long periods of time and ultimately damage it. So, basically, water bottling will just result in too much hazardous plastic waste that is damaging to a country’s natural environment.

Other people also consider bottled water as bad because it is more expensive than traditional tap water. Bottled water is marketed towards different demographics and for different purposes. Some are targeted for health-seeking individuals because of the supposed mineral content of some varieties. Others are also targeted for other groups of people who wish to have choices in terms of water flavor. But all of these marketing campaigns will just increase the cost of actual water. For some people, bottled water also doesn’t offer much value in terms of its mineral content claims. In fact, many bottled water products have even harmful chemicals dissolved in them because of the plastic container.

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Why is pot called pot?

Hari — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:16:25 +0000

The urban and slang term for marijuana is “pot.” And although many people have used and abused marijuana as a drug, not many of them know the origins of the word “pot.” Most people encounter the word “pot” as a reference to marijuana leaves or some other drug form that contains marijuana. But most of these people accept the term as just some form of urban or street lingo for this widely used and abused substance.

The word “pot” is actually a shortened version or derivative of the Spanish term “potiguaya.” “Potiguaya” or “potacion de guaya” refers to some form of drink popular in Mexico in the past. This kind of drink became popular because of the addition of marijuana leaves to traditional brandy. And since many people who use or smoke marijuana also drink, the Spanish “potiguaya” eventually became just “pot” over the years. And now, when people talk about “pot,” they mean the dried leaves of marijuana or any other substance or drug that contains marijuana.

Marijuana is sourced from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. The flowers and leaves are then dried for a variety of uses. Most marijuana is abused for its addictive and/or psychogenic effects. Many people have even become addicted because of the supposed “feel-good” effects of this particular substance. People claim to be happier and more confident when they smoke marijuana, for example. Because of this reputation, “pot” or “marijuana” is considered an illicit or illegal substance or drug in many countries. But aside from having a reputation for being abused, “pot” actually has several benefits in the medical field. In the past, marijuana or “pot” is actually used to treat certain medical illnesses. But since this particular substance is addictive, many countries in the world have banned the cultivation, use, and sale of “pot” or marijuana.

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Why is asbestos dangerous?

Hari — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:07:04 +0000

Asbestos is a type of fibrous material that is sought after because of its physical properties. This particular mineral is mined in different parts of the world for use by various industries, particularly in building and manufacturing. Asbestos is a known mineral used in the manufacture of houses and buildings because it is said to have a very high resistance to fire.

Materials made from asbestos are also valued because of their strength and affordability. Typically, asbestos is mixed with other building materials to produce strong items which are also known to have heat and damage retardants. Damage may be in terms of electrical or chemical defects, but with asbestos, the material involved is able to withstand such kind of damage.

But along with asbestos’ desirable and valuable properties, this particular mineral has been discovered to be a serious health risk, especially to those who have prolonged exposure to it. It was discovered in the past that miners of asbestos easily had respiratory problems and illnesses because of their exposure to the fibers in the mineral. What happens is that some of the fibers from the asbestos mineral are inhaled by people, and most of it gets stuck in the lungs. The part of the lungs that is considered vulnerable is the lining called the pleura. With the fibers are stuck in the lining, scarring and inflammation will eventually occur leading to a serious ailment.

Some people will develop difficulties in terms of respiration while others eventually develop mesothelioma, which is a type of lung cancer. But aside from the lungs, asbestos fibers are also able to penetrate other organs and parts of the body. There have been reports that some people also have ailments and cancers in their gastrointestinal system. Particularly affected are the esophagus, the colon, and the stomach. Because of the serious health risks associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos, this mineral is considered very dangerous to people’s health.

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Why is makeup important?

Hari — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:16:37 +0000

Wearing makeup is important for some people with most of them being women. Depending on what one does for a living, makeup is actually a basic necessity. Other people may argue that makeup is just a waste of time and money and will just cover the natural glow of the skin. But for those who work in show business, for example, makeup is considered an indispensable item.

For actors and actresses involved in doing plays, making movies and TV shows, for example, almost every single day of their lives involves putting on makeup. Some use makeup to remove the shine on their faces while other people use makeup to hide imperfections in their skin. Makeup is able to cover up blemishes like dark spots and acne which are considered unattractive to look at when one actor, for example, is performing on stage or shooting a scene. The use of makeup is also important for movies that involve a creative set design and costume. To complement the movie’s theme, actors and actresses wear specific makeup to achieve a certain look. Like in the case of movies that include actors supposedly playing famous persons of the past, makeup may be applied so that the actor playing the part will resemble that person he’s portraying. In the field of science fiction movies, makeup is also necessary to create complicated images of characters like aliens and dwarves.

In the real world, there is also a significant part of society that considers makeup very important. Much of society today values good looks, and so many people try to look good and better using makeup. In the corporate world, many women employees are required to use makeup as this is standard business practice. Some people also use makeup to feel better about themselves. With makeup on, some people feel more beautiful and confident which are important qualities to have in today’s modern world.

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Why is revenue a credit?

Hari — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:15:48 +0000

The system of making journal entries or bookkeeping may confuse many people. Although most people can understand basic accounting, there are also those that get confused when talking about debit and credit entries. This is especially true in the case of a company’s revenue, for example. For some people, when they speak of “revenue,” they usually think of it as income or money that’s coming in. For the most part, this idea is actually true. “Revenue” represents any income a particular company makes while doing business. Any money generated because of business activities is considered the company’s revenue. Because of this idea, most people classify revenue as a debit transaction or entry. In layman’s terms, since revenue represents income, then it should be part of the debit entry.

But formal accounting dictates that the company’s revenue is to be classified as a credit entry. This is where most people get quite confused. The basic explanation is by understanding the double-entry accounting system. If one transaction is classified as a debit, it must always have a pair or corresponding credit entry to balance or zero-out the spreadsheet. So in the case of a company’s revenue, the usual journal entry would include “revenue” as a “credit” and “cash” as a “debit.” If a company, for example, has an income of $500,000, then this shall be classified as revenue with a credit entry. And this particular entry will be balanced off with a debit to cash entry of the same amount.

Other people also try to simplify the explanation by comparing revenue to expenses. A sample expense transaction will be encoded in the journal entry as a debit to the type of expense and a credit to cash. Any increase in expense will affect the debit side of the entries, and for revenue increases, the credit side will increase. So when there is incoming cash, the debit entry will point to cash with the revenue classified as credit.

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Why is Superman a hero?

Hari — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 20:08:24 +0000

Superman is probably the most famous comic book character of all time. With his noble deeds and good qualities, Superman as a character is considered a hero. Or in the field of comic books and entertainment, Superman is a superhero.

Basically, heroes are deemed to have good qualities to be admired by many people. And when talking about good qualities, Superman is no exception. For this simple reason, being Superman is synonymous with being a hero.

As a comic book character, Superman uses his several powers to protect the people of Metropolis from danger. If a crime is committed on one city corner, for example, Superman is shown to get on the scene in time to stop the crime from happening and forward the criminals to the authorities. In cases wherein there is a natural disaster, for example, Superman is depicted as somebody who tries all his might to save all the people involved. With all his activities to serve the people in his city, Superman became a famous hero character.

In real life, people admire those who protect those who are weak. People who save lives are also considered very good models of society. These qualities are those that Superman has, making him an obvious hero figure. People even use the term “Superman” for real-life people who seem to do the extraordinary when it comes to helping people out with their problems and concerns. If a teacher, for example, saves each one of his/her students from a natural calamity, then this particular teacher may be viewed as a “Superman” in his/her own right. His/her efforts are usually considered heroic because of the courage and nobility of his/her actions. Superman being a hero only reflects what people need in an authority figure, for example. People today look up to heroes for hope that there will be brighter days ahead.

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Why do transformers hum?

Hari — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:18:25 +0000

Most of the transformers produce some sounds that are audible at the current frequency based on which they operate. The transformers that are functioning based on the utility power in the United States are 60 Hertz. This sound is because of the wire that is present in the transformer coils and the steel present in the core of the transformer which vibrates at 60 Hertz due to the interaction of the component’s magnetic fields. The sound is also found to be produced due to the magnetostriction where the steel core expands and contracts because of magnetic field fluctuation. The iron and ferrite transformer core increases in length and decrease when it is operating at the frequency of 20 to 20,000 Hertz of the applied AC voltage. This process is called as magnetostriction. In this process, the air is pushed back and forth at this frequency creating a humming sound. Transformers which do not have a core will not generate this sound.

A transformer’s core is magnetic steel made with many laminations. These laminations are grouped into one and stacked on a frame. They tend to work based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The transformer’s core functions for laminations allowing the magnetic flux that is passing through it. The magnetic flux makes it vibrate leading to the humming sound. Abnormally, the loud, humming sound might be because of a loose interaction with the laminations. The magnetic field will make the movement of the windings and laminations inside the transformer at the rate of the power line which is 60 Hertz.

Actually, a perfect transformer will not produce a humming sound. The transformer coils are joined with each other through metal plates which pass the magnetic field. The poles of the alternating current change the direction, and the magnetic field also will change the direction. This might probably allow the plates to wobble which is the same as the clock rate of the alternating current. The transformers do hum, but some are very loud and abnormal. The reasons might be due to an insecure mounting on the resonant surface or a loose lamination due to a poor design or possibly the presence of old parts and the development of rust in-between the core laminations that makes the noise when the laminations vibrate on one another.

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Why do voices change?

Hari — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:10:05 +0000

The voices of boys and girls will change as they reach puberty. The boys will have some changes in their voices as they grow during their puberty stage. There will be a crack observed in the voice of the boy, and this brings a change in the voice. At this stage, the physical appearance also changes along with the voice. These sudden changes in a boy’s voice will be a source of discomfort, and he will struggle initially to manage with it. His speech will generate various, different, odd sounds from the boy.

The noise that is created when the boy speaks is caused by the larynx. As the body passes through puberty, the size of the larynx grows larger and thicker. Though this takes place in both boys and girls, it occurs prominently in boys. The voice of girls will become deeper or more shrill two or three times, and the change in the tone will be noticed clearly. The voice of boys will change to grave. The voice is generated by the larynx which plays an important role in sound creation. The muscles called vocal cords are responsible for stretching the larynx like rubber bands.

When anyone starts to speak, the air will start rushing from the lungs and vibrate the vocal cords, which causes the sound of the voice that is generated by the larynx. The sound pitch is represented by the extent of the contraction of the vocal cord muscles when the air through the lungs will reach them. If the rubber band is stretched, it gives the sound that is high-pitched while the thicker rubber band will give a low-pitched, twang sound. Similarly, the same happens with the vocal cords.

During the early age of the boy, the size of his larynx will be very small, and the vocal cords in it are thin and small. Hence, the voice of a boy will be in a higher pitch than the adult’s. As the boy reaches puberty and grows older, the size of the larynx increases and the vocal cords will become lengthy and thick. Hence, the voice of the boy changes to a low-pitched one. Accompanied with the enhanced size of the larynx, the bones of the face will start growing. The cavities present in the nose, sinuses, and the backside of the throat increase. This will create a large space in the face which gives opportunity for the voice to resonate more.

As the body of the boy or girl will begin to get adjusted with the changed larynx, the voice might crack. This growing process will go on for a few months’ duration. Until that period is over, the boy or girl will make some different sounds in their voices. Later on the change in their voice stops.

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Why do metals rust?

erwin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:27:44 +0000

When talking about metals, most people actually refer to iron. This is the most commonly used metal. When people speak about rust development, they usually mean rusting of the iron metal. Other metals do not undergo rusting or are resistant to rust because of their composition. But as for iron, when other chemicals come into the picture, it may develop some chemical changes that may dissolve it. Like in the case of oxygen, when there is a large enough quantity that comes in contact with metal, corrosion may occur. In a simpler sense, when oxygen combines with iron, for example, it forms a substance called iron oxide. And when water or hydrogen is added to the mix, the metal will more often than not undergo a chemical change which we see as rusting or flaking. So basically, when a metal is exposed to an unstable condition like in the case of contact with other chemicals like oxygen and hydrogen, rusting can occur.

The basic process of metal rusting starts with water. When it comes in contact with the metal, it may break down into its components, namely, oxygen and hydrogen. With oxygen present, iron oxide is created, and this will eventually dissolve some parts of the metal. This type of corrosion will continue as long as iron oxide is present, and the speed of such chemical change will get even faster if salt is added to the mix. This explains why rust formation on metals is more apparent when they are exposed to saltwater. The salt acts to provide speed to the corrosion process causing for a faster rust formation. With rust on various parts of the metal, it will eventually become weaker making it easy to break down. This is why metals with obvious signs of rusting are treated first before using them for various projects like construction and buildings.

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