Happy Thought for 16 May 2025
Have a Happy Thought: There are still things that need to be seen to be believed. In fact, with all of our amazing video and photographic technology, there are some things that cannot be reproduced through a screen! Yes, I know you are all reading this through a screen, but here are some things to go investigate, if you have the time (and chemistry lab) on hand. 1. The deep, deep blue of sodium or lithium metals dissolving in liquid ammonia. All colours but blue are absorbed by this chemical reaction, leaving an intense shade that, according to photographers, cannot be recreated. See the image below, or check out this video, go to 11:45 for the best pictures. Even better: apparently after a short time, or as you add more metal, the solution starts to turn coppery, and then golden. Image: http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/md/ipmb/chemie/klein/solvated-electrons.jpg 2. Total Solar Eclipse. I have never been lucky / determined enough to experience this. People that have, ...