Periodic Trends

Go here for a very simple interactive diagram that describes trends in the periodic table with regards to atomic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, and metallic character.

Atomic Orbitals Animations

If you're having a little trouble visualizing atomic orbitals, this might help. It's a 3D diagram of all of the orbitals that you can manipulate. Check it out here.

Chemistry + Biology = Nobel Prize

In case you missed it, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded last week to two American scientists, Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka for their work on how cell signalling molecules work. Check out the summary of the Prize here.

War Healer

Your parents can explain who this is and why it's funny.

It might sound like an article that belongs on the bio blog, but chemist Joachim Kohn is the director of the AFIRM project out of Rutgers. He and his team are at the forefront of using biomolecules to re-engineer damaged tissue, specifically as a result of combat injuries. In what might be the understatement of the year, Dr. Kohn says of his work, "I didn’t endanger my life in anyway, and I didn’t put myself on the line to save anyone. I was just sitting in my laboratory, waving my hands around, sometimes having good ideas."
Check out the article here.

Pictures of bonds

That's right, actual photographs of actual chemical bonds! Check out the pictures and the article from the BBC here.

Starting the Year Off With a Bang!

Or at least a series of bangs anyway. Check this out - 24 reactions in 12 minutes. Or so. Check out the videos here.

Who Said Popcorn Was Not Good For You?

Here is a recent article that explains the benefits of POPCORN in your diet:

POPCORN ARTICLE