Science & Technology

Calculating the initial concentration of a solution – otherwise known as molarity – is an important process commonly found in the chemical and biochemical world. Molarity is the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. Therefore, you need…

In the reptile world, venom is a powerful defensive tool, but not all species have evolved the metabolism to produce it or the mechanism to deliver it. Those that haven’t sometimes mimic the appearance and behavior of their venomous counterparts…

Chemistry classes often include experiments and problem sets that involve calculating percent change in mass of a substance. The percent change in mass shows what proportion of a substance’s mass has changed over time. For instance, if one-fourth of a…

Grain helps feed the world and silos help producers bring food to your table. These iconic structures that dot the landscape of many farming areas enable farmers to store grain efficiently. Silos are simple structures that don’t have many high-tech…

You’ve seen many phase changes before whether you know it or not. In particular, you are probably most familiar with the phase changes that water goes through. You’ve probably boiled water to make pasta. Or frozen water solid to make…

Agates are semiprecious gems that can be found all over the world, and they are common along the shores of Lake Superior and in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. If you’re on the hunt for some, the familiar orange and…

When muddy sediments are buried and compacted for a long time, they form shale. When shale is buried deeper, for a longer time, and heated by the Earth’s crust, it forms slate. The qualities of shale and slate vary with…

You encounter minerals every day, from the quartz inside your watch to the gemstones you wear on your fingers, and yet you may not realize the abundant nature of minerals on Earth. Thousands of minerals have been discovered, but only…

Most species of squirrels — rodents that inhabit various regions across the globe — can be grouped as tree or ground squirrels. Information about each group’s behaviors and physical traits provides insight needed to determine whether the squirrel of that…

The fluid ounce is a measure of volume rather than weight. There are 16 fluid oz. to a pint in the U.S. customary system, and 20 fluid oz. to a pint in the Imperial system used elsewhere in the world.…