ChemCafe — science, chemistry and physics made simple

How Do I Neutralize Bleach? Neutralizing bleach involves chemical breakdown or dilution to render it harmless. Bleach naturally breaks down when exposed to air, moisture, and organic matter. For faster...

What is Quantum Chemistry? Quantum chemistry is the branch of chemistry that applies quantum mechanics to explain the behavior of atoms and molecules, particularly their electronic structure and chemical bonding....

Mixing Anhydrous Ammonia with Sulfuric Acid: Process and Precautions The mixing of anhydrous ammonia with sulfuric acid is a highly exothermic chemical reaction that produces ammonium sulfate, a common fertilizer....

How to Make Grow in Water Toys Grow in water toys expand by absorbing water using a superabsorbent polymer similar to that in baby diapers. To make these toys, one...

Non-Toxic Liquids Heavier Than Water That Stay Separated Like Oil and Water Finding a non-toxic liquid that is denser than water but remains immiscible—staying separated like oil and water—is challenging...

Chemistry Major or Biology Major? A Comprehensive Guide Choosing between a chemistry major and a biology major depends on your career goals, interests, and the academic challenges you are willing...

Why Is Sodium Bicarbonate Named So? Sodium bicarbonate gets its name from the bicarbonate ion (HCO3−), where the prefix “bi-” historically indicated the presence of a hydrogen ion added to...

Chemists of Reddit express diverse preferences about their favorite solvents, reflecting the broad spectrum of chemistry disciplines and practical laboratory needs. Commonly cited solvents include acetone, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether,...

How to Determine if a Metal Piece Is Copper To confirm whether a metal piece is copper, one can perform a series of tests including a flame test, magnetic check,...

Does the Nitro Functional Group Have Any Basic Properties? The nitro functional group itself is not basic; it exhibits very weak basicity and typically does not accept protons under normal...