Weight-By-Weight

Weight-By-Weight

Weight-By-Weight

03/17/26

“How can we quantify the percentage of weight that a certain substance takes up in a solution?”

Solutions are made up of more than one substance. Sometimes we want to quantify the mass percentage that one of the substances makes up in the solution. The Weight-By-Weight variable represents this. For example, say a solution is made up of 20 grams of potassium chloride and 80 grams of water for a total 100 g of a substance. The weight-by-weight for potassium chloride is 20%.

Hydroxyl Radicals

Hydroxyl Radicals

Hydroxyl Radicals

03/15/2026

“Why is there a molecule called “the detergent of the atmosphere”?“

Hydroxide ions (OH-), also called Hydroxyl Radicals, are molecules made up of one oxygen atom, one hydrogen atom, and a single unpaired valence electron. This valence electron makes hydroxyl radicals very reactive and potent in neutralizing stable organic chemicals like toxic pollutants. Hydroxyl radicals also readily oxidize troposphere pollutants like methane, carbon dioxide, and VOCs, earning hydroxyl radicals the nickname as “the detergent of the atmosphere”.

Fugacity

Fugacity

Fugacity

03/14/2026

“How can we quantify how much a substance wants to escape from its mixture?”

Different substances have different levels of internal stability. Some very much want to escape their mixture, while others are happy where they are. So how can we quantify this? Well, scientists developed Fugacity theory to explain this phenomenon. Fugacity is defined as the empirically measured vapor pressure rather than the ideal vapor pressure. Chemicals will move between substances like air and water until their fugacity potentials are equal.

Radicals (Chemistry)

Radicals (Chemistry)

Radicals (Chemistry)

03/13/26

“What do we call an atom with at least one unpaired valence electron?”

Chemistry is all about bonds formed between substances. Substances with atoms that have at least one unpaired valence electron are much more reactive. These atoms, called Radicals, are a fundamental part of understanding many parts of chemistry.

Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/Tagout

03/12/26

“How can we make sure we’re safe during hazardous energy appliance maintenance?”

Maintaining an appliance with hazardous energy can be very dangerous. So what can we do to make sure we’re safe during this time? Well, what if we identify the hazardous energy sources, deenergize the energy sources,  use a lock to physically isolate the source of energy to ensure no accidental activation occurs, add a warning tag with our name and contact information, test the system to make sure energy was isolated, conduct maintenance work, and then get everyone out before removing locks and tags to renergize the system? Well, this is the idea behind Lockout/Tagout, a widely adopted hazardous energy maintenance protocol. 

Power Fault Limiting Devices

Power Fault Limiting Devices

Power Fault Limiting Devices

03/11/26

“How can devices disconnect electrical circuits during excessive power runs?”

Electrical circuits can cause safety issues when too much power runs through them. Because of this, people can install Power Fault Limiting Devices like fuses to disconnect circuits before drastic actions occur.

Glycolysis

Glycolysis

Glycolysis

03/10/26

“How do cells break down glucose into energy?”

Glucose (C6H12O6) is the main energy source for cells. Cells will break down glucose into energy and pyruvic acid in a process known as Glycolysis. This is the backbone behind microbial treatment in wastewater engineering.

Capitalized Costs

Capitalized Costs

Capitalized Costs

03/09/26

“How can we quantify the total amount needed to start a fund to generate enough interest to pay for a project?”

People can put down money to fund a project or scholarship for perpetuity. But how can we accomplish this? Well, what if we make an investment fund so large that the money made from interest will pay for annual costs? This is the principle behind Capitalized Costs, equal to the annual operating cost divided by the interest rate.