"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Why Hydrogen is Oxidized First in Combustion Reactions
04/17/26
“Why is hydrogen oxidized first in combustion reactions?”
Combustion reactions with an insufficient air-fuel ratio result in extraneous carbon monoxide or soot. Why does this happen? Well, it’s because hydrogen has a lower activation energy than carbon, which makes it react with oxygen before carbon can. This is Why Hydrogen is Oxidized First in Combustion Reactions.
Fugitive Particulate Matter
04/16/26
“What’s special about particulate matter that directly enters the atmosphere?”
Picture particulate matter emissions. You’re likely visualizing emissions from a stack or duct. However, particulate matter can also be released from industrial operations, agricultural practices, and construction sites as fugitive particulate matter. Infrastructure operators have to design fugitive particulate matter control plans.
Activation Energy
04/15/26
“What’s the minimum amount of energy for chemical reactions to occur?”
Chemical reactions cannot happen on their own. The molecules need to have a certain amount of collisions, or energy, to react. The minimum amount of energy for chemical reactions to occur is known as the Activation Energy. Activation energy is often provided in the form of heat.
Biosparging
04/14/26
“How can we treat groundwater without removing it from an aquifer using compressed air?”
Microbes use air to consume organic matter. By injecting air into contaminated water, we can spur microbial growth that consumes pollutants. We can even do this to groundwater in aquifers. Biosparging is an in-situ groundwater remediation process that uses compressed air to achieve biodegradation.
Galvanic Series
04/13/26
“Is there a list that sorts how likely a metal is to corrode?”
Two metals with significant enough anodic index differences will corrode. But is there a list that sorts metals based on their anodic index differences? Well, this comes in the form of the Galvanic Series. The lower on the list, the more protected against corrosion a specific metal is, and the higher the more vulnerable to corrosion.
When To Use Enthalpy Values for Heat Calculations
04/11/26
“When should we use enthalpy values for heat calculations?”
People like you and me can calculate the heat transfer between two substances in a variety of ways. When we’re faced with constant-pressure processes, phase changes, chemical reactions, or in flow volumes, we can use the change in enthalpy values for calculating heat transfer. This is When To Use Enthalpy Values for Heat Calculations.
When To Use Internal Energy Values for Heat Calculations
04/10/26
“When should we use internal energy values for heat calculations?”
People like you and me can calculate the heat transfer between two substances in a variety of ways. When we’re faced with constant volume processes, closed systems (no mass flow), bomb calorimetry, and non-constant pressure systems, we can use the change in internal energy values for calculating heat transfer. This is When To Use Internal Energy Values for Heat Calculations.
Settling (Liquids)
04/09/26
“How do particulates move to the bottom of a liquid and become sediment?”
Particulates may enter liquids by several means. Over time, the particles will move downwards in the fluid and collect into larger sediment. This Settling process is how processes like sedimentation happen.
Terminal Settling Velocity
04/08/26
“How do objects reach their maximum velocity while settling in a fluid?”
Solid objects denser than a fluid will settle in them. Just like with terminal air velocity, objects in liquid fluids will reach a Terminal Settling Velocity when the drag force opposing their motion equals their weight dragging them down.
Isaac's Science Blog 