Kyanite is a blue aluminosilicate mineral. Its name is derived from the Greek word κύανος (meaning “dark blue”), just like the name of the color cyan. Kyanite is used as a gemstone, in industrial applications, and by geologists. Have you ever wondered if kyanite can go in the water? In this article, we are going…
Serpentine is not a singular stone but a group of minerals that are primarily composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. These minerals are usually green in color, and they are used for a variety of purposes: gemstones, architectural material, asbestos, etc. Have you ever wondered if serpentine can go in the water? In this article, we…
Peridot is a yellowish-green variety of olivine and has the chemical formula of (Mg, Fe)2SiO4. It is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color, and it has been prized since antiquity for its beautiful appearance. Have you ever wondered if Peridot can go in the water? In this article, we are…
Sulfur is a component that many people have encountered in various disinfectants. Its primary function is to produce sulfuric acid used in pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. In the past, sulfur was famous for producing match heads for safety matches, though most manufacturers no longer do. Is sulfur flammable based on its most recent use? In…
Most people who work in mining, are stone cutters or live in sandy areas have heard about silicosis. It is a lung condition brought on by breathing in silicon compounds. Yet silicon also has advantages. Among many other industrial uses, manufacturing steel is one of them. Most people, however, are curious about the magnetic properties…
Copper (Cu) is a chemical element with the atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal that has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Copper is one of the oldest metals known to man, with its uses dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians & Greeks. Today, copper is widely used in…
Rust causes many companies and industries to spend money on repairs for metallic structures. Some bridges, like the Morandi Bridge, have collapsed, and rust has rendered vehicles, ships, and aeroplanes obsolete. Most metals lose some of their properties when they rust. Is rust magnetic, then? This article explores whether magnets attract rust, which magnetic metals…
Hematite is a common iron oxide compound, having the formula Fe2O3. It is widely found in rocks and soils, occurring in various colors from black to reddish-brown. There are different varieties of hematite, such as kidney ore, martite, iron rose, and specularite. Have you ever wondered if hematite is magnetic? In this article, we are…
For most living things to survive, blood is necessary. But there is a limit to what blood can achieve for something so valuable. Blood serves various purposes in the body because of its numerous components. Does blood contain an electrical charge, though? Hence, does blood conduct electricity? We’ll discuss the conductivity of blood, determine whether…
Spray foam is a type of insulation material that is commonly used in homes and buildings. It is made up of two chemical products, isocyanate and polyol resin, which react together and expand up to 30-60 times their liquid volume after being sprayed. Besides thermal heating, this expansion property makes spray foam a useful packaging material…
Surgical steel is a type of stainless steel used in biomedical applications. There is no formal definition of what constitutes surgical steel, so manufacturers usually apply the term to any grade of corrosion-resistant steel. Have you ever wondered if surgical steel is magnetic? In this article, we are going to discuss just that. We will…
If you’ve ever urinated outside in the cold, you’ve probably noticed that your urine is steaming. Does that imply that the moment you urinate, your urine is boiling? But, you are unlikely to observe the steam when it is sunny outside. What precisely occurs then? Even on a hot day, urine quickly leaves the ground….
You’ve probably encountered drywall while researching potential building materials. Although it might not be ideal for outside walls, using it as framing on walls and as ceilings is strongly recommended. Nonetheless, most people are still unsure about the fire safety of drywall. Is drywall flammable, then? In this article, we will go into great detail…
Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element with atomic number 80. It is a heavy, silvery d-block element and is the only metallic element that is liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Mercury is found in deposits throughout the world, mostly in the form of cinnabar (mercuric sulfide). Have you ever wondered if mercury is magnetic?…
Canvas is a durable plain-woven fabric that is used for making a variety of things, such as sails, tents, and backpacks. It is also widely used by artists as a painting surface, which is typically stretched across a wooden frame. Have you ever wondered if a canvas is waterproof? In this article, we are going…