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  • From: EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Curveballs
  • Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:05:13 -0500



Bill Jones wrote:

Most people think electrolysis is hair removal. But in chemistry it
means the separation of substances like water into their components
(H and O) using electricity. Likewise, if you do that to molten salt
(which ain't too easy to make) it separates into sodium and
chlorine. In general metals collect at the negative pole, and the
non-metal at the positive one. Anyway, some folks were talking about
making their own hydrogen with home-generated electricity. To get
much current to flow, you have to add a little salt or some ionic
compound to get any current to flow. So I'm wondering, when brine is
electrolyzed, a mixture of 4 different ions, what determines which
metal or non-metal accumulates at its pole? Obviously neither sodium
nor chlorine can accumulate in water, because both react with water.
But is there some deeper reason?

I assume you are asking me..
Your description of ions in water is not exactly accurate.
I suggest you study the nature of ionic bonds vs. the nature of polar
bonds.

OK, I've put you in suspense. Here's a hint: uranium (a metal) has a
hexa*fluoride. IOW, six atoms of fluorine (the non-metal) and one
of uranium can form a "salt" together. If you look inside the cover
of your CRC manual, you'll see that this is pretty rare among the elements. I think only chromium can do this. Well, now look beyond
uranium to the first three man-made elements. They can also have a
charge of +6.

Now, I've been asked to accept on faith that the _first_ sustained nuclear fission occurred at the U. of Chicago during the early 20th century (other than those which have occurred spontaneously in
nature, a fascinating but extremely rare event). If you simply
question this notion, it leaves open the possibility that someone
long ago found this signpost and sent a warning to future
generations. No belief in any supernatural ability is required.

Interesting, but to me, it's just that...
Numbers are fascinating...I suppose you are going to see the movie, "23"
or whatever it's called?



Not all science was revealed publicly in journals in ancient times, necessarily. In most cultures it was connected with magic and the occult arts.

Magic...Magi...Persian (Orient) priestly men of learning...those with
"secret" or occult (hidden or obscure) knowledge..science...
Yup..

For instance, the conversion of many a Teuton to X-ianity
was apparently facilitated by a little saltpeter magic, as the secret
of gunpowder was gradually revealed to Europeans. There has also
been speculation that some Egyptian glass maker learned the secret of
making phosphorus out of bone long ago, and that this "magic" was the
underlying secret behind the Eleusinian cult. So it's not entirely
implausible.

I wouldn't doubt that.

Bev
--
EarthNSky Farm Somewhere in the ocean's depths, MY son is protecting
OUR freedom. He's only 19, and his sub won't be back until 7/29/07.







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