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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

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.