The Job of a Chemist

            Chemists are a type of scientists who study chemicals and how they react with each other. Their duties can include but are not limited to collecting samples and analyzing the chemical makeup of substances, and developing and testing products. Personally, I really enjoy learning what my earth and everything around me is made of. Learning all the elements that exist is something I enjoy because everything on earth is made up of one of more of the elements listed in  a unique way on a table we call the periodic table. Every so often, chemists discover new elements, sometimes they even create their own lab manufactured elements which are not naturally occurring. This allows people in this sector to have even more thought and knowledge about substances in our world.

            The primary step in becoming a chemist is taking math and science courses in high school as they play major roles in this career. Computer studies are also recommended as it is with most careers today. The lowest degree required to get a job in the field of chemistry is a bachelor’s degree, with this you would only be able to perform simple tasks such as running equipment and preparing chemicals. However, a master’s degree is required for more advanced positions such as researchers. For the most advanced positions such as professors at colleges or universities, a PhD is required in order to teach this subject. To become a chemistry professor, it will easily take a minimum of 10 years of university education, so as with any type of professor, you must be really committed if you wish to become one. Chemistry as I mentioned before is something I greatly enjoy, I am a type of person who likes to do things hands on, which the job of a chemist involves; teaching is not something I believe I would enjoy so I can say that if I studied chemistry at university I would probably be studying a maximum of 6 years. Right now chemistry and chemical engineering are two of the programs near the top of my list of preferred university programs. All the programs I currently have in mind of taking are all to do with science or engineering and the job of a chemist fits perfectly. If looking to study chemistry, The University of Toronto is one you can’t go wrong with, as a matter of fact this is a world renowned university, one that is rated fairly high in all subject areas. Some other universities which are recommended are the universities of Ottawa and Waterloo.

            An advantage of studying chemistry is that you can get recruited and become a chemist straight out of university as companies often recruit directly from there. This would greatly help students as at that time you would probably have very little job experience and not know where to start, but instead companies are making it easier by coming to you. Computers play a major role, sometimes all your work in a week may be done on one. For example, certain chemists develop and research theories, all of which is done through a computer. I definitely enjoy this because I spend multiple hours daily on mine and I usually don’t get tired of it allowing me to have an easier transition from university to the job of a chemist. There are multiple sectors to choose from such as field work and research labs, both of which involve hands on work and problem solving. The wages earned are also another benefit, annual earnings under $50,000 do occur but these are typically for people who are new to the field or in lower fields such as chemical testing. Working as a chemical researcher, you can expect to be earning roughly $70,000 by the midpoint of your career. I’ve always enjoyed science and from my grade 9 science class, I could tell chemistry was definitely my strong suit. I have a keen eye for knowledge and in this field, I don’t believe the gaining of knowledge can stop because researchers are always discovering new molecules, elements and other compositions of our world.

Sources Used

Chemist: At a Glance

https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/profile-at-a-glance/89

Chemist Profile

http://chemistry.about.com/od/educationemployment/a/chemistprofile.htm

What Are Some Careers in Chemistry?

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blcareers.htm

Thermite

       Thermite is a mixture of powdered metals which produces an amazing reaction when combusted. Its reaction is basically the burning of metal meaning an immense amount of heat must be involved. The thermite process was discovered in 1893 by Hans Goldschmidt.  The reactants in a thermite reaction are aluminum powder and a metal oxide such as manganese oxide, chromium oxide or copper (II) oxide, however, typically it is iron oxide that is used. Thermite reactions require a high temperature to ignite as iron’s melting point is over 1500^o C. You can achieve these temperatures with the use of a propane torch, or a lighter which is sufficient for small thermite reactions which can be done by curious individuals. After the metals have heated to a high enough temperature that they melt, the thermite reaction occurs rapidly. Performing a thermite reaction is very dangerous, not only because of the reaction, but also the reactant, aluminum powder, which is toxic and can harm humans. There is a risk of burns, a risk or material flying out and a risk of eye injury if looking at the bright light produced, for too long. It is best to ignite thermite from a good distance away. Personally, I would not attempt to create a thermite reaction without obtaining extensive knowledge of the process.

     Thermite reactions produce molten metal at temperatures of about 3000^o C. This temperature is achieved as once thermite starts burning it has the ability to increase metals’ temperatures rapidly. A bright light is produced similarly to the brightness of the light produced when magnesium combusts and similarly to the brightness of the sun. In other words, when this reaction occurs, do not stare at it for a lengthy time peiod.

    The chemical reaction of thermite using Iron (III) Oxide and Aluminum is shown below

Fe₂O₃ + 2Al --> 2Fe + Al₂O₃ + heat and light

skip to 1:20 for actual reaction

    Modifications have been performed to basic thermite reactions in order to modify the reaction and its products. An example is using ultra-fine aluminum powder in the reaction which increases the speed in which the reaction occurs. Another example is the creation of thermates which is composed of thermite powder and sulfate, it increases the original ability of thermite to cut through steel. This leads me to a theory about how the twin towers in New York City were destroyed in September of 2001. I assume that many of you reading this, will remember this tragic event. There is a theory with evidence supporting it which states that thermite reactions are what destroyed the twin towers. Evidence of hot corrosion of steel was found along with sulfur which supports the claim of thermates being used. However, from my knowledge I believe this may have played a role in bringing down The Twin Towers, but the impact of the planes into The Twin Towers could have easily took them down single-handedly. 

Positively, Thermite does have some good uses such as being used to weld steel train tracks together. Originally nuts and bolts were used to hold train tracks together, but then in the 1920’s they started to use thermite to weld steel tracks together. If you’ve used the train before, there’s a good chance you rode on tracks that were welded using thermite.  It can also be used to purify metal ores such as uranium ore which can be found throughout Earth’s crust.

Thermite has served some good purpose and possibly some negative purpose in our world and one thing for certain is the thermite reaction produces incredibly high temperatures, achievable through few processes. Personally, I may attempt to create a small thermite reaction in the future but for now I will stay with producing non-combusting/non-flammable reactions.

Sources Used

The Thermite Reaction

http://www.chymist.com/Thermite%20reaction.pdf

Thermite Reaction Demonstration

http://chemistry.about.com/b/2013/03/28/thermite-reaction-demonstration.htm

Theories that Aluminothermic Materials Were Used to Destroy the Twin Towers

http://911research.wtc7.net/wtc/analysis/theories/thermite.html

A Myth: “Don’t go outside when it’s cold or wet, as you may get sick”

           

 Many young children including myself have grown up hearing from their family, “don’t go outside in the cold or when it’s raining”. Many people, typically older ones have a misconception that going out in the cold, can cause you to catch a cold. They also believe that wetness or rain can contribute to getting a cold. An example is during the winter, when someone tells you to dress warm or you’ll get sick, this is untrue. The common cold as we know it, is currently incurable and hampers many people’s daily duties.

            The actual reason why people get sick more often during rainy or cold weather conditions is because they tend to stay indoors more and hence around and closer to others. The weather conditions are not what get us sick, it’s our reactions to the weather.  During unpleasant weather conditions, people tend to stay closer to each other, but if they were outside their germs would not have as good as a chance to transfer from one individual to another. When you’re at home during rainy weather or during the cold winter, everyone in the building you’re in share and breathe the same air. The longer people are together in an enclosed area, the higher the chance of germs spreading. At the Common cold research unit in Salisbury, England volunteers were placed in an outdoor pool in the middle of winter and none of they became sick. This is proof that being out in the cold and/or wet will get you sick.

            Not only can going out in the rain or cold not cause you to fall ill, it can also benefit you in multiple ways. Vitamin D, which the sun produces has no way to get to you if you’re indoors, even during cloudy and unpleasant weather, vitamin D is still being emitted to Earth’s lithosphere. Also, during these types of weather, breathing improves for many which only increases the benefits of going out during these types of weather.

            The Canadian Flu seasons occur during the cold weather, but once again it is because we tend to stay indoors and have more contact with others. In parts of the world where winter does not occur, their flu season occurs during their wet season which is also due to the same reason our flu season occurs. Germs are what causes humans to get sick, not weather conditions so remember that. In reality, if everyone decided to continue their summer routine of staying outdoors, year-round, we wouldn’t have a flu season. In the summer students are at home, on trips and not in close contact with others nearly as much as in the winter when they are all at school and indoors. You can contract a cold by breathing in air with a virus or having physical contact with a contaminated object or person.

            I, like many used to believe that not dressing with layers of clothing or appropriately for cold/wet weather would get you sick, but I learned that is not true so here I am passing this useful information along to you. If you take a survey for the question, “how often do you get sick” and survey people who clean and disinfect their house frequently and people who stay outdoors more during cold and wet weather, the results will show that people who stay outdoors more during these weather types, are less prone to becoming sick. So spread the word that it is beneficial to be outdoors during cold or rainy weather and next time you can try it for yourself to see that this article is true.

Sources Used

Want to avoid catching a cold? Then don't stay indoors
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2073465/Dont-want-catch-cold-Better-stay-indoors-then.html

Does Cold Weather Cause the Cold or Flu?

http://coldflu.about.com/od/cold/f/coldandweather.htm

The Common Cold

http://coldflu.about.com/od/cold/p/coldprofile.htm