In this world, it seems like everybody hates everybody else, but if there is one thing most people can agree on, it is this: chemistry sucks, especially for those who find it super tough. But maybe it isn’t that boring after all. Here are 6 interesting facts you didn’t know about the first six elements in the periodic table (one for each element) to lighten up your day, and make you want to get your old textbooks again. (Was that a bit too hopeful? Probably was.) 1. Hydrogen Next time you find out you gained a “little” extra kilos over Christmas, you could blame this element partly for that. About 10 percent of the weight of living organisms is hydrogen – mainly in water, proteins and fats. And you all know how much fats we gain over the holidays. Source: https://www.chemicool.com/elements/hydrogen-facts.html 2. Helium Balloons seem to have a thing with the Sun. It flies towards the sun, is as dangerous as it (VERY VERY dangerous for your eardrums) and even LOOKS like it. Maybe it is because element 2 likes it too. (Geddit?) Helium was discovered in the Sun’s atmosphere before it was found on Earth. They both make a very weird couple. Source: https://www.chemicool.com/elements/helium-facts.html 3. Lithium Some people look tough but aren’t. Lithium is sadly one of them. Although it is a metal, it is soft enough to cut with a knife. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/lithium.php 4. Beryllium Although it may not be as well-known as oxygen or hydrogen, Beryllium has a long history, having been known to the ancient Egyptians in beryl and in emeralds. Source: http://www.softschools.com/facts/periodic_table/beryllium_facts/186/ 5. Boron Looks like we’re not the only animals with skin problems. Snake often have skin issues that require some cure. Borax is a widely used Boron compound that is used to give slimy serpents some relief from skin issues. Source: https://factslegend.org/30-boron-fun-facts-hone-your-knowledge 6. Carbon Carbon is such an all-rounder, it can’t make up its mind on what it wants to be. Elemental carbon can take the form of one of the hardest substances (diamond) or one of the softest (graphite). Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/carbon-element-facts-606515
Better Ways to Ace Your Test by Lucinda Chu
Many people think burning the midnight oil before a test is the most reliable way to get an A. But is it really the best way? Sure, short-term memory can help you keep several important facts in your head, like memorizing concepts before a Math test, but if you want to store this information for long-term usage, like being able to use phrases you learnt Spanish class when you transfer to a school in Brazil, you will need some more work. Luckily, I’ve got you covered. Your Way to an A+: How to Study For a Test Better 1. No, Long Study Sessions aren’t the Key Your parents probably reminded you before that ‘practice makes perfect’, but not all at once. Long and focused study sessions may seem good, but chances are you are spending most of your brainpower on trying to maintain your concentration for a long period of time. That doesn’t leave a lot of brain energy for learning. (Unless you’re practicing playing Fortnite. But would your mom really allow that?) 2. Mix Up Your Classroom The first step toward better learning, according to author Benedict Carey of “How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens” is to simply change your study environment from time to time. Let’s say, instead of revising at the library, you decide to stop by a cafe. Instead of deathly silence, you’ll hear the sound of coffee-stirring, sipping and idle chatting. To the brain, these are new, unique sounds that help you form new connections between what you’re learning and what you’re hearing. So, when you take your History test and trying to remember So-and-So, you’ll think about the smell of coffee and go, “OHHH! Now I know!” 3. Space Out No, not start daydreaming, but set several different study sessions a week. For example, if your Chemistry test is on next Friday, set aside time for study sessions every three days. Trust me, it’s better to water your lawn for 30 minutes three times a week than 90 minutes at one go. Your plants would thank you for that. 4. And This is the Perfect Excuse For a Nap Finally, you have a chance to catch up on your ‘Z’s and you’ve got a valid reason for it. And you’ve got an expert to prove it. “Sleep is the finisher on learning,” Mr. Carey said. “The brain is ready to process and categorize and solidify what you’ve been studying. Once you get tired, your brain is saying it’s had enough.” But wait! Different subjects need a different sleep schedule! This is what Mr. Carey (my new favorite Science reporter) said: (Blogger’s explanation in parentheses) The first half of the sleep cycle helps with retaining facts; the second half is important for math skills. So a student with a foreign language test should go to bed early to get the most retention from sleep (remember facts better), and then review in the morning. For math students, the second half of the sleep cycle is most important — better to review before going to bed and then sleep in to let the brain process the information (remember how to apply concepts in different questions). So you’ve got the secrets of Test Success. Now go get that A+! (Reference: Article ‘Better Ways To Learn’ in the New York Times)
Can You See the Stars? by Lucinda Chu
Illustration by Leigh McNeil-Taboika, 13, for Ella Jane Lombard’s story “Bright Star,” from Stone Soup’s Nov/Dec 2011 issue Stars have long been an important part of human culture and science, from astronomy to fiction to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” However, one-third of humanity may never be able to see the cosmos, according to certain studies. On June 10, 2016, Italian and American scientists published a global atlas on light pollution. According to the report, one-third of humanity, including 80% of Americans, will never be able to see the Milky Way! (Gasp!) According to the online global atlas, most of the major cities in the U.S.A., Europe and the southeastern part of Asia are affected by this problem. Light pollution is a little-known environmental issue caused by artificial lights in developed countries that swamp the night sky with a luminous fog, covering the many beautiful constellations and stars that many kids hope to see. (You can’t exactly wish upon a shooting star to see them either, ‘cause they’re covered too.) And not only we are affected. Unnatural light confuses and exposes wild animals such as insects, birds and sea turtles, often with fatal consequences. Moths keep swarming the porch light, night birds can’t navigate properly, and the poor sea turtles are misled by all those bright bulbs you put at your beach houses. Of course, we caused all this, so we reap what we sow. But if we don’t stop this, soon nobody will ever see the stars again. So take a few simple steps to reduce light pollution and spread awareness about this problem. Turn off the lights when you’re not using them. Shield your garden lights to the immediate area, reducing the amount of light to the minimum needed. You don’t need to light up your whole house with a ridiculous amount of bulbs—even if you are afraid of the dark. Talk about this with your local town committee. Host fund raisers. And just wish upon a star. Thee Sim Ling, age 12
