Thoughts of Solitude

DISCLOSURE POLICY

2013-08-04T02:14:00.002+08:00

This policy is valid from 03 August 2013

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2013-08-04T01:36:00.001+08:00

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Update on the Periodic Table of Elements

2013-05-06T00:31:00.000+08:00

I'd like to share this article that I've read on chemistry. Please read the article below.

Two Elements Named: Livermorium and Flerovium

By Jennifer Welsh | LiveScience.com

Chemistry's periodic table can now welcome livermorium and flerovium, two newly named elements, which were announced Thursday (Dec. 1) by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The new names will undergo a five-month public comment period before the official paperwork gets processed and they show up on the table.

Three other new elements just recently finished this process, filling in the 110, 111 and 112 spots.

All five of these elements are so large and unstable they can be made only in the lab, and they fall apart into other elements very quickly. Not much is known about these elements, since they aren't stable enough to do experiments on and are not found in nature. They are called "super heavy," or Transuranium, elements.

The newly named elements fit in the 114 and 116 spots, down in the lower-right corner of the periodic table, and were officially accepted to the periodic table back in June. They originally were synthesized more than 10 years ago, after which repeat experiments led to their confirmation.

Elements 113, 115, 117 and 118 have also been synthesized at Russia's Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, located in Dubna, Russia (about two hours drive from Moscow), but their creation hasn't been confirmed by the International Union yet. Once they have been confirmed, they will also have to go through the naming and public-commenting periods.

Both livermorium and flerovium were also synthesized at the same Russian lab, where Russian researchers were working with American researchers from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.

Element 114, previously known as ununquadium, has been named flerovium (Fl), after the Russian institute's Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions founder, which similarly is named in honor of Georgiy Flerov (1913-1990), a Russian physicist. Flerov's work and his writings to Joseph Stalin led to the development of the USSR's atomic bomb project.

The researchers got their first glimpse at flerovium after firing calcium ions at a plutonium target.Element 116, which was temporarily named ununhexium, almost ended up with the name moscovium in honor of the region (called an oblast, similar to a province or state) of Moscow, where the research labs are located. In the end, it seems the American researchers won out and the team settled on the name livermorium (Lv), after the national labs and the city of Livermore in which they are located. Livermorium was first observed in 2000, when the scientists created it by mashing together calcium and curium.

"Proposing these names for the elements honors not only the individual contributions of scientists from these laboratories to the fields of nuclear science, heavy-element research, and super-heavy-element research, but also the phenomenal cooperation and collaboration that has occurred between scientists at these two locations," Bill Goldstein, associate director of Lawrence Livermore National Labs' Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, said in a statement.

The names for the next batch of super-heavy atoms is still up for grabs, perhaps moscovium will make a comeback.

This is the complete article for your reference.

December 4, 2011 news online

There is still so much to discover in our world. If only man would channel its energies to the unraveling of these mysteries instead of quarreling over petty things, then our race can move in leaps rather than in steps.

The "Question"?

2013-05-04T21:50:00.002+08:00

Twelve years ago, I was teaching 1st grade Science. During the summer in-service reporting, I was informed by the Assistant Principal about a pupil that I'll be handling. During our short meeting, the mother of the kid informed me about her son's medical condition. King is currently undergoing treatment from "Leukemia". During those moments, I was thinking of a strategy on how I can best help him.
King was a very diligent, obedient, warm, friendly, and intelligent pupil. His classmates treat him well and he was even elected as one of the class officers. During recess and lunch periods, his classmates would take turns in talking and playing with him. It is as if he wasn't sick. As any other boy his age, he is fascinated with robots, cartoons, toys and superheroes. We would usually spend spare time during my class and break periods discussing those things.
Though things were good for him in school, towards the middle of the school year, his absences were now becoming more frequent. His classmates would usually ask me every morning if he is coming to school. At that time, his mom informed me that his body is slowly resisting his current treatment regimen. That made his classmates pray intently for his recovery.
Towards the end of the year, we were preparing for the Christmas the holidays when one recess period, King approached me and asked me in his soft voice "Mr. Hector, can I ask a question?". I said "Sure, let's go to my table". I sat on my chair and he stood really close to me and then he said "Sir, is there a God?". I smiled at him and told him that there is a supreme being that watches over us and someone that listen to our prayers. He was fidgeting with his hand when he told me "Is he a fair God?". I have to pause for a long moment and choosing my words carefully I explained to him that God is fair and that the trials that we experience in our lives are things that would make us stronger. He looked at me for a long time and then he said, "Sir, I do my best in school, I am obedient, I pray everyday, I am good to everyone, but why did God made me very sick?. . . Why Me?" I sat there frozen on my chair then he continued talking "You know Sir, it is very painful". At that moment I noticed that he was really struggling to stand and his entire body was shaking. I realized, here is a seven (7) year old boy who is asking me a question that I cannot answer. My words simply vanished and all I did at that moment was to reach out for him and hug him. Then afterwards after he stopped shaking, he simply walked back to his chair after saying "Thank you Sir"
King joined our creator after that school year. I never had the opportunity to answer his question. King thought me to value the small things in my life everyday and he made me treasure the bonds that I create with the people that I meet. I know he is continuously smiling in heaven.

Welcome to My Page!

2013-05-03T23:59:00.001+08:00

This is an attempt to record some of my thoughts and reflections as a teacher. The countless images of experiences that I have amassed from the hilarious, absurd, awkward, sad, happy and at times mysterious or somewhat spooky have given me a different perspective on my work and life. May those moments' lessons reach out to you. Welcome to my page.