This is one of the most dangerous chemical substances. Scientists from Cambridge managed to trap it inside other atoms preventing it from reacting violently with air
For hundreds of years it has been known for its violent reaction with air - but a research team from the University of Cambridge managed to tame one of the most dangerous chemical substances - white phosphorus. This research could also lead to the possibility of transporting and handling a variety of other dangerous substances more safely in the near future.
The substance in question is white phosphorus - a raw material for the preparation of many useful chemicals, including herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers. White phosphorus is also notorious for its tendency to ignite easily. Thanks to this feature, it is used in military applications to create a smoke screen to mask the movement of soldiers in front of the enemy, as well as in explosives for bombs, artillery and mortars.
This study, published in the prestigious scientific journal Science, was carried out by a team of researchers from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.
The team developed a "molecular cage" to stabilize white phosphorus indefinitely. This cage makes the phosphorus safe until the time of its use, which comes into effect when a unique substance called benzene is added to it.
The practical applications of this research are extremely impressive: the method for imprisoning individual particles of a substance allows the substance to be utilized and stored in a higher safety, and it can be used to treat other dangerous substances. The lead researcher explains: "It seems that our method will soon be able to be used to clean up waste water of white phosphorus, both following a work accident and in various combat zones. In addition to its ability to cause severe pain and terrible burns when it ignites on the skin, white phosphorus is also highly toxic and poses a significant environmental risk."
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With me,
Further to your question, define "cold", is a refrigerator good enough?
If you can use it as air conditioning gas? Theoretically yes, practically no. Air conditioner gas usually works on two accumulation modes (phases for Erez) - gas and liquid, because then you use the latent heat of the material. To compress nitrogen you will have to invest lots and lots of work.
In general, you will use less gas, but the size of your equipment will increase much more, especially the compressor…
To me,
How long does it take for an apple that falls from the tree to hit the ground?
It's about the same, you're missing a ton of data.
Just a hint, it depends on the surface area of the vessel you are storing it in, the insulation material, the amount of nitrogen, the air temperature in the environment, whether the air is moving or stationary and any number of such.
A one word answer would be fast…
Valarez,
At first I thought the same as you, but what's wrong with a little proper Hebrew? It is not jarring to the eye, on the contrary, it adds value to the article...
Good article and in my opinion important (and of course the research is important).
For those who do not feel comfortable because of the use of Hebrew words
On a Hebrew website, it is recommended to read the websites that deal with it
In popular science in another language (and there are many of them).
A very interesting and professional summary 🙂
Cheers, excellent site
In the course of the last nine years that I have been going around conferences in Israel and around the world, and also in the faculties (another accepted foreign word) for physics and life sciences, I have never heard the word 'separate'. Although most of the seminars are given in English, even in those given in Hebrew, it is said "molecule" and not "paruda".
I don't think that using the more common and clearer word means killing the Hebrew language. I really appreciate clear Hebrew, but the language should be useful and accessible. My opinion is that unfamiliar terms should not be used, just because it is Hebrew. Words like "Frode" have a beautiful dictionary, called the "Dictionary of the Lost Words" (a wonderful dictionary, by the way, which brings together additional Hebrew words that are not in use) and there, all the Hebrew words that have not been assimilated into the contemporary Hebrew language are collected.
I understand the concern for the dwindling Hebrew language, but there is a reality. In my opinion, the use of "froda" is obsessive and artificial, uncomfortable and unreadable. I demonstrated the artificiality involved by quoting the ceremony, which also failed to use the well-known and accepted term, molecule. My opinion is that if the entire text had been written using the word "molecule" it would have been clearer.
I must point out that in any case - with Feruda or with Molecule - I thank Dr. (by the way, this is the correct Hebrew transliteration. Dr. and not Dr. as written above) Nachmani for his wise writings.
A good week to everyone, even to the cynical Mr. "Proudon", who took the trouble to belittle my academic education (also by Dr.) without any knowledge. You don't have to be rude and disrespect me and my opinion in order for your opinion to sound educated.
I have a question that is not very related to the topic of the article, but I was hoping that there would be someone here who could answer me.
I wanted to know how long it takes for liquid nitrogen to heat up appreciably in contact with air at a temperature of 18-40 degrees Celsius.
In addition, I wanted to ask if it is possible to keep it cold even though it comes in contact with air and finally if it is possible to use the same process as the one that is carried over the gas in air conditioners and refrigerators and thus keep it cold.
Thanks
I did not understand Erez, dear academic, why are you angry, does the use of a Hebrew word instead of a word of non-Hebrew origin bother you, or the double use.
Fruda is a completely understandable and correct word, even for the alleged "academic" people.
Do not kill the Hebrew language completely.
* to penetrate = to penetrate
And I apologize again for the tone of things. I hope my meaning will be understood without anger.
All in all, I think the articles will be much clearer, readable and accessible if you use the more familiar word: molecule/molecules.
(And this is assuming that I myself understood what was meant by "separated".)
Thanks.
The compulsive (obsessive) use of the word "separate" is really annoying. Who uses this word but you?
And if you think it's an understandable word, why does it say "molecular cage" and not "separate cage"?
Sorry for the angry tone, but every time I read your articles the subject bothers me. I'm an academic, and I've never heard academics talk about mares. It is a futile attempt to introduce a word that has passed from the world. Even the Hebrew Language Academy gives up when it realizes that the battle is lost, and a foreign word has found its place in the Hebrew language.
Long live the molecules.
It is treating the symptom instead of treating the disease...
Instead of preventing risk and contamination simply by stopping using the substance and finding alternatives, we are looking for ways to continue using dangerous substances that will eventually come back to us...
http://www.storyofstuff.com/international/