kqh
Registered: April 19, 2007
Posts: 40
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Sometimes in the rush to get out emails, I make mistakes or leave some key information out. Feel free to make corrections here or ask questions.
For the phosphorus and halide auction, Steve Hardinger pointed out that only white phosphorus will ignite with oxygen. This brings up the concept of allotropes. These are compounds formed only by one element that have different physical structures and properties. Probably the best known example is carbon which can form diamonds and graphite as well as other structures. Diamonds and graphite are quite different. White phosphorus is one allotrope and it will react with oxygen. The other allotropes do not behave the same way.
Steve also pointed out that HF is not a strong acid even though it can dissolve just about everything. The strength of an acid refers to its dissociation in solution, not its corrosive nature. This is a common point of confusion as most folks tend to judge an acid by its ability to corrode materials (including us). As a chemical engineer, I tend to think of HF the same way as I do strong acid: keep it in the pipes and vessels!
Anyway, I am sure you will have more opportunity to disagree or question. Have fun... we're trying to get everyone to think and learn.
Keith
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Keith |
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