Gigglebit is Siliconrepublic’s daily look at the lighter side of science and technology. Today, through the metaphor of romance we explain just how chemistry works.
I wish science class would have been this funked up when I was in school. Chemical experiments in the labs were cool, but mostly it involved writing down definitions and staring incredulously at the Periodic Table of Elements as if it were a book of spells from the Harry Potter saga.
But, you see, everything in life is chemical – every substance, the air we breathe, our bodies and even our moods.
In this trippy video from the University of Oslo to promote research careers as part of the EU’s Horizon 2020-backed Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions we learn just how chemistry works through the metaphor of the laws of attraction at a dance party.
For example, did you know that neon and hydrogen don’t fancy each other at all, whereas hydrogen really digs carbon. Actually, carbon is a bit of a flirt and can attract four hydrogens at a time!
Noble gases don’t bond whereas oxygen is a bit full of itself. But if hydrogen enters the room, it is love at first sight.
Potassium and water (H2O) hate each other with a vengeance and things can really kick off in an explosive way.
Chemistry image via Shutterstock
