Chemistry

Pepper and soap experiment: what's going on?

HI- My 9 year old son would like to know why a certain science experiment works- when you put pepper in a bowl of water, the pepper floats. When you insert a bar of soap, the pepper is immediately repelled by the soap and moves to the edges of the... Read more →

Why do electrons pair if they repel each other?

Dear Dr. Phaneuf, You are always telling us to keep electrons paired on the Lewis structures we draw. But don't electrons repel? Confused in gen chem I Dear confused, Ah, the mysterious mysteries of nature! You are right to be confused and I applaud your discerning question. Why would electrons... Read more →