The top five entries to our iPad competition are strong, so we'd like your help in choosing the best
A couple of months ago Bill Bryson asked you to show us chemistry from the home, and pleasingly many of you obliged. Thanks to everyone who sent something in!
An Apple iPad, loaded with a copy of Bill's book, was up for grabs for the best, but I'm having difficulty picking my favourite entry. Perhaps you could help?
A shortlist of five really stood out as fun, entertaining, enlightening, cute, informative, and impressive. Here they are for your enjoyment. Do leave a comment and let us know your favourite, or if you prefer anonymity you can email us at . I'll leave it a fortnight or so and then choose the best taking into account public opinion.
So in no particular order:
Rosalind Clague - crochet blanket
"Attached is a photo of a blanket I have crocheted, inspired by the chemistry of and in the home. I was looking for inspiration for a blanket as a gift for my niece, and Bill's challenge on the RSC website has provided me with plenty.
"The blanket is made of square 'bricks', and crocheted together with cream 'cement'.
"In the living room, are alcohol in the form of red wine, a warming fire and flowers grown with the aid of fertilisers.
"In the kitchen, is a Teflon coated frying pan providing a non-stick surface for a fried egg. There is also an iced cupcake, beautifully risen with the aid of baking powder.
"Upstairs, the medicine cabinet is full of useful substances developed by an army of chemists. The water is clean and safe to drink, with added fluoride to keep my nieces teeth strong and healthy. Next door is the bedroom, where there is a window with coated glass providing extra insulation. The jumper, is made of acrylic and dyed with bright modern dyes, as are many of the furnishings in the house. Finally, my niece wears a little red long lasting lipstick 'borrowed' from Mum and her hair is smooth and shiny thanks to her shampoo.
"The attic is empty, apart from the insulation and the red clay tiles keep out the wind and rain."
Mark Hammond - caramelisation chemistry
Great editing chops from Mark, with of course some fascinating and relevant chemistry.
Tim Williams - chemistry in whisking egg whites
I couldn't find embed code for this video so I'm afraid you need to follow the link. Impressive editing and great chemistry from 12-year-old Tim though!
http://animoto.com/play/5wGootw8171ANrajUZzk0A
Aarti and Jyoti Sehdev - Epic Chemistry
This is a brilliant chemistry rap! So many chemistry references it's tough to catch them all. Excellent wordsmithing. Words available in a .doc file on request.
Will Nesbit - "Some call it the kitchen"
The kitchen, to many, is the heart of the home
But to me, a chemist, our science is known.
Reactions create meals and ingredients the chemicals,
What products are feasible, can be incredible.
The very best of these kitchen chemists win much admiration
Using water baths, liquid nitrogen, and Büchi distillation.
The worst of these, cannot boil an egg,
Reducing much to carbon, and tasteless veg.
Look into the larder, the kitchen chemists' store
Lye unbeknown to most, much science gone before.
Salts and sugars, a crystallographers dream
And colloidal systems like milk and cream.
Dyes such as saffron and catalysts like yeast
Our solvent always water and olive oil our grease.
Acids and bases such as soda and vinegar
Just bicarbonate and acetic acid, it's very peculiar
How to some, the word "chemical" sparks "poison!" in their head.
Cyanide, mercury, big lumps of lead!
Collect your ingredients and follow the scheme
Journals, now cookbooks, of varying theme.
Take to the fume cupboard; the stove with fan extractor
Technique is key, with safety a factor.
Fireblankets, extinguishers and smoke detector.
Mixing ingredients, with order and measure.
Heating controlled and time under observation
A TLC tasting provides much information.
The reaction is done, the plates are retrieved
Serving spoons are gathered and product isolation is achieved.
Now for analysis, the evening dinner call.
One of life's great pleasures, the best part of it all!
NMR, mass spec, IR, NO! nothing so callous
The mouth, our spectrometer of delicate nous.
Our spectra, a smile, a nod of approval
A successful reaction, the product in quick removal.
But for one last action, every chemist's worst job
Congregate at the sink, and turn the knob.
Collect the plates, cutlery and cups,
Finishing the day with the washing up.
Vote for your favourite!
Aren't they all just brilliant? Let us know which is your favourite in the comments below.
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