410 search results

Understanding water quality
Nature & Environment

Understanding water quality

...carbon dioxide. Natural rainwater is slightly acidic as a result of this reaction, with an average pH of 5.7, whereas the average pH of seawater is 8.2 (Box 1). Rainwater may be even more acidic in areas where the highly soluble acidic gases sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide (both produced by fossil fuel power generation, transportation and industrial processes) are...
Level 2: Intermediate 10 hrs
White dwarfs and neutron stars
Science, Maths & Technology

White dwarfs and neutron stars

...carbon and oxygen in the star’s core, again releasing energy. Low mass stars (< 3 M☉) and intermediate mass stars (in the range 3–8 M☉) ultimately begin a second ascent of the red giant branch (known as the asymptotic giant branch, or AGB) when core helium is exhausted and helium fusion only continues in a shell surrounding an inert carbon/oxygen core. Massive...
Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere
Science, Maths & Technology

Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere

...carbon-rich) material erupted from geysers. The rugged surface beyond the polar cap is methane-rich ice, contaminated by nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water. (NASA) Beyond its large satellites each giant planet has a second collection of small irregular-shaped satellites, travelling in elongated, inclined and in many cases retrograde orbits. Most are dark...
Level 2: Intermediate 17 hrs
What will Donald Trump do for the environment?
Nature & Environment

What will Donald Trump do for the environment?

...carbon trading market. Critics will argue that China’s environmental commitments and policies, both domestically and internationally, have many shortcomings. But China has shown much greater initiative on challenges like climate change in recent years. Provided that a critical mass of other countries stand together with China, the global environmental agenda can...
Leaving the EU means losing access to EU agencies - so why aren't we talking about it?
Society, Politics & Law

Leaving the EU means losing access to EU agencies - so why aren't we talking about it?

...carbon dioxide emissions and reduce fuel consumption. Two EU agencies are based in London. One, the European Banking Authority, was set up in the wake of the financial crisis to help stabilise the EU by safeguarding the integrity and efficiency of the banking sector. It will now almost certainly move to a eurozone country. This would mean a loss of expertise that...
Winchcombe Meteorite: Insights from the First Scientist on the Scene
Science, Maths & Technology

Winchcombe Meteorite: Insights from the First Scientist on the Scene

...carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of these very important extraterrestrial samples. The arrival of the Winchcombe meteorite is a big bonus for UK science. Samples from the asteroid Ryugu have just been returned to Earth by the Japanese Space Agency JAXA and the NASA mission OSIRIS-REx will be returning samples from asteroid Bennu in 2023. Asteroids Ryugu and Bennu...
Gravity die casting
Science, Maths & Technology

Gravity die casting

...carbon and alloy steels, graphite and copper-2% beryllium. Die coatings and chills are used to control the solidification and amount of shrinkage porosity. Die coatings, which are applied by spraying or dipping, should prevent metal from sticking to the die, insulate, lubricate, allow adequate ventilation and be durable. With clean, modified and grain-refined aluminium...
Managing our personal financial risks from the changed climate
Nature & Environment

Managing our personal financial risks from the changed climate

...carbon tax? Access to public transport could provide personal resilience to such changes. When I need new white goods, I will want them to be smart-enabled to benefit from off-peak power. As the transition occurs, there will be opportunities for many with the right skills and knowledge. It is not all gloom and doom. What new skills will we need to take advantage of the...