What Is Muriatic Acid Is It Dangerous

What Is Muriatic Acid Is It Dangerous SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Acids get a bad rap- when we hear the word, we often picture some kind of vat of flesh-eating, lime-green liquid. But acids of all kinds, including muriatic acid, have tons of practical uses, and not just for super villains! Homeowners, leatherworkers, and even the pearl industry use muriatic acid on a daily basis. This guide will cover what muriatic acid is, some common uses for it, and how to handle it safely. Muriatic acid is great for heavy-duty cleaners. What Is Muriatic Acid? Muriatic acid, unsurprisingly, is a type of acid. Acids aren’t just dangerous liquids that must be handled with thick gloves (though some are!)- technically, an acid is anything with a pH of 7 or less. That includes vinegar and all citrus fruits, as well as some familiar acids you may have heard of, like hydrochloric acid or oxalic acid, which is found in baking powder and some bleaches. Acids have many practical uses, including for household cleaning or adding flavor to food or beverages. Coca Cola has a pH of about 2.5, making it far more acidic than you’d expect for something we consume on a daily basis! And though bases and acids can be used to counteract one another, consuming a base can be just as dangerous as consuming an acid; lye, drain cleaner, and ammonia are all bases that can be quite dangerous. So how about muriatic acid? Muriatic acid is a form of hydrochloric acid, which has a pH of about 1 to 2. The only differences between hydrochloric acid and muriatic acid are purity- muriatic acid is diluted to somewhere between 14.5 and 29 percent, and often contains impurities like iron. These impurities are what make muriatic acid more yellow-toned than pure hydrochloric acid. Though still highly corrosive, muriatic acid is milder than hydrochloric acid and is therefore more suitable for home use. At a pH of 1 to 2, muriatic acid can be as acidic as stomach acid (which is also in part comprised of hydrochloric acid) or lemon juice. However, pH level is not the sole determinant of its corrosiveness. Despite sometimes having the same acidity as lemon juice, putting muriatic acid on your skin is always riskier than lemon juice. Lemon juice is five to six percent citric acid, whereas muriatic acid can be anywhere between 14 and 31 percent acid. So in addition to having a lower pH and therefore more acidic composition, muriatic acid is also more concentrated than lemon juice- hence why muriatic acid can easily burn bare skin, whereas lemon juice is unlikely to. That’s why it’s always important to use safety gear if you’re working with muriatic acid, even if it’s been diluted, but not so much with lemons. You probably don't want to use muriatic acid for everyday cleaning, but it can be useful! What Are the Uses of Muriatic Acid? Muriatic acid has a variety of uses, many of them industrial. As an acid, many of its uses are for cleaning or removing one substance from another. Some common uses for muriatic acid are: Processing raw leather Removing iron or rust from steel Removing the outside of pearls Household cleaning (basements and toilets with mineral stains) Cleaning bricks Clearing clogged drains Though it might not be as concentrated as some acids, safety gear is still essential when working with muriatic acid. How to Use Muriatic Acid Safely Despite its myriad of practical applications, it’s important to remember that muriatic acid is still derived from hydrochloric acid, a potentially dangerous substance if not properly handled. Always adhere to good safety practices when using muriatic acid, such as: Wear Protective Clothing Muriatic acid may be less concentrated than hydrochloric acid, but it is still capable of causing burns to the skin and eyes. Always wear protective clothing when handling muriatic acid, including long sleeves, pants, gloves, and goggles or glasses. No matter what you’re using muriatic acid for, it’s possible for splashing or wind to cause liquid to land on your skin, so dress appropriately. Add the Acid to Water If you’re diluting your muriatic acid further, always pour the acid into water rather than vice-versa. Adding water to acid can cause a chemical reaction that makes the liquid bubble and spray in multiple directions, potentially causing injury if it lands on skin or eyes. Do Not Mix Muriatic acid is an effective cleaning agent on its own and should not be mixed with chemicals like bleach or potassium permanganate. Mixing these chemicals together produces chlorine gas, which can cause breathing problems and even death. Complete Proper Disposal Muriatic acid must be neutralized by adding baking soda to it. Don’t pour muriatic acid down drains without neutralizing it, as this can cause corrosion and environmental damage. The solution should be at a ratio of 1:50, meaning you must flush the muriatic acid and baking soda with a large amount of water to ensure that it is properly diluted. If possible, dispose of the muriatic acid by containing it in a plastic bucket and taking it to hazardous waste disposal. Use Proper Containment Muriatic acid should be stored in plastic or glass containers, never metal, which it can corrode. What’s Next? Want to enrich your knowledge of acids and bases? These high school science classes could be just the thing! There's lots of fun science you can do at home (and not all of it requires safety gear)- such as making slime! What to know what you'll be learning in AP chemistry? This guide to AP chemistry syllabi will help you plan our your academic year to be even more effective!

7 Tips To Bag Your Dream Writing Gig

7 Tips To Bag Your Dream Writing Gig 7 Tips To Bag Your Dream Writing Gig 7 Tips To Bag Your Dream Writing Gig By Colin It’s an average morning in freelance writing land. You’re dressed and fed (maybe), you’ve checked your inbox, and now you’re sipping on a fresh cup of coffee while scanning the Internet job boards for writing gigs of interest. Then you see it. A job that is so suited for you and your writing style, you may as well have written the advert yourself. It’s ideal, it’s your dream writing gig, it’s perfect for you and you’d do anything to get it. But how DO you get it? In what way can you convince the client that from the hundreds of applications they may be about to receive, you are the one that deserves it most? Here are seven top tips to help you rise above the crowd, and help you bag your dream freelance writing gig. 1. Read The Requirements It’s kind of obvious, but it’s important, and something that is overlooked by so many. Remember at school when you were told always to double read the questions in the exam paper? That advice still holds true. Always read the advert once, twice – thrice – because understanding what is required is they key to telling the client what they want to hear. Editors get annoyed when a writer submits an application, query or submission for consideration, when it is painfully obvious he hasn’t read the advert or the editorial requirements. And rightfully so, because it demonstrates a lack of professionalism, and indicates the writer is not serious enough to have researched the publication or the company he is applying to. An application or query from a writer who has carefully read the editorial requirements, and has used them to his advantage, will always shine through. It will help to ensure he floats quickly to the top of the pile and gets a quicker response. 2. Write a Killer Query You know what is wanted, and you understand the requirements fully, now you have to write a killer query to grab the editor’s attention. I’ll cover query letter writing in detail in another article, but it goes without saying that a good initial approach in a query or application, as well as demonstrating a respect for the editorial guidelines, should also contain perfect spelling and grammar. It should be well constructed, be exciting, and should make the editor’s decision an easy one. Query letters or emails that are poorly written will go straight into the bin. 3. Make It Personal When you apply for a writing gig, it may be you have no idea who the client is other than ‘the editor.’ Obviously, you could address your query to ‘The Editor,’ but with a little bit of time taken to research and personalise the letter, you will stand a greater chance of being remembered and taken seriously as a contender for the position. Go to the company’s website. If it is not specifically mentioned, look at the email address where submissions and queries are to be sent, and enter the domain in Google. If it’s an anonymous email address, search on the company name. Read up on the company; their business reports, press releases, company history, ethos, products, employees, etc. If you can find out about the actual person you are applying to, then even better. Remember, knowledge is power to be used wisely, so use what you learn to beef up your application. Address it to the person mentioned in the advert, and adapt your letter to your prospective employer, making the connection between them and you that little bit stronger. 4. Don’t Be A Designer If you are querying via email always send in text format only. HTML emails are not always displayed properly by the email system you are sending to, or even appreciated by the person at the other end, so don’t be tempted. There should be no fancy images, headers, or signatures – just the basics of a strong, positive, attention grabbing query. The same applies in concept to snail mail letters. Remove fancy and coloured fonts, and forget about images – they only move the reader’s attention away from the content. Letter headings are acceptable, but make sure yours is subtle and contains your contact details. 5. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! In the same way you should always proofread your articles, always proofread your query letters or applications. It’s the final line to cross to getting your application considered, so make sure it is perfect. We’re all guilty of the odd error, but you should always check for: Spelling Grammar Sentence structure Formality versus informality Contact information Suitability Strength of hook Suitability Everyone has different ways of proofreading their work. I tend to batter out an article then leave it for a day or two. I’ll go back to it and bring it together over a couple of drafts, then go over it a few times looking for all of the above. Finally, I’ll leave it alone for a day or two, then go back and read it out loud, and then read it backwards. 6. Show Off Your Skills In the same way the first rule of fiction writing is to ‘show, not tell,’ bagging your dream (or any) freelance writing gig incorporates the same principle: show them how good you are, don’t just tell them. It’s ok to list your publishing credits and it can be an impressive way of hooking an editor’s interest, but put yourself in his shoes: wouldn’t you rather see evidence of how good this fantastic writer is, rather than taking his word for it? Send some clips, and if you have some related material you have worked on in the past, make sure that is top of the file. If you are applying via email, consider creating a PDF document you can attach to your submission that highlights your best and most relevant clips. Some places don’t accept email attachments for reasons of security or stubbornness. If this is the case create a web page with the same information, including links if applicable, that the editor can then go and find. If they specify in their requirements they do not want attachments, they mean it, and will likely delete your application before it is read. But it also means they will probably be used to clicking on a link instead, and reviewing a writer’s clips online. If you dont have any clips, send a sample of something youve written. And if you really want to impress, write a short example that is entirely specific to them and the work they are advertising for, and send that along with your query. Going the extra yard could guarantee you are afforded time and consideration by most reasonable editors, and can be all you need to get your foot in the door. 7. Sell Yourself As your career progresses make a point of collecting testimonials from clients youve worked for. These can be in the form of quotes from emails, letters, or verbal. Include them on your website and in all your marketing and promotional material. When it comes to winning over an editor, theres nothing more impressive than reading a personal recommendation. And finally, never be afraid to tell someone how good you are. Don’t be arrogant about it, but don’t back away from accentuating your positives. Getting the dream gigs is all about selling and impressing, so don’t let someone else bag your gig simply because you were too shy to tell an editor how much you want the job. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Slang Terms for Money50 Types of PropagandaSit vs. Set

Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases

Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases The kinetic theory of gases is a scientific model that explains the physical behavior of a gas as the motion of the molecular particles that compose the gas. In this model, the submicroscopic particles (atoms or molecules) that make up the gas are continually moving around in random motion, constantly colliding not only with each other but also with the sides of any container that the gas is within. It is this motion that results in physical properties of the gas such as heat and pressure. The kinetic theory of gases is also called just the kinetic theory, or the kinetic model,  or the kinetic-molecular model. It can also in many ways be applied to fluids as well as gas. (The example of Brownian motion, discussed below, applies the kinetic theory to fluids.) History of the Kinetic Theory The Greek philosopher Lucretius was a proponent of an early form of atomism, though this was largely discarded for several centuries in favor of a physical model of gases built upon the non-atomic work of Aristotle. Without a theory of matter as tiny particles, the kinetic theory did not get developed within this Aristotlean framework. The work of Daniel Bernoulli presented the kinetic theory to a European audience, with his 1738 publication of Hydrodynamica. At the time, even principles like the conservation of energy had not been established, and so a lot of his approaches were not widely adopted. Over the next century, the kinetic theory became more widely adopted among scientists, as part of a growing trend toward scientists adopting the modern view of matter as composed of atoms. One of the lynchpins in experimentally confirming the kinetic theory, and atomism is general, was related to Brownian motion. This is the motion of a tiny particle suspended in a liquid, which under a microscope appears to randomly jerk about. In an acclaimed 1905 paper, Albert Einstein explained Brownian motion in terms of random collisions with the particles that composed the liquid. This paper was the result of Einsteins doctoral thesis work, where he created a diffusion formula by applying statistical methods to the problem. A similar result was independently performed by the Polish physicist Marian Smoluchowski, who published his work in 1906. Together, these applications of kinetic theory went a long way to support the idea that liquids and gases (and, likely, also solids) are composed of tiny particles. Assumptions of the Kinetic Molecular Theory The kinetic theory involves a number of assumptions that focus on being able to talk about an ideal gas. Molecules are treated as point particles. Specifically, one implication of this is that their size is extremely small in comparison to the average distance between particles.The number of molecules (N) is very large, to the extent that tracking individual particle behaviors is not possible. Instead, statistical methods are applied to analyze the behavior of the system as a whole.Each molecule is treated as identical to any other molecule. They are interchangeable in terms of their various properties. This again helps support the idea that individual particles dont need to be kept track of, and that the statistical methods of the theory are sufficient to arrive at conclusions and predictions.Molecules are in constant, random motion. They obey Newtons laws of motion.Collisions between the particles, and between the particles and walls of a container for the gas, are perfectly elastic collisions.Walls of containers of gases are treated as perfectly rigid, do not move, and are infinitely massive (in comparison to the particles). The result of these assumptions is that you have a gas within a container that moves around randomly within the container. When particles of the gas collide with the side of the container, they bounce off the side of the container in a perfectly elastic collision, which means that if they strike at a 30-degree angle, theyll bounce off at a 30-degree angle. The component of their velocity perpendicular to the side of the container changes direction but retains the same magnitude. The Ideal Gas Law The kinetic theory of gases is significant, in that the set of assumptions above lead us to derive the ideal gas law, or ideal gas equation, that relates the pressure (p), volume (V), and temperature (T), in terms of the Boltzmann constant (k) and the number of molecules (N). The resulting ideal gas equation is: pV NkT

Health information manager in a hospital setting Case Study

Health information manager in a hospital setting - Case Study Example As I health manager, I find it hard to deploy the EHR system because of two conflicting forces, namely: technology and law. According to McWay (2010), the law that we have cannot go with the same pace as the advances made in technology (147) which would always make the implementation of EHR system so complicated. The EHR system will make the delivery of care efficient, up to date, and accessible and will benefit both the patient and the institution. However, it is what is inside the EHR and its accessibility that are being protected by the federal regulations, accrediting and institutional standards, and professional guidelines. Therefore, as a health manager, I believe that it would be unethical to my profession and illegal to implement something in a rush that has not been approved or incompliance with applicable federal and security standards. As a health manager, we have to study the different regulations and the EHR implementing guidelines of the institution before we proceed on the project. According to Sittig & Singh (2011), a number of ethical issues are being linked to the adoption of EHR in the health care setting, among of which include: ownership of protected health information, potential for privacy breaches, and appropriateness of current methods to address these breaches (1044). In general, we should consider the harm that it may cause the patients when information are leaked to unconcerned individuals. The main question to ask is, â€Å"Are we willing to take the risks of exposing our patients’ identities or health information for the sake of efficiency and accessibility†? or â€Å"Are we equipped enough with the right people, enough resources, and appropriate technology to protect their privacy and be inclined with federal laws†? Decisions cannot be made on a â€Å"click† of a finger; thus, requires thorough planning and careful evaluation that weigh out circumstances. We cannot make law creation or amendments go

Ethnographic Comparison Account Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethnographic Comparison Account - Essay Example This paper highlights policy issues in religious practices and problems the mentioned societies face while practicing their religious beliefs. Classic and contemporary ethnographical accounts are used in this analysis. African Americans are citizens of United States of America and they have their ancestry in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are the single largest minority group in United States of America and most of them are offspring’s of Africans brought in America during the slave period. The Chinese are citizens of the People’s Republic of China.There are 56 ethnic groups in China, and Han is the largest, constituting 91.5% (Berlatsky, 2010). The Han are the world’s largest single ethnic group and play a dominant role in Chinese politics and economic spheres.Lack of official data makes it difficult to know the accurate number of religious practices among the Chinese; however, Religion gained prominence among the Chinese in the late 1980s with the latest survey condu cted in 2007, depicting 23% of the Chinese population being religious (Berlatsky, 2010). The most dominant religious beliefs in China are the Chinese folk religion, Taoism and Buddhism. 50% of the Chinese population are Buddhists, while Taoist account for 30% of the population. These figures are estimations since it is difficult to get the exact number of Buddhists, Taoist and those practicing Chinese folk religion because they overlap with one another, and there is no public participation and congregational membership. Christianity is a minor religion among the Chinese and was introduced during the Tang dynasty, in 635 AD. Many Christians in China belong to un-authorized house churches and therefore it is difficult to know the exact percentage of Chinese Christian (Cavali, 2002). The Government of China estimates the number of Chinese Christians to be around 25 million, an estimated 3% of the total population. The Chinese, practice Islam, though it is a minority and was introduced in the period 651 AD. Other religions such as Bon and Hinduism are also practiced in China although under regulation by the Chinese Government (Cavali, 2002). Among the African Americans majority of them are Protestant Christians who follow the historical churches formed by fellow blacks, according to the 2007 Religious survey conducted in America. The largest Protestant group is the Baptists and is divided into four denominations (Gates et al, 1996). The second largest protestant group is the Methodists, whose largest church is Methodist Episcopal Church. African Americans are also members of white Pentecostal movement, and an estimated 16% of African Americans are believed to attend such denominations. The Roman Catholic faith is also practiced among the African Americans, but it is a minority religion (Bankston, 2006). Islam is a religion among this group though in minority, and they constitute 20% of Muslims in United States of America, majority being Sunni Muslims. Religion amo ng the Chinese and the African American is different. One difference emanates from the nature of the religious practice. The most dominant religion in China is Buddhism, while the most dominant religion among the African Americans is Christianity. Buddhists worship Buddha as god, while Christians believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God, and redeemer of mankind from sin. A significant difference arises in the membership of

Ethics in Business. The analyse of the case study Essay

Ethics in Business. The analyse of the case study - Essay Example It is agreeable to say that by conviction and not through interest, we should treat others the very same way we would want them to treat us (Cory 2004:1). When adhered to, such moral values enhance the performance and profitability of the firm since it attracts and maintains customers together with their trust in the products or services offered by the business. The companies’ basic moral principles according to Cory (2004:2) â€Å"†¦are honesty, acting in good faith and in an equitable and just manner without betraying the trust of the stakeholders and by treating them as equals, practicing reciprocity, avoiding the exploitation of others, and acting from your own free will without forcing your will on your partners†. It is virtues like honesty and acting in good faith that in our case study we see Steffan, in his capacity as the project manager violating deliberately. There is need for business to develop and faithfully practice these moral values for purposes of well societal being. Unfortunately they fail to do that. Incidentally it is the managers and the CEOs who often are accused of violation of core values of the society like in the case of Steffan Larson who disregards Lauren’s advice. They are usually morally blind and instead throw their focus on profit making. This is largely so because of shareholders’ pressure for profit generation and the capitalistic economic arena in which they operate. But this notion is disputable since even in non-profit making organizations there is open deviation from set rules and regulation. They therefore do business without caring about people’s lives, the environmental, political, social, and moral values. International corporations also want to be exempted from certain core values of a given place if in their view the values will conflict with their set objects, a theory Bowie (2002: 3) calls relativism. He says that the international corporations want to

E cigarettes Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

E cigarettes - Research Paper Example This paper will look into the similarities in the physical description of the e cigarette and the cigarette. I shall discuss the chemical components that make up the e cigarette and whether smokers prefer one product over the other and why. Then I shall conclude as to whether the cigarette or e cigarette is the better, healthier alternative to a quick nicotine fix. The similarities between the cigarette and e cigarette mainly lies in the fact that they both look like regular cigarettes. But while one has to be lit and puffed on in order to draw out the nicotine, thus burning away the paper and tobacco base of the product, the e cigarette is electronic based and relies on an electronic delivery system to deliver liquid tar into the system of the user. The use of the e cigarette is described as: Electronic cigarettes typically use a rechargeable battery-operated heating element to vaporize the nicotine in a replaceable cartridge. Nicotine is usually dissolved in propylene glycol, a clear and colorless liquid that is commonly found in inhalers, cough medicines and other products. The only commonality between the regular cigarette and the e cigarette is the fact that they are both meant to produce a particular type of smoke flavor that smokers can easily recognize. However, the flavor is produced in regular cigarettes by burning tobacco rolled in paper while the electronic cigarette creates the flavor using an atomized liquid. (â€Å"Comparing Regular Cigarettes with Regular Cigarettes†). In fact, both types of cigarettes are known to produce certain types of illnesses in their users that shall be discussed in later parts of this paper. Cigarettes evolved from the pipe that our forebears used to stuff with tobacco leaves and then burn while being sucked from one end of the pipe. To make it more convenient to use and carry, the paper burn based version was created. The smoker creates an unhealthy vapor and tar by-product each time that he smokes a cigarette. The e cigarette on the other hand creates a harmless vapor that looks like a harmless mist when exhaled. This particular type of cigarette does not produce 2nd hand smoke problems or get its smell into clothing, hair, or upholstery (â€Å"Are e-Cigarettes Safer than Real Cigarettes?†). Having said that, those who have made the switch from regular cigarettes to e cigarettes claim the aforementioned reason as the main basis for their switch from the real thing to the electronic version. The e cigarette is actually allowed in non-smoking places and other places where cigarettes would normally be banned. Although Hon Lik, the Chinese pharmacist who invented the e cigarette in 2003 had high hopes for the health benefits of his product when it was first introduced, the reality of the situation is that the product was released with very little product study and scientific observation. Very little is currently known about the e cigarette in terms of effects on the human body and whether it mimics the after effects of long term cigarette smoking as well. Although there is existi ng information regarding the effects of tobacco and nicotine absorption and inhalation by people, there is very little to no information available pertaining to the effects of nicotine in liquid form. What would happen if the nicotine vial in the e cigarette were to come into direct contact with the skin? Are there any health hazards related to the prolong use of propylene glycol? These are some of the reasons that the American Food and Drug