Interesting Facts

Mathematicians from the  University of Limmerick  are working out a mathematical formula for the perfect cup of coffee. (They have found that size does matter, and flavour is linked to the coffee grain's surface are.  The method of extraction describes the movement of the coffee from its solid form as a bean into its liquid form when it dissolves into hot water, and they have found that small grains give a more bitter taste, whilst large grains result in a weak brew. Earlier in 2016 some chemists got together to create this video:- Reactions goes on a quest for better coffee through chemistry. )

According to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) the cheapest lunchtime meal in Britain is the toast sandwich. (This shouldn't be confused with the toasted sandwich, or toasty. A toast sandwich, popular in mid-Victorian times, consists of two slices of bread around a slice of toast. The meal, which will cost you 7.5p to make, was first promoted by Victorian food writer Mrs Beeton. Here is the recipe:- Ingredients 3 slices of bread Butter Salt and pepper Method 1. Toast a thin slice of bread. 2. Butter two slices of bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Place the toast between the two slices of bread-and-butter to form a sandwich. 4. Eat. Bon appetite!)

Under IUPAC (the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) rules, a new element can't be named after a living person. (This means that even if you discover an element, you can't name it after yourself. In fact they have a lot of rules for the naming of things: Organic and inorganic compounds are contained in two publications, known as the Blue Book and the Red Book respectively. A third publication, known as the Green Book, describes the recommendations for the use of symbols for physical quantities (in association with the IUPAP), while a fourth, the Gold Book, contains the definitions of a large number of technical terms used in chemistry. Similar compendia exist for biochemistry (the White Book, in association with the IUBMB), analytical chemistry[7] (the Orange Book), macromolecular chemistry (the Purple Book) and clinical chemistry (the Silver Book). Is it just me, or does this all sound a bit Tarantinoish?)

According to a report in the Royal Society of Chemistry, the best hangover cure is toast with a large dollop of honey. (Hangovers are caused when the body converts alcohol into the toxic chemical acetaldehyde. Other hangover cures exist:  Hair of the dog, a fry-up, and coffee are all popular cures for a New Year's hangover, and there are lots more disgusting suggestions and concoctions that you can find on the net, but a plate of toast and honey provides the body with the sodium, potassium and fructose it needs."  The report added that the best way to avoid a hangover in the first place is to have a glass of milk before you start drinking, stick to gin or vodka with a few soft drinks throughout the night, and then have a pint of water before you go to bed, but let's be honest, the best way to avoid a hangover is to not get drunk in the first place.)

The number of chemical elements in the universe is 116. (A chemical element, often called simply element, is a substance that cannot be divided or changed into different substances by ordinary chemical methods. Only only 90 of the known elements occur naturally.)