List Two different aspects of your everyday life where knowledge of basic chemical concepts is important?

Answer 1

The most important is probably cooking, but especially baking. Bio-leavening with yeast generated Carbon dioxide depends on the chemistry and structure of the flour-water dough to rise. This is even more important in "quick breads" and muffins where Baking soda and Baking powder chemically react to add the Carbon dioxide.

Fuel and fires is another area, both for transportation and for heat. Hydrocarbons (like gasoline, natural gas and oil), wood or even the wax of a candle must have sufficient oxygen from the atmosphere to burn. Insufficient oxygen can also lead to build up of deadly carbon monoxide. Unburned carbon can appear as smoke or soot.

Answer 2

Example 1: it's time to clean the floor and so you look in the cabinet and find a bottle of bleach and some ammonia. Both are good cleaners, but if you mix them, the two chemicals will react and give off poisonous chlorine gas.

Example 2: you sit on chewing gum and now it won't come out of your favorite pair of jeans. All is not lost! Smear on some peanut butter or other oil based compound and the gum will come out.

Bonus Example 3: the octane rating of gasoline has NOTHING to do without the amount of energy a given amount gives off when burned. Higher octane gas is actually harder to burn, and so using it in a vehicle that does not specifically require it will result in less power, lower mileage, and cost more at the pump.

This is a lie that the oil companies love to tell because they make more money, but unless you have a high compression motor, save your dollars.

Answer 3

Driving-both the need for oil to lubricate the engine and fuel to run the motor; knowing stains will occur if any but the clearest liquid is spilled on a carpet.

Answer 4

Well, scrambling eggs involves heating proteins to the point of denaturing them. Eggs are funny tasting if they are served raw.

It is also somewhat important to understand what how much alcohol you can use before driving (not much!). This percentage is well known and directly relates to the concept of percentage of solutions

Answer 5

Cooking and cleaning.

Combining the wrong cleaning products can make toxic fumes in a poorly ventilated environment, or ruin whatever you are cleaning.

Understanding how carbs, fats, etc, bond to each other, helps you adjust recipies when you have to double them, etc..

Answer 6

Washing my hands and taking Excedrin.

Answer 7

drinking water and using household items