Why does vanadium have a higher melting point than calcium? Explain in terms of the type and strength of bonding.
I came across this question when I was looking at some ten-year series at Popular book shop yesterday afternoon out of boredom. I was stumped.
In light of the recent directive from Mindef, it made me sit down and think through my options. In other words, my plan Bs. I have worked out a few options and am actually quite pleased with them.
I attempted the question in my head on the spot...
Vanadium and Calcium are both metals and have metallic bonds present in both atoms. However the former is a transition metal. Metallic bonding is described as an attraction between the positive cations and a sea of delocalised electrons. Its strength is determined by firstly, the number of valence of electrons the atom contributes to its sea of delocalised electrons and secondly, the charge of the positive ions.
Vanadium, because of the 3d and 4s orbitals that have similar energy levels, can therefore allow its valence electrons to come from any of the two orbitals. This explains why vanadium can exhibit variable oxidation states. This, when compared to calcium, means that vanadium atom contributes more valence electrons to its sea of delocalised electrons and hence its higher melting point.
Furthermore, this also means that the charge of the positive ions for vanadium is greater than than of the +2 for calcium and given that the size of the vanadium atom is smaller than that of a calcium atom. Hence the charge density of vanadium is comparatively higher than that of calcium which translates to a greater attraction between the positive ions and delocalised electrons in vanadium than in calcium. This means that there is a stronger metallic bonding in vanadium than calcium thereby contributing to the higher melting point in vanadium as more energy is required to break the metallic bonds in vanadium than in calcium.
I checked against my notes that have been acting coy for these past months. I had a grin on my face.
I will leave for Taiwan tomorrow morning. I will be back in a month's time. If there are no changes which I very much doubt so, I will board the plane on 29 April 2006 at 11.15pm at Chang Kai Sheik airport.
---till later---
This was extracted from an email sent in camp
Scorpio Employee Profile
Scorpio employees usually exude a quiet self-confidence. They are self-sufficient and do not depend on others for a sense of self-worth. They keep their private life separate from work and take complete responsibility for their actions and their situation. They don't make excuses; they just take care of business and expect everyone else to do the same. Those who don't, co-workers and managers will have to endure the Scorpio's wrath.
They don't mind being completely vocal about what they feel is wrong with any given situation. And if you tread on their fire be sure to expect retaliation. They won't take insults or opposition lying down.
If you manage a Scorpio employee, be sure to follow through with your word and don't break any promises-Scorpio is keeping track and building up some heavy resentments against you if you do. You may not even be aware of it until too late-but when Scorpio gets too much, you will be sure to know.
Scorpio employees will react towards those around them exactly as they are treated. When they get what they want, they will be very accepting.
If you are trying to work with or motivate a Scorpio co-worker, be sure to treat them respectfully and act professionally. Give them challenging work that allows them to utilise their awesome self-confidence and courage.
How true is this? There are some truths in it, yet it could just be a mere coincidence.
Someone revealed something shocking to me yesterday. I am a rather vocal person in camp and am the sort who does not mince my words. Sometimes, the comments I make are in perfect Brit humour. Dry, sarcastic yet thought-provoking because of a certain level of truth it may contain. It seems that while I have spoken out one-too-many times on certain issues pertaining to the management and people in camp, it therefore only seems logical that every other statements made either in writing or in speech must also be made by me. I ain't a vindictive person and personally, I could not care less about how others manipulate this opportunity to cover their own tracks. Do I then know who are the ones who are riding on my coat tail? Personally, yes. I have a few names in my head. It is actually very evident from their manner of speech and how conniving they are when in speech. Too many slurs in a conversation ain't such a good sign.
So what do I do now? Shut up and keep my comments to myself? That ain't me. Yet, in light of this, I think I will play a different game. Wise up and grow up people. I say things in an objective manner. Don't and never put words into my mouth as you have yet to see my vindictive side.
I will be leaving for Taiwan on Thursday. One month of exercise and hopefully things will go smoothly this time around. I think I will adopt a more relaxed pace and mood for Taiwan this time around. It is not nonchalant that I am proposing but a zest for vibrancy that I seek.
I attended Estelle's church wedding today afternoon. Estelle is my cousin. She is the first amongst us to get married. It was indeed a joyous occasion and everyone enjoyed every little bit of the entire wedding including an over-zealous worship leader.
Today I realised that my paternal grandmother loves all her grand children and misses them very much especially for those who are studying overseas. It would soon be my turn next. A tough lady shed a tear today. It was heart-wrenching.
Sincerely from my heart, sweet blessings to you and savour every moment of this marriage.
Remember, remember the fifth of November.
I watched V for Vendetta last night at GV Marina. The movie is somewhat thought-provoking and is not essentially an action-packed one where it sets your adrenalin flying sky high. However, there is still some element of gore. There is a lot of conversation and it is the conversations that shape the plot and give this movie its content and deserved recognition.
There is a little V in everyone of us. People should not be afraid of the government. Governments should be afraid of their people. The people of tomorrow are going to be opinionated, more idealistic and more judgmental. Yet the people of tomorrow will still behave like the people of yesteryear in the way they react to their opinions, ideas and judgments. Often times, we hear of people voicing out their unhappiness and dissent towards the government in various places and platforms but never directly to them. It is not a revolt that people should look forward to but rather to cultivate a voice, an objective voice, whereby people will not hesitate to pluck the thorns out from the roses and justify the existence of a government for the people and by the people.
There is a little V in all of us.
I fell sick on Tuesday. I wanted to see the Medical Officer in camp on Tuesday but I went there too late. I decided to visit the MO on Wednesday but was turned away as there were high-ranking officers around and hence the MO would not be seeing anyone today. Thing was, I was already on the verge of collapse. If there were an even more serious case which really required the MO's attention, would he still be turned away?
It is ludicrous when we have a functional Medical Centre without MOs with the necessary knowledge and expertise to attend to the medical needs of the soldier. The worst part was when I wanted to register with the Medical Clerks, they told me to come back tomorrow afternoon instead. The nerve of them.
I booked out, saw my family doctor and got three days of MC for fever, flu and cough.
I have bought my stuff for Taiwan and I spent quite a lot considering I will be there for a month.
---till later----
Dear psykedelic-slingsh0t,
The latest directive from MINDEF states that all National Servicemen who enlisted since December 2004 are now not allowed to disrupt from their National Service and must, however, finish serving their 2 year National Service stint before pursuing a further education. This new directive was implemented on the grounds of universality and equity for everyone within the same cohort to attain their educational qualifications granted the fact that National Service is already considered a sacrifice on the part of the National Servicemen.
This directive came abruptly and speaks volumes of the management and organisation within MINDEF. SAF works on the basis of a hieratical organisational structure. I am appalled by the failure of the management within MINDEF to disseminate this directive to the various units promptly while knowing the consequences that would follow if they hesitate to do so. In retrospect, Chief Clerks of every unit are supposed to be well-informed and be kept in the loop with regards to matters pertaining to MINDEF's directive as they are the bridge between MINDEF's directive and the servicemen. However, the situation at present is that Chief Clerks are not aware of this new directive nor were they well-informed of this decision by MINDEF to change their policy on disruption from National Service. As such, many but not all, advise servicemen intending on disrupting their National Service on past policies which have as of 3rd March 2006, been superseded. I am, but one of the many, servicemen who are intending to disrupt their National Service for further studies overseas and have been advised otherwise.
Furthermore, and this may come as a rude shock to you, apparently even other government,statutory boards and people who mend the MINDEF hotline were unaware of this new directive. What ever happened to communication and inter-connectivity between the various ministries? What ever happened to that structure?
If I read this new directive correctly, it states that no more deferment is allowed for servicemen intending to pursue a university education. This applies to servicemen on a scholarship as well. However, if my understanding is correct, a PSC scholar is allowed to disrupt from their National Service and pursue a further education at the earliest time possible. This unwittingly brings out two issues. First is the debate between the privileges of a scholar and a non-scholar. Second would be the distinction between scholarships. I am on a government scholarship but of less prestige than a PSC scholarship. Who determines how prestigious a scholarship is, well, think about the privileges of being in a particular scholarship, think about the career advancement, think about why you choose to apply for certain scholarship and not the other.
I will not comment on both the first and second issue but would like to draw a very prominent and glaring point of contention. If this new policy is based on the grounds of universality and equity, then why are PSC scholars given a completely different treatment from the others? Is the government saying that a PSC scholar is of a different class from the rest and belong to the higher echelon of society where the amount of incentives that they are given is justified. Is the government also saying that a PSC scholarship is your ticket to a bright and promising future while others who are on lesser-known scholarships or less prestigious scholarships or main stream people should just conform and accept such, pardon me, ludicrous uniformity.
How does this directive implicate me? Well, I now need to seek for a deferred year of entry for my studies, I need to seek the help of my scholarship officer to convince Imperial College to accept my request for a deferred year of entry, I need to tell everyone that I am leaving next year.... Wait, when did I ever confirm that I am leaving this year?
Now, I have a good 9 months to think about what I want to do while I wait to pursue my education. I need to think straight.
Yours Truly,
Flustered me
What did the whale say to the fish?
...bloop bloop...
Last week, Wednesday to be more specific, I woke up to find myself in tears. I can vaguely remember what I was dreaming about. All I can remember was that I had this strange morbid feeling that I was totally all alone and no one, not even a single soul loves me at all. It was as though I have been devoid from all emotional attachment to the people who were once close to me. It was a very frightening dream. Too creepy in fact.
Waking up at 4.30am to wipe my tears away that were still streaming down my face isn't an everyday thing. Right?
Ironically, as much as I tried to push that dream far far away to the back of my head, it still found its way back to my head. I just cannot seem to be able to put my finger to it. But what I do know, is that ever since that night, I have been left with a recurring headache.
There is something lacking inside my heart and I think it is a sense of emptiness and longing. Perhaps it is. Perhaps not.
---till later----
I celebrated my paternal grandmother's birthday today. She is 79 years old and still going strong. However, the next time someone orders an ice-cream cake, please defrost it before we go into the merry mood of singing the birthday song and blowing the candles out.
I hate it when people pass me clothes that they have kept in their cupboard for eons till not only do the clothes have a pungent cupboard smell, the colour has also faded. To my relatives, I am not an impoverished and malnourished boy who is living in abject poverty. I may look emaciated but I am actually eating well and savouring every moment of my life to its fullest. I am not the Salvation's Army and even if I were, they ought to be treated with some respect for the work that they are doing. Do not ever put me in the same equation or even in the same sentence with your brother, my father. I ain't him and never will I ever be him.
Sometimes I feel as though I were a complete stranger when I am with my paternal family. My presence seems to not be of any importance to any one. Perhaps, that's why I have chosen to skip my reunion dinners with them for all these years. Am I drifting too far away from them already? Is acceptance from them what I really want? They who judge, scrutinise and discriminate. Family ties. Just connected by mere blood or is there something deeper?
---till later-----
I failed range. Horrible experience with the SAR 21. First my weapon which was number 99 had lots of IAs and when I finally decided to change my weapon, I could not aim with the weapon as my hands just could not help but shake violently. Horrible horrible experience. To make matters worst, I suffered a serious bad back pain mid-way through my night shoot. One positive experience though was how obliging the safety officers were and of course how patient they were. I think no one who went for range that day could beat my score. 6 hits out of 28 targets. It's a no brainer why I am a signaller and not a rifle man.
I had my dental appointment today. The dental nurses are quite sweet. They asked me 'How's school?' Ate at Carl's Junior later. I actually had to ask the dental nurse (the one who said 'How's school', the direction to Carl's Junior). I knew that there was one near Raffles place, but just didn't know where it was. I walked from my dental clinic which was near Tanjong Pagar MRT station to Raffles Place MRT station and I actually managed to find it. I managed to finish up the double cheese burger and everything else that came with the combo. I felt very full though. I like the stars on the packaging of the criss cut fries. It's pretty adorable and cute.
Had a fever when I came home. Actually I have been feeling warm recently. My temperature was hovering at 37.5 degree Celsius. Still I had to go out and settle my dinner. Not much of a choice I guess.
Watched Final Destination 3 with a friend at Plaza Singapura. A very morbid show with little content. I want to watch Munich though. It seems intriguing and thought-provoking.
Heard from Prem that I may not be able to disrupt for my studies. According to Mindef's directive, a soldier who enlisted between December to January 2005 must serve at least 24 months before he is allowed disruption. However, I am a 1 year 10 month soldier, meaning to say I only serve 22 months. The numbers simply do not tally. I was advised by my dentist to work my way around my MP since, well, the election is drawing near and my constituency is one of the hot spots for this year's GE. However, let's follow the chain of command, as what my OC says who naturally is very concerned of his 1st of July. I think let's try sitting down with my commanders one of these days and work out the best solution especially since I ain't the only one affected by this directive. Hmm... I think it's time to pray about this...
till later----