Pyrophoric

Pyrophoric: liable to ignite spontaneously when exposed to air.  You know, like..  Charlie Sheen.  While a pyrophoric chemical might ignite, a pyrophoric alloy will produce sparks when struck.  Lighter flints, for example, are pyrophoric.  The flintlock mechanism in...

Phosphorus

Phosphorus: As a proper noun, an old name Venus, especially seen just before sunrise in the morning sky. Phosphorous is also a chemical element.  It highly reactive.  When phosphorous comes into contact with the air, it burns. It exists in white (or sometimes yellow),...

Pheromone

Pheromone: Insect cologne.  Well, sort of. Pheromones are substances secreted by some animals, usually insects.  The pheromones affect other members of the species.  Generally, insects secrete pheromones to attract members of the opposite sex.  It does not always have...

Periphery

Periphery: the circumference, outside the boundary, the edge, the outskirts.  If something is in your peripheral vision, you see it in the side of your line of view.  From Greek περιφέρεια: moving around.  The Greek word comes from two smaller Greek words.  The...

How to join a forum.

Since I did not have to join the forums, I am actually a bit confused by the process.  How do students join the forum?  Once in, how do they join the correct group? One of my online students sent this note.  She says it actually quite simple. Mr Thomas, I did not have...

Paraphernalia

Paraphernalia: belongings; the stuff you need for a particular activity; equipment.  From the Greek παρα (pará): beside, and φερνή (phernḗ): things in addition to a dowry.  Φερνή derives from φέρω (phérō): I carry.  Paraphernalia, which now means “stuff”, once upon a...