The very unusual polar stratosphere in 2019-2020

A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...

Coriolis EffectThe Coriolis effect is how Earth’s rotation causes moving air and water to curve rather than move in a straight line. This effect influences weather patterns, ocean currents, and airplane flight paths. It is why hurricanes spin in different directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Scientists can better understand global climate, wind patterns, and ocean circulation by studying the Coriolis effect.Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Developing and Using...

Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.

PolarityIn chemistry, polarity refers to the distribution of electric charge across a molecule. A molecule becomes polar when electrons are unequally shared between atoms, resulting in partial positive and partial negative charges within the molecule. This uneven sharing occurs due to differences in electronegativity, an atom’s ability to attract electrons.Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Analyzing and Interpreting DataScientists create molecular models to visualize how electrons are...

Group polarization is the strengthening of an original group attitude following the discussion of views within a group (Teger & Pruitt, 1967). That is, if a group initially favors a viewpoint, after discussion the group consensus is likely a stronger endorsement of the viewpoint. Conversely, if the group was initially opposed to a viewpoint, group discussion would likely lead to stronger opposition.

Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...