If Your Parents Knew, They Wouldn't React Well
A huge indicator that a substance has undergone a chemical change is the formation of smoke and ash. The smoke is the newly formed substance and the ash, the leftover residue. Smoking a cigarette is exactly that; it's an example of an exothermic combustion reaction. A combustion reaction is energy producing --- ex. heat and light (Note on Types of Chemical Reactions). More specifically, an exothermic reaction is a heat releasing reaction where the breaking of the bonds releases more energy than required to form the new bonds (Note on Chemical Reactions and Heat). In this situation, heat is required to kick start the reaction, but after that, it's smooth sailing, destination completion. In order for combustions as such to occur, there must be 1. oxygen, 2. heat and 3. fuel. Oxygen is in the air. Check. Heat... well, that's what a lighter is for. Check. Fuel. The cigarette itself. Check (Compound Interest). The thing is, a chemical reaction results in the creation of new chemicals... chemicals that weren't originally in the substance. So, if you thought hearing about the thousands of chemicals in a cigarette was bad enough, imagine how many chemicals are being inhaled when cigarette meets lighter and all those toxins undergo combustion, creating even more toxins (Tobacco: Behind the Smoke).
I recently read an article in the Washington Post entitled "Surgeon general report links more diseases, health problems to smoking tobacco". The article goes on to highlight the successes of the decreased level of smoking and the problem of smoking as a whole, but still insists that it is not enough and that it still remains a prominent issue today. Smoking is continuously damaging the people and the economy to this day! In my opinion, this article contains a compelling social benefit as it analyzes how far we have come and how far we must go to end such a horrible problem, because it is possible! It further backs up the point of smoking having zero benefits and why it should no longer exist or be socially accepted. The whole mystery is why do people continue to smoke even though they know of all the tragic consequences? Well, I understand that it's addictive. But that still does not explain why people START in the first place. Are the horrific complications worth looking cool? And I in no way mean to offend anyone in anyway, you do you man, but the answer is a big fat no.
So, what do you think? What do you think the next step should be towards a healthier life and cleaner air? Do you think they should be eliminated entirely? Or should we maybe resort to an alternative?
~ Row
They got 7, 357 problems, and nicotine is one!
**side note, I tried to be funny and it ended up being very, very lame**
Sure we all know cigarettes are bad news --- they're addictive, carcinogenic and deadly. But why? Well sure chemicals. But what exactly is it about these chemicals? What really goes on inside a cigarette when it's lit? In chemistry, we are learning all about chemical reactions, and with a little help from my good old friend the Internet, I will be able to explain to you what all the fuss is about. Things are about to get sciencey up in here!
A huge indicator that a substance has undergone a chemical change is the formation of smoke and ash. The smoke is the newly formed substance and the ash, the leftover residue. Smoking a cigarette is exactly that; it's an example of an exothermic combustion reaction. A combustion reaction is energy producing --- ex. heat and light (Note on Types of Chemical Reactions). More specifically, an exothermic reaction is a heat releasing reaction where the breaking of the bonds releases more energy than required to form the new bonds (Note on Chemical Reactions and Heat). In this situation, heat is required to kick start the reaction, but after that, it's smooth sailing, destination completion. In order for combustions as such to occur, there must be 1. oxygen, 2. heat and 3. fuel. Oxygen is in the air. Check. Heat... well, that's what a lighter is for. Check. Fuel. The cigarette itself. Check (Compound Interest). The thing is, a chemical reaction results in the creation of new chemicals... chemicals that weren't originally in the substance. So, if you thought hearing about the thousands of chemicals in a cigarette was bad enough, imagine how many chemicals are being inhaled when cigarette meets lighter and all those toxins undergo combustion, creating even more toxins (Tobacco: Behind the Smoke).
 |
| ¨The Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke & Their Effects¨ (Compound Interest) |
I recently read an article in the Washington Post entitled "Surgeon general report links more diseases, health problems to smoking tobacco". The article goes on to highlight the successes of the decreased level of smoking and the problem of smoking as a whole, but still insists that it is not enough and that it still remains a prominent issue today. Smoking is continuously damaging the people and the economy to this day! In my opinion, this article contains a compelling social benefit as it analyzes how far we have come and how far we must go to end such a horrible problem, because it is possible! It further backs up the point of smoking having zero benefits and why it should no longer exist or be socially accepted. The whole mystery is why do people continue to smoke even though they know of all the tragic consequences? Well, I understand that it's addictive. But that still does not explain why people START in the first place. Are the horrific complications worth looking cool? And I in no way mean to offend anyone in anyway, you do you man, but the answer is a big fat no.
 |
Chemicals, how delicious! |
So, what do you think? What do you think the next step should be towards a healthier life and cleaner air? Do you think they should be eliminated entirely? Or should we maybe resort to an alternative?
~ Row
No comments:
Post a Comment