[Chemistry4me (OP)]

How long will it take until all the chemistry questions that can possibly be asked, be asked? [] Will there ever come a time? [] Or will there always be chemistry questions that can be asked? This doesn't just have to apply to the chemistry forum but the entire NSF, how long until all the science questions (that in itself might need some defining) that can ever be asked, be asked? Will that ever happen? Is it even possible? If so why/why not?

What do you think []

[erickejah]

I think that the questions and theories will never end. It is part of our nature to look for answers, even for infinitesimal topics.
γ≠ε↔ζ

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

Really, you think they will never end? Is that just for chemistry or everything else included?

[Bored chemist]

Keep asking the same questions for methane, ethane, propane, butane, etc and let me know when you get to infinity.

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

Alright, thank you Bored Chemist, I'll keep that in mind  [] []

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

So I guess that means you think there will never be an end to the chemistry questions? But what about the rest of the forum?

[lightarrow]

How long will it take until all the chemistry questions that can possibly be asked, be asked? [] Will there ever come a time? [] Or will there always be chemistry questions that can be asked? This doesn't just have to apply to the chemistry forum but the entire NSF, how long until all the science questions (that in itself might need some defining) that can ever be asked, be asked? Will that ever happen? Is it even possible? If so why/why not?

Even if science would stop discovering new things or describing in new ways what we already knows (but of course this is not), essentially people would keep asking the same questions; this already happens in every forum wich has many partecipants and which exists from some years, because ~ most of the questions have already been asked (I'm not saying that we are near that limit, but that people is more interested in some specific things than others).

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

Okay, say we exclude questions that have/are/will be repeated.

[lightarrow]

Okay, say we exclude questions that have/are/will be repeated.

Then we will ask a question on a subject and it will reveal a new, deeper aspect of that subject on wich we will discuss; it then will reveal another deep aspect and so on for ever

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

What about in another 200 years?

[lightarrow]

What about in another 200 years?

Ok, try talking about something. I can ask you: "why this"? And you reply: "because the theory says that..." "Ok, and what would happen if I modify the theory in this other way?"
Go on this way and you will never end.

[erickejah]

Okay, say we exclude questions that have/are/will be repeated.

Then we will ask a question on a subject and it will reveal a new, deeper aspect of that subject on wich we will discuss; it then will reveal another deep aspect and so on for ever

yep, like a domino effect. but what about if a piece is missing?

[lightarrow]

Okay, say we exclude questions that have/are/will be repeated.

Then we will ask a question on a subject and it will reveal a new, deeper aspect of that subject on wich we will discuss; it then will reveal another deep aspect and so on for ever

yep, like a domino effect. but what about if a piece is missing?

We change the initial question... []

[lightarrow]

Ok, since you want questions, here it is one for you:
wiki says that CH₃OH attacks some metals, e.g. aluminum:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol

One of the drawbacks of methanol as a fuel is its corrosivity to some metals, including aluminum. Methanol, although a weak acid, attacks the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion:

    6 CH₃OH + Al₂O₃ → 2 Al(OCH₃)₃ + 3 H₂O

The resulting methoxide salts are soluble in methanol, resulting in clean aluminum surface, which is readily oxidized by some dissolved oxygen. Also the methanol can act as an oxidizer:

    6 CH₃OH + 2 Al → 2 Al(OCH₃)₃ + 3 H₂

This reciprocal process effectively fuels corrosion until either the metal is eaten away or the concentration of CH3OH is negligible. Concerns with methanol's corrosivity have been addressed by using methanol compatible materials, and fuel additives that serve as corrosion inhibitors.

My question is: is that really true or it's more a legend? How the heck methanol attacks aluminum oxide?

[Bored chemist]

Good question. Did you think about giving it its own thread?

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

My question is: is that really true or it's more a legend? How the heck methanol attacks aluminum oxide?

True

[lightarrow]

Good question. Did you think about giving it its own thread?

Yes, it's better...

[Farrah Day]

Okay, say we exclude questions that have/are/will be repeated.

Are we talking about sensible questions or dumb ones? Because there will always be someone asking a dumb question! [] 

[Chemistry4me (OP)]

Well, over time maybe two 'dumb' people will ask the same 'dumb' question. Don't you think?