Past two day were incredible, when it comes to
chemistry adventures.
Thanks to my teacher and my relentless stubbornness, I took part in
laboratory classes at The University of Poznań. Never before was I able to do
so interesting experiments and I must say, I had a ton of fun. So… perhaps isolating Eugenol from Dianthus herbs or
synthesizing acetanilide doesn’t sound like something one would like to do
during holidays, but for me, as a beginning chemistry addict, it was (to put it
simply) AWESOME.
This was also
the time, during which I became acquainted with organic chemistry apparatus. Acquainted
is a bit of exaggeration, since I had not much time to get to know every piece
of equipment, but I certainly realized that I have so much to learn.
(I got to
work with a thing called Rotary evaporator, which sounds much better than
polish “wyparka” – really silly name for such a nice piece of equipment. Still
I don’t entirely get how it works, so this will be a task for today.)
Maybe I
will cover some of the things I have done on the blog.
As for now, I will leave you (or better said –
myself) with some quote, which perhaps is not inspirational or very deep. But
this quote motivates to try to acquire knowledge through understanding, not
remembering. It was sad by, in my opinion, one of the wisest man in the history.
(which is a belief I held since Sunday, when I ended reading “Surely You're
Joking, Mr. Feynman!”) Now you all know, who I am talking (writing) about.
Ladies and gentlemen – Richard Phillips Feynman.
“I don't
know what's the matter with people: they don't learn by understanding, they
learn by some other way — by rote or something. Their knowledge is so fragile!”
I hope
neither mine nor yours knowledge is fragile. Or, at least it won’t be. Someday.