Thanks for the Tetris information. The addiction, not mine, is still with the
original.
I suggested to Keith Dugdale that he might ask you for an article.
And now to our muttons. I had assumed that when ions are transferred from
dichromate molecules to polymers to effect insolubilisation when the dichromate
molecule is affected by the light, those ions were oxygen ions. You said that
it is probably a secondary rather than a redox ( reduction and oxidation)
reaction and you gave the reaction between chrome alum and gelatine as an
analogy. I am sorry if I have misquoted you You suggested that Mike Ware was
more likely to be able to give an answer.
I have discussed this in graphical terms with a number of chemistry PhDs who
have not disagreed with my deliberately simplistic explanation of the ions from
the dichromate associating with the long chain polymer and 'stiffening' it and
thus insolubilising the 'gum'. It is possible that they did not know themselves
or were humouring me or a combination of the two.
I am trying to arrive at an explanation that non-chemists will understand. A
simple explanation if not a precise one.
I am not convinced that chemists, necessarily, live on a different plane.
Daughters are becoming more helpful in answering chemical questions.
Thanks very much for the 'hate' comments. They were very helpful.
Terry