Collaboration and Clobberation
I have been thinking about collaborations.
Common salt — Sodium Chloride NaCl, a perfect marriage made in hell! When sodium and chlorine are combined, the reaction is exothermic, producing a bright flame and lots of heat. But the resulting Ionic compound is the salt of the earth (and sea), a substance that has been pivotal to civilisation. Like many successful collaborations, the sum of the parts is often more effective than the individual sections. But often partnerships or teams go through stages of volatility before settling down into a useful enterprise.
In common salt, the ratio of sodium and chloride is 1:1. However, sodium has a g/mol of 22.99, and chloride has 35.45. So while the ions show up equally, they add different weight to the partnership.
Marriage is one of the great collaborations of all time. It might start between two people but extends to include families, kids and friends.
Not always easy, but so rewarding if you stick at it.
