Lissajous Curves Lissajous curves are created by plotting two oscillations on perpendicular axes and ​​​. These oscillations, represented by sinusoidal functions, intersect to create different patterns. When the ratio of these frequencies is equal to — the oscillations are equally phased— the curve is a straight line.

Top Trumps is a card game for children. The mind can wander when playing such games with kids… typically, I start thinking: what is the best strategy for this game? But also, as the game drags on: what is the quickest way to lose? Since Top Trumps is based on numerical values with simple outcomes, it seemed straightforward to analyse the cards and to simulate different scenarios to look at these questions.

The text books say that cyclohexenone A will react with a Grignard reagent by delivery of an alkyl (anion) to the carbon of the carbonyl ( 1,2-addition ) but if dimethyl lithium cuprate is used, a conjugate 1,4-addition proceeds, to give the product B shown below.

In the preceding post, I described a fascinating experiment and calculation by Bogle and Singleton, in which the trajectory distribution of molecules emerging from a single transition state was used to rationalise the formation of two isomeric products 2 and **3. ** In the present post, I explore possible consequences of including a sodium cation (X=Na ⁺ below) in the computational