Re: Octupi and alt-tech

FFlores <fflores@...> wrote:

>Patrick Dunn <tb0pwd1@...> wrote:
>
> > Here's an interesting thought: silicon-based octopoidal aliens living in
> > an ocean of sulfuric acid.  If they developed space-faring technology,
>got
> > to earth, and decided to terraform it . . . that could be unpretty.
>(What
> > would a silicon-based life form breathe?  Methane?
>
>I've heard many theories about life that is based on methane (or
>was it amonia?) instead of water. I don't know enough chemistry
>to contribute on that, though...
>
Silicon is not a good base for life, it is interatomic bonds are too
stable, although silicone (compounds of silicon and carbon) might do.
Other elements that have been suggested include: sulfur, boron and
nitrogen compounds, and maybe germanium.
For carbon-based life, almost certainly the most common type, there
are several possible solvents. We use water, at lower tempeatures
one can use water-ammonia mixtures(liquid down to -176 C) or methane
or more complex hydrocarbons; at even lower ones (or higher pressures,
hydrogen). At higher temperatures liquid sulfur could be
used.
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