The British Petrol, also known as BP oil spill is a huge event. This oil spill had affected many countries, animal and people. Thus, in this post, I am going to post my thoughts about this oil spill.
I find that the BP oil spill is very destructive. The oil spill first started with an explosion under the sea killing and injuring 28 people. Then, the oil led to pollute the waters of the sea, specifically, the gulf of Mexico first. If the oil pollutes the water, it will definitely affect the animals within the sea, killing them. If a huge amount of animals is killed quickly within a specific area, it will definitely affect the Eco-system. The oil will also affect us, humans. The fishes will get poisoned by the oil, killing it and when the fisherman captures the fishes for us to eat, we will get food poisoning, affecting us. Even if the oil is cleaned up, there may still be oil lurking beneath the surface of beaches and sea beds, affecting marine organism that burrow like hermit crabs, starfish etc. etc. The BP oil spill is so bad that it leaks 100,000 barrels of oil into the sea every day. It leaks so fast that within 3 days, it spread to 580 square miles, within 9 days, the oil spread to the Mississippi Delta.
This shows how quick it spreads, how deadly it is and how it could affect almost the whole planet. This is my thought about this oil spill.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Reflection on National Engineers Exhibition trip
I had recently went for the National Engineers Exhibition and I would like to reflect on what I learned there in this post. In the National Engineers Exhibition, there are three exhibits, featuring Space and Aviation, Sports Automobile, Robotics.
The very first exhibit, featuring Space and Aviation, shows us the technology used in space and aviation. The first thing that caught my eye was the Astrium-space plane. This Astrium-space plane is a passenger plane used to fly 4 passengers into space for 2 hours. The price for each person is 200,000 euro each which is about 600,000 Singapore dollars each person.
The second thing that caught my eye within the Space and Aviation exhibition was the technology of the astronaut space glove. The glove of an astronaut is one of the most important thing within an astronaut suit. It is also one of the hardest to make. The astronaut space glove is made of silicone-rubber fingertips and the glove is attached to the main suit using pressure seals. The glove consist of two layers, the first layer is made of black rubber and the second layer is made of extra-vehicle activity. The first layer was made to fit the hand and to give comfort to the astronaut. The second layer was to protect the astronaut from the nature of the space and the environment of the different planets.
The third thing that caught my eye within the Space and Aviation exhibition was the high altitude long endurance-unmanned aerial vehicle otherwise known as the HALE-UAV. It has a wingspan of 3.7m, wing area of 8683cm2, weight of 1.7kg+payload and contains 24 solar cells. This unmanned plane could fly for 5 hours. It is not very expensive and easy to assemble so it is easily mobilized on demand. This makes the unmanned plane very convenient and useful.
The second exhibit is the Sports Automobile exhibition. This exhibition showcases many different solar powered car and one of them which I saw was quite unique in its shape. It has a shape whereby the body is very flat and a small semicircle protruding out in the middle of the vehicle for the driver. This shape allows the vehicle to fully use the 403 solar cells on top of the car. The car uses Triple Junction Gallium Arsenide solar cells and each cell is able to produce 3 Matt. The solar-powered vehicle is 1.8 meter wide, 5 meter long and it also has an aerodynamic shape to overcome air resistance. It is made of 6061-T6 aluminum to increase the car's lightness and rigidity for extra speed and toughness.
The third exhibit is the Robotics exhibition. This exhibition showcases many different robots. I saw 3 kinds of robots, underwater robot, football player robots and overcoming obstacles robots. The underwater robot is able to function properly underwater and it is installed with an electromagnet to pick up and drop stuffs. The football player robot shown is a larger version of the usually made smaller version football player robot. Lastly the overcoming obstacles robots are able to navigate its way through a maze and get through to the end.
These are what I learned in this National Engineers Exhibition. This exhibition definitely introduced me to many new technology and made me more interested in the aspect of engineering.
The very first exhibit, featuring Space and Aviation, shows us the technology used in space and aviation. The first thing that caught my eye was the Astrium-space plane. This Astrium-space plane is a passenger plane used to fly 4 passengers into space for 2 hours. The price for each person is 200,000 euro each which is about 600,000 Singapore dollars each person.
The second thing that caught my eye within the Space and Aviation exhibition was the technology of the astronaut space glove. The glove of an astronaut is one of the most important thing within an astronaut suit. It is also one of the hardest to make. The astronaut space glove is made of silicone-rubber fingertips and the glove is attached to the main suit using pressure seals. The glove consist of two layers, the first layer is made of black rubber and the second layer is made of extra-vehicle activity. The first layer was made to fit the hand and to give comfort to the astronaut. The second layer was to protect the astronaut from the nature of the space and the environment of the different planets.
The third thing that caught my eye within the Space and Aviation exhibition was the high altitude long endurance-unmanned aerial vehicle otherwise known as the HALE-UAV. It has a wingspan of 3.7m, wing area of 8683cm2, weight of 1.7kg+payload and contains 24 solar cells. This unmanned plane could fly for 5 hours. It is not very expensive and easy to assemble so it is easily mobilized on demand. This makes the unmanned plane very convenient and useful.
The second exhibit is the Sports Automobile exhibition. This exhibition showcases many different solar powered car and one of them which I saw was quite unique in its shape. It has a shape whereby the body is very flat and a small semicircle protruding out in the middle of the vehicle for the driver. This shape allows the vehicle to fully use the 403 solar cells on top of the car. The car uses Triple Junction Gallium Arsenide solar cells and each cell is able to produce 3 Matt. The solar-powered vehicle is 1.8 meter wide, 5 meter long and it also has an aerodynamic shape to overcome air resistance. It is made of 6061-T6 aluminum to increase the car's lightness and rigidity for extra speed and toughness.
The third exhibit is the Robotics exhibition. This exhibition showcases many different robots. I saw 3 kinds of robots, underwater robot, football player robots and overcoming obstacles robots. The underwater robot is able to function properly underwater and it is installed with an electromagnet to pick up and drop stuffs. The football player robot shown is a larger version of the usually made smaller version football player robot. Lastly the overcoming obstacles robots are able to navigate its way through a maze and get through to the end.
These are what I learned in this National Engineers Exhibition. This exhibition definitely introduced me to many new technology and made me more interested in the aspect of engineering.
What I had learned in Term 2
I learned physics in term 2 as while and I am going to reflect on what I had learned. But because I learned a lot of things in term 2 and I am unable to address them all so in this post, I am going to focus on only 3 main points and they are: Density, elements compound mixture and separation techniques.
The first point is Density. Density is basically mass divided by volume. The equations is p = M/V. Where P = Density, M = Mass and V = Volume. Density is a measurement of which object floats or sinks within another matter. So, if the density of a rock is higher then the density of the water, the rock sinks in the water. Which means, the object with the higher density sinks and the object with a lower density floats. Density is useful because with density, we can make ships float, with density, we can make planes fly, with density, we could create a lot of other awesome inventions like floats, beach ball, etc.etc. That is why density is important.
The second point is elements, compounds and mixtures. A Element is made of atoms but they cannot split into 2 or more substances through chemical reaction and they are considered as 1 of the simplest matter. Each element has a given name and a chemical symbol like magnesium(MG). Currently, there have been 109 elements discovered whereby 92 occur naturally and the rest are man-made. Elements are classified in the periodic table whereby a vertical column of elements is called a group and a horizontal column of elements is called a period. A compound is 2 or more elements chemically combined together. Some examples of compounds are water, carbon dioxide, copper sulfate etc. etc. Compounds are chemically combined together, similarly, it needs to be chemically separated. The properties of a compound is different as compared to the properties of the elements that make up the compound. Lastly, a mixture is 2 or more substances not chemically combined together. Such examples are Milo, cream, sweet etc. etc. A mixture can be separated by physical means and it has the same properties as compared to the substance that make up the mixture. This is elements, compounds and mixtures.
The third point is separation techniques. Separation techniques are techniques used to separate compounds and mixtures. Such examples of techniques are filtration, evaporation, distillation, crystallization and electrolysis. Filtration, evaporation and crystallization are used to collect the solute. Distillation is used to collect the solvent and electrolysis is used to collect the elements from a compound. Filtration, evaporation, crystallization and distillation are used to separate mixtures and electrolysis is used to separate compounds. The filtration method is used by pouring the mixture through the filter paper and collecting the residue on the paper. Evaporation to dryness to is used by evaporating the mixture to dryness and collecting the residue afterwords. Crystallization is used by evaporating the mixture to a saturated solution before cooling it down slowly, turning the mixture into a crystal, collecting the solute afterwords. Distillation is used by creating a distillation set-up to boil the mixture and condense it to get the solvent. Lastly, electrolysis is just allowing electricity to pass through the compound and wait for the elements to separate from the compound.
These are what I learned in Term 2.
The first point is Density. Density is basically mass divided by volume. The equations is p = M/V. Where P = Density, M = Mass and V = Volume. Density is a measurement of which object floats or sinks within another matter. So, if the density of a rock is higher then the density of the water, the rock sinks in the water. Which means, the object with the higher density sinks and the object with a lower density floats. Density is useful because with density, we can make ships float, with density, we can make planes fly, with density, we could create a lot of other awesome inventions like floats, beach ball, etc.etc. That is why density is important.
The second point is elements, compounds and mixtures. A Element is made of atoms but they cannot split into 2 or more substances through chemical reaction and they are considered as 1 of the simplest matter. Each element has a given name and a chemical symbol like magnesium(MG). Currently, there have been 109 elements discovered whereby 92 occur naturally and the rest are man-made. Elements are classified in the periodic table whereby a vertical column of elements is called a group and a horizontal column of elements is called a period. A compound is 2 or more elements chemically combined together. Some examples of compounds are water, carbon dioxide, copper sulfate etc. etc. Compounds are chemically combined together, similarly, it needs to be chemically separated. The properties of a compound is different as compared to the properties of the elements that make up the compound. Lastly, a mixture is 2 or more substances not chemically combined together. Such examples are Milo, cream, sweet etc. etc. A mixture can be separated by physical means and it has the same properties as compared to the substance that make up the mixture. This is elements, compounds and mixtures.
The third point is separation techniques. Separation techniques are techniques used to separate compounds and mixtures. Such examples of techniques are filtration, evaporation, distillation, crystallization and electrolysis. Filtration, evaporation and crystallization are used to collect the solute. Distillation is used to collect the solvent and electrolysis is used to collect the elements from a compound. Filtration, evaporation, crystallization and distillation are used to separate mixtures and electrolysis is used to separate compounds. The filtration method is used by pouring the mixture through the filter paper and collecting the residue on the paper. Evaporation to dryness to is used by evaporating the mixture to dryness and collecting the residue afterwords. Crystallization is used by evaporating the mixture to a saturated solution before cooling it down slowly, turning the mixture into a crystal, collecting the solute afterwords. Distillation is used by creating a distillation set-up to boil the mixture and condense it to get the solvent. Lastly, electrolysis is just allowing electricity to pass through the compound and wait for the elements to separate from the compound.
These are what I learned in Term 2.
What I had learned in Term 1
I learned Physics in Term 1 and in this post I am going to reflect on what I had learned. There are a lot of stuff that I had learned in term 1 but I am going to reflect on 2 main points about what I had learned. That is: attitudes a scientist should have and the measurement of length.
There are 16 attitude a scientist should have and they are: 1)managing impulsivity, 2)listening with understanding and empathy, 3)persistence, 4)thinking interdependently, 5)meta cognition, 6)striving for accuracy, 7)applying past knowledge to new situations, 8)precision of language and thought, 9)taking responsible risks, 10)remaining open to continuous learning, 11)gathering data through all senses, 12)creating imagining innovating, 13)finding humor, 14)thinking flexibly, 15)responding with wonderment awe and 16)questioning and posing problems. I had learned number 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 16 within the 16 attitudes during term 1.
The measurement of length is the second main thing I learned in term 1. Length could be measured through equipments and during term 1, I learned how to use 3 different equipments to measure length and they are the meter rule, vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge. The meter rule was quite easy to use, I just need to put it parallel to the item I am measuring and look on the scale. The vernier caliper is a bit harder to use. I must first move it back to zero to check for any zero error before measuring the item. I first place the end at the top of the item and then slide the mini ruler attached to the vernier caliper to the other end before reading from the scale. I feel the micrometer screw gauge is the hardest to use because I first need to screw it back to check for any zero error before measuring. I then need to place the item in between the 2 rods before screwing until the item is tightly secured between the 2 rods before reading off from the scale. The hard part about this equipment is that I have to gauge how tightly I need to secure it.
These 2 things are what I mainly learned in term 1.
There are 16 attitude a scientist should have and they are: 1)managing impulsivity, 2)listening with understanding and empathy, 3)persistence, 4)thinking interdependently, 5)meta cognition, 6)striving for accuracy, 7)applying past knowledge to new situations, 8)precision of language and thought, 9)taking responsible risks, 10)remaining open to continuous learning, 11)gathering data through all senses, 12)creating imagining innovating, 13)finding humor, 14)thinking flexibly, 15)responding with wonderment awe and 16)questioning and posing problems. I had learned number 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 16 within the 16 attitudes during term 1.
The measurement of length is the second main thing I learned in term 1. Length could be measured through equipments and during term 1, I learned how to use 3 different equipments to measure length and they are the meter rule, vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge. The meter rule was quite easy to use, I just need to put it parallel to the item I am measuring and look on the scale. The vernier caliper is a bit harder to use. I must first move it back to zero to check for any zero error before measuring the item. I first place the end at the top of the item and then slide the mini ruler attached to the vernier caliper to the other end before reading from the scale. I feel the micrometer screw gauge is the hardest to use because I first need to screw it back to check for any zero error before measuring. I then need to place the item in between the 2 rods before screwing until the item is tightly secured between the 2 rods before reading off from the scale. The hard part about this equipment is that I have to gauge how tightly I need to secure it.
These 2 things are what I mainly learned in term 1.
Reflection for term 3
During Term 3, I learned Biology for Science. I will be reflecting about my performance for term 3. I will be reflecting on 3 things, my grades for that term, my interest in Biology and my attitude during that term.
My grades for term 3 is 75/100. It is an A1. Even though it is an A1, I am not that glad to get this grade because I have deproved significantly from term 2 to term 3. My term 2 grade was 84 but this term my grade is 75. It was a deprove of 9 marks. I might have been complacent due to my marks in term 2 resulting in such marks. After getting such grades, I learnt my lesson and will not be complacent. I will try my best for my End Of Year Exams and strive for Exellence.
I am not very interested in Biology as it requires me to memorize the different parts of the living thing which I am bad at. Maybe being not interested in Biology caused me to have deproved as compared to last year in terms of grade but even so, I will try to raise my interest in Biology so that I will not repeat such mistakes again.
I feel that my attitude for this term was also quite good in terms of studies, being able to hand up my work on time, do well for my homework, listening in class and getting all the information I need. But I think what I did not do well in term 3 was that I did not revise my work because I was complacent causing me to be unable to score during my test. Even though my grades were deproving, I will not let myself feel depressed rather make this a lesson for me to learn and not repeat the same mistake in the End Of Year Exams
My grades for term 3 is 75/100. It is an A1. Even though it is an A1, I am not that glad to get this grade because I have deproved significantly from term 2 to term 3. My term 2 grade was 84 but this term my grade is 75. It was a deprove of 9 marks. I might have been complacent due to my marks in term 2 resulting in such marks. After getting such grades, I learnt my lesson and will not be complacent. I will try my best for my End Of Year Exams and strive for Exellence.
I am not very interested in Biology as it requires me to memorize the different parts of the living thing which I am bad at. Maybe being not interested in Biology caused me to have deproved as compared to last year in terms of grade but even so, I will try to raise my interest in Biology so that I will not repeat such mistakes again.
I feel that my attitude for this term was also quite good in terms of studies, being able to hand up my work on time, do well for my homework, listening in class and getting all the information I need. But I think what I did not do well in term 3 was that I did not revise my work because I was complacent causing me to be unable to score during my test. Even though my grades were deproving, I will not let myself feel depressed rather make this a lesson for me to learn and not repeat the same mistake in the End Of Year Exams
Reflection for term 2
During Term 2, I learned Chemistry for Science. I will be reflecting about my performance for term 2. I will be reflecting on 3 things, my grades for that term, my interest in Chemistry and my attitude during that term.
My grades for term 2 is 84/100. It is an A1. Even though it is an A1, I have deproved as compared to last terms grade. But if I look at the average, it seems that this terms average is lower as compared to last terms one. Maybe it is because the test is harder for this term that might have caused me to deprove. Even though I scored 84 and got first in class, I will continue to do better and strive for a better grade.
I am interested in Chemistry because Chemistry is interesting. The different elements really interests me. Like I have a lot of questions on Chemistry when I started learning for example: What is Chemistry, How do we create elements, how small is an element, Can we in some ways split the elements to get atoms? etc. etc. It is because of these questions that got me really into and interested in Chemistry and I will continue with such questions to find out more.
My attitude during term 2 was quite well I guess. Same as term 1, I am able to cope with both my cca and my studies. I am able to hand up my work on time provided that it was done well. I listen closely in class and asked questions. I am basically proud of myself this term but I know that I must not be complacent or my grade might get worse so I will try to keep it up.
My grades for term 2 is 84/100. It is an A1. Even though it is an A1, I have deproved as compared to last terms grade. But if I look at the average, it seems that this terms average is lower as compared to last terms one. Maybe it is because the test is harder for this term that might have caused me to deprove. Even though I scored 84 and got first in class, I will continue to do better and strive for a better grade.
I am interested in Chemistry because Chemistry is interesting. The different elements really interests me. Like I have a lot of questions on Chemistry when I started learning for example: What is Chemistry, How do we create elements, how small is an element, Can we in some ways split the elements to get atoms? etc. etc. It is because of these questions that got me really into and interested in Chemistry and I will continue with such questions to find out more.
My attitude during term 2 was quite well I guess. Same as term 1, I am able to cope with both my cca and my studies. I am able to hand up my work on time provided that it was done well. I listen closely in class and asked questions. I am basically proud of myself this term but I know that I must not be complacent or my grade might get worse so I will try to keep it up.
Reflection for term 1
During Term 1, I learned Physics for Science. I will be reflecting about my performance for term 1. I will be reflecting on 3 things, my grades for that term, my interest in Physics and my attitude during that term.
My grades for term 1 is 85/100. It is an A1 and I am glad to have this grade. I knew this was a good grade but I wanted to do better and therefore placed a target of 88 and more. Even though I scored quite well, I know I cannot be complacent therefore I try to not be complacent the next term and strive to do better.
I am actually quite interested in Physics but I feel that Physics is quite boring because it is only using equipments to measure length or time. Even though it is boring, I still study Physics, draw graph, practice. Maybe because I do so that I manage to get such grades. I will strive to study harder and raise my interest in Physics.
I feel that my attitude during term 1 was quite good because I manage to balance my CCA and my studies well. I was able to hand up my work on time, provided that I do it quite well. During class, I paid attention and manage to get all the information I need.
I am glad I am able to be able to do such good work within term 1 and I will keep it up.
My grades for term 1 is 85/100. It is an A1 and I am glad to have this grade. I knew this was a good grade but I wanted to do better and therefore placed a target of 88 and more. Even though I scored quite well, I know I cannot be complacent therefore I try to not be complacent the next term and strive to do better.
I am actually quite interested in Physics but I feel that Physics is quite boring because it is only using equipments to measure length or time. Even though it is boring, I still study Physics, draw graph, practice. Maybe because I do so that I manage to get such grades. I will strive to study harder and raise my interest in Physics.
I feel that my attitude during term 1 was quite good because I manage to balance my CCA and my studies well. I was able to hand up my work on time, provided that I do it quite well. During class, I paid attention and manage to get all the information I need.
I am glad I am able to be able to do such good work within term 1 and I will keep it up.
Reflection on a science experiment
In term 1 I learned about physics. I had done some experiments on physics and I am going to reflect on 1 of my experiment. This experiment that I had done was an experiment learning and trying the meter rule, vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge.
In this experiment, I am required to examine the 3 different equipment, on how it is used and how much it can measure, in terms of accuracy and amount. The meter rule could measure up to an accuracy of 0.1 cm and as the name states it, it could measure up to 1 meter long. I am supposed to measure the height of my seat with the meter rule. I took 4 readings from 4 different sides and calculated the average of the 4 readings to get reliability on my results. The result that I got was 60.6cm. This equipment was quite easy to use, therefore I did not meet a lot of difficulty. The only problem I got was to align the ruler parallel to the ground while taking the measurement. I solved this problem by having my friend take the measurement for me while I held the ruler steady and parallel.
The next equipment was the vernier caliper. There is an additional step needed to be taken when using the vernier caliper and that is to check for zero error. A zero error is when the equipment's reading of a zero is not zero but a negative 1 or 1. The smallest reading for the vernier caliper is 0.01cm and it could measure up to 10cm. I am supposed to take the measurements of the internal and external measurements of a beaker. I took 3 readings at 3 different sides and calculated the average of the 3 readings to get reliability on my results. The internal diameter of the beaker after the amendments of the zero error, in this case 0cm, is 3.63cm and the external diameter is 3.96cm. The problem I had with the vernier caliper is to make amendments for the zero error because I was confused whether to + or - but I overcame this problem by memorizing which is + and which is -.
The last equipment is the micrometer screw gauge. There is no zero error, it could measure up to an accuracy of 0.01mm and it could measure up to 5cm. I am supposed to take the measurements of the diameter of a wire and the diameter of a ball bearing. I took 3 different measurements at 3 different positions and calculated the average of the 3 readings to get reliability on my results. The diameter of the wire is 0.84mm and the diameter of the ball bearing 15.72mm. The problem I had with the micrometer screw gauge is to calculate the zero error because I did not know how much to tighten the micrometer screw gauge but I overcame this problem by asking the teacher and getting used to the equipment.
Through this experiment, I learned how to use the 3 equipment, the meter rule, the vernier caliper and the micrometer screw gauge. I also overcame all my problems with the equipments and learned more about the value Resilience from the J-TIGERR.
In this experiment, I am required to examine the 3 different equipment, on how it is used and how much it can measure, in terms of accuracy and amount. The meter rule could measure up to an accuracy of 0.1 cm and as the name states it, it could measure up to 1 meter long. I am supposed to measure the height of my seat with the meter rule. I took 4 readings from 4 different sides and calculated the average of the 4 readings to get reliability on my results. The result that I got was 60.6cm. This equipment was quite easy to use, therefore I did not meet a lot of difficulty. The only problem I got was to align the ruler parallel to the ground while taking the measurement. I solved this problem by having my friend take the measurement for me while I held the ruler steady and parallel.
The next equipment was the vernier caliper. There is an additional step needed to be taken when using the vernier caliper and that is to check for zero error. A zero error is when the equipment's reading of a zero is not zero but a negative 1 or 1. The smallest reading for the vernier caliper is 0.01cm and it could measure up to 10cm. I am supposed to take the measurements of the internal and external measurements of a beaker. I took 3 readings at 3 different sides and calculated the average of the 3 readings to get reliability on my results. The internal diameter of the beaker after the amendments of the zero error, in this case 0cm, is 3.63cm and the external diameter is 3.96cm. The problem I had with the vernier caliper is to make amendments for the zero error because I was confused whether to + or - but I overcame this problem by memorizing which is + and which is -.
The last equipment is the micrometer screw gauge. There is no zero error, it could measure up to an accuracy of 0.01mm and it could measure up to 5cm. I am supposed to take the measurements of the diameter of a wire and the diameter of a ball bearing. I took 3 different measurements at 3 different positions and calculated the average of the 3 readings to get reliability on my results. The diameter of the wire is 0.84mm and the diameter of the ball bearing 15.72mm. The problem I had with the micrometer screw gauge is to calculate the zero error because I did not know how much to tighten the micrometer screw gauge but I overcame this problem by asking the teacher and getting used to the equipment.
Through this experiment, I learned how to use the 3 equipment, the meter rule, the vernier caliper and the micrometer screw gauge. I also overcame all my problems with the equipments and learned more about the value Resilience from the J-TIGERR.
The particles within a matter
This article is basically on the particles within a matter. The particle within each state of matter moves differently because of the difference in the intermolecular forces. The intermolecular forces are the forces that keep the particles within matter together. Because of the intermolecular forces, we change the states of matter.
There are 3 basic states of matter, the solid, liquid and gas. The solid has the strongest intermolecular forces, liquid has the next strongest intermolecular forces and gas has the weakest intermolecular forces.
To change a solid to a liquid, we add heat to it and this change in state is called melting. When we add heat to a solid, we are weakening the intermolecular forces between each particle as the heat energy changes into chemical potential energy within each particle and it changes to kinetic energy. The kinetic energy caused the particles to have enough energy to weaken the intermolecular forces between each particle, causing the solid to change shape and become a liquid. To change a liquid to a solid, we take heat away from it and when the liquid has less heat, the particles have less kinetic energy causing the intermolecular forces between each particle to strengthen and become solid.
“How do the particles within each state of matter move and how are the particles arranged?” you might ask. Well, in solids, the particles are tightly packed and have a repeatable pattern, giving the definite shape and volume properties of the solid. Since they are so tightly packed and have strong intermolecular forces, their movements are very restricted. The particles could only vibrate on the spot.
Then, in liquid, the particles are widely spread and they do not have a repeatable pattern. Because their intermolecular forces are not that strong, they do not have a definite shape but they do have a definite volume. They move randomly and freely as the space between each particle is quite huge. Their movements cause the particles to slide over each other. Because of this sliding movement, evaporation occurs. At the surface of the water, when the particles slide over each other, they tend to slide away from the whole liquid and evaporate.
Lastly, in gas, the particles are very widely spread and they do not have a repeatable pattern. The space between each particle is ten times larger as compared to the space between the particles of a solid and liquid. The intermolecular forces between each particle is so weak that it not only causes gas to have an indefinite shape, it also causes it to have an indefinite volume. The particles within the gas, moves randomly and freely, allowing it cover any uncovered space.
There are 3 basic states of matter, the solid, liquid and gas. The solid has the strongest intermolecular forces, liquid has the next strongest intermolecular forces and gas has the weakest intermolecular forces.
To change a solid to a liquid, we add heat to it and this change in state is called melting. When we add heat to a solid, we are weakening the intermolecular forces between each particle as the heat energy changes into chemical potential energy within each particle and it changes to kinetic energy. The kinetic energy caused the particles to have enough energy to weaken the intermolecular forces between each particle, causing the solid to change shape and become a liquid. To change a liquid to a solid, we take heat away from it and when the liquid has less heat, the particles have less kinetic energy causing the intermolecular forces between each particle to strengthen and become solid.
“How do the particles within each state of matter move and how are the particles arranged?” you might ask. Well, in solids, the particles are tightly packed and have a repeatable pattern, giving the definite shape and volume properties of the solid. Since they are so tightly packed and have strong intermolecular forces, their movements are very restricted. The particles could only vibrate on the spot.
Then, in liquid, the particles are widely spread and they do not have a repeatable pattern. Because their intermolecular forces are not that strong, they do not have a definite shape but they do have a definite volume. They move randomly and freely as the space between each particle is quite huge. Their movements cause the particles to slide over each other. Because of this sliding movement, evaporation occurs. At the surface of the water, when the particles slide over each other, they tend to slide away from the whole liquid and evaporate.
Lastly, in gas, the particles are very widely spread and they do not have a repeatable pattern. The space between each particle is ten times larger as compared to the space between the particles of a solid and liquid. The intermolecular forces between each particle is so weak that it not only causes gas to have an indefinite shape, it also causes it to have an indefinite volume. The particles within the gas, moves randomly and freely, allowing it cover any uncovered space.
Plasma
Plasma is the 4th state of matter. The more known states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. Plasma is the next state. Plasma is actually a part of gas that has been ionized, causing plasma to have a balanced charge of ions and electrons. Because of plasma’s electrons, it made it conductive against electricity which then causes it to react strongly to electromagnetic fields. An experiment with the plasma ball could be done to prove that plasma reacts to electricity. When you place your finger on the plasma ball, the electric current flowing within it will pass through the glass and you will get an electric shock. This is because our body gives off a small electric charge and plasma reacts to electricity. Some examples of plasma is lightning and the sun.
Plasma was first found in a Crookes tube by Sir William Crooks. When he first found it, he named it “radiant matter”. It was later then dubbed “plasma” by Irving Langmuir. Plasma has about the same properties as compared to gas. It has indefinite shape and indefinite volume. The difference is that it contains ions and electrons and it is found at above 100,000 degree Celsius.
The change in state of matter, gas, to plasma is called ionization. This process also involves heat. The heat actually separates the electrons from the atom, leaving a positively charged ion. This is how heat does separate it. The electrons revolve around an atom and the centrifugal force pushes the electron away from the atom but there is the attraction between the negatively charged electron and the positively charged electron. When heat came in, it provided more energy for the atom, causing the electron to move more intensely, causing it to leave the atom, becoming plasma.
Plasma is a very useful state of matter. It could provide new manufacturing techniques such as to cut or melt or to chemically alter material with plasma. It could also be consumer products such as the fluorescent light and the plasma ball. It could also be a prospect of abundant energy such as the plasma rocket engine that runs on very simple fuel. It could also be a medical application to sterilizes and cauterizes.
In conclusion, plasma is a great discovery made as it has many great uses and it is another step into the fascinating and mysterious world of science.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_%28physics%29#Plasma_properties_and_parameters
http://sites.google.com/site/sed695b/projects/demonstration-equipment/plasma-lamp
http://www.plasmascience.net/tpu/ubiquitous.html
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00761.htm
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem07/chem07053.htm
http://www.doesgodexist.org/JanFeb98/PLASMAThe4thStateOfMatter.html
http://matthieu.lagouge.free.fr/microtechnology/dry_etch.html
makingthemodernworld.org.uk
Plasma was first found in a Crookes tube by Sir William Crooks. When he first found it, he named it “radiant matter”. It was later then dubbed “plasma” by Irving Langmuir. Plasma has about the same properties as compared to gas. It has indefinite shape and indefinite volume. The difference is that it contains ions and electrons and it is found at above 100,000 degree Celsius.
The change in state of matter, gas, to plasma is called ionization. This process also involves heat. The heat actually separates the electrons from the atom, leaving a positively charged ion. This is how heat does separate it. The electrons revolve around an atom and the centrifugal force pushes the electron away from the atom but there is the attraction between the negatively charged electron and the positively charged electron. When heat came in, it provided more energy for the atom, causing the electron to move more intensely, causing it to leave the atom, becoming plasma.
Plasma is a very useful state of matter. It could provide new manufacturing techniques such as to cut or melt or to chemically alter material with plasma. It could also be consumer products such as the fluorescent light and the plasma ball. It could also be a prospect of abundant energy such as the plasma rocket engine that runs on very simple fuel. It could also be a medical application to sterilizes and cauterizes.
In conclusion, plasma is a great discovery made as it has many great uses and it is another step into the fascinating and mysterious world of science.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_%28physics%29#Plasma_properties_and_parameters
http://sites.google.com/site/sed695b/projects/demonstration-equipment/plasma-lamp
http://www.plasmascience.net/tpu/ubiquitous.html
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00761.htm
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem07/chem07053.htm
http://www.doesgodexist.org/JanFeb98/PLASMAThe4thStateOfMatter.html
http://matthieu.lagouge.free.fr/microtechnology/dry_etch.html
makingthemodernworld.org.uk
How Nuclear Bomb Works
The Nuclear bomb works by splitting an atom or combining an atom. Both the process of splitting and combining an atom, large amounts of heat, radiation and energy are given off. From Einstein's theory of e=mc2, the amount of energy stored inside an atom is its mass x the speed of light to the power of 2. So, when a nuclear bomb containing lots of atom goes off, it gives off a huge amount of heat and energy which creates the explosion and a huge amount of radiation which slowly affects the people.
Cloning of Mouse Frozen for 16 Years
This article is about a dead mouse after being frozen for 16 years getting cloned successfully. A scientist from japan managed to successfully clone a frozen dead mouse. The cells of the dead mouse were first dipped in anti-freeze substance to prevent damage to the cells. Then, they removed a nucleus from a brain cell and fused it with an unfertilised egg of which they gave an electric shock to stimulate the penetration by a sperm. Lastly, they let them develop into embryo before implanting it into a mouse womb.
With this mouse being successfully cloned, people want to clone the dead people to get back their loved ones. Although there had been successful cloning of animals there was a need of many tries to succeed. The tries either died in the womb or had life-threatening illness when born. Also if one of the clones were successfully cloned, he/she will still have to face many psychological problems such as: being make fun of by other people, interviews by the media etc. etc.
There could also be cloning of humans just for their organs. If a person's organ is failing, he/she could create a clone then kill it, just taking its organ. If this is possible, there will be a huge increase in the supply of "donor organs" and many lives could be saved. But, to create a living human and then kill it will be very cruel. It is like the purpose of that human to be brought to earth is to get killed.
I feel that we should only clone to increase the number of population on earth and not to selfishly get its organs or to just get back your loved one. We should put ourselves int their shoes if they were to be treated like a tool.
This article is about a dead mouse after being frozen for 16 years getting cloned successfully. A scientist from Japan managed to successfully clone a frozen dead mouse. The cells of the dead mouse were first dipped in anti-freeze substance to prevent damage to the cells. Then, they removed a nucleus from a brain cell and fused it with an unfertilised egg of which they gave an electric shock to stimulate the penetration by a sperm. Lastly, they let them develop into embryo before implanting it into a mouse womb.
With this mouse being successfully cloned, people want to clone the dead people to get back their loved ones. Although there had been successful cloning of animals there was a need of many tries to succeed. The tries either died in the womb or had life-threatening illness when born. Also if one of the clones were successfully cloned, he/she will still have to face many psychological problems such as: being make fun of by other people, interviews by the media etc. etc.
There could also be cloning of humans just for their organs. If a person's organ is failing, he/she could create a clone then kill it, just taking its organ. If this is possible, there will be a huge increase in the supply of "donor organs" and many lives could be saved. But, to create a living human and then kill it will be very cruel. It is like the purpose of that human to be brought to earth is to get killed.
I feel that we should only clone to increase the number of population on earth and not to selfishly get its organs or to just get back your loved one. We should put ourselves in their shoes if they were to be treated like a too.
With this mouse being successfully cloned, people want to clone the dead people to get back their loved ones. Although there had been successful cloning of animals there was a need of many tries to succeed. The tries either died in the womb or had life-threatening illness when born. Also if one of the clones were successfully cloned, he/she will still have to face many psychological problems such as: being make fun of by other people, interviews by the media etc. etc.
There could also be cloning of humans just for their organs. If a person's organ is failing, he/she could create a clone then kill it, just taking its organ. If this is possible, there will be a huge increase in the supply of "donor organs" and many lives could be saved. But, to create a living human and then kill it will be very cruel. It is like the purpose of that human to be brought to earth is to get killed.
I feel that we should only clone to increase the number of population on earth and not to selfishly get its organs or to just get back your loved one. We should put ourselves int their shoes if they were to be treated like a tool.
This article is about a dead mouse after being frozen for 16 years getting cloned successfully. A scientist from Japan managed to successfully clone a frozen dead mouse. The cells of the dead mouse were first dipped in anti-freeze substance to prevent damage to the cells. Then, they removed a nucleus from a brain cell and fused it with an unfertilised egg of which they gave an electric shock to stimulate the penetration by a sperm. Lastly, they let them develop into embryo before implanting it into a mouse womb.
With this mouse being successfully cloned, people want to clone the dead people to get back their loved ones. Although there had been successful cloning of animals there was a need of many tries to succeed. The tries either died in the womb or had life-threatening illness when born. Also if one of the clones were successfully cloned, he/she will still have to face many psychological problems such as: being make fun of by other people, interviews by the media etc. etc.
There could also be cloning of humans just for their organs. If a person's organ is failing, he/she could create a clone then kill it, just taking its organ. If this is possible, there will be a huge increase in the supply of "donor organs" and many lives could be saved. But, to create a living human and then kill it will be very cruel. It is like the purpose of that human to be brought to earth is to get killed.
I feel that we should only clone to increase the number of population on earth and not to selfishly get its organs or to just get back your loved one. We should put ourselves in their shoes if they were to be treated like a too.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
What I had learned in Term 3
Recently I had done an experiment on plant cells. The experiment was to find and see the specific parts of a plant cell. In a plant cell there is cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplast, vacuole and cytoplasm.
The cell wall is a partially permeable cellulose and its use is to support the shape of the cell to give it a regular shape and to protect it. The cell membrane is a partially permeable substance which surrounds the cell and its function is to control the movement of materials that are going in and out of the cell. The nucleus is the brain of the cell. It controls the movement and activities within the cell. It also contains chromosomes which contains hereditary materials. The chloroplast is a tiny disc-like substance which contains the green pigment chlorophyll. Its function is to contain chlorophyll which traps sunlight for photosynthesis to take place. The vacuole in terms of the vacuole within a plant cell, is a single, large vacuole. It contains cell sap to keep the cell firm. In the case whereby the vacuole does not take in enough water, plasmolysis occurs whereby the cell shivels up on the inside creating gaps between the cell wall and the cell membrane, causing the cell wall to collapse and the whole cell being destroyed. Lastly, the cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that fills the cell, containing water, food and others. It also allows chemical reactions to take place.
These are the basic parts of a plant cell. A plant cell must have all of these parts to survive because each part carries out vital processes to keep the cell alive. After observing the plant cell and its parts, I was fascinated by how complex a plant could be. If a single cell is already so complex with all the different functions and parts, imagine how complex a plant would be. To me, before I knew about the different parts of a plant, I thought that it was just a simple food-making organism. It is amazing how all the functions linked together to form a cell, and having the cells linked together to form a tissue, linked together again to form an organ and the organs linked together to form an organism(the plant). This experiment surely exposed me to the complexity of an organism, making me feeling interested to find out more.
The cell wall is a partially permeable cellulose and its use is to support the shape of the cell to give it a regular shape and to protect it. The cell membrane is a partially permeable substance which surrounds the cell and its function is to control the movement of materials that are going in and out of the cell. The nucleus is the brain of the cell. It controls the movement and activities within the cell. It also contains chromosomes which contains hereditary materials. The chloroplast is a tiny disc-like substance which contains the green pigment chlorophyll. Its function is to contain chlorophyll which traps sunlight for photosynthesis to take place. The vacuole in terms of the vacuole within a plant cell, is a single, large vacuole. It contains cell sap to keep the cell firm. In the case whereby the vacuole does not take in enough water, plasmolysis occurs whereby the cell shivels up on the inside creating gaps between the cell wall and the cell membrane, causing the cell wall to collapse and the whole cell being destroyed. Lastly, the cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that fills the cell, containing water, food and others. It also allows chemical reactions to take place.
These are the basic parts of a plant cell. A plant cell must have all of these parts to survive because each part carries out vital processes to keep the cell alive. After observing the plant cell and its parts, I was fascinated by how complex a plant could be. If a single cell is already so complex with all the different functions and parts, imagine how complex a plant would be. To me, before I knew about the different parts of a plant, I thought that it was just a simple food-making organism. It is amazing how all the functions linked together to form a cell, and having the cells linked together to form a tissue, linked together again to form an organ and the organs linked together to form an organism(the plant). This experiment surely exposed me to the complexity of an organism, making me feeling interested to find out more.
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