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8/24/2007
Find an web article from a reputable news website that contains information about any type of projectile. The article must relate to some science topic this could include something having to do with the projectile of bullets or weapons but should not focus on killing! Write a short (1 paragraph) summary of the article and then describe how anything you have learned in the past week about projectile motion might relate to it (second short paragraph). Finish with a citation to the web article. Enter all of this under "Entry" below.

Entry: //The article, “Specialized Imaging To Unveil Innovations in High-Speed Imaging”, is about the new cameras Specialized Imaging Ltd. are showing at the 28th// //Meeting of the Aeroballistic Range Association in September 2007. The new camera can accurately track projectiles while in flight. This enables precise diagnosis related to fin deployment, motor burn time, pitch, yaw, and spin rate to be made. The camera allows people to make observations of a projectile that runs off course or crashes. The Specialized Imaging Ltd. camera is a tool that will help scientists make better and more exact observations of projectiles in flight.//

//The object addressed in// //“Specialized Imaging To Unveil Innovations in High-Speed Imaging” relates to what is going on in class because both are involved in projectile motion. The article talks about making observations of projectiles in flight, which was performed in the projectile motion experiment. However the camera is able to record precisely what happened to a projectile, something that would have come in handy when the projectiles in our experiment went off course for unknown reasons. This article is closely related to what is going on in science class.//

//"Specialized Imaging To Unveil Innovations In High-Speed Imaging." __Photonics Online__ 21/Aug/2007 26/Aug/2007//

//Comment 1:// //Nicole, you did a great job on your overall summary. Just one thought, I do not think that all the information in the beginning is needed. Yes, it is what the article had, but it isn't really relevant to projectile motion. Also, the Specialized Imaging Ltd. is supposed to be spelled as Speciali//**//s//**//ed, unless the article spelt it wrong. You did a great job on elaborating and telling the similarities of what we did in class and the Trajectory Tracker// -Richard Comment 2:

9/24/2007
Reflect upon the mystery density cube experiment. Create a long paragraph addressing these questions:

1.) Was the scientific method necessary in this experiment? If not, why? If so, why? 2.) What made this experiment difficult? or was it easy? 3.) Is density very important in finding the identity of an unknown substance? . //Entry:// //The density cube experiment was a difficult experiment where the scientific method and densities were important. The scientific method was very necessary in this experiment because of the need for a plan and all the research performed. Writing out materials and methods helped greatly because it gave the group a plan to follow. The hypothesis and research steps were valuable also. This experiment was difficult because of the many steps, research, and densities that didn't match up. There were many steps and charts to fill out in this experiment, making it quite lengthy. The research performed was rather hard because some of the materials were not that common and there was not a lot of information on the web on densities of materials. The densities of the cubes did not always match a density of a possible material. This made it harder to figure out what material the cubes were made out of because the group had to find which density was closest to the density of a cube. Density is very important in finding the identity of an unknown substance because it does not change, while other things do. Mass and volume change and even color and smell fade over time, but the density of an object always stays the same. Scientific method and densities were important in this challenging experiment//.

//Comment 1: You did excellent with using large vocabulary to make it sound more professional. You also did a great job explaining each of the points so that it was very clear to the reader. One thing is that you kind of repeated what you were saying and it made it seem redundant. The content was very good with paragraph form with a topic and concludint that both started and ended the argument with very good emphasis. Overall, a very good job and I really cannot find anything to correct// //Great Job!,// //Connor//

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10/16/2007
What is a flame test in your own words? How does this relate to the use of chemicals in fireworks? Make sure to include your MLA citations you may not use Wikipedia!

//Entry:// //Flame tests provide information about the identity of chemicals and how fireworks are colored. A flame test is used to help a person discover the identity of a metal visually. A chemical is put onto a clean wire and put through a flame of fire. The flame then glows a different color. Different chemicals make the fire glow different colors, therefore revealing their identity. This relates to the use of chemicals in fireworks because it tells how different colors are obtained. Producers of fireworks must put certain chemicals into the fireworks to turn them a certain color. The firework stays white on it's way up and then when it explodes, it turns to its color. Fireworks are colored because of the chemicals used in them and one can find out what color a chemical glows by performing a flame test.//

//Citation 1:// //Helmenstine, Ph.D., Anne Marie. "Qualitative Analysis - Flame Tests ." About.com. 2007. About INC. . 16 Oct 2007 .//

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11/1/2007
Go to this site: http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=55. Click on "Watch the Reaction with Sodium and Chlorine" In your own words and in third person, create a blog entry describing the reaction and explaining what is happening in terms of the bonding. Write a long paragraph. Explain in detail.

//Entry:// //When sodium and chlorine meet, they bond and form NaCl, or table salt. This is possible because sodium is a metal and chlorine is a non-metal. When the two come in contact, the sodium begins burning. This happens is because the sodium atom is losing an electron to the chlorine atom, making them both ions. When this happens, energy is released; making the burning one sees. The two atoms are then held together because they are oppositely charged (Na is now positively charged and Cl is negatively charged). When the two poisonous elements sodium and chlorine meet, they form an ionic bond and became NaCl, table salt.//

//Comment 1:// You did a very good job of explaining all the elements of the reaction. You described what happens when they both came in contact and what is the result. You also explained what happens inbetween such as the atoms becoming ions and the burning of the two elemants. You also had a great length of 7 sentences which is the perfect length for a long paragraph. All the spelling is correct and so is the punctuation. All the facts are correct and you did a very good job. At parts it was kind of confusing but only in about the third sentence and everything else was great. You deserve and A or A+. Great Work! Connor D.

//Comment 2:// Awesome job! You completely explained every aspect of why Sodium and Chlorine can bond and form NaCl. But you repeated the same thought about why the elements burn when they come in contact. Just delete the 5th sentence about the burning. Some of the sentences are not in logical order, the part about why the they bond because they are metals and non-metals should go after your explanation of what happened in the reaction. I would give you a high A because you had excellent grammar and spelling, and you really understood the experiment well but your ideas were out of order and that sometimes made it confusing to read! Great Job! Marion B

//Second Entry:// When sodium and chlorine meet, they bond and form NaCl, or table salt. When the two come in contact, the sodium begins to burn. This happens because the sodium atom is losing an electron to the chlorine atom, making them both ions. When this occurs, energy is released; making the burning reaction one sees. The two atoms are then held together because they are oppositely charged (Na is now positively charged and Cl is negatively charged). This is possible because sodium is a metal and chlorine is a non-metal. When the two poisonous elements sodium and chlorine meet, they form an ionic bond and became NaCl, table salt.

11/08/2007
What was your favorite project, experiment or topic this trimester and why? (projectile motion, density cube experiment, podcasts, chemical reactions, flame tests, etc.) You can also comment about the snakes. What do you think that you excelled at this trimester? How could you have improved your performance in Science 7? (Make sure to check your spelling and grammar).

//Entry: I enjoyed working on fun projects and watching the snakes in Science 7 this trimester. My favorite project this trimester was the “It’s an Elemental Mystery” podcasts. I really enjoyed working with my friends and having a chance to be creative in science. I also liked how much it taught me about the different elements because it made the element test easier. I didn’t come in contact with the snakes much this trimester, but it was fun to watch them. I’m hoping that next trimester I can use them to overcome my fear of snakes. I think I was good at learning the elements and doing the blog entries. I really applied myself to learning the elements and made a 100% on the test. I worked hard on my blog entries and they turned out good. I could have improved if I had asked more questions when I wasn’t sure on things. I had a good time in Science 7 this trimester being creative and learning elements.//

//Comment 1: Wonderful!!You did all lot of things that you enjoyed!! Celebrate the end of the trimester!!! Great spelling and grammar!!// - Adrienne B.

Comment 2: I appreciate your great ideas and your enthusiasm in the class. You are always up for other peoples ideas and learning new things. I love how you always are happy and a joy to be around. Overall, you are fun to be around and science wouldn't be the same without you in our class. -Caroline H

12/18/2007
Our next unit is about electricity and electronics. In first person write a long paragraph about what you know about electricity and what questions you might like to have answered in our electricity unit. If you could investigate any subject area related to energy in the home, electricity, electronics, computers, etc. what would you like to research or investigate? Entry: I do not know much about electricity, but I would like to learn about it. I know that there is electricity in lightning and that Benjamin Franklin discovered it. I think electricity is attracted to metals because lightning strikes in Cary a lot and there is metal in our soil. I know that many things are run on electricity, even light bulbs. I do not, however, know how this works. I would like to find out how light switches work, how computers get Internet, and what other forms of electricity there are. I am mainly interested in electricity in the home. My knowledge of electricity is small, but I am eager to learn about it. Comment 1: Comment 2:

1/3/2008
Our next unit is about electricity and electronics. Observe the following graph, Graph 1 and write an analytical paragraph describing what it means. Make sure to address what trends are observed; how things change over time, etc. Write at least five sentences for the following questions. Write in third person. Directly cite data and identify the graph (1). 1.) Which electricity source in the US has increased the greatest amount over the time period shown in the graph? 2.) Which of the sources listed below directly contribute to global warming? Provide evidence and explain using the Internet (MLA citation). 3.) Describe the overall trends from 1972 to 1985 regarding the US's sources of electricity. [|This graph can also be seen at this LINK.]

Entry: //The graph, Electricity Sources Over Time, shows that the US's use of electricity greatly increased over time. One can see that the energy source that is most harmful to the environment is also the one that is used the most and the least harmful is used the least.// //Graph 1, Electricity Sources Over Time, proves that coal became the largest source of electricity between 1948 and 2006. Coal increased steadily from 1970 to 2000, raising from roughly 0.7 trillion kilowatt hours to roughly 2.0 trillion kilowatt hours. So, coal increased about 1.3 trillion kilowatt hours in 30 years. Graph 1 demonstrates that coal reached around 2.0 trillion kilowatt hours, while Petroleum and natural gases and Nuclear Electric Power stayed at about .8 trillion kilowatt hours. Hydroelectric Power stayed equal to or less than .5 trillion kilowatt hours. Graph 1 establishes that coal was the electricity source that increased the greatest in the US from 1972 to 1985, despite the fact that it contributes to global warming.// //Two of the energy sources shown in Graph 1 contribute to global warming, but the other two do not. Coal gives off carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Petroleum and Natural Gas emit carbon dioxide when they are burned. Nuclear Electric Power and Hydroelectric Power do not play a part in global warming. It is seen in Graph 1 that coal, which contributes to global warming, is used much more often than Hydroelectric Power, which does not contribute, and that is very disturbing.// //The overall trends from 1972 to 1985 regarding the US's use of electricity are coal going up, natural gas going down, and hydroelectric power and nuclear electric power rising slightly. This is interesting because both coal and natural gasses are dangerous to the environment. So why does one increase and the other decrease? It would be better if they both decreased! Overall, Graph 1 shows that in the 13 years between 1972 and 1985, coal was used the more than the other sources of electricity.// //"Natural Gas- A Fossil Fuel ." Energy Kid's Page. April, 2007. Energy Information Administration. 4 Jan 2008 .// //"Coal- A Fossil Fuel ." Energy Kid. February, 2007. Energy Information Administration. 4 Jan 2008 .// //Lipper, Ilan/Jon Stone. "Nuclear Energy & Society ." Earth and Society. 1998. University of Michigan. 4 Jan 2008 .// //"Best Mix of Power Sources with Nuclear Power as Mainstay." Tohoku Electric Power. 2006 . Tohoku Electric Power Co., INC. 4 Jan 2008 .//

Comment 1: All of your information is correct, you referred to the graph above, and stayed in third person. Good job on referencing to the data. You did answer the question,but I do think that you should have said was what all of the other electricity sources had has trillion kilowatt hours and not just coal and natural gas. Overall all of your information that you stated was awesome! -Brittany W.

Comment 2: Your information in your blog is correct. You have in all your sentences. Your blog is very well written. You refer to the graph well in what you've written but I think that you could talk about the other electricity sources a little because it seems like you are just focusing on coal and natural gases. Overall, great job! - Caroline H.

Comment 3: Great job but provide actual data to backup your thoughts- kilowatthours! -JT

1/8/2008
Please read the paragraph below about energy use to create electricity from 1972-1985 in the US. Observe that the graph is referred to, there is an introductory statement, supporting statements are backed up with data, and that their is a concluding sentence. This would have been a well written paragraph for question 3 in our previous blog entry.

"As seen in Graph 1, there were four sources of electricity production in the US from 1972-1985. These sources were coal, petroleum/natural gas, nuclear electric power, and hydroelectric power. From 1972-1985, the US needed greater and greater production of electricity from these combined resources. This best example of this is that during these years, coal increased from 0.5 trillion kilowatthours to roughly 1.5 trillion kilowatthours. During this same time period hydroelectric sources remained approximately the same at 0.3 trillion kilowatthours. There was a slight increase in nuclear electric power sources from 0.1 trillion kilowatthours to 0.3 trillion kilowatthours during this same time period. Finally, petroleum and natural gas showed the greatest amount of fluctuation during this time period staying about the same from 1972-1980 at 0.4 trillion kilowatthours but then deceasing to 0.3 trillion kilowattthours by 1985. Thus, although greater and greater amounts of resources were needed to produce electricity during this time period, coal accounted for the greatest increase in use." - JT

//**Using the above paragraph as a model, describe the changes in electricity production sources from 2000-2005. Make sure that you reference the graph (Graph 1). Make sure all statements are backed up with data. Make sure you have an introductory sentence and a concluding sentence that provide an overall summary/statement.**//

Entry: //Graph 1 shows that between 2000 and 2005, there were four different sources of electricity production in the US; coal, hydroelectric power, Petroleum and natural gas, and nuclear electric power. Coal was used the most, increasing from about 1.8 trillion kilowatt hours to 2.0 trillion kilowatt hours. Hydroelectric power was used the least, increasing from about 0.3 trillion kilowatt hours to 0.4 trillion kilowatt hours. Petroleum and natural gas and nuclear electric power both stayed at about 0.7 trillion kilowatt hours. Thus, as shown in Graph 1, coal was the electric energy source used the most in the US from 2000 to 2005.//

Comment 1: : I have found no spelling, or grammar and no slips in your third person. You could work on a common theme for your paragraph. The numbers in the middle suggests that you are trying to say that they didn’t increase that much. Also I think that your ending sentence should clarify the meaning of the paragraph, but it just talks about the trend of coal not all of them. Maybe you could make it flow better to the last sentence. You referenced the graph and you backed up the data with numbers, which is excellent. - Adrienne B-K Comment 2:

Re-Entry: //Graph 1 shows that between 2000 and 2005, there were four different sources of electricity production in the US; coal, hydroelectric power, Petroleum and natural gas, and nuclear electric power. Coal was used the most, increasing from about 1.8 trillion kilowatt hours to 2.0 trillion kilowatt hours. Hydroelectric power was used the least, increasing from about 0.3 trillion kilowatt hours to 0.4 trillion kilowatt hours. Petroleum and natural gas and nuclear electric power both stayed at about 0.7 trillion kilowatt hours. These numbers may seem small, but remember, it is measured in trillion kilowatt hours. Thus, as shown in Graph 1, coal was the source used the most in the US from 2000 to 2005 out of the four steadily increasing electric energy sources.//

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2/05/2008
What is a watt? How do you calculate the amount of electrical power that is used in a circuit? Finally, if a lamp with a 200 watt lightbulb burned for 24 hours straight (you forgot and left it turned on), how many kilowatt hours would it use? Make sure to write in complete sentences and in third person. Explain how you calculated the amount of kilowatt hours that would be used in the question above.

Entry: When calculating the kilowatt hours an electric device uses, one uses watts. A watt is a basic measurement of electric power. To calculate how much electric power is being used in a circuit, one does power (or watts) equals current (amps) times voltage (volts). If a 200 watt light bulb burned for 24 hours straight, it would use 4.8 kilowatt hours. To calculate this, one does power equals current times voltage, which is the equation. Then, one enters in the numbers, so power equals 200 times 24. One can now solve the problem, which equals 4800 watts. This must be transferred to kilowatts however, so one does 4800 divided by 1000. This gives an answer of 4.8 kilowatts. Watts are units of measurement for power and are used to calculate the kilowatt hours a device uses.

Comment 1: Nicole - Great job!!!!!!!!!☺☺ You are correct in your information! (Or if not, I'm also wrong.) Good job using 3rd person! Good job explaining how to get 4.8 kilowatt hours! If I were you I would not have used one //does// as my wording, but it doesn't make a difference. Great Job! Comment 2: Nicole, you maintained an excellent third person consistintly. I found awkward sentences though, for example in the first sentence if you add 'that' before "an electric device", an if you rephrased "ones uses watts" it would flow much better. Also, the equation would be the number of watts used times the number of hours which woude give you the watt hours, you put the equation for calculating the power in a circuit. At the end you did not have to repeat what a watt is. Overall an excellent blog entry!! -Adrienne B-K

__**2/28/2008 **__

__ This trimester we started by finishing up our chemistry unit by doing an acid/base experiment. After this, we started our electricity/electronics unit in which we first made basic series and parallel circuits with buzzers, speakers, motors, and lights. We applied ohm's law to these experiments. Following this, we started working on the Radioshack Electronics Kits where we made complex circuits that had a variety of functions- blinking LEDs, screeching speakers, analog to digital converters, etc. The technology we used this trimester included the pH probes that we connected to our computers to get the pH of household chemicals, using the wiki to create an class test review sheet, the Radioshack Electronic Kits, and creating collaborative lab reports in the wiki for our electronics unit (instead of a formal lab report). __

//In this blog prompt, please write a paragraph long entry (5-6 sentences with a intro and concluding sentence) that addresses what you enjoyed during this trimester and what you have learned. You can also comment on what you would like to improve upon for next trimester or what was difficult for you. Feel free to comment on our snakes- Peppermint and Diablo if you would like to as well as the technology that you enjoyed this trimester. Please check your spelling and grammar as this blog entry may appear in your end of trimester comment. You may want to write it in Microsoft Word to check the spelling, etc. and then copy it in the blog.//

__Entry:__ __Science this trimester was extremely enjoyable and I learned a lot. I learned about electricity which I had never learned about before and I learned more about chemistry. I especially liked building circuits on the breadboards. I also enjoyed working on the class test review wiki because it really helped me to study. I also thought working on the collaborative lab report was fun. This trimester, I learned a lot in science, both about electricity and chemistry and technology, and it was also a lot of fun.__

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4/22/2008
Go to: [|The Tech Museum: Robotics]. Spend 10 minutes browsing the information and museum. Answer the following blog prompt in complete sentences and in third person. Create a full paragraph. If in the future machines have the ability to reason, be self-aware and have feelings, then what makes a human being a human being, and a robot a robot? Explain. Are there any kind of robots that shouldn't be created? Or that you wouldn't want to see created? Why?

Entry:

Human beings will always be different from robots. A human being has flesh, blood, and organs, while robots are made from metal or another material. Human beings are born, have a social, spiritual, physical, and emotional life, which robots can not participate in. Robots are man-made. Humans have a spirit and a personality, which robots cannot attain. Therefore, robots and human beings will always be different. Robots that are capable of destruction should not be created because they would have the ability to destroy mankind. It would not be in our society's best interest to make a robot with the ability to teach because that would make learning boring. Children would not learn to be creative or be able to have a positive relationship with a human teacher. Robots should not be created to replace workers because that would increase unemployment, and therefore poverty and hunger. Human beings will always be different from robots and that is the way it should be.

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