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8/26/2007
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:// //Projectile motion is the act of an object or something that soars in the air and has a curved movement. Some examples are fireworks, footballs, and darts. On a Thursday afternoon in Salem, the clouds became dark, doors flew off hinges, and debris was flying across the parking lot. What was thought to be a tornado was really a microburst. “A microburst is a strong blast of wind starting from a high altitude that moves downward at a fast rate”. Microbursts are more direct with little circular motion. Wind must blow in a projectile motion at a rapid pace to be considered a tornado. In Ohio, microbursts and macrobursts occur often and are quite dangerous. A macroburst is stronger than a microburst, but not strong enough to be a tornado. It is safe to have a plan in case of a severe storm. In conclusion, tornados’ winds have projectile motion.// //In a projectile motion, the falling object is moving both horizontally and vertically at the same time which results to be a curved motion. A tornado is also moving horizontally and vertically and has a curved motion. They both come from an angle and have velocity (speed/strength of a tornado). Gravity affects the falling object and a tornado, but since a tornado is stronger than gravity it is able to pick objects up. The force of a tornado is another example of projectile motion, because it can pick things up and throw them.// //-Jennifer N.// ABDELRASUL, MAYSOON. "Officials rule out tornado." __Vindy.com__. Saturday, August 11, 2007. VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF. 26 Aug 2007 <[|http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/308800031279476.php>.]

//Comments 1:// //Jennie’s blog was all spelled right and written in third person. However the tornado winds do not have projectile motion themselves. Only objects in the air are projectiles, not the air itself. The forces of the air are one of the forces acting on a projectile. The other one is gravity. So I think that Jennie did a good job with writing the blog but she needs to change it from being the tornado that is projectile motion to the stuff that the tornado picks up is projectile motion.//

Comment 2: Your blog was great! The grammer and spelling was correct and you had written in third person. The way you explained everything was understandable and easy to read. Although some facts you had written were not completley true. Such asm air being a projectile (the tornado) objects in air are projectiles not air itself. Overall your blog was amazing!

9/24/2007
Reflect upon the mystery density cube experiment. You may write in first person. 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 scientific method was necessary in this experiment. I think that research is mostly helpful, because since there was a list of substances, we could type in the names on the internet to find the mass, volume, and density to see if the experiment had the same results. Defining the problem is important because then you have a better idea of what you are working on. What made this experiment difficult was guessing what the substances were of the ten cubes, but since there was a list of possible substances it wasn’t that hard. Knowing the qualitative data of the cubes also helped, because the group had an idea of what the substance could be and the internet could have explained what the substance is based on its characteristics. The density is important to find the identity of an unknown substance because you could do research on a substance and find the density of it. If the density that you found was exactly or approximately the same, then you could conclude that is most likely a match to the known substance. ~ Jennifer//

//Comment 1:// Comment 2:

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//:// //The flame test is a procedure used to figure the identity of an unknown element. This relates to the use of chemicals in fireworks because you can use the flame test to identify the unknown chemicals used, because of the colors of the fireworks. The fireworks need a particular chemical to make the particular color. A chemical is put on a clean wire and is set on a flame of fire. The flame changes to a different color. Different chemicals produce different colors and as a result you can identify what the chemical is. You can determine the chemical from the color of a flame by accomplishing a flame test. ~ Jennifer//

Helmenstine, Ph.D., Anne Marie. "Qualitative Analysis - Flame Tests ." __About.com__. 16 Oct 2007 <[|http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa110401a.htm>.] //Comment 1:// Comment 2:

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 is bonded with chlorine it makes a reaction and then produces a compound. The reaction when chlorine (Cl) and sodium (Na) is united, it creates fire. The compound is held together by electrical charges. The sodium atom each loses one atom to each chlorine atom. That makes the chlorine a negative charge and the sodium a positive charge. After the violent reaction it produces sodium chloride. It is a white solid. ~ Jennifer N//

//Comment 1:// You have a good, thorough explanation, but there are some grammar mistakes. On the second sentence, the wording is awkward, and I think that the 4th sentence is a bit confusing also. From your explanation, I can tell that you understand the bonding process, but it may be good to use some of the bonding vocabulary like "ionic" or "covalent." Your spelling is very accurate. Nice Job, Jennifer! I would give you an A-! :) -Emily

Comment 2: You might want to explain more about the reaction, and why the reaction is caused. You have a good explanation of what happens after the reaction. I would give it an A. -Andy N.

Entry Rewrite: //When sodium is bonded with chlorine it makes a reaction and then produces a compound. Chlorine (Cl) reacts with sodium (Na) causing it to burst into flames. The compound is held together by electrical charges. When these two elements are united, an ionic reaction occurs. Each sodium atom loses one electron to each chlorine atom. That makes the chlorine a negative charge and the sodium a positive charge. After the violent reaction it results as sodium chloride which is also known as table salt. ~ Jennifer N.//

//11/8/2007//
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).

//My favorite experiments in science class were doing the flame tests and chemical reaction. I liked the flame test because it is interesting to see what the color is going to be and figuring out what that substance is. I also like the chemical reactions because it was fun working with fire and watching how the elements react and what new product they make. I really enjoy the snakes. I am terrified of snakes but I like watching them. I don’t dislike snakes I am just scared of them. I wasn’t happy with what their names are, but from what the other kids said they are nice snakes! I excelled on observations of the experiments. I could improve in science by studying and looking over my notes more. ~ Jennifer N.

Comment 1: Jennifer, you did a great job analyzing data and making conclusions. I really enjoy working with you because you always contribute to any discussion! Good job! -Rabiya S.//

//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 know electricity is a form of energy made by the movement of electrons and provides light. Electricity is used every day for daily activities. What is electricity made from? I always wonder how we get our electricity. I don’t know much about it. I use electricity everyday like computers, air conditioning, air heaters, and many common household objects. Electricity provides LIGHT! I heard that the wire of the light bulb become so hot that it glows. I would like to study computers and light bulbs to learn how electricity travels so fast. Electricity is a big part to many people now because it’s convenient. I think I would “go crazy” without electricity. Electricity changed life style in many ways.// ~ //Jennifer N.//

//Comment 1:

Comment 2://

1/3/2008
Our next unit is about electricity and electronics. Observe the following graph, Graph 1. Write at least five sentences for each of 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.]

Here is an example statement: "Graph 1 shows that from 1960-1965 there was a steady increase in the use of coal as a source of electricity. It rose from roughly 0.2 trillion killwatthours to 0.5 kilowatt hours.

Entry: //1. Which electricity source in the US has increased the greatest amount over the time period shown in the graph? - Graph 1 displays information about the power usage from 1949 to 2006. This graph displays four main major sources that generate power for electricity: coal, petroleum and natural gas, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power. Each generates power in a different way. Hydroelectricity is a renewable source of energy and produces no waste. This type of energy comes from the energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator. Coal is the energy source that increased the most, based on the information in the graph. The usage of coal to generate power has increased from 0.2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 1950 to 2.0 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2005. Coal is a fossil fuel made of carbon with other assorted elements. When the fossil fuel is burned it creates energy. (unknown, unknown. "Coal." __Coal- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. unknown. Wikipedia. 4 Jan 2008 [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal>.] Nuclear energy is the newest form of power which produces electricity when atoms are split generating heat. Use of nuclear energy began in 1957 and gained popularity as an energy source since 1975.//

//2. Which of the sources listed below directly contribute to global warming? - In a coal power plant (fossil fuel power plant) chemical energy is released from coal and changed into electrical energy. During the process of changing coal into energy the coal is burned and releases carbon dioxide and heat. The heat is used to power generators to give us power, but the carbon goes into our atmosphere and contributes to global warming. Refer to Equation 1 to see the chemical equation associated with this process. Research completed in the last fifty years has revealed that more of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is related to a rise in the world’s temperature. unknown, unknown. "Fossil Fuel Power Plant." __Fossil Fuel Power Plant- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 24 December 2007. Wikipedia. 5 Jan 2008 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_power#Environmental_impacts>.]//

//**Equation 1**// //**Fuel + Oxygen → Heat + Carbon dioxide + Water**//

//3. Describe the overall trends from 1972 to 1985 regarding the US's sources of electricity. - Coal is the main source used to generate power over the past 60 years. The usage of coal to generate power has increased from 0.2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 1950 to 2.0 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2005. Petroleum and natural gas started to increase as a power source in the 70’s growing in usage to 0.5 trillion kilowatt-hours. In 1988 petroleum and natural gas usage reached its lowest point at 0.35 trillion kilowatt-hours then began increasing again from 1989 until today.//

~ //Jennifer N.//

Comment 1:

You covered everything you need to cover, although it was 4 sentences. I think you did a great job telling about the differences between production of the sources at the beginning of the graph, and how they ended up at the end. I also think you should recieve credit for this. Great work!

//-Kat-//

Comment 2:

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: //Referring to Graph 1, there are four electricity sources in the US between 2000-2005. They are coal, petroleum/natural gas, nuclear electric power, and hydroelectric power. In 2000-2005, the sources of electricity was a good amount. There was an increase in coal from 1.9 trillion kilowatthours to about 2.1 trillion killowatthours. During the same period, petroleum/natural gas increased too from 0.6 trillion killowatthours to about 1.1 trillion killowatt hours. For hydroelectric power it stayed from 0.3 trillion killowatt hours to 0.3 trillion killowatt hours, but there was a slight decrease in 2001 to 0.2 trillion killowatt hours. Finally, nuclear electric power stayed the same amount from 0.7 trillion killowatt hours. Greater and greater amount of sources are used and there is a just a little decrease or it stayed the same. Overall there are no enormous decreases which is good. Coal is used the greatest in the US from 2000-2005. ~ Jennifer N.//

Comment 1: //Referring to Graph 1, there are four electricity sources in the US between 2000-2005. They are coal, petroleum/natural gas, nuclear electric power, and hydroelectric power. In 2000-2005, the sources of electricity was a good amount WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?. There was an increase in coal from 1.9 trillion kilowatthours to about 2.1 trillion killowatthours. During the same period, petroleum/natural gas increased too from 0.6 trillion killowatthours to about 1.1 trillion killowatt hours. For hydroelectric power it stayed from 0.3 trillion killowatt hours to 0.3 trillion killowatt hours IF IT STAYED THERE IS NO NEED TO REPEAT THE DATA, but there was a slight decrease in 2001 to 0.2 trillion killowatt hours. Finally, nuclear electric power stayed the same amount from 0.7 trillion killowatt hours. Greater and greater amount of sources are used and there is a just a little decrease or it stayed the same CONFUSING STATEMENT. Overall there are no enormous decreases which is good A DECREASE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE GOOD!. Coal is used the greatest in the US from 2000-2005 DATA.//

Comment 2:

Re-Entry:

//Referring to Graph 1, there are four electricity sources in the US between 2000-2005. They are coal, petroleum/natural gas, nuclear electric power, and hydroelectric power GOOD. In this same time period, the sources of electricity were enough to meet the demand of the nation HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?. There was an increase in coal from 1.9 trillion kilowatthours to about 2.1 trillion killowatthours. During the same period, petroleum/natural gas increased too from 0.6 trillion killowatthours to about 1.1 trillion killowatt hours. For hydroelectric power it stayed 0.3 trillion killowatt hours, but there was a slight decrease in 2001 to 0.2 trillion killowatt hours. Finally, nuclear electric power stayed the same amount from 0.7 trillion killowatt hours. Greater and greater amount of resources were used to generate electricity from 2000-2005.Overall the greatest increase in fuel usage was petroleum/natural gas. Coal usage was the greatest in the US from 2000-2005 according to the data. ~ jennifer n TERRIFIC JOB! -JT//

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: //Watt is the unit of power. The formula to calculate power is P=I*V. If a lamp with a 200 watt lightbulb burned for 24 hours straight it would use 4.8 kilowatt hours. 200 is multiplied by 24 because a 200 watt lightbulb burned for 24 hours straight. 200 times 24 equal 4,800. Next is to find how much kilowatt hours it used. 4,800 is divided by 1000 because kilowatt hours are 1000 watts (kilo=1000). 4,800 is the amount of watts it used. When it’s divided by 1000, it is measured in kilowatt hours. 4,800 is divided by 1000 which is 4.8 kilowatt hours. In conclusion, if a lamp with a 200 watt lightbulb burned for 24 hours straight it would use 4.8 kilowatt hours.// //~ Jennifer N.//

Comment 1: Jennifer, I think that did a great job. You explained everything thoroughly. I think that you could explain more about what a watt is. Also, the sentence where you said that 4,800 is the amount of watts it used, you should put this at the beginning after you write that 200 times 24 equals 4,800. In your 5th sentence you wrote equal instead of equals. Overall you did a wonderful job and i enjoyed reading your entry! Good Job!!!!!! -Rabiya S.

Comment 2: Jen, your blog is thoroughly written and I can understand it well, a thing you might want to change is saying the kilowatt hours instead of just the watts for the question about the light bulb. Also, make sure to look over your word usage and make sure it is all correct and proper. Other than that, good job! -David

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 class was interesting this trimester. It was the hardest class out of all my other classes such as math, history, language arts, Spanish, chorus and health/p.e. The circuits were challenging especially learning the series and parallel circuits. Recently, I have been working on circuit boards. It was difficult because you have to find the right hole to place the wires, resistors, or capacitors. Finding the springs was easier. I thought it was interesting to make the circuit work such as a LED, or a “black box” circuit, and the Incredible Music Machine. I was proud of myself and my group when we made it work. I reviewed atomic structure and learned chemistry. There were many formulas I learned like I=V/R. It was similar to math, but with calculators. In electricity I learned what kilowatt hours were and formulas. I also learned how to draw schematics. Overall I enjoyed science class and I learned a lot of knowledge.// //- Jennifer N.//

Comment 1: Jennifer, you are a very funny and talented person. I definitely think that you learned a lot of knowledge this trimester in science! I really enjoyed working with you when we were building circuits because you are smart and great to work with. I think that you are great to work with because of your fun personality. Also, you have been an awesome friend. Keep up the good work!!! -Rabiya S. Comment 2:  Great job!! You are a very interesting cool person. I also think you have a funny personality. I really enjoyed reading your blog. I look forward to see you next year in more classes.

-Imraan

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: //A human being is real, sensitive, and has a mind of its own. Robots do tasks they are programmed to do. Humans use their brains to control themselves, while robots uses the programming and cannot manage themselves. On the website, a man said that humans will be robots. That would stink because then there would be a dimension that has creatures that aren't intellectual. Humans are more interesting than a robot, although robots are more productive/efficient. Robots that do human jobs shouldn't be created, because robots are still new to humans. They have been around for less than 50 years! If robots do labor for humans, something will go wrong. Also it is unnecessary to make robots similar to humans. Maybe they could be malfunctioned and do something incorrect so the human jobs and economy will lower. This is unpredictable, humans should do the work because they can control themselves to do their job while robots just help people somehow, like for instance, a robot can perform a manner easily with its skill and industry so that man can have less work. Once the robots have feelings, who knows what they are going to do? Are they going to get angry and attack??? Are they happy and will they stay happy? If they become smarter, they might figure a way to dominate the world because they are efficient and they are more durable and sturdy (maybe). Overall, robots are programmed machinery that __resembles__ humans and humans are more natural, has creativity, and can control their actions, feelings, and thoughts.// ~ //Jennifer N.//

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