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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:// Paint ball is a like Capture the Flag, or a mini-battle, except with paint balls the size of gum balls flying 280 feet per second straight at you. There are also obstacles like swamps, streams, barricades; it depends on the geography of your game area. Roughly 10.4 million played paint ball in 2005. Many people say that it is a great way to relieve stress and lets off steam. Even so, paint ball sold $330 million worth equipment in 2005. The speed of the paint balls may go very fast, but their size is very big, slowing down the bullet. Also the paint ball, acting as a bullet is not very strong because they burst on contact. Even though the bullet could move very fast, it doesn’t spin, and if it did, it could go faster. Also, paint balls shouldn’t go 280 feet per second, because it hurts to much on contact, and it is a bit too fast

"Adrenaline has millions rushing to play paint ball. ." __www.newstimeslive.com__. 24/August/2007. News-Times Media. 27 Aug 2007 [|http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1186569725&amp;source=tabbox.]

//Comment 1:You did write in third person which is good. You also didn't write how this relates to what we are learning. Your writing was very smooth and easy to understand. Overall you did a pretty well job- Neal P//

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 needed to do this experiment, and without it, the experiments and data collected would be wrong. First the problem was stated, then the hypothesis was made, next the data was collected, and finally the experiments were conducted. Then data was gathered from the experiment, and a conclusion was made. These were the steps for the scientific method, and for the cube experiment. The cube experiment was very hard, because first the hypothesis we made, then data, then experiments, then more data, and then the conclusion. For the data, the citations were hard to make over and over, and then it had to be done again for more things. The density was hard to find, but that was the most important thing to find. The density was the one thing that we could compare the cube densities we had to the ones on the list.

//Comment 1:// Good job Sahil! This is one long well written paragraph that focuses on the topic and answers all the questions of the prompt states. However there were many spelling mistakes, so you need to take a little more time rechecking your work.

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:// A flame test is used to visually determine the identity of an unknown element. To peform a flame test you need a clean wire loop. Platinum or copper are common to use. Now you must sterilize the wire by putting it in hydrochloric or nitric acid. Now make sure the loop is clean by putting it on a flame. If a different color come into visual, it is not sterile. When sterile, put loop in a the chemical you want to test. Then take the loop and put it in the flame. A color should apear. This is how fireworks are made. The fireworks have this element in it, and when you light it, it erupts in flame in different colors, depending on the firework.

Citation: "Trail by Fire." __Qualitative Analysis - Chemistry Flame Tests__. About.Com:Chemistry. 17 Oct 2007 http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa110401a.htm.

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 the Sodium is dropped into the beaker of Chlorine gas, the Sodium has a chemical reaction with the Chlorine. What is happening to the atoms is that the Sodium does an ionic bond with the Chlorine, because the Sodium has 1 electron in it's outer energy level, and the Chlorine atom is missing one electron from having the energy level be completed. This makes the Sodium atoms positive, and the Chlorine negative. The ionic bond makes the compound NaCl (Sodium Chloride). This is commonly known as salt.

//Comment 1: You did a pretty good job, but i think you should have elaborated some more. You were good at the explanation of the reaction, and you sounded like you understood the material and products from the experiments.// Great overall!! I give it an A-. Griffin S.

//**Revised Entry:**// When the Sodium is dropped into the beaker of Chlorine gas, the Sodium has a chemical reaction with the Chlorine. Upon this contact, the Sodium violently reacts with the Chlorine. What is happening to the atoms is that the Sodium does an ionic bond with the Chlorine, because the Sodium has 1 electron in it's outer energy level, and the Chlorine atom is missing one electron from having the energy level be completed. When these atoms form the ionic bond the Sodium atoms become positive, and the Chlorine become negative. The ionic bond makes the compound NaCl (Sodium Chloride). This is commonly known as 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: My favorite experiment was the Chemical or Physical Reactions Experiments. We got to see all these cool experiments, and learn how certain things happen. Then there was the snakes. The snakes are probably the best part of science class every day. I used to be afraid of snakes because I had a bad experience with them when I was 7. Ever since then, I try to avoid them. Now, with the snakes every day, I feel better about snakes. What I excelled the most this trimester was my knowledge of the Periodic Table. I learned a lot about the Periodic Table itself, and what the elements are used for in daily life. Then I also learned about the different symbols for each element, and about the element itself. I could have improved more this trimester by paying more attention in class, and then studying more for all the tests.

Comment 1: Sahil, you are very kind and funny. Even if you aren't sure what to do, you are always smiling and cheerful. You also are good with the labs and experiments. You always seem to know what you are doing. you are a great friend. -Jackson

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: What I do know about electricity is .... nothing. Only that outlets have electricity in them. I would like to have the following answer: Does electricity have atoms?, How does electricity travel through a light bulb, and make light come out?, Is light, electricity?. I would like to investigate electronics if anything. It would be cool to know how you TV or something works when you are using it. It would help me understand the world of electronic better if we did research or investigated electronics.



1/3/2008
[|This graph can also be seen at this LINK.]
 * 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.

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 kilowatt hours to 0.5 kilowatt hours.

Entry:** 1.) The one electricity source that has increased the most would be Coal, as shown in Graph 1 (the graph above). In 1995, Coal was at 0.5, when Petroleum and Natural Gas and Hydroelectric Power were are 0.2. Then, at 1980, Coal was at 1.0, when Petroleum and Natural Gas were at 0.5, Hydroelectric Power was at 0.25, and Nuclear Electric Power at 0.25. Finally, in 2005, Coal was at 2.0, Petroleum and Natural Gas were at 0.75, Hydroelectric Power was at 0.25, and Nuclear Electric Power at 0.75. This proves that Coal increased the most as an electricity source.

2.) There are two sources that contribute to Global Warming. There is Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Nuclear Electric Power. Petroleum and Natural Gases release carbon dioxide, which is the main gas contributing to Global Warming. Petroleum releases 75% carbon dioxide, and carbon dioxide is one of the Natural Gases. Then there is Nuclear Electric Power. Nuclear Electric Power releases 20% carbon dioxide, which helps global warming a little.

3.) The overall trends from 1972 to 1985 regarding our sources of electricity are very different from each other. First, there is Coal, which is starting at 0.75 and climbing, but then it pauses for 2 years, and then back up, and then it pauses for 1 year, repeating the pattern 3 times to 1985 at 1.5. Now there is Petroleum and Natural Gas, starting at its peak at 0.6. It starts to fall down to 0.5, and then back up to 0.6 in 1978. Then there is a dramatic plunge to 0.35, and slightly lowering to 1985. Next is Nuclear Electric Power beginning at 0.2. It grows to 0.4 in 1977, and then stays straight to 1883, and from then, it grows to 0.5 at 1885. Last is Hydroelectric Power beginning at 0.45. First the Hydroelectric Power has a small increase to 0.47 in 1975, and then it dips back down to 0.45 in 1977. Now the Hydroelectric Power grows to its peak in 1984 at 0.48, and lowers to 0.47 in 1985.


 * Comment 1:

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.
 * [[image:Electricity_Sources_Over_Time.jpg width="776" height="293" caption="Electricity_Sources_Over_Time.jpg"]]

"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: The overall trends from 2000 to 200 regarding our sources of electricity are very different from 1972 to 1985. First off is Coal, which is starting out with 2.0 trillion kilowatthours in 2000, which is close to it's peak. The Coal then lowers slightly to 1.95 trillion kilowatthours in 2001, but Coal recovers from that and climbs to it's peak, 2.05 trillion kilowatthours in 2005. Next up is Nuclear Electric Power, starting off with 0.8 trillion kilowatthours in 2000. It climbs slightly to its peak in 2002 at 0.88, and then maintains the peak, wavering little here and there, ending with 0.88 trillion kilowatthours in 2005. Now comes Petroleum and Natural Gases in 2000 starting right under Nuclear Electric Power at 0.79 trillion kilowatthours. Petroleum and Natural Gases has a steady growth, and then a pause in 2003, but continues up ending with 1.0 trillion kilowatthours in 2005. That's more than Nuclear Electric Power! Last is Hydroelectric Power, starting at 1.0 trillion kilowatthours in 2000, following with a plunge in 2001 lowering down to 0.95 trillion kilowatthours, but Hydroelectric Power recovers back in 2002, and then stays up to 2005. This data proves that overall trends from 2000 to 200 regarding our sources of electricity are very different from 1972 to 1985.

Comment 1: Overall, you made a great paragraph. One thing you could have done better is look over your paragraph after you finish because twice you put "2000 to 200" instead of 2000 to 2005. Also you should have referenced the graph. You started talking about trends, but did not say where you saw all of it. The rest of the paragraph was really good though. You made good points and your trends were true. Overall, great paragraph!

Comment 2:

Re-Entry: The overall trends from 2000 to 2005 regarding our sources of electricity are very different from 1972 to 1985. First off is Coal, which is starting out with 2.0 trillion kilowatthours in 2000, which is close to it's peak (as you can see in Graph 1). The Coal then lowers slightly to 1.95 trillion kilowatthours in 2001, but Coal recovers from that and climbs to it's peak, 2.05 trillion kilowatthours in 2005. Next up SW is Nuclear Electric Power, starting off with 0.8 trillion kilowatthours in 2000. It climbs slightly to its peak in 2002 at 0.88 UNITS, and then maintains the peak, wavering little here and there SPECIFIC, ending with 0.88 trillion kilowatthours in 2005 (as shown in Graph 1). Now comes Petroleum and Natural Gases in 2000 starting right under Nuclear Electric Power at 0.79 trillion kilowatthours. Petroleum and Natural Gases has a steady growth, and then a pause in 2003, but continues up ending with 1.0 trillion kilowatthours in 2005. That's more thanSP Nuclear Electric Power! Last is Hydroelectric Power, starting at 1.0 trillion kilowatthours in 2000, following with a plunge in 2001 lowering down to 0.95 trillion kilowatthours, but Hydroelectric Power recovers back in 2002, and then stays up to 2005. This data proves that overall trends from 2000 to 2005 regarding our sources of electricity are very different from 1972 to 1985. (All this data was collected from Graph 1, and Graph 1 can be seen at anytime, when needed.)**

Comment 1: PRETTY GOOD BUT WORK ON YOUR TRANSITIONS FROM SENTENCE TO SENTENCE. ALSO PROOF YOUR WORK. -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: A watt is the measure of electrical power. You find out what a watt is by multiplying voltage by current. Well, the lamp would use 4.8 kilowatt hours, and the way I found this was be first multiplying 200 by 24. (Because you have the watts, and you need to see how many watts was used first.) Then I divided the answer by 1000, because a 1 kilowatt hours is 1000 watts. The final answer I then got was 4.8 kilowatts.

Comment 1: Nice work on this blog! You did a very good job of finding the amount of kilowatthours used by the bulb. However, your sentences were a little awkward. You should edit your papers before deciding to finish the entry. Good job! -Jackson

Comment 2: Overall, nice entry. Make sure you proof your work. Here are a few thoughts. Sahil, you need to make sure to write in third person. "Well, the lamp would use 4.8 kilowatt hours, and the way I found this was be first multiplying 200 by 24."- This statement needs re-phrasing as it is awkward."voltage by current" - perhaps include units. Please rephrase, "Then I divided the answer by 1000, because a 1 kilowatt hours is 1000 watts." - the whole class

Comment 3: Good job on this entry! You answered the prompt thorougly, but there are a few things you could improve upon. Don't forget to write in third person. Also, it would be good to improve on some of the grammar. In the third sentence, you could improve the wording by removing the word "well" at the beginning, and changing "be" to "by". You could also improve on the second to last sentence by removing "a" and changing "hours" to "hour". By changing a few grammatically errors, you could dramatically improve your entry. Overall, good job answering the prompt and finding kilowatt hours. -Elizabeth

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: I've enjoyed many things here in this trimester, like expirements. I enjoy exploring where none have gone before, and see the resluts, whether good or bad. The memorizing the different things have been hard for me, as it has been for my whole life. (It's no fun!) If I could improve on my memorizing skills, science (and other clases) would go along smoother than before. During my time here, I've noticed the snakes grow a lot, from the couple inches, to more than 1 foot! Overall, this trimester has been better than the 1 before, so it was good!

Comment 1: Sahil,

This trimester has been fun. You have been able to help me when I was confused and you can always make me laugh. It has been great working together on various assignments and I look forward to next trimester.

-Adam

Comment 2:

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: Well, humans are different from robots, because to be human, you must: reproduce, give food, have animal instincts, and have organs or substance inside of you allowing you to live. Plus, robots have been created by humans, and robots can be altered, while humans cannot be altered instantaneously. We should never make robots that are smarter than us, only make to do the work we need done, or else they could develop their own society. Whenever I think about this, I always think about the movie, //I, Robot//, I think about what could happen to us humans, and this is exactly what we could do, and what could happen to us.

Comment 1:

Comment 2: