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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:// There was a NASA Spaceship launching on Wednesday, August 8th, 2007. The shuttle, known as “Endeavour”, was aimed into the night sky, with pieces of the International Space Station; as a reminder of those who were lost in the shuttle “challenger” two decades ago.

This launching, must be angled precisely into the air, or else it will land incorrectly, and in the wrong place. This is similar to what we have been talking about in class, because the angle of the launching is a big effect on the projectile itself. The object must have a certain parabola, while in the air. Similar to the “balloon game” we have been playing in class; the wind, air, velocity, and angle, all have big effects on this launching of the rocket.


 * Chang, Kenneth. "The New York Times." __Shuttle Endeavour__ . ||
 * || Thursday, August 9th, 2007. The New York Times. 26 ||
 * || Aug 2007 < [|http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70F17FA3E5C0C7A8CDDA10894DF404482>.] ||

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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://

In this experiment of finding the different identities and densities of different cubes, I find that the scientific method was necessary for the most part. For some of the cubes, the identities were obvious, therefore didn't nessecarily require the scientific method. However, there were some cubes, that were not so obvious in their identities. All the cubes obviously required being weighed on the scale, to find the mass. This experiment was easy, and difficult in different ways. Most all the cubes required individual research, and citations. Our group also had to make sure the information found, was accurate, but finding another website, with similar information. The basics of this experiment were easy though, (calculating mass, density, etc.) Finding the density of each cube is very important for finding its identity. If you found an extreme density of an object, you must make sure that makes sense with the cube you believe it belongs to.

//Comment 1:// Very good paragraph. It was one long paragraph and discussed all of the matters that the prompt stated. The only spelling mistake that I could find was necessarily on the second line. It used vocabulary that was understandable. Instead of weighing the cubes on the scale it should of been massing the cubes on the balance. Overall It was a very well written paragraph, good job! Ian H

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://

In my opinion, a flame test is an experiment you conduct to determine the identity of an unknown element. When certain elements are places into a flame, the flame will turn a different color,depending on what the elemen is. I believe this relates to chemicals in fireworks because in the firework,there are elements such as metals, that when combined with a flame, change colors. However, most fireworks shoot in the air, as elements do not when placed into a flame, so in a fireworkthere must be a different material that launches these elements that are on fire (which produces the color) into the sky.

//Citation:// "Qualititave Analysis-Flame Test." __About: Chemistry__. New York Times. 16 Oct 2007 <[|http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa110401a.htm>.]

//Comment 1://

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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:// In this simulation when the Sodium and Chlorine atoms come together, they join and emit different types of light. When the block of sodium is dropped into the chlorine, it becomes covered in flame, while still in the liquid. This is a chemical reaction that is exothermic. The effects of it are visible, and most likely the fire inside the liquid releases a heat from its beaker. This block of sodium is hard and grey. The chlorine, (liquid) is a green, neon colored toxic gas. These two atoms join together to form an ionic bond, and they have a violent reaction. While joining, the sodium atom loses one electron to the Chlorine atom. When the electrons are moving and transfering, this is what causes the reaction. The compound that is formed after it reacts, is a white hard clump (solid) thats forumla is NACl or Sodium Chloride. his is also reffered to as table salt. The result is held together by the electrical charges.

//Citation:// Anthony Carpi, Ph.D. "Chemical Bonding," //Visionlearning// Vol. CHE-1 (7), 2003. http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=55

//Comment 1: Jordan, you did a great job on explaining what happened in this experiment. You misspelled a few words, but your length is good. All of your content is good, and so is your wording. The only thing that I would have changed is your misspelled words. The overall grade that i would give you is an A+ for the hard work you put into this paragraph. Brittany W.

Comment 2: You did a very good job on describing the experiment, you explained everything pretty well. You have some words that aren't spelled correctly, like transferring, formula, and referred. Overall you did a great job, the grade i would give you for this would be an A because you had a lot of good information on the experiment. Neal P.

comment 3: Your description of the experiment was very clear, and you did a particularily good job of describing the reaction. However, you should work on your spelling. Also, you should revise your work. In one sentence, you said chlorine was a liquid and a gas. overall, this paragraph was very good. I would give it a A if I had to grade it. Jackson W.//

In this simulation when the Sodium and Chlorine atoms come together, they join and emit different types of light. When the block of sodium is dropped into the chlorine, it becomes covered in flame, while still in the liquid. This is a chemical reaction that is exothermic. The effects of it are visible, and most likely the fire inside the liquid releases a heat from its beaker. This block of sodium is hard and grey. The chlorine, (liquid) is a green, neon colored toxic gas. These two atoms join together to form an ionic bond, and they have a violent reaction. While joining, the sodium atom loses one electron to the Chlorine atom. When the electrons are moving and transferring, this is what causes the reaction. The compound that is formed after it reacts, is a white hard clump (solid) thats forumla is NACl or Sodium Chloride. his is also referred to as table salt. The result is held together by the electrical charges.
 * Revised Entry:**

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: This trimester, my favorite part was probably either the projectile motion unit, or doing the chemical reaction experiments. I like interactive projects, and I seem to do better when I can use my hands instead of just taking notes. I learn a lot easier this way. I think the addition of the snakes was interesting, but I am quite afraid of snakes so I don't want to hold them. I had some trouble this trimester in Science, but next trimester I am going to try and get more help whenever I need it. Also, I am going to ask my parents for help studying. Overall, this trimester was pretty fun in Science 7.

Comment 1: Jordan ha been very succesful this trimester. She pays attention in class and tries her hardesnt. Jordan is very cautious and careful when conducting experiments. Jordan keeps up with all of her work and she turns assignments in on time. She always makes sure that she understands the material and she is a very succesful and hard working student. Nice Job Jordan!

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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: These days, electricity is involved in our everyday lives. In our computers, in the lights of a room, in the temperature of the room, our alarm clocks in the morning, etc. I know that electricity uses heat, and friction. There are also uses of electricity that are solar powered. These use the energy of the sun to produce light, or energy to another source. Alot of people think they know everything about electricity, just because it is used everyday; but many people have no idea how electricity actually works. How does electricity actually work? Where does the energy come from? Does the size of needed energy effect how the electricity works? I think that electricity is a very interesting thing to study. I think this because we should know about things that we use in our everyday lives.

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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 kilowatthours.

Entry: As seen in Graph 1, there are four different sources that have been used for electricity. Graph 1 shows information from the year 1972, to the year 1985. The four sources include Petroleum and Natural gas, Nuclear Electric Power, Coal, and Hydroelectric Power. Coal is the electricity source that has increased the greatest in the US. There were times, such as in 1975 where the use of coal for electricity has gone down. However, just slightly, and it ended up increasing again a few years later. Throughout the 55 year period on the graph, there were a few “bumps” in consistent use of coal. However, now coal is the number one source of energy in the US.

The theory is that the Nuclear Power Plant and Coal directly contributes to our earth’s Global Warming. The Nuclear Power Plant uses the coal for power, and in 2002 about 40% of the US carbon dioxide emissions stem from the burning of fossil fuels. This is for the purpose of electricity generation. Coal accounts for 93% of the emissions from the electricity utility industry; Graph 1 shows that in the 13 year period, coal was the #1 use in the US. I feel since the Nuclear Power Plants are using the Coal, their unnatural force together leads to Global Warming. __**Citation**:__ "Causes of Global Warming." __Global Warming: The Causes__. 2004. EcoBridge. 4 Jan 2008 <[|http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_cse.htm>.] Graph 1 shows that from 1972 to 1985, Petroleum and Natural Gas went downhill in its use. Nuclear Electric Power went uphill in its amount of use as a source of electricity. Coal continued to increase its use steadily as the years went on. As Hydroelectric power stayed steady at the about the least used for sources of electricity, even though it was being used a little bit. In 1975, there was a slight drop in the amount of coal use, however it seemed to steadily bump back up to its original common use. Graph 1 shows that overall, there was quite a change between this 13 year period of time between the four different electricity sources.

Comment 1: Good job Jordan. You made the information nice and succinct. It was very easy to read. You wrote it in third person which is a plus for you, some of the other stuff about your writing wasn't excactly perfect though. You didn't refer to "Graph 1" and you didn't use any data, which could have been helpful. But you did a very good job at telling me excactly which way the electricity source went, (increaed, decreased, stayed the same) the only thing was, and I don't mean to be repetative but you didn't provide evidence (data). Overall though, I thought it was very informative!

Comment 2: Nice Job this is a really great entry. You wrote five sentences and you wrote in third person. Your blog is very clear and all your information is correct. You should have referred to the graph though so we know what you are specifically talking about. The only other thing is you might have wanted to add your own opinion about it. It seems like your just summarizing the data. Adding your own oppinion about it would make it even better. Otherwise great job - this is the epitome of a perfect blog entry!

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: There were quite a few changes in electricity production sources from 2000-2005, however these changes were suddle. There were four sources as shown in Graph 1. These sources were Coal, petroleum/natural gas, nuclear electric power, and hydroelectric power. An example of an increase in use would have to be of coal, in around 2001. Coal over the years has had a consistant, great amount of use, however there was a slight increase of use more than it had been used consistantly before. Graph 1 also shows that petroleum/natural gas took a high in use in around the year 2000. The demand for these four sources must have increased, due to the amount of use each one, especially coal. Overall, Graph 1 shows that coal is still "the leader" in amount of use in the US; atleast in the years 2000-2005.

Comment 1: Jordan this was an excellent entry. All your data is clear and you elaborate when you need to. You constantly refer back to "Graph 1" and you keep reminding the reader the time period (2000-2005). One thing you could improve on is using more data. You rarely use units like kilowatthours to thoroughly explain what your talking about. Other than that small detail nice entry!

Comment 2:

Re-Entry: There were quite a few changes in electricity production sources from 2000-2005, however these changes were suddle SP. There were four sources as shown in Graph 1. These sources were Coal, petroleum/natural gas, nuclear electric power, and hydroelectric power. An example of an increase in use would have to be of coal, in around 2001. Coal over the years has had a consistantSP, great amount of use, however there was a slight increase of use more than it had been used consistantlySP before HARD TO UNDERSTAND. Graph 1 also shows that petroleum/natural gas took a high in use AWKWARD in around the year 2000. Graph 1 shows that in 2005, coal reached about 1.9 killowatt-hours of use, as also in 2005, Nuclear electric power reached about 0.6 killowatt-hours of use. The demand for these four sources must have increased, due to the amount of use each one, especially coal. Overall, Graph 1 shows that coal is still "the leader" in amount of use in the US; atleastCHECK in the years 2000-2005. PRETTY GOOD BUT PROOFREAD YOUR WORK AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR SCIENTIFIC WRITING. - 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 what power is commonly measured in. P=IxV; power= current times voltage. There is 1,000 watts in a kilowatthour, so you would do 200watts times 24 hours to find the total watt usage. After, you divide that answer by 1,000 because there is 1,000watts in a kilowatthour. That would be the amount of Kilowatthours you used while leaving the light bulb burning for 24 hours. Your answer would be about 4.8 kilowatthours.

Comment 1: Jordan excellent blog entry. All questions were answered thoroughly. You used a great vocabulary to explain your thoughts, and therefore your writing was clear. You might want to go over you writing and proofread a few times. Overall good job!!

Comment 2: Great entry pal. I would change how you said "you" in your second sentence. You answered the questions well and wrote enough sentences.You have some capitalization mistakes. Overall its an amazing entry!

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: This trimester was my favorite trimester in Science. I had a lot of fun, and going over things more than once made it easier for me to understand. Our main focus was electricity and electronics. We built circuits, drew schematics, learned the symbols for each character we had to draw in the schematics, and we even worked with a breadboard! We worked on using Ohm’s law to solve equations, and I became a lot more familiar with having to complete this. I tried very hard this trimester, however my grade does not reflect on this. I studied for tests, and took notes in class when we were covering a topic we haven’t before. However, my goal for next trimester is to study more in advance than I have been. I feel this will help me with my test average overall; which will bring up my grade. I look forward to achieving this goal, and having fun in science next trimester.

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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: After looking at the //Tech Museum: Robotics// page, I have formed many opinions about robots and humans. If in the future, machines have the ability to develop human-like qualities; I think that a human is a human because they have specific qualities. Humans have hearts, brains, and true emotions/feelings. Humans are also created differently than robots- humans are created by humans; robots are not created by robots. I think that robots are robots because they are creations by humans, and they are designed to be something specific; whether it be to have human-like qualities, or to serve someone, etc. Robots may have the decision-making ability one day, but they won't truly have that ability because a human has to originally program the robot's feelings. I think any kind of robot should be able to be created, because if a mistake is made, the creator will learn from that mistake.

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