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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 Trajectory Tracker__ This article tells about a new camera called the Trajectory Tracker. camera can be used to track projectiles in flight so their flight can be analyzed and the projectiles can be perfected. The Trajectory Tracker can record projectiles from over 100 meters away in slow motion. The Trajectory Tracker is a good tool for tracking the flight of projectiles. The Trajectory Tracker relates to what we have learned in science this week because we learned about parabolas and what the motion of projectiles looks like. This camera tracks and records the flight of projectiles in slow motion so you can see what the projectile’s parabola is like and how far the projectile goes up vertically and how long it stays horizontally before it falls down to the ground. The Trajectory Tracker relates to Projectile Motion because is tracks projectiles and records their motion. "Current Headlines." __Photonics Online__. 8/21/2007. VertMarkets. 26 Aug 2007 Marion B

//Comment 1:// The writing is great. Perfect grammar and spelling. The info is informative and to the point. It uses vocab like parabola, projectile, and The only tough bit to understand was that parabola has nothing to do with anything you said about the Trajectory Tracker and that was a little confusing. This a great info source relating to Patrick :) Comment 2:

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 the density cube experiment in order to properly identify the material of each cube. Without using the scientific method you might forget to make your hypothesis about what you think the different materials are made out of. You also might forget to analyze the data and explain why you identified the cube as a certain material it would defeat the whole purpose of the experiment if you forgot to show how the research relates to why the material was chosen. This experiment was difficult because it was a challenge to find the densities of woods online. The man made materials could be found online but there were different types of oak and there were two different densities for the same material, and you couldn’t be sure which site is right. Density is key in finding what an object is made of because the mass and volume of an object change due to the size of the object. For example the mass and volume would not be the same for a cube the size of an elephant and a cube the size of a pea, but the density of the two object would stay the same because density is how tightly packed the particles in something are, even though there may be more particles in an elephant than a pea the particles will be packed together the same amount. It is easier to compare densities because they stay the same for a material no matter how much there is of it. This is why density is important in finding the material of an object. It is easier to compare densities because they stay the same for a material no matter how much there is of it.

//Comment 1:// You did an excellent job showing yout understanding for density by giving the elephant and pea example. One thing you could do a little bit better was to answer the questions very thoroughly and stay to the topic of the question. Your grammar and spelling were excellent, as I did not see any misspelled words. Since you chose to explain how density would not change, you could have related back to the experiment with the cubes. On the first question when you were explaining the scientific method, you might have explained other parts of the scientific method. Excellent work! -David //Commment 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:// A Flame test is used to visually find the identity of an unknown element or chemical. During a flame test the element or chemical is exposed to a flame and turns the flame a different color. Every element or chemical turns a different color so this method is accurate. This test relates to fireworks because the colors in a Firework are when a certain chemical or element is exposed to fire. When a firework is lit it shoots up into the air and explodes. The colored light that you see is the chemical in the firework changing the sparks that are created when the firework explodes a different color. Citations: 1. ?, ?. "How Firewoks Work." __Howstuffworks__. Tuesday, October 16, 2007. HowStuffWorks. 16 Oct 2007 <[|http://people.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm>.] 2.?, ?. "The Flame Test." __Flinn Scientific Inc, Manual__. ?. Flinn Scientific Inc, Manual. October 16, 2007 <[|http://www.soinc.org/events/forensics/flametest.pdf>.] - Marion

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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 the chemical reaction with sodium and chlorine gas an ionic bond is formed because sodium is a metal and chlorine gas is a non- metal. A metal and a non-metal always form ionic bonds. The heat from the reaction is caused by the energy released when sodium gives an electron to chlorine. The sodium now has a positive charge and the chlorine has a negative charge. The ionic bond forms the compound NaCl or table salt.

Comment 1: The length of your paragraph was ideal and you spelling was without error. Your understanding of bonding is very good. Your content was accurate and you provided a wide array of information. I like how you explained why certain events happened. One suggestion is that you could add some details about how the elements reacted to each other. Overall, I'd give you A. -Richard H.

Comment 2: Your paragraph was a good length and had good spelling. Your information was correct and relatively thorough. Maybe you could try giving a bit more explanation. For your overall paragraph, i would give you an A because you gave good information and feedback to the reader. -Nikki L Revised Draft When the sodium is dropped into the chlorine gas it creates a violent reaction in which the sodium catches on fire. In this chemical reaction with sodium and chlorine gas an ionic bond is formed because sodium is a metal and chlorine gas is a non- metal. A metal and a non-metal always form ionic bonds. The heat from the reaction is caused by the energy released when sodium gives an electron to chlorine. The sodium now has a positive charge and the chlorine has a negative charge. The ionic bond forms the compound NaCl or table salt.

11/08/2007
What was your favorite project, experiment or topic this trimester? (projectile motion, density cube experiment, podcasts, chemical reactions, flame tests) 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 project of the trimester was the podcast. It was fun to learn how to use audacity and think of a script. This was the most lenient project and we could be creative with what our project was about, we made a script about whatever element we wanted and tried to think of creative ways to explain which element we where doing without giving it away to the listener. I think I excelled at learning the symbols for the elements; I worked really hard on it, I also enjoyed the chemistry and learning how to draw atoms, and this made me do well in it. I could have improved my performance in science7 by reviewing what we learn in class every night so I do not forget it and will be ready for any quizzes without having to study really hard at the last moment. Marion B.

//Comment 1:// I think there needs to be a coman or semicolan after the 'symbols for the elements**,** I worked really hard on it**.** I also..' -Nikki L

Comment 2: I appreciate you in so many ways, Marion!!! You work so hard with everything that you do and you are never distracted by anything else. When ever I need help, you are always there to help me get back on track. When I get down about a grade from science, you never tell me your grade if it is better and you spend your time cheering me up. When we work together to do an experiment, you always ask me what my ideas are. I appreciate you Marion, more than you will ever know!!! -Alex M. _

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 t4ings 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: Graph 1 shows the change in how much different sources of energy are used from 1950- 2006. It records how many trillion kilowatt hours the sources of the US's energy (coal, natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric power) are used. For coal it shows that it's usage has steadily grown from 1950- 2005 and is the most used source of energy in the US at around 2 trillion kilowatt hours in 2005. Nuclear and Natural Gas are at around the same usage with Natural Gas just used around 1 trillion kilowatt hours more than Nuclear Energy. As seen in Graph 1 Natural Gases' usage fell around 1980 and then rose again in 1980 to steadily rise along side Nuclear Electric Power. As seen in Graph 1 hydro- electric power has been the least used and only came into Graph 1 in about 1957 and has maintained a usage of about 0.1 kilowatt hours.

1. Based on Graph 1 the energy source that's kilowatt hours have increased the greatest is coal. Coal has risen the greatest amount of all the energy sources from 1950 to 2006. Coal started at 0.2 kilowatt hours in 1950 and kept rising over the years. Coal has only experienced minor dips in usage and has steadily risen about 0.1 to 0.2 trillion kilowatt hours per year. In 2006 Coal was at its highest usage at 2 trillion kilowatt hours.

2. Of all the energy sources shown in Graph 1 Coal and Natural Gas/ Petroleum contribute the most to Global Warming. This is because Coal and Natural Gas/ Petroleum are burned to create energy. When they are burned to create energy CO2 is emitted into the air along with the energy. They are the most influential in Global Warming because based on Graph 1 Coal is the most used source of energy in the US. For Natural Gas and Petroleum it is a major source of energy because it is the fuel and source of energy in cars. Almost all American s own a car so when they drive it it emits CO2 which is the cause of Global Warming.

3. Based on Graph 1 each of the US's sources of electricity had different trends from 1972- 1985. The number of kilowatt hours coal was used as a source of energy increased by O.7 trillion kilowatt hours from 1972- 1985. Natural Gas and Petroleum was almost used as much as coal in 1972, but its usage started to dip from 1976- 1980 up through 1985 it stayed at a usage of around 0.5 trillion kilowatt hours. On the other hand nuclear electric power started to be used more it steadily increased from 0.1 trillion kilowatt hours in 1972 to about 0.3 trillion kilowatt hours in 1985. Hydro- electric energy was used about the same amount from 1972 to 1985, it was used about 0.2 trillion kilowatt hours throughout.

Citations "Why America's Energy Sources Matter." US in the World__. January 4, 2008. 4 Jan 2008 <[|http://www.gii-exchange.org/guide/energy/16A.shtml>.]

//Marion//

Comment 1: Your blog is superb! Your scientific writing style is excellent. You used third person and referred back to the graph. Also you gave the year(s) in which a certain trend took place which is outstanding. You also did well with following the blog prompt, including supporting your ideas with references from the graph. All of your thoughts on the data make sense. There are no grammar or spelling mistakes. - Adrienne

Comment 2: Marion, great job on your blog! You did a fantastic job keeping in third person and referring to the graph. You also did a perfect job referencing to the data. You backed up your statement with clear information and you answered the blog prompt exactly how you were supposed to. You gave all of the evidence and it all makes sense and they were correct. Overall you did everything correct and I don’t have anything that I think you could approve upon! GREAT JOB! - Sydney__

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: In Graph 1 the trends from 2000-2005 show that all four of the US major energy sources (coal, nuclear electric, natural gas, and hydro- electric energy) increased the amount they were used to produce energy. Coal started at 2 trillion kilowatt hours in 2000 and increased usage to 2.2 trillion kilowatt hours in 2005. Coal was the most used energy source and rose to meet the US demand for more energy. Nuclear Electric Power and Natural Gas/ Petroleum both began at being used about 0.6 trillion kilowatt hours in 2000, both continued to increase in usage, but then in 2003 Natural Gas/ Petroleum rose to 1 trillion kilowatt hours overtaking Nuclear Electric Power which stayed at around 0.8 trillion kilowatt hours through 2005. In 2005 Natural Gas/ Petroleum was used about 1.1 trillion kilowatt hours. Hydro- electric power fluctuated in 2001 at a usage of 0.1 trillion kilowatt hours but then rose to about 0.3 trillion kilowatt hours in 2002 and stayed at that usage through 2005. Graph 1's trends show that over all all of the energy sources rose to meet the US demand for power from 2000- 2005! - Marion Comment 1: Marion, your paragraph was good overall, and well written. Some of your wording needs to be cleared up in order for it to be easier for the reader. I would also suggest clearing up your thought in the conclusion sentence, it's not exactly clear which source you thought increased the most. Although, you did give good information, and told the reader your opinion, also adding information to back it up. You used third person, referred to the graph, and wrote enough for it to be a well written, informational paragraph. Excelent job Marion! -Nikki

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 light bulb 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 used to determine amounts of energy. Electrical companies use the kilo watt hour to calculate the amount of power used by a household and then to figure out how much money you owe the electrical company. You calculate the amount of electrical power in a circuit by using the equation P=I*V (power equals current times voltage). If a lamp with a 200 watt light bulb burned for 24 hours it would use the equation watt* hours= watt hrs/ 1000= kilowatt hour (the amount of watts times the hours it is used equals watt hours, this number divided by one hundred equals the amount of kilowatt hours). This problem looks like this, 200*24=4800 watt hours. This sum divided by 1000 gives you the amount of kilowatt hours that was used. So the solution to this problem is 4.8 kilowatt hours. The 200 watt light bulb burned for 24 hours straight and it used 4.8 kilowatt hours. -Marion

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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 I enjoyed learning a lot of different scientific material. We started the trimester learning about household chemicals, I enjoyed the lab with the pH probes. I never would have though there were so many strong acids or bases in an average house. I liked building circuits using the Radio shack Electronics Learning Lab it gave me a hands on approach to learning and I found my knowledge for electronics greatly increased. I learned all the parts of a circuit and what they added to the overall circuit as well as how to calculate the current, voltage, and resistance of a circuit using ohms law. The other formula i learned and used this trimester was to calculate power. I=V*R (power= voltage times resistance). The last highlight of the trimester was the addition of the snakes Diablo and Peppermint to the science classroom. Through them I was able to overcome part of my fear of snakes, I found that they are actually gentle creatures and I had the opportunity to hold them. Next trimester I need to come up with a more efficent way to study for science assessments so I can score higher on them. I had a wonderful time learning this trimester and expanding my scientific knowledge.

Comment 1: Marion, you have been such a great scientist this trimester! Your moral support is what always got me through a bad day of class. You really worked hard this trimester and it shows in all aspects, from your trouble shooting of the circuits, to your great test grades. I hope that you go far with this skill and that you realize that you are a superb person because you try your best and that is what matters the most! Thanks for being there for me always! -Alex

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