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8/24/2007
//My response.// 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 (not war, guns, etc.) 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:// This article talks about the developments coming out of Specialised Imaging Ltd. One of their main innovations is the Trajectory Tracker. This system tracks projectile in the air with immense precision.The tracker can also track projectiles from 100 meters away, measuring fin deployment, motor burn time, pitch, yaw, and spin rate. This ties into what we did in class because we worked with moving projectiles. Though we didn’t measure as the projectile was moving, we measure the ending prospect. What we did in class and the Trajectory Tracker have both had to do with projectile motion and measuring projectiles.

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

//Comment 1: Richard, you did your citations and summary well. I would have ended the paragraphs less abrubtly (but that's English, not science). Also, in paragraph two, sentence three, I believe the wording would sound better as: "both have to do with" instead of: "have both had to do with". I think you could have elaborated a bit more on your summary because I would have been a little confused if I hadn't already known what you were talking about. You stayed in third person, you wrote the required amount of paragraphs, and your article was an excellent choice. Overall, good job! -Nicole :) Comment 2://

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//9/24/07//
//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 for this experiment. The hypothiesis was important for anylization and following the steps of the scientific methods helped. Writing the materials and methods helped the experiment run smoothly. The experimentation part was rather easy. Yet, the analysis took some thinking. There were several objects with similar densities and physical properties. This means that close inspection was needed to determine which object was which. Density is immensly important in finding the identity of and unknown substance. This is because objects can look exactly alike, yet they could be very different. Take for instance, different types of wood. Oak and willow can look extremly similar, yet, their densities would be different. People could mix this up.

//Comment 1://I like your overall paragraph. Maybe you could elaborate a little bit more on how the methods was needed for the experiment. I also like the way you described how the experimentation was easy, yet 'took some thinking'. I like your paragraph and the way you gave an example of how things can have the same physical properties, but be very different. I'd like to also maybe see a little bit more on how density is immensly important. Good job, only a few changes to make for next time. -Nikki

//Comment 2:// Richard, you misspelled analyzation, and scientific method is a singular, not a plural. There were one or two comma errors as well. You used great vocabulary, and you explained your three points with great detail. Overall, this is a superlative blog entry! -Joseph

10/16/2007
What is a flame test in your own words? How does this relate to the use of chemicals in fireworks? . //Entry:// A flame test is a procedure where a chemical or element is added onto a Nichrome wire. The wire would then be held for several moments onto a flame. When the chemical is applied to fire (and energy source), it may cause the flame to change colors. Scientists can then record the color and dive into further research. H

ydrochloric acid is used to clean off previous chemicals that were applied to the wire. This relates to the use of chemical in fireworks because in order to start a firework, one must light it up with fire. This means that the fire will then travel into the firework, make contact with the chemicals, and start to create sparks. A flame test can also help discover which chemicals or elements can be used in fireworks.

//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: When Sodium atoms make contact with Chlorine atoms, a vicious reaction is created. An ionic bond occurs, where each sodium atom gives up one electron to each chlorine actions. Thus, they are all oppositely charged, and they bond. The result is NaCl, or table salt.

Comment 1: Good Entry, but you need more explanation for why they formed an ionic bond. You also misspelled electrons in the second sentence. you put actions. Elaborate more on why they form an ionic bond. Good Job overall I think you understood what happened with the electrons. I would give you a B because you did not include why they formed an ionic bond. Good Work! Marion B

Comment 2: You did a good job of explaining the basics of what is going on. You might need to into a little more detail next time to tell us why the reactions were created and why they stay together. You accidently called the chlorine atom a chlorine action. The length is a little short because it should be about 6-7 sentences and you only had 4. The writing its self was actually very good but it needs to be a little longer and more in depth and then you would have a great entry. I would give you an A- or B+. Good Entry! Connor D.

Revised Entry: When Sodium atoms make contact with Chlorine atoms, a vicious reaction is created. Because Chlorine is a non metal, and sodium is a metal, an ionic bond occurs, where each sodium atom gives up one electron to each chlorine actions. Thus, the Chlorine atom becomes negatively charged and sodium becomes positively charged. The vicious reaction happens while the electrons are being transfered from the elements. The result is NaCl, or table salt.

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

//Entry:// My most favorite project during this trimester was the chemical reactions. I liked this because the experiments were all fascinating and it was interesting to find out why that reaction happened. In science this trimester, I excelled in completing the activities. I could also improve by making sure I put in all of the content needed into all assignments.

//Comment 1:// Richard is one of the smartest people I know. I agree with him is saying that the chemical reactions are the best unit. Your grammar is wrong: your second word; most, should not be there. Other than that you are good as gold

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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:

This graph show the energy usage of different types of energy sources scaling from 1950 to 2005. The energy sources in this graph are coal, petroleum and natural gasses, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power. Coal is by far the leader in usage and has consistently show growth. Nuclear power seemed to have been recently discovered, and was not in use when this graph starts. Hydroelectric power is used considerably less often while petroleum is unpredictable.

Based on graph (1), Coal power has increased the most over from 1950 to 2005. In the course of those years, the amount of coal use has grown from 0.2 trillion kilowatt-hours, to 2.5 trillion kilowatt-hours. That’s more than 12 fold! This increase could be caused by the amount increasing of blooming businesses, which depend on coal for power. This increase is in direct contrast to how hydroelectric power is being used, where starting from around 1993, stays at a steady usage rate.

The main source that directly contributes to global warming fossil fuels. These include coal and petroleum. When coal and petroleum is burned, they emit carbon dioxide, which is a green house gas. Another way coal and oil effects the atmosphere is when people mine them, methane is released into the air, which is another green house gas. Based on the date from graph (1) though, the two most used energy sources are coal and petroleum, meaning America has some work to do. //J003411, T (2006). Causes. Retrieved January 6, 2008, from Global Warming Web site: http://library.thinkquest.org/J003411/index.htm//

Coal was yet again, the fastest increasing energy source. Petroleum acted totally different. Its use fluctuated up and down and by 1985, it had decreased by more than 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours. During this time period, hydroelectric power usage stabilized and did not show any significant growth or withdrawal. Most interestingly though, is that nuclear power begins to be decently used and seems to have proven that it is an effective energy source. After nuclear power is in use, it grows very fast, almost as fast as coal. This graph show how America is using its energy and by looking at this graph, people can realize changes that need to be made.

Comment 1: The content in the 3rd paragraph is good. You talk alot about the information in the table. It is a well written paragraph, there are no I's or You's. You did not however specificaly mention the graph. When you make revisions you will want to say "As seen above in Graph 1." Also, you will want to specificaly say the the dates for the data you are describing. Say "from 1972-1985". It is a good job! -Eric

Comment 2: I agree with Eric that the content in paragraph 3 is very good. Some bad things are that you did not say "graph 1" and show where it was coming from. You also could have said more about the changes of other energies. In your last sentence you should have said this graph SHOWS how America... Good job in recognizing the trends! -David

Comment 3: Pretty good job but it might be a better entry if you back up your statements with more data. As well, you did not specifically reference the graph. Elaborate. - JT//

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

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


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

Entry:

As seen in Graph (1), there were four main energy sources in the U.S. during the time period of 2000-2005. These sources consist of coal, petroleum, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power. Throughout this period, the U.S. continued to used more and more electricity, no what the source. Coal increased steadily from 2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2000 and rose to 2.5 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2005. Nuclear power was stable during 2000-2005, staying at a steady at 0.6 trillion kilowatt-hours. Petroleum and natural gas increased by 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours starting at 0.6 trillion kilowatt-hours to 0.9 trillion kilowatt hours. Just like nuclear power, hydroelectric power stayed basically the same, but it did have some fluctuation. It started at 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours, then decreased to 0.2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2001, then came back to 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours and stayed stable from thereon. Overall in this graph showed no decrease of use between 2000-2005, yet only the use of two energy sources showed significantly increased.

Comment 1: Good, you referenced the to the graph. You did not always reference to the graph but I could tell you were, since you said so in the beginning and the end. You could have compared the electricity sources slightly more to each other, but that is just my advice. Good words!. Overall, I cannot find many mistakes. Great Job. -Josh k

Comment 2:

Re-Entry:As seen in Graph (1), there were four main energy sources in the U.S. during the time period of 2000-2005. These sources consist of coal, petroleum, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power. Throughout this period, the U.S. continued to used more and more electricity, no what MATTER the source. Coal increased steadily from 2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2000 and rose to 2.5 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2005. Nuclear power was stable during 2000-2005, staying at a steady at 0.6 trillion kilowatt-hours. Also shown in graph (1), Petroleum and natural gas increased by 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours starting at 0.6 trillion kilowatt-hours to 0.9 trillion kilowatt hours. Just like nuclear power, hydroelectric power stayed basically the same, but it did have some fluctuation. It started at 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours, then decreased to 0.2 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2001, then came back to 0.3 trillion kilowatt-hours and stayed stable from thereon. Overall, graph (1) showed no decrease of use between 2000-2005, yet only the use of two energy sources showed significantly increased WORDING. NICE 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: A watt a measure of electrical power. In order to calculate the amount of kilowatt-hours used over a certain period of time, one must use the equation of Watts = Volatge x Current. Since the light bulb is 200 watts and it burned for 24 hours, 200 x 24 = 4800 watt-hours. This is the answer, but in watt-hours. Since 1 kilowatt-hour is equal to 1000 watts, one can multiply 4800 by 1000. The result is 4.8 kilowatt-hours. -Richard Comment 1:The blog is very accurate, but could use more explaining. //Aaron Rushin.//

Comment 2: Richard great work. Everything was spot on. A little bit more information would be great but already a great blog entry. Your calculation was great too. Overall great work.-Eric M

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 did a variety of activities and learned a lot. My favorite activity was the circuit building experiment. In this experiment, I was able to choose what circuit I would like to build, build the circuit using an assortment of electronic devices, create a wiki including information about the circuit, and take pictures and videos of the circuit. There were also some things that were hard for me. Mainly, the chemistry quiz. In this quiz, I was asked to fill out the chemical symbol, the name, or the family of 30 different elements on the periodic table. This used up lots of study time. Some things I could improve upon are spending less time on science homework and working quickly during class. I believe that be more efficient next trimester. Overall, this was a very informing and fun trimester at cascience7.

Comment 1: Richard, you were a good classmate and friend in science. You always knew the answer to almost everything that I didn’t know. You always stayed focused, but you also branched out and had some fun also. You always know what words to say and what to do, and that is pretty cool. You always have to get good grades, but you relaxed a little in here. I really liked you in class, and I can’t wait to see you next trimester. -josh

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: Even if robots had the ability to reason, be self-aware, and have feelings, they would still be different from humans. First of all, robot would be made of non-human material such as metal. Humans on the other hand are made of living muscles, organs, etc. Humans have thinking power, while robots just do physical work. Robots also don't require food, have blood, or get sick. In many ways, this shows the defects of humans. Really, there is nothing wrong with having robots. They only require electricity and they really don't make many mistakes. They can do many physical activities that humans can never do. Yet, it would be pointless to give robots the ability to reason, be self-aware, and have feelings. There is no gain in society for having that.

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