Weather Memes

current event: a new planet in sight!

On September 12, 2011 European astronomers found an Earth-like planet in a far away constellation called Vela.  The planet is known as "HD 88512b" and is 3.6 times bigger than earth.  In fact from earth it would take 36 light years to get to that planet or 242 trillion miles.  It circulates around its star at the distance of 1/4 of how long we circulate our star making a full year in this planet, 58 days.  When the planet is near the star it is in the  star's habitable zone.  Since it has a habitable zone it is possible that this planet is rocky and has an atmosphere.  However, with all this information, researchers still cannot confirm if there is any sign of life on the planet. Neither humans or their powered robots could find out any more about this planet.  But yet astronomers were able to find a lot more about Vela.  Vela is part of 50 new Exoplanets.  Exoplanets are planets that revolve around a star like Earth.  In addition, reseachers were able to conclude that more than 16 other exoplanet has a mass that is 10 times lower than ours.  They were able to find out this by using a Harps( High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher).  With this device people are able to find the speed a planet revolves around a star and the power of the atmosphere.  There are still mysteries about "Hd 88512b" and Vela but astronomer and researchers are trying their best to solve there mysteries.     

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/index.html
By: Whiteknight83 

Current Event: The Jets of the Future

The Jets of the Future:  






  Technology and science in the world is always changing.  Everyday, mysteries are being solved and new  inventions are begin made that will help improve our lifestyle.  From microwaves to cars, everything in the world could be improved so that the product could be used in a more efficient way.  One of the big products that need to be changed is the planes and jets people use to fly others to be transported with.  Lately, NASA has been working on prototypes of Jets that will help improve our society.  The main goals of these new planes is to to fly cleaner, and quieter, while using less fuel

BOX WING JET, LOCKHEED MARTIN

Target Date: 2025

One of our problems in the world are that planes are using too much gas with each trip to their destination.  This has caused a lot of pollution and greenhouse effect in our world.  However, the Box-Wing Jet has a solution to this problem.  This plane uses 16% less fuel therefore it is reducing the pollution in the atmosphere.  In addition, it's wing span is increased therefore, the planes motor will make less noise as it is taking off and in the air.  In addition, these bigger wings allows the jet to move more stiffer which makes it a less bumpy and more smoother ride on the plane for everyone. My opinion on this jet is that it is an excellent idea.   I believe with a more better structure and more efficient fuel input the plane will be polluting less and also will be able to make less noise.

 

SUPERSONIC GREEN MACHINE, LOCKHEED MARTIN

Target Date: 2030

This plane specialized in using the supersonic waves in the air to make a plane that does not require any form of gas!! This plane will save a lot of pollution in the Earth's atmosphere.  This plane uses 70% of the nitrogen in the air and converts it into fuel for the plane to use.  This is an amazing idea because it means people will be saving a lot money from gas.  The plane uses the air pressure in the plane to also move the plane.  If believe this idea is also amazing because it requires no gas which saves the earth.  I like this idea a lot because the plane is powered naturally.

SUGAR VOLT, BOEING

Target Date: 2035

The last jet one this list also focus on keeping the air cleaner.  This plane turns off all the gases engines and powers the plane by electricity.  Once take off is complete the only source keeping this plane running is electricity.  This jet contains battery packs which could hours before running out of energy.  In addition, this plane has a new wing design. "By making the wing thinner and the span greater, you can produce more lift with less drag,” says Marty Bradley, Boeing’s principal investigator on the project. These wings would help pilots control the plane more easily.  With all the components in the plane this plane saves 60% less carbon dioxide and 80% less nitrogen.  However, I don't fully agree with this idea.  I believe this plane will not have enough power to take off into the air.  In addition, I do not think the plane could be fully run by electricity.  There are still more improvements to make this plane successful.

All these planes seem like a good idea however, as science improve, more information  on how to make planes better will reveal.  However, this is a significant start to make the Earth healthier.  


Source for article and pictures: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-04/jets-future

Current Event 2: Pink Slime

Recently, all around America, there has been an outbreak with the new "Pink Slime" which is suppose to be "lean finely textured beef".   This article is about how Beef Product Inc., has created an unusual new type of beef, which people refer it as "pink slime".  The pink slime is made of regular beef mixed with ammonia, a chemical that cleans bacteria from what it comes in contact with.   The pink slime has been shared around school districts and parent had enough of the disgusting food that their children must eat.  What made this go into the news is that people are disgust and horrified at what others are eating.  People do not want children, friends or anyone eating this "pink slime" therefore, it is a time to stop it.  The pink slime was created in North Dakota, and it must be stop there as well.  This outbreak, has happen for about a month, therefore, people are finally saying something about it.  No one should eat this pink slime therefore it should be banned.  Finally, this happened because the Beef Product Inc. has created a weird beef that no one wants to eat.  People around the country are trying to stop this development of beef before it come out of hand.

   What I think of this situation is that this horrifying development should end immediate!  No one should be eating pink slime because that is just plain disgusting.  Beef Product Inc. should be ashamed that they created such horrible product.  I mean who wants to eat beef with ammonia inside of it.  I am disappointed the Beef Product Inc. would go in such the wrong direction just to make their meat more popular.  If I was in Beef Product Inc. shoes i would recall all the beef immediately before anyone gets sick.  I don't want to deal with others complains therefore, it would just be easier to bring back all the meat.  I hope the beef incorporation learned from their mistake because they truly made others very unhappy.

Source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com
http://blog.friendseat.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Ground-Beef-Pink-Slime.jpg
gossiponthis.com

Lab Report: States of Matter

Matter is a key component in science therefore it is important that all scientist understand this aspect.  In class we have been doing multiple labs to demonstrate and understand how each matter responds to another.  To understand how matter works, we first need to know what matter is.  Everything in the world is matter.  Cars, water, smoke, toys, juice, televisions, pencil.....everything is matter.  Therefore are four types of matter, solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. 

Solids

First, is solid.  Solids are structures that have a definite shape and volume.  For example, metal, paper, and door knobs are all solids.  In a solid, the particles are closely packed therefore each molecules have no space to move.  Each particle has no space to move therefore the structure is stiff and able to endure breakage.  Lastly, in solids, some are made of a special material called, amorphous crystals.  These solids are clear and are shaped as crystals.  Solids, overall, are well developed structures that are able to endure others because their molecules are closely packs.

Particles in a solid

Liquids

 Next are liquids.  Liquids are substances that have a definite volume but not a definite shape.  For instance, water, juice, and lemonade are all examples of liquids.  In a liquid, particles have more space to move but they are still containing inside an area.  In liquids, there is also a viscosity effect.  This is where there is resistance to the flow of the water.  When there is open space around, water spread out and flow into those areas.  However, viscosity prevents this from happening.

Liquid Molecules

Gas

The next matter is gas.  Gases have no definite volume or shape.  For example, steam, smoke, and carbon dioxide are examples of matter.  In a gas, the particles are much more spread out and have more room to spread out.  When there is open space, gases will spread out and go into those areas.

Gas molecules

Plasma

The last and least common matter to be found on earth is plasma.  Plasma is an high energy type of matter that contain electrons.  With the electrons, plasma becomes an extremely dangerous type of matter that should not be played with.  Plasma has no definite shape or volume.  An example of plasma is lightning.  Lighting is highly dangerous and powerful because it contains electrons from the plasma.   

Order of Matter

Chemical Change

Next, in matter there are specific changes, chemical and physical changes.  Each of these action, happen differently, at different times and speeds.  Firstly, chemical changes are when matter is changed into a new substance.  To perform chemical change you could make an item rust, burn, boil, or explode.  In chemical changes, the interior is mostly changed.  For example, fireworks exploding are an example of chemical change.   The matter inside a firework is ignited from another matter substance which makes the firework to explode.  Another example of chemical change is boiling water.  The water is heated by fire therefore; two types of matter combine to create a new substance. 

Example of chemical change

Physical Change

The other type of matter change is physical change.  Physical change occurs in matter when the form or appearance of a matter is altered but yet its composition and substance does not change.  An example of physical change is ice melting.  The ice is adapted into the new atmosphere which makes it melt.  The form of the structure has changed into a liquid but the substance (in this case water) has not.  Another example of physical change is grinding Goldfishes.  When grinding, you break the food apart but the substance within the matter is still the same.  The goldfish crackers are still cracker they are just more broken up.  Physical and chemical changes happen in our body every day.  For example, in the digestive system, our mouth breaks down food using our teeth which is physical change.  Than the saliva breaks down the food into more which is the chemical change. 

Now that we know the types of matter and changes, we could understand how the lab affected the matter. 

Labs

                The first lab we did was burning a small candle.  We lighted a candle and took notes on how the fire affected the candle.  At first, the candle was rough, thin, and green but once it was burned, it had changed.  The candle was now black and smelled like ashes.  The candle had shrunk but it was still able to keep its cylinder shape.  With this lab we were able to learn how chemical change affected the candle.  We were able to understand firstly, that chemical change takes time to react.   The candle went into a stage of combustion or it was melting.  The particles inside the candle were moving faster therefore, the wax of the candle began to melt.  With this lab we were able to see chemical change in a slow reaction so that we could see the different changes in matter.  This lab was like melting ice cream.  When eating ice, it melts which what happened to the candle. 

Candle burning

                The second lab we did was burning a candle but taking it out with gas.  We burnt a bigger candle but instead of letting it burn, we took out the fire with a gas.  While the fire was burning we put carbon dioxide on it which took it out.  The fire was token out because the fire had no air to breathe to keep burning.  Fire needed air to breathe but when carbon dioxide takes over, no air is free to be taken in, therefore the fire was stopped.  From this lab we were able to learn that when two matter mix, anything could happen.  In this case one matter over took the other matter substance. 

                The third lab we did was roasting marshmallow.  As delicious as the lab was, I was able to learn a lot from it.  We burnt s a side of the marshmallow to see the chemical change within sugar.  We noticed that burnt sugar became very dark brown and that it tasted very bitter.  From this lab we were to figure out that the molecules in the burnt area spread out but were still able to keep its solid form.  We also experiment with the small marshmallow.  We tear it in half therefore doing a physical change.   We learned that even though the shape of the marshmallow changed the substance within was still the same.  With this lab we were able to adapt to the world and figure out that it is easier to see a physical change than a chemical change. 

Roasting Marshmallow

                Our last lab was burning sugar cubes.  First we broke up the cube which was a physical change because we changed the structure but not the substance within the sugar.  We putted the crushed sugar into a cup of water where the water was still visible. We tasted the water and the water was still sweet.  We know that the sugar particles are still in the water because we could see the particles swirling around the cup in circles.    Lastly, we burnt the sugar which was a chemical change.  The sugar became black and burnt.  From this lab, we were able to take away, that there is a huge difference between physical and chemical change. 

Sugar cubes

Conclusion:

                Proven from all these labs, matter and changes are very important.   Firstly, without matter, nothing in the world (and science) would make sense.  Matter is a key essential in the world and we could not live without it proven within the labs.  I had a lot of fun in the lab and wish to do more experiments. 

-Whiteknight83

Sources: 

http://psdho.me/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burning-candle-with-fire-psd-full.jpg- burning candle

http://www.jellymuffin.com/layouts/Cartoon_Characters/Snoopy_and_Woodstock/thumb.jpg- Roasting marshmallow

http://s1222.mtchs.org/WOTP/images/states.gif- state of matter 

http://summitsips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sugar-cubes-300x225.jpg- sugar cube

http://www.ric.edu/faculty/ptiskus/chemical/index_files/fireworks.jpg-chemical change

https://thescienceclassroom.wikispaces.com/file/view/gas_molecules.jpg/226949998/gas_molecules.jpg- gas molecules

Separating Mixtures Lab

   In class we were able to separate items from a cup.  The materials that were given to use were a spoon, a graduated beaker and cylinder, a magnet, on piece of filter paper, a pipette, and a heat plate.  The items that were in the cup were: 2 red toothpicks, iron, beans, water, salt, sand, and a clear pebble.  Here is a step-by-step guide to tell you how to remove the items from the cup.

1) Examine the cup to see where each item is in the cup.  

2) With your hands, reach into the cup and take out the two toothpicks.  Put them down on the tray to dry.

This should be an easy step because the toothpicks are very visible.  In addition, the sticks are very tall so they are above the water therefore they should be even easier to reach.  

3) Pick up the magnet and put it into the cup. Wait a few seconds for the iron which is in the water, to attract to the magnet.  After a few seconds, pick up the magnet and the iron should be stuck onto the magnet.  Use the spoon to wiped off the iron from the magnet into the tray.  Repeat this step until all iron is remove from the cup.

4) Using the spoon, scoop out the clear pebble that inside the cup.  The pebble is all the way, at the bottom of the cup so at first glance it might be hard to scoop it out.  Put the pebble onto the tray.  

5) Next us the spoon again to scoop out the beans in the cup.  Take out all the beans with the spoon and put it onto the table.  At this point, it is okay to take out the sand that might get in your way.  However, make sure all the beans are out.

6) Now you will filter your water.  Fold your filter paper so that it is a cone shaped.  Next put the cone shaped filter into the graduated beaker.  Poor everything down the cup so that the sand and water will separate.  Once done, the water and sand should finally be separated.  

7) At this point you should have discovered 6 items and there should be nothing in the cup.  The only substance you should see is the water which is in the beaker.  At this point, it looks like there is nothing in the  beaker but the last item is in the water.  Plug in the heater into an outlet and put the beaker(which has water in it) onto it.  In minutes the water should begin to boil and soon evaporate.  The only object left in the beaker now is salt.  Salt is the last item in list.

8)  Now at your lab should be seven items which were once all in the cup.  The toothpicks, iron, a clear pebble, beans, sand, water and salt.  

9) After the beaker is cooled down clean up lab.

  

Frog Extra Credit

“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom”

 George Washington Carver quotes (American. Started his life as a slave and ended it ashorticulturist, Chemist and Educator, 1864-1943)  

    

   This quote means that who ever has a good education will be able to control their life.  For example, if as person works hard in school they will be able to get a master degree in anything they want.  It all matters if the person is willing to do the work.  "Education is the key" means that school is the only way to make accomplishments in your life.  If you always do bad in school then you will never learn and you will not go in college and go on in your life.  " to unlock the golden door of freedom" means that once you are done with your educational stage of life you could be what ever you want to be.  You could be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, what ever you want to be.  Therefore, having a successful education means that you could open your life to the next stage and begin to sort out how you want to spend your life.  You could help others, be the boss of someone, or do what happy you, but you need a good education or else you won;t know how to do these jobs.