Saturday 28 June 2014

Component 4 personal work samples

Thermal properties of matter

This was a topic we have never touched upon in primary school and i never knew of, so it was very interesting to learn about the different types of definitions.




Component 3: Self-Directed and Independent Research Learning Term 2

A: Independent Research
Topic 5: History of Mass and Density

Einstein's contribution to our understanding of mass was undoubtedly significant, I believe that his ultimate goal was not to create a weapon of mass destruction but to create a deeper understanding of human perception of nature. Einstein's discovery was in many ways good and bad at the same time. For example,the nuclear reactor helped to generate energy to feed our ever growing need of electricity but this source of energy also proved to be a unstable one as proven in Japan in 2011 during the tsunami which damaged the nuclear reactors which caused huge amounts of radiation to leak out and many living in the surrounding area were displaced. Another example was the development and deployment of the atomic bomb in World War 2 which was highly controversial for some said it was a fast and effective way to end the war but others questioned the huge number of lives lost was worth it and if there was a way of ending the war without sacrificing countless lives if we were more patient. Einstein really helped us in our advancement in technology.

Topic 6: 4th and 5th states of matter

Plasma

Who: The existence of plasma was first discovered by Sir William Crookes using an assembly that is today known as a “Crookes tube”, an experimental electrical discharge tube in which air is ionized by the application of a high voltage through a voltage coil.


What: Lightning and electric sparks are everyday examples of phenomena made from plasma. Neon lights could more accurately be called "plasma lights", as the light comes from the plasma inside of them. A plasma globe, illustrates some of the more complex phenomena of a plasma, including filamentation. The colors are a result of relaxation of electrons in excited states to lower energy states after they have recombined with ions. These processes emit light in a spectrum characteristic of the gas being excited

When:1879


Where: Britain

Why: discovered by chance

How: Crookes tube


Bose Einstein Condensate

Who: This state of matter was first predicted, generally,  by Satyendra Nath Bose  and Albert Einstein

What: Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter of a dilute gas of bosons cooled to temperatures very close to absolute zero (that is, very near 0 K or −273.15 °C). Under such conditions, a large fraction of the bosons occupy the lowest quantum state, at which point quantum effects become apparent on a macroscopic scale. These effects are called macroscopic quantum phenomenon.

When: 1924-1925

Where

Why:

How: In 1995 the first gaseous condensate was produced by Eric Cornell and Carl Weiman at the University of Colorado lab, using a gas of rubidium atoms cooled to 170 nano kelvin (nK) (1.7×10−7 K). 


B: Critical Reviews



The shocking truth about electric fish: Genomic basis for the convergent evolution of electric organs

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140626141652.htm

This article is about a scientist identifying the regulatory molecules involved in the genetic and developmental pathways that electric fish have used to convert a simple muscle into an organ capable of generating a potent electrical field.
This article describes the inner workings of the glans which allows it to generate a potent electrical field.
I think that this discovery will benefit humankind to help invent new technology that will make our lives better. 









Component 2: Reflections on Science Performance and Experiences Term 2

Termly Science Performance
My target for my term 2 tests is still B3 as I do not have confidence in myself. My plan to achieve my target remains the same as in term 1 . For class tests, I still need to improve on my presentation of my work and be more specific in my answers.


Plasma Ball Activity

The objective of this demonstration is to help the class gain a deeper understanding of the different properties of plasma
This activity was carried out in the classroom by Mr Tan.
I have learnt from this activity that when someone places his hand on the plasma ball, filaments of light will connect to the points in contact with the ball. There is also a field of electricity around the ball as when a lamp is placed near to it. it will light up. 
the thing i liked most about this activity is the experiment where a person stands on a chair with one hand on the ball and the other holding another who is standing on the floor and holding a lamp and the lame lights up. I liked this experiment the most because it seemed almost impossible that the bulb will light up.


Solubility Test


The objective of this activity is to test out the solubility of different substances.
This activity was carried out in the science lab.
From this activity, I have learnt that different substances have different solubilities and the temperature of the solvent also affects the solubility of the solute.
I did not really enjoy this activity because there was much stirring involved and my hand became quite sore at the end of the lesson.

Elements, Mixtures and Compounds

The objective of this activity is to observe the formation of compounds by the bonding of two elements through a chemical process.
This activity was carried out in the lab.
I have learnt from this activity that a compound is formed only when two elements are bonded together by a chemical reaction. If it is not, it is a mixture.
I liked the chemical reaction between the magnesium ribbon and the oxygen in the surrounding air as it produces a bright white light which was quite stunning.













Component 1: Issues in Teaching and Learning Science Term 2

I face fewer problems now in term two but what I am most worried about is the mid year exams. I try to prepare myself for the exams by constantly revising my science notes so that I will be well prepared for the exam.

I have learnt the use of different measuring instruments, mass ,weight ,density , elements, compounds and mixtures.

These knowledge and skills will be relevant in the research industry construction and the use of the measuring instruments will useful for architects.

I have learnt about obsolete units of measurement, the impact humans have made on nature and how we may be driving ourselves into extinction from the self directed and independent learning component of term 1.

Component 4 personal work samples






This was one of the first lab visits of the year  and all of us were excited using the lab apparatus and watching the chemical reactions in the test tubes. Many of us did not have a chance to work in a lab in primary school and the was certainly a first for us.



   










Component 3: Self-Directed and Independent Research Learning Term 1

A: Independent Research
Topic 2: Measurement units of the past
Ancient Roman Units of Measurement

Acetabulum was a measure of volume (fluid and dry) used by the Ancient Romans.
Amphora was a unit for measuring liquids or bulk goods in the Roman Empire, and for estimating the size of ships and the production of vineyards.
Duella was an ancient Roman unit of weight

Who: The Ancient Romans
What: Weight Length and Volume
When: 27 BC-476 AD
Where: Ancient Rome
Why: For the complex measuring problems of civilization - surveying land to register property rights, or selling a commodity by length - a more precise unit is required.
How:The ancient Roman Units of Measurements were built on the Hellenic system with Egyptian Hebrew, and Mesopotamian influences. The Roman units were comparatively consistent and well documented.

Topic 4: What is time
To me, time is not definable. I define time as a film and just a fabric for us to move and act.
Time may be there or not be there to me time is just a measurement thought up by man explaining something that is not understood to satisfy his need to be all knowing.

B: Critical reviews


3 Billion to Zero: What Happened to the Passenger Pigeon?http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/3-billion-to-zero-what-happened-to-the-passenger-pigeon/


The main purpose of this article is to remind us how human race have impacted on nature. The key scientific question that the author is addressing is how humans have been driving species to extinction

This article is about a postdoctoral associate at National Taiwan Normal University tried to find out how the passenger pigeon species was wiped out.


I think this article will really help in helping people realize the huge and negative impacts humans can have on nature and make them change their way of living which can hugely impact the course of nature and could well determine the future of the human race for we just might be like the pigeons and the boom and bust scenario may happen to us and our advancement might very well lead to our own doom.