Chemical Engineering

This Podcast is about chemical engineering. The podcast describes chemical engineering, what a chemical engineer's salary is, what companies are hiring chemical engineers, what contributions chemical engineering provides to the society,and etc. Orangemath96

Observing Changes in Matter

Currently, in our Science class we have been studying Physical and Chemical properties. Furthermore, we did 1 very interesting lab to go along with the tasks and other labs we have been doing. The lab was called Observing Changes in Matter . For this lab we made physical and chemical changes to the sugar cubes that were given to us. First we had to observe the sugar cubes by taste, hardness, texture, color shape, and size. Then, we had to take two of the sugar cubes and crush them in the mortar and pestle until they were fine white powder. Lastly, we took a bit if the sugar and examined the particles of the sugar under the microscope. After that we drew a diagram of what the crushed sugar cubes looked like under the microscope, in our notebooks. Having completed part A of our lab we answered the questions that went along with part A on our lab paper. When we started part B of our lab, we first, put the last two sugar cubes in a test tube and attached the tongs to the test tube. Also, after that we held the test tube over the Bunsen Burner in order to burn the sugar cubes. Next, our teacher broke the test tube for us in order to make it easier for us to observe the new substance that formed inside the test tube. Lastly, we took a sample of the new substance, from the broken test tube, and observed it very carefully, like we did for crushed sugar. In doing this lab I had a fun time and I learned more doing it physically than reading on it in the book.

There were numerous facts that I learned during this lab. One interesting fact that I learned is that after the sugar was thoroughly burned, there was only pure carbon present in the test tube. Another fascinating fact that I learned from the lab was that the molecular make up of the substance changes completely when it is changed chemically. I also found out that when we burned the sugar, it turned black and brown and when looked at it that way, you couldn't even tell whether what substance was. The website that I researched had many interesting facts. For example, when a substance is chemically changed, energy is absorbed or released, but no loss in molecular weight occurs. Lastly, another fact that I learned from my research is that when the substance is chemically changed the new substance differs from the original substance in the energy it contains.

In my opinion, this lab was a fantastic way to learn about Physical and Chemical changes and properties. It was a pleasure to do this lab with the people at my lab table. I enjoyed watching the reaction of the sugar cubes when they were being burned by the Bunsen Burner. Also, it was actually frightening to see the reaction of the new substance in the test tube after we burned all the sugar, too. It was cool how the sugar turned in a new substance when we didn't put anything in the test tube besides the sugar cubes. The lab was very entertaining and a great way to learn about physical and chemical changes through a hands-on activity.

http://205.201.216.162/upload/image/CAMPFIRE.jpg
http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/physicalsci/images/s4.ice_melt2.jpg
http://www.reference.com/browse/chemical

The Goblet of Fire

There are many books that connect to Science in many way. For example I am reading the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with connects to Science. One reason that this book connects to Science is because in the book Harry and his friends have Portions classes. In Portions class they mix substances together in order to form antidotes for poisons. They mix together different substances which is causing the substances to change chemically, which is a part of Chemistry, which is a part of Science. That's exactly what we are doing in Science right now. Even though the book doesn't directly connect to the world of Science, it does connect to Science in one way or another. There aren't many connections in the book, this was just one the connections I could find.



http://myhero.com/ReadingRoom/books/harrypotter2.jpg

( Link for the picture)

Extra Credit Question

Yes, I would like the extra credit opportunities to be up to 15 points.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Even though there are numerous T.V. shows that directly connect to Science, there are some that indirectly connect to the world of Science. For example: My favorite T.V. show is SpongeBob SquarePants, which is indirectly connected to Science. For instance, SpongeBob lives underwater where different animals live, some which are in SpongeBob's everyday life. For example: Patrick the starfish and Mr. Krabs the crab. Animals are a part of Science, they belong to the kingdom Animalia. Furthermore, in SpongeBob's underwater world, there are various underwater plants like seaweed. These plants are also a part of Science they belong to the kingdom Plantae. Lastly, SpongeBob's friend Sandy the Squirrel is an animal from Texas. She came down to SpongeBob's world to explore what it would be like underwater and stayed there forever. She is a scientist and how she lives her life and what she does is all connected to Science. She wears a helmet connected to an oxygen tank to help her breathe because she can't breathe the oxygen in the water like the other animals can. That is consecutive to Science. In conclusion, despite the fact that SpongeBob SquarePants isn't totally focused on Science, the watery environment in which SpongeBob lives, the friends he has, and his surroundings are totally connected to science. This proves that even the silliest television shows can be connect to Science indirectly.

http://z.about.com/d/animatedtv/1/0/l/y/SB_home.jpg

( Picture Link)

Response to the Quote

The quote:

" In Science the credit goes to the man that convinces that world, not the man to whom the idea occurred first"

By Sir William Osler (1849-1919) Canadian Physician, is a quote of deep and fascinating meaning. In my opinion, the quote has numerous meanings, but one crucial meaning. It means that even though you found something that is new to the world and you, it doesn't mean that you will get credit for it. If you don't satisfy the world that it's true and real you won't get credit for finding it. If someone thinks that you have certainly found something that is new and real, they might take it and convince that people of this world that it's true and real, but you won't get the credit for finding it, they will. Even though you found it you won't get credit because you were laid back and didn't explain a thing to the world and so the world won't understand anything. When the other person comes along and convinces the world that it's true, they will get credit for it because they explained it to the world, told them what it was and how it came to be. That's how it works in the field of Science. You have to communicate your findings. By telling, explaining, and convincing the world, you will get credit for what you found. In my opinion, that's an excellent way to see if they have what it takes to convince the whole world. That's how it should be now and that's how it always should be.

Rare Frogs Get Hit the Hardest By Deadly Fungus

Frogs and other amphibian have been the victims of the deadly chytrid fungus in recent years. A new study shows that the rarer species are the ones that face the worst. Some species have disappeared even before they have had a chance to be discovered. The fungus is incessant after it enters the soils in areas, threatening the amphibians in the location greatly. It isn't valid how the fungus really kills the frogs, yet, but they have a hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the fungus clogs up the frog's skin and that basically suffocates the frog. Furthermore, another new study shows that the fungus can hang around longer in the environment and travel longer distances, because of how it reproduces. The researchers have made trips to sites in Costa Rica and other areas in Central and South America to scoop up rare species of frogs, so they won't approach distinction.
I feel really anxious and sad to see what is happening to these harmless amphibians. Also, I hope the researchers and scientists will soon find a way to stop the fungus from growing and killing these innocent frog and other species. I know they are trying their best, but maybe they should figure out a way to at least stop the fungus from becoming extra violent. I hope that the frogs' homes are secure and that the frogs themselves return safely in their homes soon.

Article by: Andrea Thompson

One of the rare species of frogs.

http://www.thenighttour.com/alien1/drake_bay_agalychnis_spur.jpg


http://www.livescience.com/animals/etc/091013-rare-frogs-fungus.html

Strange Dwarf Planet Has Red Spot

There are many planets in our Solar System some gigantic and some tiny. The tiny planets are called Dwarf planets. One of these dwarf planets is called Haumea. Haumea was discovered in 2004.It orbits the Sun beyond Neptune in an area called Kuiper belt. Haumea, unlike many planets, is shaped like a football. It is the fourth largest of all eight dwarf planets. One day on Haumea equals 3.9 hours on Earth. Furthermore, there is a bright red spot on Haumea that was getting great amounts of attention by the scientists.

"Our very first measurements of Haumea already told us there was a spot on the surface, but it was only when we got the infrared data that we were able to begin to understand what the spot might be," Lacerda said

What exactly is the spot made of and how did it get there? Well that the scientists don't know. They do have have a hypothesis, though. They think that the spot is richer in minerals and organic compounds than the surrounding icy surface, so to prove the hypothesis right, or wrong, the scientists are going to examine the dwarf planet very carefully in 2010 by using the Very Large Telescope.

I feel very proud that the scientists are discovering new things in space, are trying to examine them, and finding more data.For example, finding the strange red spot on the strange dwarf planet. Also, I feel that scientists are doing their best to find more data to help understand space better and for people who are interested in space, for example, me.

Article by: SPACE.com Staff

Haumea with the strange red spot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haumea_(dwarf_planet))
http://www.livescience.com/space/090915-Haumea-dark-spot.html
http://www.centauri-dreams.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/haumea_1.png