Well, term 3 arrives at a blink of an eye, the speed of a bullet train, impossible to run away. All the stress and tension start to kick in now....
I am from touching distance to my exemption, so close yet so far, if i flop in this term, it would hit me ten-fold compared to the first 2 terms. The feeling of being so close to my goal but then due to a small mistake, ruining the 8 months of work, would definitely land me in a severe state of despair. I calculated the marks i needed and due to my first 2 terms grade, i need at least a low A1 to be save. However, i know that complacency kills and should not be over-confident and over-optimistic. Therefore, i would need a plan:
Term 1's key to result: Passion!!!
Term 2's key to result: Time management!!!
TERM 3's KEY TO RESULT WOULD BE: nothing but --> HARD WORK!!
I realised now that hard work is indispensable for good grades, the subjects are rather challenging, a mixture of both physics and Biology. The components include:
1) Lenses
2) Colours of light
3) Ecology
4) Carbon Cycles
Lenses was one of the most challenging topics for the year for me as i could not grasp the key concept fast and well enough and had a whole lot of queries to clear. At one point of time i was so annoyed that i flung my books and notes into the dustbin and went to sleep.... (i picked it up the next day and continued) However my main point is that i was so caught up in my pursuit for good results that i forgot the main point of learning science which is the enjoyment i get from learning and not grades. The next few days, i cleared my mine and told myself to study with an inquisitive mind and not a incentive-driven mind. It works miraculously as i sat on the chair for more than 3 hours straight, learning efficiently as well!
The crucial day came, the results of my term 2 examination. This could either aid me in my road to exemption or bring my 8 months of accumulated grades down, if i do not do well, my aspiration from day 1 would be flushed instantly down the drain. Amazingly! I got 3rd in class again with another high A1!!! I was one of the most sensational feeling i ever felt! I learnt a lot from my mistakes like following the notes instead of my own "creativity" and be more careful in reading the requirements of the questions..
well ....... EXEMPTION HERE I COME :D
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Science Centres
I believe we are have visited many different science centres in our lives, till today, i have visited a total of 3 different science centres and the experiences i received was amazing!I would like to talk about 1 innovation from each of the 3 different Science centres that i really like and want to share with you guys
1) Singapore Science Centre
2) Tokyo Science Center
3) Shanghai Science Center
1) Singapore Science Centre
This is perhaps the most common science centre we all have been to before but some of our innovation was really astounding. The Science Centre house more than 850 exhibits, mostly interactive; the largest collection devoted to science in the city. I would like to talk about the Singapore Omni-Theatre, which is an observatory and IMAX film theatre opened in 1977. The theatre consists of a massive hemispheric screen, twenty-three metres in diameter. This screen is sixteen metres or about five storeys high, and is made up of 376 pieces of vinyl-coated aluminium panels, covering a surface of 625 m². Stretching 180 degrees horizontal from wall to wall and tilted at a 30 degree angle to the horizon, the screen "wraps" over the audience to cover 80% of a hemisphere so that the images far exceed a person's field of vision.
This gave me a real unique experience and i can still remember the feeling of my first step into this omni-theatre, when the whole screen opens up and the as i walk up the stairs to my seat, the inclination made me feel like dropping all the way down. It was real scary but exhilarating!
2) Tokyo science centre
It was a family trip to Tokyo science center and i could not find or remember the technical term for that piece of innovation but i would gladly describe it to you. First and foremost, there is this house on one of the levels, from outside looks perfectly normal and floor parallel to the ground. However, when you step into this house, the sudden surge of gravity would unwittingly "push" you towards the left side and when you try to stand up and move towards the right, it was so hard that we gave up after our 10th attempt. It is like crawling against a greased pillar, no matter how hard i crawl, i will still slide and fall back! The most amazing thing is, there is no visible inclination of the floor and it seems like an ordinary and flat ground.
Gravity is simply so amazing!
3) Shanghai Science Centre
the exhibits include:
1) Spectrum of Life
2) Light of Exploration
3) Home on Earth
4) World of Robots
5) Human and Health
6) Earth Exploration
7) Light of Wisdom
8) Space Navigation
9) Information Era
10) Cradle of Design
11) Children's Rainbow Land
12) Animal Hall
13) Spiders Exhibition
However, the one innovation i remember was the virtual gaming world:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwQTW0b7vYg
As shown in this video, people are playing games with motion sensors, not just volleyball but a whole lot others like soccer, rowing, an adventure etc...
it seems just like a second xbox-kinect!
How wish i could revisit such places, it is an amazing experience and i think you shoudl visit them someday too!
1) Singapore Science Centre
2) Tokyo Science Center
3) Shanghai Science Center
1) Singapore Science Centre
This is perhaps the most common science centre we all have been to before but some of our innovation was really astounding. The Science Centre house more than 850 exhibits, mostly interactive; the largest collection devoted to science in the city. I would like to talk about the Singapore Omni-Theatre, which is an observatory and IMAX film theatre opened in 1977. The theatre consists of a massive hemispheric screen, twenty-three metres in diameter. This screen is sixteen metres or about five storeys high, and is made up of 376 pieces of vinyl-coated aluminium panels, covering a surface of 625 m². Stretching 180 degrees horizontal from wall to wall and tilted at a 30 degree angle to the horizon, the screen "wraps" over the audience to cover 80% of a hemisphere so that the images far exceed a person's field of vision.
This gave me a real unique experience and i can still remember the feeling of my first step into this omni-theatre, when the whole screen opens up and the as i walk up the stairs to my seat, the inclination made me feel like dropping all the way down. It was real scary but exhilarating!
2) Tokyo science centre
It was a family trip to Tokyo science center and i could not find or remember the technical term for that piece of innovation but i would gladly describe it to you. First and foremost, there is this house on one of the levels, from outside looks perfectly normal and floor parallel to the ground. However, when you step into this house, the sudden surge of gravity would unwittingly "push" you towards the left side and when you try to stand up and move towards the right, it was so hard that we gave up after our 10th attempt. It is like crawling against a greased pillar, no matter how hard i crawl, i will still slide and fall back! The most amazing thing is, there is no visible inclination of the floor and it seems like an ordinary and flat ground.
Gravity is simply so amazing!
3) Shanghai Science Centre
the exhibits include:
1) Spectrum of Life
2) Light of Exploration
3) Home on Earth
4) World of Robots
5) Human and Health
6) Earth Exploration
7) Light of Wisdom
8) Space Navigation
9) Information Era
10) Cradle of Design
11) Children's Rainbow Land
12) Animal Hall
13) Spiders Exhibition
However, the one innovation i remember was the virtual gaming world:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwQTW0b7vYg
As shown in this video, people are playing games with motion sensors, not just volleyball but a whole lot others like soccer, rowing, an adventure etc...
it seems just like a second xbox-kinect!
How wish i could revisit such places, it is an amazing experience and i think you shoudl visit them someday too!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Plastic
What is Plastic?
- a material, synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products
- classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking
Toxicity:
- insolubility in water and relative chemical inertness
- plastics often contain a variety of toxic additives
example: plasticizers like adipates and phthalates
- compounds leaching from polystyrene food containers had found to interfere with hormone functions and are suspected human carcinogens
Advantages of Plastic:
- production is easier as it is a synthetic product
- available in large scale
- cheap
- may exhibit better characteristics compared to natural resources
Disadvantages of Plastic:
1) Environment
- non-biodegradable & does not decayed with natural microbes
--> molecular bonds that make plastic so durable
- reduces the fertility of the soil & weakens the roots of plants
- may lead to soil erosion
- limit and destroys the asthetic beauty of the surrounding
2) Organisms
- as plastic is poisonous to health, organisms feeding on it will be affected
- produces a lot of carbon monoxide(poisonous! and hard to spot!) when burnt
Case study:
1) Great Pacific Garbage Patch
- It extends over an uncertain area, estimated 700,000 - 15,000,000 square kilometres ( some say twice the size of America!!! )
- characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of pelagic plastics trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre
- formed gradually as a result of marine pollution gathered by oceanic currents
- plastic abundance was 335 000 items km2 and 5.1 kg km
Effects:
- plastics end up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals, and their young, example: sea turtles and the Black-footed Albatross
- causing hormone disruption in the affected animal
- fish are then consumed by humans, resulting in their ingestion of toxic chemicals
, entire food chain affected
- facilitate the spread of invasive species that attach to floating plastic in one region and drift long distances to invade other ecosystems
- affected 267 species worldwide
As the generation of people today is mostly educated, we all are mostly well aware and measures have been introduced.
Measures:
1) recent increase price of plastic
--> sharply rising cost of petroleum, raw material use to form plastics
2) recycling plastic
3) reduces usage of plastic
4) continue to raise awareness in public
5) use biodegradable plastic instead
6) convert into biodegradable plastic
Case Study:
1) Singapore: How S'pore deal with toxic waste like Plastic
- Recycling Week and the monthly "Bring Your Own Bag" Campaign
--> discourages the excessive wastage of plastic bags
- Voluntary packaging agreement signed by the food & beverage industry in 2007
--> reduce waste generation (plastic packaging)
- Dealing with hazardous substance like plastic
--> well-managed and controlled through strict regulations administered by NEA
--> NEA controls the movement, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances and toxic industrial wastes to ensure that they do not become a threat to our environment.
- Emphasis on recycling materials such as plastic which is non-biodegradable, also
produces toxic gas when burnt/incinerated
- a material, synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products
- classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking
Toxicity:
- insolubility in water and relative chemical inertness
- plastics often contain a variety of toxic additives
example: plasticizers like adipates and phthalates
- compounds leaching from polystyrene food containers had found to interfere with hormone functions and are suspected human carcinogens
Advantages of Plastic:
- production is easier as it is a synthetic product
- available in large scale
- cheap
- may exhibit better characteristics compared to natural resources
Disadvantages of Plastic:
1) Environment
- non-biodegradable & does not decayed with natural microbes
--> molecular bonds that make plastic so durable
- reduces the fertility of the soil & weakens the roots of plants
- may lead to soil erosion
- limit and destroys the asthetic beauty of the surrounding
2) Organisms
- as plastic is poisonous to health, organisms feeding on it will be affected
- produces a lot of carbon monoxide(poisonous! and hard to spot!) when burnt
Case study:
1) Great Pacific Garbage Patch
- It extends over an uncertain area, estimated 700,000 - 15,000,000 square kilometres ( some say twice the size of America!!! )
- characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of pelagic plastics trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre
- formed gradually as a result of marine pollution gathered by oceanic currents
- plastic abundance was 335 000 items km2 and 5.1 kg km
Effects:
- plastics end up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals, and their young, example: sea turtles and the Black-footed Albatross
- causing hormone disruption in the affected animal
- fish are then consumed by humans, resulting in their ingestion of toxic chemicals
, entire food chain affected
- facilitate the spread of invasive species that attach to floating plastic in one region and drift long distances to invade other ecosystems
- affected 267 species worldwide
As the generation of people today is mostly educated, we all are mostly well aware and measures have been introduced.
Measures:
1) recent increase price of plastic
--> sharply rising cost of petroleum, raw material use to form plastics
2) recycling plastic
3) reduces usage of plastic
4) continue to raise awareness in public
5) use biodegradable plastic instead
6) convert into biodegradable plastic
Case Study:
1) Singapore: How S'pore deal with toxic waste like Plastic
- Recycling Week and the monthly "Bring Your Own Bag" Campaign
--> discourages the excessive wastage of plastic bags
- Voluntary packaging agreement signed by the food & beverage industry in 2007
--> reduce waste generation (plastic packaging)
- Dealing with hazardous substance like plastic
--> well-managed and controlled through strict regulations administered by NEA
--> NEA controls the movement, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances and toxic industrial wastes to ensure that they do not become a threat to our environment.
- Emphasis on recycling materials such as plastic which is non-biodegradable, also
produces toxic gas when burnt/incinerated
Monday, September 5, 2011
Endangered!
ENDANGERED SPEICIES!!!!
The term 'endangered species' = a population of organisms at risk of becoming extinct because it is
1) few in numbers
2) threatened by changing environmental
3) threatened by predatory parameters.
---- Conservation Status -------
1) Extinct
- Extinct
- Extinct in the wild
2) Threatened
- Critically endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
3) At lower risk
- Conservation dependent
- Near threatened
- Least concerned
------ Reasons contributing to endangered species ------
1) Inability to maintain an animal's ecosystem
2) Pollution
3) Human Activities
4) Climate Change
Example:
The coqui frog in Hawaii. It has its “nocturnal singing” which reduces the value of homes and prevents hotels from using rooms near forests. Hawaiians have proposed eliminating the frog, and several wildlife managers want to release a pathogen to kill the frogs.
------ Importance of maintaining endangered species --------
We should save them due to --> “Aesthetic & Moral justifications"
1) providers of products and services essential to human welfare
2) value of species as indicators of environmental health or crucial to the functioning of ecosystems --> Indicate welfare of the overall environment and ecosystem
3) Scientific breakthroughs --> Provided research that resulted in scientific discoveries
4) Source of art and entertainment
5) Provide products such as medicine for human well-being
Example:
The scrub mint. It has been found that the scrub mint contains an anti-fungal agent and a natural insecticide
The term 'endangered species' = a population of organisms at risk of becoming extinct because it is
1) few in numbers
2) threatened by changing environmental
3) threatened by predatory parameters.
---- Conservation Status -------
1) Extinct
- Extinct
- Extinct in the wild
2) Threatened
- Critically endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
3) At lower risk
- Conservation dependent
- Near threatened
- Least concerned
------ Reasons contributing to endangered species ------
1) Inability to maintain an animal's ecosystem
2) Pollution
3) Human Activities
4) Climate Change
Example:
The coqui frog in Hawaii. It has its “nocturnal singing” which reduces the value of homes and prevents hotels from using rooms near forests. Hawaiians have proposed eliminating the frog, and several wildlife managers want to release a pathogen to kill the frogs.
------ Importance of maintaining endangered species --------
We should save them due to --> “Aesthetic & Moral justifications"
1) providers of products and services essential to human welfare
2) value of species as indicators of environmental health or crucial to the functioning of ecosystems --> Indicate welfare of the overall environment and ecosystem
3) Scientific breakthroughs --> Provided research that resulted in scientific discoveries
4) Source of art and entertainment
5) Provide products such as medicine for human well-being
Example:
The scrub mint. It has been found that the scrub mint contains an anti-fungal agent and a natural insecticide
Friday, August 26, 2011
Green Technology
Definition of "Green"
- Conserve the environment
- Reduce negative impacts to the environment
- Sustainable development
Scenario:
Green Technology in Chinatown and how it can be incorporated into the surroundings, stalls and environment.
Observation:
- Not much energy (light energy) used in DAY
- Most Green tech --> Lower efficiency
- People’s mindset --> NOT want to sacrifice efficiency for Green tech
- Method must be realistic --> applied by the public
Possible Green technologies:
1) Energy conservation/ green energy
- Solar Panels
- Energy saving light bulbs & appliances
2) Reducing waste
- Biodegradable and recyclable disposable utensils
- Placing of recycling bins at strategic locations
Solar Panels:
- Solar panels generate electricity using light energy
- Works on the principles of the Photovoltaic effect
- Uses semiconductors to absorb solar energy, knocking out electrons in the silicon atoms
- Current technology only has up to 20% efficiency
- Can convert 20% of the light energy into electrical energy
Usage of Solar Panels (advantages) :
- Renewable energy --> Eco Friendly
- Abundance of Solar energy in day
Limitations:
- Roofs in Chinatown do not face the sun
- Solar panels need direct sunlight to function
- Roadside stalls do not need lighting in the day
~ Most of the stalls in Chinatown are roadside stalls
~ Do not need much electricity in the day
- Expensive
~ Takes around $480, 000 to build a 50 Kilo watt hour system
- Around 10 years to breakeven
- URA allows solar panels to be placed only on the rear roof
~ Decrease of area available for solar panels
Therefore:
1) Solar panels are not practical
2) Electricity generated and not used would be wasted
Can be channelled to the power grid for cash
However in the night more money is needed to draw the same amount of electricity
Batteries cannot be used to store energy due to their low capacity and short lifespan
Energy Saving Lights:
- Energy saving lights are called Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
- Produce energy by running an electrical current through argon gas.
- Five times more efficient than incandescent light bulbs
~ Incandescent lights produce light by running a current through a metallic filament
~ However it is inefficient as energy is also being converted into heat energy
Usage of Energy Saving Lights :
-Reduces energy uptake
-Widely available
-Additional costs
~ Shop owners might not be willing to invest
Viability of Energy saving light bulbs:
- Advantages outweigh disadvantages
- Short breakeven point
~ The breakeven point of an appliance is the period of time it takes for it to save an amount of money equal to its additional cost.
~ It takes 50 hours for a CFL to breakeven
~ Eco-friendly
Biodegradable and Recyclable Disposable Utensils:
- Roadside food stalls use disposable cutlery
- Most disposable utensils are harmful to the environment
~ Non-biodegradable
~ Styrofoam plates are poisonous
- Biodegradable and recyclable utensils would reduce negative impacts to the environment
Limitations to Recyclable Disposable Utensils:
- Added cost
- Not widely available
An example of a Recyclable Disposable Utensil --> Corn Starch Disposable Cutlery
- Uses the polymer like structure of corn starch to make disposable cutlery
- Heat resistant up to 220 degrees F
- Takes around 120 days to decompose instead of 100s of years for conventional disposable cutlery
Recycling Bins:
- Recycling bins promote recycling
- Makes it more convenient
~ Sorts out trash beforehand
- Easy to install
- However locations have to be picked wisely to maximize capabilities
Conclusion:
Each method must has its own advantages and disadvantages, more importantly we should start with ourselves and do a part for OUR earth and OUR home, facing global warming and severe pollution as the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure!"
- Conserve the environment
- Reduce negative impacts to the environment
- Sustainable development
Scenario:
Green Technology in Chinatown and how it can be incorporated into the surroundings, stalls and environment.
Observation:
- Not much energy (light energy) used in DAY
- Most Green tech --> Lower efficiency
- People’s mindset --> NOT want to sacrifice efficiency for Green tech
- Method must be realistic --> applied by the public
Possible Green technologies:
1) Energy conservation/ green energy
- Solar Panels
- Energy saving light bulbs & appliances
2) Reducing waste
- Biodegradable and recyclable disposable utensils
- Placing of recycling bins at strategic locations
Solar Panels:
- Solar panels generate electricity using light energy
- Works on the principles of the Photovoltaic effect
- Uses semiconductors to absorb solar energy, knocking out electrons in the silicon atoms
- Current technology only has up to 20% efficiency
- Can convert 20% of the light energy into electrical energy
Usage of Solar Panels (advantages) :
- Renewable energy --> Eco Friendly
- Abundance of Solar energy in day
Limitations:
- Roofs in Chinatown do not face the sun
- Solar panels need direct sunlight to function
- Roadside stalls do not need lighting in the day
~ Most of the stalls in Chinatown are roadside stalls
~ Do not need much electricity in the day
- Expensive
~ Takes around $480, 000 to build a 50 Kilo watt hour system
- Around 10 years to breakeven
- URA allows solar panels to be placed only on the rear roof
~ Decrease of area available for solar panels
Therefore:
1) Solar panels are not practical
2) Electricity generated and not used would be wasted
Can be channelled to the power grid for cash
However in the night more money is needed to draw the same amount of electricity
Batteries cannot be used to store energy due to their low capacity and short lifespan
Energy Saving Lights:
- Energy saving lights are called Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
- Produce energy by running an electrical current through argon gas.
- Five times more efficient than incandescent light bulbs
~ Incandescent lights produce light by running a current through a metallic filament
~ However it is inefficient as energy is also being converted into heat energy
Usage of Energy Saving Lights :
-Reduces energy uptake
-Widely available
-Additional costs
~ Shop owners might not be willing to invest
Viability of Energy saving light bulbs:
- Advantages outweigh disadvantages
- Short breakeven point
~ The breakeven point of an appliance is the period of time it takes for it to save an amount of money equal to its additional cost.
~ It takes 50 hours for a CFL to breakeven
~ Eco-friendly
Biodegradable and Recyclable Disposable Utensils:
- Roadside food stalls use disposable cutlery
- Most disposable utensils are harmful to the environment
~ Non-biodegradable
~ Styrofoam plates are poisonous
- Biodegradable and recyclable utensils would reduce negative impacts to the environment
Limitations to Recyclable Disposable Utensils:
- Added cost
- Not widely available
An example of a Recyclable Disposable Utensil --> Corn Starch Disposable Cutlery
- Uses the polymer like structure of corn starch to make disposable cutlery
- Heat resistant up to 220 degrees F
- Takes around 120 days to decompose instead of 100s of years for conventional disposable cutlery
Recycling Bins:
- Recycling bins promote recycling
- Makes it more convenient
~ Sorts out trash beforehand
- Easy to install
- However locations have to be picked wisely to maximize capabilities
Conclusion:
Each method must has its own advantages and disadvantages, more importantly we should start with ourselves and do a part for OUR earth and OUR home, facing global warming and severe pollution as the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure!"
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Moon
Report of the MOON
Every night, lying on my bed, I would occasionally look up into the sky and observe the moon. My first impression of the moon is that it is very rough and have a lot of craters. The moon does look very rough even from my house.
Evidence of hypothesis:
- It is the largest crater on the Moon and the largest known crater in the Solar System. At 13 km deep, its floor is the lowest elevation on the Moon.
- The other major geologic process that has affected the Moon's surface is impact cratering, with craters formed when asteroids and comets collide with the lunar surface. There are estimated to be roughly 300,000 craters wider than 1 km on the Moon's near side alone.
-The lack of an atmosphere, weather and recent geological processes mean that many of these craters are well-preserved. While only a few multi-ring basins have been definitively dated, they are useful for assigning relative ages. Since impact craters accumulate at a nearly constant rate, counting the number of craters per unit area can be used to estimate the age of the surface.
Other pictures
Conclusion:
-Because the moon surface is rough, the light rays will be reflected diffusely!
Every night, lying on my bed, I would occasionally look up into the sky and observe the moon. My first impression of the moon is that it is very rough and have a lot of craters. The moon does look very rough even from my house.
Evidence of hypothesis:
- It is the largest crater on the Moon and the largest known crater in the Solar System. At 13 km deep, its floor is the lowest elevation on the Moon.
- The other major geologic process that has affected the Moon's surface is impact cratering, with craters formed when asteroids and comets collide with the lunar surface. There are estimated to be roughly 300,000 craters wider than 1 km on the Moon's near side alone.
-The lack of an atmosphere, weather and recent geological processes mean that many of these craters are well-preserved. While only a few multi-ring basins have been definitively dated, they are useful for assigning relative ages. Since impact craters accumulate at a nearly constant rate, counting the number of craters per unit area can be used to estimate the age of the surface.
Other pictures
Conclusion:
-Because the moon surface is rough, the light rays will be reflected diffusely!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Oil spills and its danger!
What does oil do?
Oil is a product that we often use to keep warm, can cause hypothermia in marine animals. As oil mixes with water, it forms a substance called "mousse," which sticks to feathers and fur.
example:
A bird's feathers are filled with air spaces that act as insulation and keeps the bird warm. When a bird gets coated with oil, the feathers lose their insulating ability and the bird could die of hypothermia.
Effects of oil spill:
The effects of an oil spill depend on a variety of factors, including the weather and other environmental conditions, the composition of the oil and how close it gets to shore. But here are some ways an oil spill can impact marine life
1)Poisoning and Internal Damage
Animals can be poisoned or suffer internal damage from ingesting oil. Effects include ulcers and damage to red blood cells, kidneys, liver and to the immune system.
2)Increased Predation
Oil can weigh down feathers and fur, making it difficult for birds and pinnipeds to escape from predators. If they are covered with enough oil, birds or pinnipeds may actually drown.
3）Decreased Reproduction
Oil spills can effect the eggs of marine life such as fish and sea turtles
4）Fouling of Habitat
Oil spills in the can effect ocean habitat, both offshore and onshore.
AN EXAMPLE OF A SEVERE OIL SPILL!!!
- The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill
The oil tanker Exxon Valdez spilled an estimated 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of Prince William Sound. Hundreds of thousands of birds, fish and animals died right away! The Exxon Valdez oil spill is considered one of the worst human-caused marine environmental disasters ever to occur.
Oil is a product that we often use to keep warm, can cause hypothermia in marine animals. As oil mixes with water, it forms a substance called "mousse," which sticks to feathers and fur.
example:
A bird's feathers are filled with air spaces that act as insulation and keeps the bird warm. When a bird gets coated with oil, the feathers lose their insulating ability and the bird could die of hypothermia.
Effects of oil spill:
The effects of an oil spill depend on a variety of factors, including the weather and other environmental conditions, the composition of the oil and how close it gets to shore. But here are some ways an oil spill can impact marine life
1)Poisoning and Internal Damage
Animals can be poisoned or suffer internal damage from ingesting oil. Effects include ulcers and damage to red blood cells, kidneys, liver and to the immune system.
2)Increased Predation
Oil can weigh down feathers and fur, making it difficult for birds and pinnipeds to escape from predators. If they are covered with enough oil, birds or pinnipeds may actually drown.
3）Decreased Reproduction
Oil spills can effect the eggs of marine life such as fish and sea turtles
4）Fouling of Habitat
Oil spills in the can effect ocean habitat, both offshore and onshore.
AN EXAMPLE OF A SEVERE OIL SPILL!!!
- The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill
The oil tanker Exxon Valdez spilled an estimated 10.8 million gallons of crude oil into the waters of Prince William Sound. Hundreds of thousands of birds, fish and animals died right away! The Exxon Valdez oil spill is considered one of the worst human-caused marine environmental disasters ever to occur.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Term 2 Reflections
Term 2 was the most enjoyable but confusing term of the year for me!
I learnt a lot including my favourite segments Acids and Bases, ending chemistry for the year. We then touched on physics,
1) Mirrors
2) reflection and refraction
3) Light
This was the most confusing chapter of the year for me. Physics is a whole lot different from biology and chemistry which requires more concept and application. This really proves to be a big feat for me as i did not go through term 2 that smoothly, facing ups and downs, however, this just makes science more interesting! i faced a lot of troubles and many problems. Luckily, i had friends, teachers and my family members there for me to clarify my doubts and help me with my problems.
During the examination period, i was plagued with the national competitions, one after the other, giving me no time to concentrate and brush up on my sciences which i proved to be rather poor at it then, then i was thinking to myself that if i really did flunk my test, my science examination dream would be flushed away! Therefore, i knew that time management was the key to my term 2 results! My training was 6 days a week, some including morning training! I studied before training everyday to make use well of that time and when i reach home, i will complete my homework. I was indeed worried but had faith that i would do well.
The day came, the test results, the teacher announced the results and to my utmost surprise and joy, i got 3rd in class! The feeling was really so great! I managed to survive through it and even got better results than others who did not have so much training load. It was another high A1, as if a magnet, drawing the exemption of the End-Of-Year examinations closer and closer!
I learnt a lot including my favourite segments Acids and Bases, ending chemistry for the year. We then touched on physics,
1) Mirrors
2) reflection and refraction
3) Light
This was the most confusing chapter of the year for me. Physics is a whole lot different from biology and chemistry which requires more concept and application. This really proves to be a big feat for me as i did not go through term 2 that smoothly, facing ups and downs, however, this just makes science more interesting! i faced a lot of troubles and many problems. Luckily, i had friends, teachers and my family members there for me to clarify my doubts and help me with my problems.
During the examination period, i was plagued with the national competitions, one after the other, giving me no time to concentrate and brush up on my sciences which i proved to be rather poor at it then, then i was thinking to myself that if i really did flunk my test, my science examination dream would be flushed away! Therefore, i knew that time management was the key to my term 2 results! My training was 6 days a week, some including morning training! I studied before training everyday to make use well of that time and when i reach home, i will complete my homework. I was indeed worried but had faith that i would do well.
The day came, the test results, the teacher announced the results and to my utmost surprise and joy, i got 3rd in class! The feeling was really so great! I managed to survive through it and even got better results than others who did not have so much training load. It was another high A1, as if a magnet, drawing the exemption of the End-Of-Year examinations closer and closer!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Shrimp and goby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR9X3gFTpL0&feature=related
Shrimp is very hardworking but is blind.
Goby can see but is lazy
Both together is a super-team, the shrimp do all the work and the goby be the eyes of the shrimp!
This is a touching yet fruitful video I hope to share with everyone!
TEAMWORK
T à together
E à everyone
A à achieves
M à more
Everyone is gifted in one way or another
goby can see but does not have the hardworking attitude
shrimp is blind yet is very diligent and achieves a lot!
“ one is too small a number to achieve greatness”
“ Unity is Strength, Strength is Unity”
“ 2 minds are always better than 1”
“ Heaven is fair, people are good in their own ways ”
Reflection
Seeing the team together, making up their home and helping each other in needs and time in crisis really warms my heart and make me think a lot. Sometimes in life we all feel we can achieve great heights just by counting on ourselves, however, there are times that we need assistance to climb the extra mile and with friends or any help, we are able to have greater achievements
and also through that process, foster good relationships and also learn to have teamwork which will be essential in our everyday life, whether in work, studies, projects or even games!!
Shrimp is very hardworking but is blind.
Goby can see but is lazy
Both together is a super-team, the shrimp do all the work and the goby be the eyes of the shrimp!
This is a touching yet fruitful video I hope to share with everyone!
TEAMWORK
T à together
E à everyone
A à achieves
M à more
Everyone is gifted in one way or another
goby can see but does not have the hardworking attitude
shrimp is blind yet is very diligent and achieves a lot!
“ one is too small a number to achieve greatness”
“ Unity is Strength, Strength is Unity”
“ 2 minds are always better than 1”
“ Heaven is fair, people are good in their own ways ”
Reflection
Seeing the team together, making up their home and helping each other in needs and time in crisis really warms my heart and make me think a lot. Sometimes in life we all feel we can achieve great heights just by counting on ourselves, however, there are times that we need assistance to climb the extra mile and with friends or any help, we are able to have greater achievements
and also through that process, foster good relationships and also learn to have teamwork which will be essential in our everyday life, whether in work, studies, projects or even games!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Beryllium Chloride
WHAT SO WRONG ABOUT Beryllium Chloride ?????
Beryllium is a metal
Chloride is a non-metal
Beryllium Chloride should be an ionic bond between a non-metal and a metal
However, Beryllium Chloride and Aluminium chloride are the only exceptions, WHY?
INFORMATION OF Beryllium Chloride
Beryllium chloride is the compound with the formula BeCl2. It is a colourless, hygroscopic solid that dissolves well in many polar solvents. Its properties are similar to those of aluminium chloride.
These reactions are so significant as it is a covalent bond between a metal and a non-metal.
Beryllium chloride is made by the reaction between metal and chlorine at high temperatures:
Be + Cl2 → BeCl2
BeCl2 can also be prepared by carbothermal reduction of beryllium oxide in the presence of chlorine. BeCl2 can be prepared by treating Be metal with hydrogen chloride.
USES OF Beryllium Chloride
e.g
Beryllium Chloride is used as a chemical reagent for refining beryllium ores.
Beryllium is a metal
Chloride is a non-metal
Beryllium Chloride should be an ionic bond between a non-metal and a metal
However, Beryllium Chloride and Aluminium chloride are the only exceptions, WHY?
INFORMATION OF Beryllium Chloride
Beryllium chloride is the compound with the formula BeCl2. It is a colourless, hygroscopic solid that dissolves well in many polar solvents. Its properties are similar to those of aluminium chloride.
These reactions are so significant as it is a covalent bond between a metal and a non-metal.
Beryllium chloride is made by the reaction between metal and chlorine at high temperatures:
Be + Cl2 → BeCl2
BeCl2 can also be prepared by carbothermal reduction of beryllium oxide in the presence of chlorine. BeCl2 can be prepared by treating Be metal with hydrogen chloride.
USES OF Beryllium Chloride
e.g
Beryllium Chloride is used as a chemical reagent for refining beryllium ores.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Term 1 Reflections
Term 1 Lower secondary science
I have learnt a lot through my first term in 2011. We started the term with chemistry, learning the subjects
1) Periodic Table
2) Atomic structure
3) Equation Writing
When i was in secondary 1, chemistry was like a pain to me and i dread it so much, but term 1's chemistry lesson made chemistry my favourite science subject!
For Periodic table i learnt about the uses of the periodic table, groupings' relation to its valence electrons etc... I also learnt the presence of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom, how it relates to equation writing whereby elements are joined to form mixtures and compounds. I stumbled a lot during the whole process and felt really frustrated at times, it is like 2 voices in me, one so tempting, urging me to give up and indulge in games instead, while deep down, a real fiery passion clinged unto me, convincing me to persevere.
As one's passion is the key to success, my interest and curiosity for science has granted me with great results, an high A1 for my test, getting 2nd in class! I reviewed my paper and realised that it was almost full marks, except for 3 careless mistakes! I was with mixed feelings, rather disappointed with myself for allowing such mistakes to happen but also exhilarated over my performance.
In secondary 1, I found it so hard even getting an A1 in science and found myself suffocating between the A2-B4 vortex.
This was a big spur to me as i had the ambition to get exempted at the end of the year, this was a great beginning for me, not only for my academic results, but also the marks the start of a beautiful relationship with science!
I have learnt a lot through my first term in 2011. We started the term with chemistry, learning the subjects
1) Periodic Table
2) Atomic structure
3) Equation Writing
When i was in secondary 1, chemistry was like a pain to me and i dread it so much, but term 1's chemistry lesson made chemistry my favourite science subject!
For Periodic table i learnt about the uses of the periodic table, groupings' relation to its valence electrons etc... I also learnt the presence of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom, how it relates to equation writing whereby elements are joined to form mixtures and compounds. I stumbled a lot during the whole process and felt really frustrated at times, it is like 2 voices in me, one so tempting, urging me to give up and indulge in games instead, while deep down, a real fiery passion clinged unto me, convincing me to persevere.
As one's passion is the key to success, my interest and curiosity for science has granted me with great results, an high A1 for my test, getting 2nd in class! I reviewed my paper and realised that it was almost full marks, except for 3 careless mistakes! I was with mixed feelings, rather disappointed with myself for allowing such mistakes to happen but also exhilarated over my performance.
In secondary 1, I found it so hard even getting an A1 in science and found myself suffocating between the A2-B4 vortex.
This was a big spur to me as i had the ambition to get exempted at the end of the year, this was a great beginning for me, not only for my academic results, but also the marks the start of a beautiful relationship with science!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Man VS Nature
I would like to talk about the topic Man vs Nature mainly because it shows how great nature can be. It is like men tries to shape and control his world, but nature will always show man that they are at natures' will. A good example would be the Holland dikes or the Themes surge barriers or the leaves around New Orleans. Each one of these man tries to shape his world, but nature tries to reclaim its territory. Nature can change very quickly and spontaneously while man, even if he is ruled by emotions, still follows a certain pattern or personality, making his reactions "foreseeable" in a way nature cannot be. Thus nature's unpredictability lies in its restlessness and man's predictability in his established character.
Another good example would be a dam. Man builds it, but it must stand up to the forces of the river, which are significant. One crack in the dam and structure is weakened. Many times during flooding smaller dams called levees (made from soil) are put under too much pressure by the water and give way. That happened in New Orleans. Man can be unpredictable. Natural disasters may be unexpected but then so can humans. We can become violent at any given moment.
A video which depicts why man is under nature's thumb
Mankind can be clever and powerful at times but when against the powerful nature, it would destroy anthing in its path and shall have no mercy on us. They can easily crush us dead or make us injured without much effort.
However, everything has their reasons. We have to think what we have done to have agitated Nature. we caused many negative effect on the environment such as
• deforestation
• cutting and burning of trees
• factories giving out toxic gas
• polluted marine life
• pollute the environment
• etc....
Hence, we cannot blame on Mother nature for all disasters, we only have blame ourselves for being too not environmental conscious and so self- centered. In conclusion, we should do our best to protect the environment.
Another good example would be a dam. Man builds it, but it must stand up to the forces of the river, which are significant. One crack in the dam and structure is weakened. Many times during flooding smaller dams called levees (made from soil) are put under too much pressure by the water and give way. That happened in New Orleans. Man can be unpredictable. Natural disasters may be unexpected but then so can humans. We can become violent at any given moment.
A video which depicts why man is under nature's thumb
Mankind can be clever and powerful at times but when against the powerful nature, it would destroy anthing in its path and shall have no mercy on us. They can easily crush us dead or make us injured without much effort.
However, everything has their reasons. We have to think what we have done to have agitated Nature. we caused many negative effect on the environment such as
• deforestation
• cutting and burning of trees
• factories giving out toxic gas
• polluted marine life
• pollute the environment
• etc....
Hence, we cannot blame on Mother nature for all disasters, we only have blame ourselves for being too not environmental conscious and so self- centered. In conclusion, we should do our best to protect the environment.
SI system
Information:
The International System of Units is the modern form of the metric system and is generally a system of units of measurement devised around seven base units and the convenience of the number ten. It is the world's most widely used system of measurement. The older metric system included several groups of units. The SI was developed in 1960. As the SI is not static, units are created and definitions are modified through international agreement among many country. The system has been nearly globally adopted. Three only exceptions are Myanmar, Liberia, and the United States.
The International System of Units is the modern form of the metric system and is generally a system of units of measurement devised around seven base units and the convenience of the number ten. It is the world's most widely used system of measurement. The older metric system included several groups of units. The SI was developed in 1960. As the SI is not static, units are created and definitions are modified through international agreement among many country. The system has been nearly globally adopted. Three only exceptions are Myanmar, Liberia, and the United States.
Acres
Introduction
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. One international acre is equal to 4,046.856 422 4 m2 exactly. One U.S. survey acre is equal to 62,726,400,000⁄15,499,969 m2 = 4,046.872 609 874 252 m2 approximately.
Conversions:
Acres to Hectares: 1 acre = 0.404685 hectares
Acres to Square Meters : 1 acre = 4046.856 m²
Acres to Square Feet : 1 acre = 43560 ft²
Acres to Square Kilometers: 1 acre = 0.004046 km²
Acres to Square Millimeters: 1 acre = 4046856422.4 mm²
Acres to Square Miles: 1 acre = 0.001562 mi²
Acres to Square Yards: 1 acre = 4840 yd²
Acres to Square Centimeters: 1 acre = 40468564.224 cm²
Acres to Square Inches: 1 acre = 6272640 in²
Acres to Square Micrometers: 1 acre = 4.046e+15 µm²
Acres to Square Microns: 1 acre = 4.046e+15 µm²
http://www.metric-conversions.org
Examples of what acres are used
One acre comprises 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet[1] (which can be easily remembered as 44,000 square feet, less 1%; or as the product of 66 x 660). Because of alternative definitions of a yard or a foot, the exact size of an acre also varies slightly. Originally, an acre was understood as a selion of land sized at one furlong (660 ft) long and one chain (66 ft) wide; this may have also been understood as an approximation of the amount of land an ox could plough in one day. A square enclosing one acre is approximately 208 feet and 9 inches (63.6 meters) on a side. But as a unit of measure an acre has no prescribed configuration; any perimeter enclosing 43,560 square feet is an acre in size.
Usefulness:
The acre is often used to express areas of land. In the metric system, the hectare is commonly used for the same purpose. An acre is approximately 40% of a hectare.
E.g.
One acre is 90.75 percent of a 53.33-yard-wide American football field. The full field, including the end zones, covers approximately 1.32 acres (0.53 ha).
Origin:
The word "acre" is derived from Old English æcer (originally meaning "open field", cognate to west coast Norwegian language "ækre" and Swedish "åker", German Acker, Latin ager and Greek αγρος (agros).The acre was approximately the amount of land tillable by one man behind an ox in one day. This explains one definition as the area of a rectangle with sides of length one chain and one furlong. A long narrow strip of land is more efficient to plough than a square plot, since the plough does not have to be turned so often. The word "furlong" itself derives from the fact that it is one furrow long.Before the enactment of the metric system, many countries in Europe used their own official acres. These were differently sized in different countries, for instance, the historical French acre was 4,221 square meters, whereas in Germany as many variants of "acre" existed as there were German states.
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. One international acre is equal to 4,046.856 422 4 m2 exactly. One U.S. survey acre is equal to 62,726,400,000⁄15,499,969 m2 = 4,046.872 609 874 252 m2 approximately.
Conversions:
Acres to Hectares: 1 acre = 0.404685 hectares
Acres to Square Meters : 1 acre = 4046.856 m²
Acres to Square Feet : 1 acre = 43560 ft²
Acres to Square Kilometers: 1 acre = 0.004046 km²
Acres to Square Millimeters: 1 acre = 4046856422.4 mm²
Acres to Square Miles: 1 acre = 0.001562 mi²
Acres to Square Yards: 1 acre = 4840 yd²
Acres to Square Centimeters: 1 acre = 40468564.224 cm²
Acres to Square Inches: 1 acre = 6272640 in²
Acres to Square Micrometers: 1 acre = 4.046e+15 µm²
Acres to Square Microns: 1 acre = 4.046e+15 µm²
http://www.metric-conversions.org
Examples of what acres are used
One acre comprises 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet[1] (which can be easily remembered as 44,000 square feet, less 1%; or as the product of 66 x 660). Because of alternative definitions of a yard or a foot, the exact size of an acre also varies slightly. Originally, an acre was understood as a selion of land sized at one furlong (660 ft) long and one chain (66 ft) wide; this may have also been understood as an approximation of the amount of land an ox could plough in one day. A square enclosing one acre is approximately 208 feet and 9 inches (63.6 meters) on a side. But as a unit of measure an acre has no prescribed configuration; any perimeter enclosing 43,560 square feet is an acre in size.
Usefulness:
The acre is often used to express areas of land. In the metric system, the hectare is commonly used for the same purpose. An acre is approximately 40% of a hectare.
E.g.
One acre is 90.75 percent of a 53.33-yard-wide American football field. The full field, including the end zones, covers approximately 1.32 acres (0.53 ha).
Origin:
The word "acre" is derived from Old English æcer (originally meaning "open field", cognate to west coast Norwegian language "ækre" and Swedish "åker", German Acker, Latin ager and Greek αγρος (agros).The acre was approximately the amount of land tillable by one man behind an ox in one day. This explains one definition as the area of a rectangle with sides of length one chain and one furlong. A long narrow strip of land is more efficient to plough than a square plot, since the plough does not have to be turned so often. The word "furlong" itself derives from the fact that it is one furrow long.Before the enactment of the metric system, many countries in Europe used their own official acres. These were differently sized in different countries, for instance, the historical French acre was 4,221 square meters, whereas in Germany as many variants of "acre" existed as there were German states.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)