Monday, May 4, 2009

Celsius and Farenheight

Temperature Scales and Conversions
The two temperature scales most often used in the world today to record daily outdoor temperatures are the Fahrenheit temperature scale (used chiefly in the United States) and the Celsius temperature scale (used almost everywhere else).

Two benchmark temperatures on these scales are the boiling point and freezing point of water. On the Fahrenheit scale, the boiling point is 212 degrees, the freezing point 32 degrees. On the Celsius scale, the boiling point is 100 degrees, the freezing point 0 degrees (a little easier to remember).

From these two data points, it is easy to see that as the Fahrenheit scale changes 180 total degrees between freezing and boiling, while the Celsius scale changes only 100 degrees. By reducing both numbers (divide both by 20), it can be said that for every 9 degrees change in the Fahrenheit scale, the Celsius scale changes 5 degrees. From this observation, a conversion formula can be designed:

To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, the following formula is used:
F = (C × 9/5) + 32 (what do you think the 32 represents?)

To find a formula that converts from Fahrenheit to Celsius all that has to be done is to take the above formula and, using algebra techniques, solve for C.
F = (C × 9/5) + 32 (first, subtract 32 from both sides of the equation)
F - 32 = C × 9/5 (now, multiply both sides of the equation by 5/9)
(F - 32) × 5/9 = C

And, you have your formula. So, to convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, the following formula is used:
C = (F - 32) × 5/9

Great link that gives more real life examples: http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/library/temperature.htm

Check your work:
http://www.temperatureworld.com/tempcon.htm

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Homework: 4/29, Wednesday

On a blank piece of paper, in complete sentences please answer:

Reflection, what have I been learning, what has been working for me and what has not

Homework: 4/29, Wednesday

On a blank piece of paper, in complete sentences please answer:

Reflection, what have I been learning, what has been working for me and what has not

Variables, Controls, and the Simpsons

We will be talking about independent and dependent variables during class. I'm using this example to start our conversation: http://biologycorner.com/worksheets/controls.html

If you have a moment please review the page and ask yourself what is a control? What is a variable?


(A control is something that doesn't change during the experiment, a variable is something that does)


Secondly, when graphing our experimental results it is important to graph the dependent variable on the y axis and the independent on the x axis.



The above example doesn't have numbers on the x or y axis... but it does show relationships. Temperature was changed... and the number of species changed. The scientist changed the temperature and watched for the # of species to change. More in class.

Ahead we will look at types of relationship, linear, exponential, and inverse linear relationships. More information can be found: here

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Pendulum Lab

Pendulum Lab online models. In case you are absent your assignment is to create a data table, pick a variable, change it and see how it affects the period of a pendulum.

The period of pendulum is the time it takes the pendulum to go back and forth....

Online Pendulum Models:
http://www.myphysicslab.com/pendulum1.html

http://www.materialworlds.com/sims/Pendulum/netscape.html

Design your own experiment:

The first Monday we get back we'll be working on designing our own experiment.

Problem Statements; Make your own (be sure it is testable) or choose one from the list below.
Does the density of a liquid affect the boiling point of the liquid?
Does the salinity of a liquid affect the boiling point of the liquid?
Does carbonated soda pop really erode teeth?
Does the density of a liquid affect the freezing point of the liquid?
Does the starting temperature affect the boiling rate of a liquid?
Does the viscosity of a liquid affect its boiling point?
Does the temperature of a liquid affect its density?
Does the temperature of a solid affect its density?
How does temperature affect the volume of a liquid?
How does temperature affect the volume of a solid?
Does the size of a magnet affect the strength of the magnet?
Does the density of a magnet affect the strength of the magnet?
Does the amount of coils, or the amount of power, in an electromagnet affect strength the most?
Does the color of a liquid affect the refraction of light?
Does the density of a liquid affect the refraction of light?
How does height affect the potential energy of a ball?
How does the mass of an object affect the force of the object?
How does resistance affect and electrical circuit?
How does voltage affect an electrical circuit?
Does the size (gauge or diameter) of a wire affect the flow of electricity?
Does the length of a wire affect the flow of electricity?
Does the hardness of a mineral affect its density?
How does the volume of a ball affect its force?
How does the mass of a ball affect its force?
How does the elasticity of a ball affect its bounce height?
How does the size of a ball affect its bounce height?
How does the surface of a ball affect its ability to roll?
How does the mass of a ball affect its rolling distance?
How does the volume of a ball affect its rolling distance?
How does adding a solute affect the boiling point of a liquid?
Does the amount of solute affect boiling rate of a solution?
Does the pH of a liquid affect its boiling/freezing point?
Does the pH of a liquid affect its evaporation rate?
Does the size of a mineral affect its density?
How does pressure affect the volume of a gas (or liquid)?
How does pressure affect the temperature of a gas (or liquid)?
How does temperature affect the volume of a gas (or liquid)?
How does temperature affect the pressure of a gas (or liquid)?
How does temperature affect the density of water?
How does salinity affect the density of water?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

We;re a bit behind the calendar y'all

Hi all,
We are a bit behind our own calendar. I've overbooked us for things to do... but the good news is we are catching up, getting organized. You have a large homework assignment for the break. Please finish that and check the printout at school for missing assignments.
Enjoy your break
Nina

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Forks, Forks, Where did they go

Forks, forks, where did they go????

Our school has a problem. The forks dissapear. They just go away. We find them in the ceiling. We find them in the classrooms, but golly.... really... how silly is that. Now the reason we spend so much money buying metal forks is because plastic forks cause SO MUCH GARBAGE!!! The alternatives are biodegradable forks.

Our class wonders how do the biodegradable forks work?







Monday, February 9, 2009

Pie Charts



Today we made pie charts of the color content of a skittles sample. Here is a link to a tutorial if you are stuck on finishing it: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pie-Chart

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

First Class Meeting

Our first class went great!

We met, discussed the syllabus, conducted a very small environment, and had a class meeting. In our class meeting we had three proposals. See the list below:

1. Get rid of homework
Discussion: Nina pointed out that it is very hard to get work done in class because of all the distraction. A 15 minute activity like a graph or answering questions becomes a longer time period because we are distracted by friends. That it would take more like 45 minutes and that Nina would have to walk around and make sure people were focusing and moving forward... Which would mean probably getting rid of half the experiments proposed on the syllabus.

Voted for: 2 (Freedom, Elijah)
Voted against: 9

2. Do the calorimetry experiment with peanuts.
Voted for: 9
Voted against: 2

3. Move the point spread in the class. The participation grade should be higher and the assignments and tests should be lower. Instead of 60% assignments, 20% quizzes, and 20% participation would be a better spread of points.

Voted for: 9
Voted for: 2

Monday, February 2, 2009

Printable Syllabus

You can find a printable syllabus on our wiki site. http://trillium678.wikispaces.com/experimentaweek

Friday, January 2, 2009

Course Description and Links

Course Description:

Experiment a Week: Hands on Science and Analysis Skills



In this class students will develop a working understanding of components of a scientific experiment. Students will design experiments to test a given hypothesis, process the data, interpret and analyze the results. As the class goes on students will develop their own hypothesis and conduct their own experiment. Students can expect skill building homework that will facilitate their understanding of graphing, analyzing, and interpreting data.



This will be a hands on, fast paced class in which students will develop the skills to:

· Develop a testable hypothesis

· Design an experiment that produces scientifically valid results

· Collect data, calculate averages, and create visual displays to facilitate analysis

· Analyze results



Experiments will include testing which is the most common color in a pack of skittles, how thick is tin foil, what objects biodegrade, what neighborhood areas have the best and worst air quality, what areas have higher acid rain levels, the physics of swing sets and more. Students will contribute and analyze data to local and international data bases to compare their results with students from around the world.

We will work in collaboration with the Illinois based international Inquiry Based Science Project to conduct hands on experiments that reflect real world issues. The project houses data from groups around the world.