Journal 4-8

Alana Prettitore
May 26, 2008
Journal 4-8

Waves, Simulation Labs, Elegant Universe, and Honors Portfolios (& the dreaded AP Exams)

I. Research Question

I guess this question was a little bit pointless, but I was looking for an opportunity to learn more about waves. In my research, I didn’t find one exact number for how many types of waves there are. However, I discovered that mechanical, electromagnetic, and matter waves are the three main types of waves. Mechanical waves require a material medium to travel through, including air, water, or ropes. In more detailed terminology, there is another breakdown of the three types of mechanical waves: transverse, longitudinal, and surface. Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium travel. For instance, radio and light are considered electromagnetic. Finally, matter waves are those produced by electrons and particles. The website I used is as follows: http://library.thinkquest.org/10796/ch8/ch8.htm. It was actually quite helpful and I would recommend a teacher or someone else use it in order to better understand this challenging concept.

II. Summary

This week was pretty hectic as well considering that our Honors Portfolios were due; also, the Energy Team finally presented to the entire faculty! It was quite exciting and it was such a rewarding experience for all of us. It seemed that all of the administration and faculty were engaged in our presentation and wanted to support our proposal. There were a few questions afterward – that is always a good sign, because it means that the audience was listening! Anyway, I was a little stressed about the Honors Portfolio, especially since the Energy Team was meeting essentially every week for the majority of this school year! Also, all of the research, outside phone calls, interactions, and publicity attempts, the whole effort was quite substantial!

Anyway, in addition to the honors portfolios, we focused on completing these simulation lab worksheets. They were extremely extensive and completely mostly through interactive websites. Next, we received a plethora of worksheets on sound, color, light, wavelengths, and how they are all connected somehow. My favorite part was of course the Youtube videos. It was totally awesome when the teacher next door came in and said that he was trying to administer an SOL test and if we could please turn down the sound. That was extremely funny because the video was of people trying to scream in order to break glass. The whole scene was hilarious and definitely unforgettable. Anyway, the interesting part was that it’s not just in the movies – one can actually break glass if your voice is a certain pitch. As a musician, I should know this; however, it’s something we never quite covered.

Then, we reviewed for the “Elegant Universe”. Earlier in the year, we started this DVD and learned about String Theory. I found it quite fascinating and I really want to learn more about it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there for class on Friday due to the fact that I was taking an AP exam…(last one!). It seems to be quite an intriguing theory and want to delve into the issue this year and throughout college.

III. Question

What other interesting phenomena have occurred, like the bridge, breaking glass, and so forth in relation to sound and pitch and waves and such?

Journal 4-7

Alana Prettitore
May 19, 2008
Journal 4-7

Waves (and Prom week ;)

I. Research Question

The polar system is very complicated and difficult for many to understand. However, there are various reasons why it is important to grasp. First, one could become a scientist or become involved in a field that helps humanity prepare for catastrophes. One could predict and work around natural disasters. Also, humanity can develop and advance together.

II. Summary

This week was not so stressful due to no AP exams for myself. Since many students were taking AP U.S. History, the seniors and any other students present had the opportunity to complete worksheets from the last lab. They were in relation to magnetism and electricity and they were super hard. Afterwards, we had an extremely long class in which we worked on the PhET Waves Station Lab. They were quite challenging as well. We did an intro to understanding waves, how they function, what they are, how they are measured, and their relation to color and sound.

III. Question

How many types of waves exist?

Journal 4-6

Alana Prettitore
May 7, 2008
Journal 4-6

Electricity/Magnetism

I. Research Question

In the last entry, I inquired what would happen if the poles really did switch? Apparently, the sun changes its magnetic poles every 11 years. However, recorded history has never taken note of this occurrence on earth. Therefore, we do not know for sure what would happen. Also, it depends upon how fast the change occurred. If the poles switched after only a few days, weeks, or even a year, radio communications, power lines, earthquakes, and other electrical disasters would come about. However, if it is very gradual, it has been determined that nothing catastrophic is likely to occur. These companies should be prepared for anything; forecasters are hired to predict events such as this. Fortunately, nothing like this has ever happened. Most obvious, the compasses would switch. This information came from the website http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2003-03/1047059552.Es.r.html.

II. Summary

This week, we learned more about voltage, current, and completed more worksheets on the issue. During the first class, I was completing my AP Government exam, so I am not sure what else happened on Monday. However, on Wednesday, we started a lab stations activity. There are approximately 8,000 worksheets to complete! Just kidding. There are about 7 lab stations. Most are using some time of computer program to analyze temperature, current, voltage, circuits, and other interactive lessons.

III. Question

What is the importance/what are the advantages to understanding the polar system?

Journal 4-5

Alana Prettitore
May 4, 2008
Journal 4-5

Electricity/Magnetism

I. Research Question

In the last entry, I was curious to learn about facts about worldwide energy consumption. I found that in 2004, the total worldwide energy consumption of the human race was 500 EJ ( 5 x 1020 J); 86.5% derives from the combustion of fossil fuels. However, there is at least 10% margin of error! While the vast majority comes from America, many other countries consume a large amount of energy per person. Surprisingly, the United States does not produce the most per person. According to Wikipedia, the United States has 11.4 kW per person and Japan and Germany are 6 kW per person. Canada has the highest energy consumption per person; the lowest energy consumption takes place in developing and under-developed economies. In developing countries, like India, the per person energy use is closer to 0.5 kW. Japan and Great Britain have the most energy efficient systems in the world!

(I’m going there! My mom calls me a tree hugger)

II. Summary

This week, we delved into the Electricity/Magnetism issues more thoroughly. In the first class, we reviewed for a quiz. We did another experiment and recognized the significance of the closed loop. Also, we discovered just how many people do not know how to create a basic system. An interesting documentary was illustrated. Harvard and another noteworthy corporation interviewed MIT and Harvard graduates on Commencement Day. They discovered that relatively no one was able to create light with a bulb, wire, and battery. This shows a severe inability to understand the most basic foundations of electricity – something that most people in the Western world would commit suicide if it didn’t work!

Then, we took the quiz and developed a stronger understanding of the topic. We started a new topic in our unit on capacitors and whatnot. It looks pretty complicated at first so I will have to work on understanding it better! We learned about the poles as well and more issues related to magnetism.

III. Question

What would happen if the poles switched?