Current Event #6

World's Lightest Material!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117154643.htm

November 17, 2011

Researchers from UC Irvine, HRL Laboratories and the California Institute of Technology created the world's lightest material. This new metal would have a density of 0.9 mg/cc which is about one hundred times lighter than Styrofoam. On the picture, we can see that the material lies on top of the dandelion without even damaging it. This is because this material is made out of 99.9% air. This metal was designed as a 'micro-lattice'. Meaning that it is formed by interconnected hollow tubes. The 'wall' of these tubes would be 1,000 times thinner than one human hair. This material could be used for battery electrodes and acoustic, vibration or shock energy absorption. 

This article cough my eye when I saw a picture of a material on a dandelion and the dandelion not being damaged in any way. I wonder if they could actually build a building with this metal. Would it hold together and would it be strong enough? I don't know. 

Current Event #5

 Glow Kitties

By: Stephen Ornes

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2011/09/glow-kitties/

September 28, 2011

Scientists are studying a disease called Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, commonly called FIV. This disease would be the equivalent of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV but for Felines. Since the two viruses are so alike, if a cure for FIV can be found, it might help people with HIV. This virus is so common that it could affect 1 out of 3 cats in the United States. In the process of finding a way to fight FIV, Scientists have created a new breed of cats that can glow in the dark. If the cat glows in the dark, it means that the cure is working. Eric Poeschla, the leader of this research, studies viruses at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn. He wants to 'understand how such a small thing can do so much harm'. Poeschla and his colleagues inserted a a gene found in the Rhesus monkey's DNA into a feline egg cell. The also injected a cell that would glow in the dark if the previous cell was working. This is how the produced a new breed of cats that glow in the dark and may be able to fight off FIV.

The title, Glow Kitties, it attracted my attention towards the article. The picture made me want to read it even more. This does not connect with what we are studying in class but I didn't know that by inserting a gene in a cat, you could make it turn glow in the dark. I find this cool! 

Lab

Title of the Lab:  Where's the Evidence? 

The guiding question:  What are some signs that a chemical reaction has taken place? 

Your hypothesis: There could be a change in color, temperature, it could combust, start bubbling or even burn.

List of the Materials used: Spatula, graduated cylinders, stirrer, candle/matches, thermometer, goggles, beakers/ baby food jars, Na2CO3 (Sodium Carbonate), CaCl2 (Calcium Chloride), HCl (Hydrochloric Acid), CuSO4 (Copper Sulfate Acid), Aluminium Foil, Zinc pieces, Baking soda, Vinegar (Acetic Acid), Magnesium Tablets, Iodine and Starch.

Data Table with ALL observations: 

Analysis of your results:

  

1) How do the results of each reaction compare with your prediction? 

- Most of my predictions were correct. Some of the reactions like baking soda and vinegar. I did not expect it to overflow that much.

When we look at the results of all the experiments:

1) How did you know when each reaction was over?

- Usually the fizzing, foaming or bubbling stopped. For other reactions, the two elements separated or one of them dissolved.     

2) What was the evidence of a chemical reaction in all results?

- Sometimes, the state of the element had changed. For example, the sugar and the heat. The evidence of a chemical reaction was the caramelized sugar. Sometimes, the color of the element had changed. For example, the color of the aluminium foil changed when we put it in copper sulfate.

3) Were there any endothermic or exothermic reactions? 

-Sugar and heat was an exothermic reaction because the of the heat. The copper sulfate and sodium carbonate may have been an endothermic reaction because it looked cold and the test tube felt colder than before the reaction.

4) Were the products always the same as what you started with? How do you know?

-No they were not the same because there was a difference in temperature, color and sometimes state. 

Conclusion:

  

We can see that a chemical reaction has taken place when the physical properties of an element are changed. It could be a change in temperature, in color, in state, etc. This is what I thought but some of the experience’s results surprised me. At some point, the reaction stops and we know that when we see that either the foaming, fizzing, bubbling or even color change stops. For some, the two elements separate.

Further Inquiry:  

I found that this lab was interesting but I would have used things that are easier to find and reactions that we can do at home. Otherwise, the lab was fun and I learned new things.

Current Event #4

'Fishy Lawnmowers' Help Save Pacific Corals

Researchers have discovered that some coral reefs may be recovering faster than others due to the fact of how many parrotfish and surgeonfish that live in the area. These fish eat the algae which makes it stay at a constant length and a nice shelter for juvenile fish. The coral reefs act as a nursery for baby fish, mostly herbivore fishes. With all the fool available from the algae, the baby parrotfish and surgeonfish survive more often and provide more individuals to control the algae growth on the reefs. In fact, 'the large numbers of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes are acting like thousands of fishy lawnmowers, keeping the algae cropped down to the levels low enough that there is still space for new baby corals to settle ontothe reef and begin to grow.' .   

Evidence of a Chemical Reaction

A tablet of bromine is put into 91% rubbing alcohol. One the bromine is dropped in the alcohol, it had to be shaken a little bit for the reaction to start. At the beginning, the alcohol changes from translucent, to yellow, to red. Then, it started bubbling up and looks like it is boiling. It also gives off an orange smoke that looks toxic. When the reaction is over, the only thing left is a yellow liquid.

As soon as the Lithium is dropped in the water, it sets on fire and moves around the container. Once there is no more lithium to be burnt, the water goes back to normal.

When the Cesium makes contact with the water, it explodes. Leaving little bits of cesium flying around. This reaction is very quick; this is why the reaction was shown in slow motion the second time.

When the potassium touches the water, it catches on fire and moves around the container. When there is no more potassium, the reaction is over.

I had no idea that sodium reacted do violently in the contact of water. The explosion is pretty big, for the amount of sodium that was probably put inside.

How does so little liquid make so much bubbles?? It takes a while for the reaction to start but then it bubbles up fast and spits out the beaker. At the beginning, the foam is white and slowly, at the end, it is grayish black. I find it impressive that this is a liquid we can find easily at home, same for aluminium foil. 

When the gummy bear is dropped in the liquid, it burns up immediately. Why did they spoil a perfectly good gummy bear?

This reaction is really cool! I don't really understand how it does this but it is very pretty. Little particles start flying around in the water. We are able to see this because blue food coloring was added to the water. 

Current Event #3

Teeny Tiny Cars

On a sunny day at the beginning of the year, people were driving around in egg shaped cars. Apparently, these two seat cars are so small that you could fit six in a single parking spot.
These tiny cars are electric and roll on two wheels instead of four.
Best part is, the car parks itself and by pushing a button on your cell phone, the car returns to it's owner.
Engineers are making cars that are safer and more efficient but also smarter and that uses less energy.
Some companies are creating robots for the car and others are simply trying to find ways to make a car ride even more pleasant.