Chemistry Bubbl

Reflection:

Throughout the chemistry we have learnt so much it's amusing looking back and noticing how 2-3 months ago we would look at the Periodic Table and not understand anything while now we can tell you everything about the element, who it can bond with, what kind of bond would it be and even how the equation would look like. We've learnt and tested chemical reactions, acids and bases, balancing chemical compounds. We've learnt about solubility, concentration, solvent+ solute and many more. Also about how amazing fireworks are created :). 

Prezi

http://prezi.com/rjt9gg2thp_c/element-bonding-project/

Current Event- Pollution might lead to Sclerosis

Purdue University. "Environmental toxin may play important role in multiple sclerosis: Hypertension drug possible treatment." ScienceDaily 23 November 2010. 25 November 2010 <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/11/101123174332.htm>.

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a disease more often encountered at young adults and women; formed when myelin- a protective layer around nerves is damaged. As a result, the brain has difficulties “communicating” with other parts of the body. Acrolein on the other hand is a toxic air pollutant, being mostly found by tobacco and auto exhaust. Neuroscience professor Riyi Shi, at the Purdue University discovered that mice with multiple sclerosis have a 60% larger amount of acrolein in their spine. It basically eats away the connection the myelin has with the nerve. To my surprise, they seemed to may have found a way to solve this problem. It’s a hypertension medicine- hydralizine was proven to reduce the amount of acrolein, therefore delay MS. It is the first time this type of medicine seemed to have an effect on sclerosis, as well as the first time acrolein is proven to have such a drastic effect on  myelin.

This article connects to our study of environmental issues and what they can cause. I never knew that pollution could go as far as sclerosis, a sickness that seemed so far from anything I thought it could cause. Now I’ve learnt what multiple sclerosis and acrolein are and how they impact each other. All I don’t understand is how a blood-pressure lowering medicine could help it. They seem to have nothing to do with each other. But now that I think of it, some things start making more sense. This disease is more often seen at young people, mostly because there isn’t anything to stop it; young people don’t usually need hypertension medicine. On the other hand, my and probably many other’s opinion on sclerosis was that only elders have it. This article completely changes our assumptions, and is completely shocking. It would be great if the medicine would work on humans the same way it does on mice, but won’t it be dangerous to take pills for something you don’t have. It’s like taking pills for stomach ache when you have a fever, then expecting it to work. I’m pretty sure we should test this more, and find out what exactly helps in hydralizine, then combine it with the old sclerosis pills and discover a revolutionary medicine.

This current event was easy to understand after some background information on what MS and acrolein are was researched. If you don’t know them before you read, you wouldn’t understand anything. The information was clearly valid, from a trustworthy website, with facts as well as the thoughts of the scientists. Before I started reading it I wondered what pollution has to do with brain damage and how do blood-pressure medicines help it.

I chose this article because of the many questions, doubts and opinions that popped up in my mind just by reading the title and the subheading. I’m very surprised and in the future, if they will ever manage to explain it, I would like to know how does the medicine really help as well as how are you supposed to know to take it if it only helps preventing multiple scoliosis?

Current Events- Lung Cancer Cure?

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. "New Treatment for Lung Cancer Shows Promise." ScienceDaily, 16 November 2010. Web. 17 November 2010. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101115142005.htm>.


A brand new discovered lung cancer cure is being presented and discussed right now at the Annual Meeting and Exposition 2010 in New Orleans. Raimar Löbenberg along his colleagues Warren Finlay and Wilson Roa seem to have discovered a more efficient, less traumatizing cure. Facts show the lung cancer is one of the deadliest and the second most common in the U.S. People go through horrible, never-ending treatments and most don't seem to have results worth it. You must be wondering what this "new cure" is. It's a dry, inhalant powder (breath it in) developed by using a chemotherapy drug encapsulated into nano-particles. It was tested on mice and the outcome was compared with the results of other mice being treated with the exact same medicine only through injection and a solution. They discovered that inhaling it was more efficient, the mice lived longer and even the tumors got smaller. 


This article connects to what we studied a couple of weeks ago. Many people might not have notices but a lot of our environmental issues affect our lungs. Lung diseases seem to become more and more often so the risk of lung cancer will be increased. Lung cancer, after what I've heard, is the most deadly and horrible one, so finding a cure that would be easily administrated and with better results is truly amazing. The only problem would end up being the price- which will limit the people able to access it. 


This current event was easy to understand and it is a trustworthy source, including clear facts and correct information. Just by the title it got my attention, I was willing to read more- for some reason I'm very interested in facts and cures to horrible diseases. If those tests will be proven on people it will be an amazing benefit that would save so many lives and so much effort as well as time. 

Sunburned Whales

11/10/10 10:53 AM

 Associated Press

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40108686/ns/world_news-world_environment/

Whales off the Mexican coast seem to be suffering from harsh sunburn – believed to be caused by the gaps in the ozone layer that are unable to block UV-rays. So far, none of it developed into cancer.

This time of season the whales are more vulnerable, having to spend more time at the surface, but because they lack any kind of fur or leather as well as the ability to put on sunscreen and sunglasses, they are completely unprotected from the UV radiation. Just like humans, the whale’s skin tone affects the way they react. Blue whales are more affected than the fin whales, even though they spent less time at the surface. The ozone layer got thinner and thinner because of CFC’s (chemicals “eating” it away.) Not only it endangers whales, but in endangers whale species already endangered.

We just wrote an essay on an environmental issue. And yes, I knew we had problems with the ozone layer but I never thought it would get to something as ridiculous as whales getting sunburned. I have never heard of a sea animal getting sunburned; just imagine how much worse it can get. Not only it might contribute to making a Blue Whale extinct but what if this is happening to other, smaller animals, but we just haven’t realized because of their size.

The article was easy to understand and the data is most definitely valid, from a trusted website with scientist and people with studies in the domain contributing. I knew we probably created this issue just from hearing the title; however, I am deeply shocked that whales are actually able to get sunburned. In a way I realized they are a lot like us, how we are affected differently depending on some facts. But at least humans can solve this. We can hide under an umbrella or use sunscreen. And if we get skin cancer, we can do things to try to survive it. You can’t catch a whale and give it pills; it’s not even their fault this is happening.

The Chemistry of Fireworks

How are fireworks capsules designed?
A firework is basically an Aerial Shell- it contains black powder propellant, a time fuse, black powder bursting charge and effect pellets.

What safety procedures do they include in the design?
It includes a time fuse so it won't explode immediately and endanger health as well as the shell that keeps it all together and the mortar tube.

What are the various compounds mentioned in this video? *What are their chemical formulas?
Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Perchlorate, Strontium Nitrate, Copper Oxide, Strontium Chloride, Sodium Silicate, Calcium Nitrate and Barium Acetate.


KNO3, KClO4, Sr(NO3)2, Cu2O, SrCl2, Na2SiO3, Ca(NO3)2, Ba(C2H3O2)2


Which element is extremely important for fireworks to work properly? What is the fire triangle?
You need black powder to both propel and burst. . The Fire Triangle is fuel+ heat+ oxygen and black powder obtains all of them.

What two components do fireworks need in order to produce heat at a certain burning rate?
  You need something to work as a fuel  and an oxidizer.


What type of reaction takes place in fireworks?
An explosion.

Current Events- Every Person Emits Two Tons of Carbon Dioxide per Year

Science Daily, 3/11/10

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101102131108.htm

Can you believe where our world got? Can you imagine that each single one of you pollutes this Earth up to two tons of carbon dioxide every single year? And it's not because of transportation or entertainment. It's just because we eat. We ate, we eat, and we will eat because we cannot survive without eating. But can Earth survive with us eating?

A study by the Spanish University Almeria confirms that from the time the food is produced up until the body excretes it along the year, the amount of carbon dioxide produced is 2 tons, about 20% of all the amount of carbon dioxide released each year in the entire world. From getting the food, to transporting, to selling, to preparing, to eating and further processes our world is being polluted. Some of the greater impacts are producing the food from live stock such as dairy products or meat as well as fishing and agriculture. Not only this, but it seems that for the first time, even human excrement causes some water pollution by containing nitrogen and phosphorus and contributing to several problems.

This current event completely shocked me. I didn’t have a clue that just by doing something as normal as eating the Earth will be so affected. But what are we supposed to do? Stop eating?

It is true; it impacts global warming and pollutes water and air. But one reason why people aren’t going to take it very seriously it’s because, if you think about it, its carbon dioxide. Without it we would have no oxygen for the simple fact that trees and plants take carbon dioxide in and after photosynthesis they release it as oxygen. And if you think deeper, there wouldn’t be any water either. In my opinion, focusing on this would be a waste of time. There is more point in stopping people from driving a car than trying to stop them from eating. It pollutes but there is worse.

I don’t want to sound careless and just let this topic pass by, but if you think about it it’s not half as bad as other. A way to solve it is to make people plant more forests so there will be more plants to “get rid” of it. Also comparing how much carbon dioxide eating produces: 2 tons per year to how much carbon dioxide a car produces: 7.7 tons per year; we would all realize which is worse. In the end, eating is more important than transportation.

Waste Water Spill- Another wave expected.

Authorities believe that there will be a second wave of toxic sludge, but seem to do nothing about it. Another crack was discovered in the aluminum plant reservoir wall, its 50 cm long  and if the wall completely collapses, another 500,000 cubic meters of red sludge could burst out, about half the amount that was spilled on Monday. The spokesman told the reporters they already know it will collapse, but don't know when. They think the wall can't be saved, so they thought of just evacuating the people. 

Current Events- Noble Physics Prize Winner

Karl Ritter and Louise Nordstrom 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_nobel_physics 

10/5/10

Professor Andre Geim and Dr. Konstantin Noviselov, both born in Russia, have won the Noble Physics Prize by creating the strongest and thinnest material known to us. It could be revolutionary. This transparent material they made can be used to build better electronic devices including computers, transparent touch screens, lighter planes, cars and even satellites. You must be wondering how did they manage. They used simple Scotch tape to isolate graphene- a form on carbon, one atom thick but still, 100 times stronger than steel. The result was a thin, almost weight less, strong, transparent product and it might impact the world as much as plastic. For this amazing invention, the two won the Noble Physics Prize in Stockholm along with 1,5 million dollars.

This article connects to chemistry and the elements, as it taught me what graphene is and what it is used for. It also connects to the green plastic video. This material could replace objects now made by plastic. And it would be more eco-friendly than all the others, facing the fact that all it needs is Scotch tape and carbon. The world is full of carbon. It would affect our society a lot. It would improve a lot of our "needs" such as cars, airplanes, computers and satellites. It would make them better and more secure and with better performance. Sadly, however the process of obtaining graphene might be, easy or hard, and regardless how useful it is, it will cost a lot of money- one of people's limitations.

This current event made sense and it was easy to understand. The information is surely valid and contains facts and a lot of proof. Before I read the entire article I was wondering how is it possible for something so amazing to be created, meaning what did they do to obtain it? Also, how far could the benefits go?

I chose this article because I was really interested in who won a Noble Prize and why. But as I continued reading, the article got really fascinating. I found it by simply checking the news. I learned, basically, what this incredible material is, how it's made and how can it be used. I agree with the fact that this could be an amazing discovery and it clearly deserved it's prize. I'm very surprised it can be trapped by using Scotch tape. Next time I look forward to do my current events on something very similar, related to this topic.

Atom Video

What new things did I learn:

• atom= uncuttable 
• electrons don't orbit nucleus
• can't find out the location/ momentum of electron
• isotope: same element but with more neutrons
• atom= 99.99% free space :O

This video was very helpful, it reviewed everything we learnt and at then end it got really interesting and really made me think about the 99.99% free space in all of us.

Green Plastic

From watching the Green Plastic video I found out how both plastic and green plastic are made, how do they affect our environment and which ones would be better. Even though green plastic might be better, because it's made out of natural resources but it might ruin our food supply. But the plastic we commonly use would make us run out of oil. Bio-plastic is recyclable, but it takes a lot of effort and not many countries are able to, so it would end up like any other plastic.
I can't say say it would be good to start using more green plastic, but I also think we should stop or at least lower the production of plastic. In the end, they both take vital need from us, I hope scientists will come up with a better, more eco-friendly solution. It's probably impossible to stop using plastic, but I'm sure we can do something about it.

Current Events- Miracle Fruits

Miracle Fruits

In 1968, on the west part of Africa, near Ghana, a very special fruit was discovered. It was called Synsepalum dulcificum or the “miracle” berry. It might sound childish but its effects are self explanatory. If a person would eat one, the taste buds on his tongue would act “weird”-everything sour would taste sweet. For a given period of time, lemons might taste like sugar and grapefruits like sweets. But here’s how it happens. The miracle berry ingredients are molecules of glycoprotein and a carbohydrate. This combination is also known as miraculin. A while after the fruits were discovered, people started realizing how useful they can be. They started using them in candy. The kids preferred the sweets that had berries in them in place of sugar. It would have been a great change, making junk food… healthy. Also, it is majorly used in diets because some of the food you have to eat and the drinks are sour and this fruit helps a lot. But now that the world is using those (mostly US) the fruits might run out. Scientist found a solution; they know how to form the molecules so now they are trying to put them in other foods. They already managed to combine the DNA of that berry with the DNA of a tomato and the tomato acts exactly the same.

This would be great for our world, people would be able to lose weight more, have “healthy” junk food and many others, but I am 100% sure by the time more people will find out, we will take them for granted and lose all of them. We will have to artificially create them or simply forget them. I found this very interesting, I never knew something like this existed and it seems very cool. I wonder if there are any side effects though. I think a child died. What if your taste buds won’t ever return to normal? I think these fruits should be tested more before selling them to the entire world.

Glogster

My glog:
http://anaancuta.glogster.com/strontium/

By working on this Glog I (obviously) learn more about strontium but also other elements. Everything we had to write about it connected to our lessons in a way that made us review them and even learn them better. 

20 Things You Didn't Know about Water

http://discovermagazine.com/2010/may/20-things-you-didn.t-know-about-water


I found all of those 20 facts about water fascinating but here are the 5 that i understood and that impressed me the most:
1. The International Space Center recycles 93% of the astronaut's perspiration and urine, changing it to potable water. This is amazing and in the future I think we could use this on Earth. Have that system in our houses or office, even schools, that would be great. It would save so much water on earth it might be one of the best inventions ever. 
2. Everybody should have hear of the myth drink 8 to 10 cups of water per day (or 2 liters) but it was never proven. It's just a simple assumption with no facts supporting it. And just imagine millions of people following it. It might be such a waste of water, and it might harm.
3. You can get intoxicated from too much water. Amateur marathon runners die because of that every year. This makes me wonder what is the exact amount we should drink. It's either to less or too much. What if 2 liters is actually too much? That can harm us? What if we are just wasting a lot of water?
4. Scientists at Oregon State University have identified vast reservoirs of water beneath the ocean floor. In fact, there may be more water under the oceans than in them. This means that if our oceans dry out (hope not)  we still have water under, even more. But if water would seem to be lacking, we could use the major amount from under. People won't or can't afford it might solve their problems. But I think we should only use this if we are in great danger or else we will take it for granted.
5. A hairy leg may get sunburned before the other because hairs, as small as they are, can carry water too. This information could prevent severe sunburns causing horrible diseases such as cancer. But I think only women could apply it. 


5 Facts:


1. Set in the desert of Dubai, the Tiger Woods Golf Course uses 4 million gallons of water every day to maintain its lush appearance. 
http://www.ecosalon.com/water/
2. A watermelon is  92% (almost all) made of water.
http://www.listfied.com/15-really-cool-facts-about-water-that-you-probably-didnt-know
3. Each day the sun evaporates a trillion tons of water.
http://www.lenntech.com/water-trivia-facts.htm
4. Flushing a toilet requires 2-7 gallons of water.
http://www.mamashealth.com/water/waterfacts.asp
5. Since 1950, water usage in the US has risen 127%.


By doing this we found out more about water, more facts that the movie Blue Gold told us and different connections to it. Some facts agreed other informed us better. But both showed us the same thing. We need water and we are loosing and taking it for granted. And they also agree that we MUST do something.

Current Events- Pollution at the Ends of the Earth

Summary:

Kuujjuaq is a small village in the Canadian Arctic, with fauna and blue skies, where no one would think there was pollution. Somehow, there is, a lot of it, that you can never get rid of. And worse, it's not the people that live there that created it. It's us, in the cities with giant factories and cars killing not only our but the innocent people's environment. Toxic chemicals travel until a cold place, for example the Arctic, but they never leave, and they remain in the human’s body forever. A doctor started studying these chemicals called persistent organic pollutants or POP. He found out that more than 10 million tons of POPs floated to the Arctic. Where they landed, that’s where they remained. If they landed on a small fish, then eaten by a bigger fish, and then a human would eat that big fish, than the human will have the POP in him. POP that would never get out. It didn't have major affects on humans yet but it seems that every child has 2 tiny rain drops of POP in them. And POPs are more concentrated, so 2 raid drops in the 5 year olds’ body is as many chemicals in the half a million kilograms of sea water.

Reflection:

First, I think this is horrible and completely unfair! The poor people living in Kuujjuaq don't deserve this, they did absolutely nothing. Still they live without anything to do about it. I doubt most of them even know its happening. They live carrying all the horrible chemicals we cause, in our cities. The people living in Kuujjuaq are completely innocent, and we must find a way to stop POP spread. Is it the five year old boy’s fault that he now has an equivalent of half a million kilograms of sea water chemicals by simply eating and drinking? The solution is simple: we created it, we solve it. I bet scientist could find a way to eliminate POP from bodies of humans and animals. I am 100% sure we can do something!
Whenever I imagine blue skies, no tall buildings, no cars, not factories I imagine NO pollution. But I guess I'm wrong. Now probably every inch of the Earth is polluted. I wonder how POP would affect us. Does this happen in Belgrade while its winter? How about other parts of the world? How will POP affect our life, what if it’s in bigger quantities?
I found this article is fascinating. It made me think of what we do and what we cause to innocent people.

Blue Gold

There are more than 30 rivers floating through my country, but the 7 more important ones are probably the Danube (Black Forest, Germany), Tisza (Rakhiv, Ukraine), Prut (Mount Hoverla, Ukraine), Mures (Carpathian Mountains, Romania), Siret (Northern Bukovina, Hungary), Arges (Mt. Fagaras, Romania) and Olt (Romania)
The Olt River- 10 Dams
Siret River- dams and artificial lakes
Mures- total of 14 dams and hydroelectric plants 
Prut- built one dam+ hydroelectric plant+ artificial lake together
Danube- one huge hydroelectric plant (broader to Serbia) and one dam
Arges- 1 hydroelectric plant


As you can see, Romania provides it's own water but I'm not sure about exporting it. 
Bucharest gets it's water from 2 other major rivers: Arges and Dambovita (like a River Sava of Bucharest) and the water is collected in 2 huge water purification centers. 

Evidence of Chemical Reaction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVK9Om4wzBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ypUVpwgcAA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=896vJj6eWYw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRmNPKVEGeQ&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJslbQiYrYY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2mj-Sq2oeo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n7kBkBcXgo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pk6s1MbszA&feature=relatedure=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrNA8-eipGE&feature=related

Response:
1. First, nothing seemed to happen. But then, the chemical reaction started: the water started turning red-orange, bubbly, and overflown the glass.
2. The lithium caught on fire while it was still on the water and started moving around.
3. You can tel it was a chemical reaction by the fact that when the cesium touched the surface of the water it exploded.
4. The second it touched the water, it formed a small fire that started moving around in circles on the water and popping.
5. First, it just bubbled a bit, then it caught on fire (small) and in the end it burst out in a huge flame that went off in less than one second leaving gas behind.
6.You can see the liquid nitrogen floating over the pool like a white wave, spreading more and more.
7. After a while it starts bubbling for a really long time until at one point you start wondering where is it all coming from
8. The gummy bear caught on fire after the substance was added
9. After you added everything, in the middle of the glass you could see the water moving.

Video:
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Bonus:
Chemical Reactions show how different elements react with eachother. The prove or argue hypothesizes that scientists made before. They tell wether the element is dangerous, deadly, explosive, or people can play around with them everyday. Wether we depend on them or not and how can we use them. How do they help us?

What I've learnt today:

Today, in class, I've learnt all about the Lewis Dot and Bohr diagrams. I still don't understand the POINT of the Lewis dot, it's useless. You already see on the table how many electrons it has on the outer shell but you cant see how many they are in total. Everything makes sense except for my question: Whats the point of the Lewis Dot?

KWL

Chemistry= is the science of matter and the changes that occur

What you know?
I have already leaned almost everything about the periodic table and how atoms work.

What  do you want to learn?
I want to learn more about chemical reactions and physical or chemical changes. More about the periodic table and how can people combine them and form others. I wonder if you can separate pieces of an atom, add them to another and make something new. How where they discovered and if each atom has different matter in it or do they make it up. How come they make up different elements only with a difference of a few electrons, protons and neutrons? How come they are so important, all the others are made up of the same thing.

Goals

My goals in science are pretty basic. To expand my knowledge and get 7/7 all thorough the year. I want to be more organized and try to get as much as I can accomplished in class. Maybe improve my listening skills. I want to learn more, and to always know a bit more information than needed. I want to give my best for a better year.