Electricity by Joaquin

Protons, Electrons

Protons are positively charged and lie inside the nucleus with the neutrons. Electrons are negatively charged and they fly around outside of the nucleus. The number of protons and electrons there are decide the charge of the atom. If there are more electrons than protons then the atom is negative. If there are more protons then the atom will be positive. Suppose that there are five neutrons and five electrons then the atom will have neither a positive or negative charge, it will be a neutral atom because of the balanced protons and electrons.

Negative

Positive

Neutral 

Conductors and Insulators

●     Conductors are materials that easily transfer or move electrons

Conductors include: copper wire, metals, waters.

●     Insulators are materials that stop or slow down the flow of electrons

Insulators include: rubber, wood, wool, plastic, glass.

Current and batteries

Current- The net flow of electrons (amps)

Voltage difference- Flow of electrons from high to low (volts)

Dry cell batteries: Dry cell batteries have 2 electrodes on either end and then a paste full of electrolytes.

Wet cell batteries: They have plates that are usually metal and a chemical solution inside of them.

Lead-acid: Lead plates are dipped into an acid solution that provides energy.

Circuits

There are two different types of circuits, a series and a parallel. A series circuit has one pathway so if one device goes out then all the other ones go out as well. Parallel circuits have more than one pathway so if a device goes out the other devices stay on. Parallel circuits are used more for homes because of the multiple pathways. Series are not used as frequently.

Questions

●     What are conductors and Insulators?

●     How does the number of electrons affect the charge of an atom?

●     Why are parallel circuits more reliable than series circuits?

The Centennial Lightbulb by Kiahna

The Centennial light bulb has been burning for 116 years!

~There is a wire on the inside and it is bent so that electricity can flow through throughout the lightbulb and make it glow brighter so it is not a line because it wouldn't shine as bright.

~The bulb burns at 4 watts. It still burns to this day.

~The Centennial light bulb is located at a fire station and the firefighters take shifts watching the build to see if it burns out.

The Centennial light bulbs name is Livermore’s Centennial light bulb.

~The man who created the light bulb is Adolphe A. Chaillet.

~The light bulb still burns today because it is a hand blown bulb and it has carbon filament.

~People even had a party for this light bulb which shows it is an important thing.

Circuit of a Flashlight by Triston

The circuit of a flashlight

If you were going to make a flashlight how would you make it?

            I picked this topic because it fascinated me with electricity. It is a simple machine that uses batteries and the flow of electrons that turn the lightbulb on. There are different ways to make flashlights there can be a switch, or a button, and wind up flashlights.

            What i find most interesting about the topic is that there are many ways to make technology.

            One neat fact about this topic is that anyone could make there own flashlight. Another neat fact is that it uses the flow of electrons to make it work. Another neat fact is that you can make L.E.D lighting to make it easier to see.

The phases of cell division by Molly

We have been talking all about cell division and we just learned about all the different phases. There are 6 stages in cell division and it shows how it goes through the process slowly: Metaphase, anaphase, telophase, interphase, prophase, cytokinesis.

Interphase is where the cell spends most of its life, it gets ready mitosis and looks through its DNA.

prophase the nucleus goes away and you start seeing chromosomes together.

Metaphase shortest phase and the chromosomes are lined up in the middle

Anaphase sister chromatids split.

Telophase chromatids start to uncoil, spindle fibers break and the envelope appears.

Cytokinesis this is where the cells divide and become 2

I really have enjoyed going through all of this because I feel I am understanding about it. I’m also glad we are spending some time on it so we can all get it memorized. I find this really interesting and something to think about.(my question) is how do the sister chromatids stay together and what physically makes them let go of each other. 

The shape of the cell changes with the phases

You can see on the inside how things can develop and go away like the nucleus.

To me this is all just interesting because I love knowing what’s going on and this shows you how it’s all happening!! Seeing cells replicate is really cool! To me it’s like someone finding out that they are pregnant and seeing them grow a baby it’s just amazing and I love seeing how that works.

Lightning by Colton

Have you ever been by a lightning strike?

Lighting is a bunch of electricity built up in the sky. When there is a whole lot of electricity it goes to the ground or highest point. Most people use a lightning rod at their house so it doesn’t hit the house. Like when you rub your feet with socks on against shag carpet then touch a metal object you shoot lighting from your finger to the metal object.

            I find how when you jump on a trampoline you build up electricity and then you touch something and it transfers the electricity to that object quite interesting.

Electricity travels at the speed of light. A spark of electricity can reach up to 3,000 volts. A single lightning strike can measure up to 3,000,000 volts in less than 1 second.

Electricity By Martin

This week in Physical Science we are learning about electricity and how it works. Electricity is a force created by a difference in charges, such as positive or negative, due to a gained or lost electron. Electrons are known as negatively charged particles. When electricity is flowing between two points it is actually allowing electrons to move from Point A to Point B, which is also known as an electrical current. In order for any of the electrons to flow they need to have different charges between both of the points. The only way that electricity will work is by having both a negative and a positive charge, like charges repel and opposite charges attract. The differences between two points is known as the voltage. Both charges could have a tremendous charge but if the charges are the same, then there will be no electrons flowing at that time. It’s possible for an electrical current to jump from one point to another, but you would normally find it traveling through conductors. Conductors can be any material that allows electrons or electricity to easily flow through it. Currents are usually the amount of electrons that are flowing through conductors, they are measured in amperes (amps).  Any type of an electric cord is layered with a metal conducting wire and the conducting wires are covered by either a plastic or rubber insulation. Insulators are any materials that prevents the flow of electrons or electricity. Some good insulators are usually wood, glass, rubber and/or plastic. Some materials known as resistors can slow down the electricity without stopping it all together. Almost every material, even really good conductors, consists of a small amount of resistance on the electrical current. Resistance is measured in ohms.

This is a representation of electrons that are flowing from one point to the other. It shows that since there is a negative charge and a positive charge that the electrons are flowing easily. They attract each other.

This picture represents that since both sides have alike charges that they aren’t flowing at all. Since they are both negatively charged, the electrons will not make it to both points. They repel each other.

Questions;

1.    Where does electricity come from?

2.    Can you see electricity?

3.    How is electricity created?

4.    What exactly is electricity?

Mitosis by Luke

 In our Advanced Biology Classroom, we are currently learning about Mitosis and how cells reproduce. Mitosis is an asexual form of reproduction because the DNA comes from one parent cell. Binary fission is another form of asexual reproduction and it it occurs in prokaryotic cells. Mitosis is a relatively short process compared to interphase and it is comprised of four sections. I found this interesting because cells spend most of their life only performing basic functions.

The first stage of mitosis is Prophase, during this stage the chromatin become visible and spindle fibers and centrioles form. The next stage is Metaphase, this is when the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell and the spindle fibers attach to them. Anaphase is when the chromatids are separated and they are moving towards the end of the cell. Finally, Telophase is when the chromatids reach the poles of the cell and membranes form around them. Also the centrioles and spindle fibers break down and cytokinesis occurs. Cytokinesis is different for animal and plant cells because plant cells create a cell wall along with membrane that is formed.

 At the end of Mitosis, two identical cells with the exact DNA are created, unless a mutation occurs. Mutation is rare though because the cell has checkpoints before mitosis to stop mutations like cancer.

Question: Mitosis is one of the many forms of cellular reproduction, but are there any negative aspects to mitosis compared to sexual reproduction?

3 Facts About Cell Reproduction:

1.    Meiosis is another way cells can produce

2.    Humans have 46 chromosomes

3.    Adders-tongue has 1260 chromosomes

Chemistry Update by Keyper

Today in chemistry I worked on a group project we were assigned. We decided to create a 1940’s themed newspaper based on the Manhattan project. The Manhattan project ran from 1940 to 1952, in secrecy. The project was to develop nuclear weapons before the enemies could do something with theirs. This project was started by Enrico Fermi, and Albert Einstein when they both decided to warn the president of the nuclear power in the hands of the enemy. This project led to the bombing of Nagasaki, and Hiroshima. Another thing this project is responsible for is the first ever controlled nuclear reaction, which was created under the grandstands of the Chicago university stadium. Our newspaper will include a word search, a cartoon, an article, and to go along with it, a rap from Steven.

Plants by Santi

This week in biology we have been learning about plants. We are starting to finish up on our c-layer.

          There are vascular plants, and non-vascular plants. Vascular plants have tissue and include plants which have seeds. Ferns are also vascular. The vascular vessels are what transports water and food throughout the plant. Non vascular plants do not have the same tissue as vascular plants. Some examples of non-vascular plants are: mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. These plants do not have roots, stems or even leaves. There are some species that have rhizoids that are like a root. Water gets absorbed from the air and any other near source.

3 random facts about plants:

1.   Earth has over 80,000 different species of edible plants.

2.   Only 1% of rainforest plants have been studied for medicinal purposes.

3.   80% of the world’s forests have been destroyed.

What I found most interesting is that plants have different ways of living and different ways to get food and water transported through them.

          The question I have is: What is your favorite plant?