Physics - Pixels, Moons, and a very long trip...

We have read an excerpt from Carl Sagan's "Pale Blue Dot". Sagan is a master scientist and elegant 'story teller' and he weaves a vivid picture of Voyager's trek through our solar system. One can tell that he certainly did his 'homework' on Voyager and that he has very definite philosophical beliefs on the impact of such a 'fantastic' voyage through space.

We do not have to agree with his philosophies but we certainly can not deny that Voyager was one of the most incredible scientific accomplishments of any era.

Log on to the blog and comment on your feelings and thoughts about the impact of this accomplishment. For instance, has it been worth the money? Does it change you perspective on the solar system and the universe? Should we be exploring our solar system and the universe beyond? How can this exploration benefit humankind? Log any thoughts you have but be illustrative. Don't make 'random' statements or rash comments. Discuss your sense of the reading. Write about two or three good paragraphs. When you are done comment on one of your classmate's postings.

Try to enjoy the process...go for it.

AP Chemistry - Collisions and particles...and cars...and Dogs and Cats...

OK...so we have been doing a lot of new stuff lately...this reaction kinetics thing can be confusing and, not to mention, it can be a little bit dry...although I do make it interesting. And for the next few weeks this stuff is going to get a little bit more "murky" and we are all going to work hard...so let's step back and talk for a minute...or more.

Remember last year we read "Atoms in Motion" by Richard Feynmann. He discussed 'jiggling' atoms and kinetic energy. And we started saying things like...'the answer to all questions is work...the source of all work is heat...heat is measured by 'jiggling' (great science word) of particles..." This stuff actually made sense by the end of the year. Now we are talking about reaction orders, rate constants, activation energy, activated complex. collision theory and equilibrium...and quite frankly, this all has to some how return to '...the answer to all questions is...'

Collision theory says reactions will happen if particles collide, but do all colliding particles react? If they don't...why not and if they do...why? What are the criteria for two colliding particles to react? Is any work done? Does energy play a role in all this?

So, log on to this blog and 'weigh in' with your input on these discussion points. Support your thoughts with at least one reference (other than your text). Write two to three illustrative paragraphs about collisions, energy, and reactions...remember, back up what you say. When you are done comment on one other response. Be nice and be supportive. No fighting or gnashing of teeth. Let the games begin.

OK...so here is a picture of my cat Nemi...he is definitely a cat with an attitude. At 12 lbs. he can hold his own out here in the sand hills of North Central Florida. He is 13...born 1992.

Now let's talk about the physics of cats. This feline can still jump about 5 times his height...and he can sprint...fast I mean when it is time to eat...he can bring it...more later...

Ok...this is going to be a new means of communicating. I am going to post things on this blog that you can respond to. There might be weird thoughts that I have during the day such as 'How tall is the empire state building in cigarette lengths?' or 'How many questions does the average fifth grade teacher answer in a given work day?'...I can also post a physics or chemistry problem for you to do and post your answer on line...or I could put a picture of my cat...I wonder how many individual strands of fur this beautiful feline has?...