Weather Memes

Current Events: Deeper Digging Needed to Decode a Best Friend’s Genetic Roots

    This article discusses the mysterious DNA of dogs. Scientists estimate that dogs started roaming Earth between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. The only piece of information that we had for a very long time was that dogs came from wolves. When DNA was collected from 1,375 dogs, it was found that the breeds were so mixed that their deep genetic history was obscured. However, six dog breeds were found whose DNA was less mixed. They were the basenji, shar-pei, Saluki, Akita, Finnish spitz and Eurasier. When they added these to eight breeds deemed ancient  in other studies, what they found was that the dogs that were most genetically distinct were not from the places where the oldest archaeological and fossil evidence had been found. Scientists expected that if these breeds were closer genetically to the first domesticated dogs, then they would also be geographically closer. They would also be closer geographically to early dog fossils and areas where ancients breeds are known to have lived. Oddly, the findings proved to oppose this expectation. The most genetically distinct dogs were recently relatively isolated in the history of domestication.

    Luckily, not all is lost. For thousands of years, humans have buried their dogs. These early dog fossils can be discovered and dug up. Furthermore, just as DNA had been taken from Neanderthals to study early human life, the same can be done with dogs. The genetic findings from ancient dog fossils should help shed light on the mysteries of early dog domestication in the next few years. As more DNA is collected and more knowledge of dogs is received, we are taking steps in the right direction. In the meantime, scientists need to just step back and take a breath. We can only come closer to figuring out where and when dogs appeared on Earth.
Link:Dogs' Genetic Roots Remain Obscure

Heat Transfer Lab Report

Purpose:

The purpose of the lab was to further understand the transfer of heat through the observation of sand and water.

Hypothesis:

I predict that the water will heat faster than the sand. I also predict that the water will cool down quicker.

Materials:

·         2 thermometers

·         2 beakers, 400 mL

·         Water, 300 mL

·         Metric ruler

·         String

·         Ring stand and two ring clamps

·         Sand, 300 mL

·         Lamp with 150-W bulb

·         Clock or stopwatch

·         Graph paper

Procedure:

1.      Fill one beaker with 300 mL of dry sand

2.      Fill the second beaker with 300 mL of water at room temperature

3.      Arrange the beakers side by side beneath the ring stand

4.      Place one thermometer in each beaker

5.      Suspend the thermometers from the ring stand with string

6.      Position the lamp so that it is about 20 cm above the sand and water. There should be no more than 8 cm between the beakers.

7.      Record the temperature of the sand and water in the data table

8.      Turn on the lamp. Read the temperature of the sand and water every minute for 15 minutes. Record the temperatures in the Light On column in the data table.

9.      Turn the light off. Read the temperature of the sand and water every minute for another 15 minute. Record the temperatures in the Light Off column.

Results:

·         The water heated up within the first 8 minutes.

·         The temperature of the sand did not appear to rise.

·         Once the lamp had been shut off, the temperature of the water rose at the 20 minute mark.

·         Once again, the temperature of the sand did not change.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this lab was to observe the transfer of heat by comparing the heating and cooling of sand and water. My hypothesis was that the water would heat and cool faster than the sand. The results showed that the water heated and cooled while the sand’s temperature remained the same. Although the results supported the hypothesis, the information gathered stated otherwise. Sand is supposed to heat up faster than water. This is because in general the land surface, being less reflective and more absorbent, will absorb a great deal of solar radiation, and will have a significant increase in temperature on a bright sunny day. The ocean, at the same time, will reflect a greater portion of the radiation, causing it to take longer to absorb the heat. The results most likely ended up like this because a lamp was used instead of radiation from the sun. The data collected showed that the temperature of the sand remained at 25°C and the temperature of the water rose from 23°C to 24°C. The temperature then decreased back to 23°C. This lab helped me understand why the sand at the beach is normally hot while the water is typically cold. . Knowledge like this is good to have when you are at the beach so you can somewhat predict how cold or warm the water will be based on how warm the sand is.

Volcano Behind Atlantis Legend Re-awakens (Current Events)

Thousands of years ago, cataclysmic eruptions at the Greek isle of Santorini caused the formation of a volcanic crater. The volcanic crater in Santorini has endured smaller eruptions as recent as in 1950. However, in 2011, the volcano awoke and is currently active. The article discusses how investigators installed a GPS monitoring system in 2006 to track the movement of the crater and volcano. After tracking it for a number of years, researchers found that the land near the volcano had been swelling at an accelerating rate reaching a growth about 7 inches per year. This was discovered between September 2011 and January 2012. The purpose of this ongoing monitoring is so they can use the information to evaluate the physical features and issues that cause the unrest and possible eruption of the volcano. I believe that this monitoring system could assist in discovering new information about the inner workings and other mysterious aspects of a volcano. Scientists can potentially find fascinating information unknown to the world. However, there are some things hindering researchers from discovering some of the most scientifically interesting results possible. The greatest obstacle they are facing is the water itself. Most of the deforming land at Santorini is underwater. Not much investigating can occur without the proper seafloor equipment. Soon enough, they will find a way to fix the problem and continue their fascinating research.

Current Events 3/29/12

The article I read was about a movie director named James Cameron. He completed the first human dive in 52 years to the ocean’s deepest spot. He navigated his mini-submarine down in the western Pacific in an underwater area known as Challenger Deep. He began this dive on Sunday, March 25th at 3:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight time. Then, he landed on the bottom at 5:52 p.m. and surfaced at 10 p.m. His team planned to bait the area with food that might have become a magnet for larger creatures luring in the dark.
I believe the article was intriguing and shocking and the explanation was monumental. This was the first human dive in 52 years to the ocean’s deepest spot. Also, he took on the incredible danger of embarking on this journey alone. Another impressive thing was that the mini-submarine was his own design. This monumental expedition led James Cameron to embarking into an “alien world”.

Atoms

Lab Report: States of Matter

For the past week, in science class, we did several labs involving matter. We observed the states of matter and other aspects of matter. The main purpose of the labs was to understand the distance between chemical changes and physical changes. Through the duration of the week, other knowledge was also compiled.

The first two labs were in the same context because both involved candles. The first was quite basic. Notes were taken on the physical properties of a candle. However, no chemical properties were noted because one cannot observe matter’s chemical composure unless it is manipulated. Once the candle was lit, observations on chemical and physical properties were recorded. Physical changes were first written down. These would include that it was melting, smooth, and shiny. Now that it was lit, chemical changes included things such as the fact that it was burning. The evidence of this was shown in the flame and smoke. In addition, this lab was a source of knowledge involving combustion. Combustion is the act or process of burning. Thus combustion occurred when the candle was lit. People see combustion on a daily basis without even acknowledging it. When someone lights a candle in their kitchen or lights a birthday candle, one could say that they are performing a science experiment. This could be useful when forming hypotheses regarding combustion and burning.

 The second part of this lab involved candle but had a different purpose and procedure. A candle was set aflame first and then a mixture of vinegar and baking soda was created. This formed a gas known as carbon dioxide. This gas was poured over the candle and caused it to blow out. The carbon dioxide surrounded the air around the flame, which needs oxygen to survive, and removed the oxygen, putting out the flame. A physical change occurred when the candle was lit and it was put to a stop when the fire went out. Insight into the life and death of flames was provided and can be used on a regular basis. The air we blow out of our mouths is carbon. So, every time we blow out a candle with our mouths we are performing this experience in a different way. An understanding of the science behind blowing out candles was developed.

In the following lab, physical and chemical changes of a marshmallow were performed and identified. After notes were initially taken on the description of the marshmallow, it was ripped in half. This was a physical change because it only affected its form, not its composition. Next, a bite was taken from the marshmallow. This was done to have an initial taste. After another marshmallow was placed on a skewer, it was held over a Bunsen burner until it was burnt. The blackened part of the marshmallow was tasted. The taste of the marshmallow changed drastically. For one, instead of being sweet, chewy, and powder-like, it was smoky, creamy, and crispy. Both physical and chemical changes had taken place. A chemical change happened when the marshmallow was burnt and when the inside melted a physical change occurred. After completing the procedure, it is now clear to me that whenever we roast marshmallows, we are executing a scientific procedure involving physical and chemical changes.

The final lab involved sugar cubes. Two sugar cubes were first taken and crushed into a powder with a mortar and pestle. The sugar had been grinded and it underwent a physical change. It was then poured into a glass of water and stirred. The sugar was no longer visible and had dissolved, going through a physical change. However, the sugar was still present because the water tasted sweet. Next, two different sugar cubes were put in a test tube and were held over the Bunsen burner. Observing the contents of the test tube, it was noticed that the sugar was burning and turning black. Smoke started coming out of the tube and black crystals were formed inside the test tube. Once the test tube was taken off the flame, many other changes were noticed. The sugar was now burnt, black, and crystallized. In fact, it wasn’t sugar anymore. Once sugar underwent the chemical change of being burnt, a new substance was formed inside the test tube. This lab conveyed the significance of chemical change in such a simple substance as sugar.

Clearly, physical and chemical changes of matter can be observed in numerous ways. The above labs utilized burning and flames to entice the students to want to learn about matter, chemical changes, physical changes, and other related topics. To conclude, forming an understanding of substances and chemical changes can not only help in an experiment in a laboratory but can also add to people’s knowledge of reactions that happen throughout their lives on a daily basis.

Separating Mixtures (Procedure)

1.  Use the spoon to remove the kidney beans from the mixture.
2. Next, remove the toothpicks with the spoon.
3. Then, use the spoon to remove the bug.
4. Put the magnet in the mixture and remove the iron filings.
5. Fold the filter into a cone and put it in the funnel. Put this over the beaker and pour in the mixture. The sand is now in the funnel.
6. Put the beaker with the leftover contents of the mixture on the hot plate.
7. Once the water evaporates, the salt is visible.
8. Remove the beaker from the hot plate and turn it off. Clean up the rest of the materials.