Soaring Straws

In the lab, Soaring Straws, we focused mainly on two kinds of energy: gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy. The gravitational potential energy was when the straws went to its maximum height and stayed there for the short time span that it was up there. The elastic potential energy in the lab is the amount of stretch that the rubber band gets pulled back before launching the straws. The gravitational potential energy and the elastic potential energy are related in two ways. The first way is that the gravitational potential energy and the elastic potential energy are both variables in the lab. The responding variable is the component of the experiment that is affected and changes according to the manipulated variable. The manipulated variable is the component that can be adjusted by us. Whoever is conducting the lab or experiment controls the manipulated variable. In this case, we controlled the amount of stretch, making the elastic potential energy the manipulated variable. Also, the height that the straws went responded differently according to the manipulated variable. That made the gravitational potential energy the responding variable. The second way that the gravitational potential energy is related to the elastic potential energy is that they are both forms of potential energy. This means the energy is still, but has the capability to move. My partner and I conducted the experiment nine trials in all, but three trials at each amount of stretch. Our first amount of stretch was eight centimeters, and the average height that the rocket went at eight centimeters of stretching back was two and a half meters. The second amount of stretch was seven centimeters, and the third amount of stretch was six centimeters. Both of these stretches got the height of the straws to go up three meters each time. The amount of stretch here was the manipulated variable and the height was the responding variable. As you can see, we controlled the amount of stretch and the height that the straws went up responded to the amount of stretch.

In this lab, there were possible errors for the data I had. One of these errors is the fact that my partner and I are different heights. The data could have been more accurate if we were the same height because the straws would then consistently be launched from the same spot. Another possible error is that the way we measured the rockets wasn't very reliable. We used meter sticks and could have measured incorrectly. When the straws hit the ceiling, we assumed that the straws went up three meters. Maybe they would have gone higher up, but we wouldn't know because the ceiling was limiting the height for the straws to go up to a maximum of three meters. The final possible error in my data collection would be the fact that I shot the straws a different way one of the three times. If my partner and I had used the same technique throughout, the data would be more precise and accurate. Overall, this lab was fun and a great way to learn about elastic potential energy and gravitational potential energy. However, something that could be enhanced or changed is the directions. The directions should specify that the straws should be launched the same way every time. Neither my partner nor I knew that we should use the same launching technique, and that could make a major difference in our data. Also, this lab would have more room for more varied results if the lab was done outside because then the straws would have no parameters as to a maximum height. That would vary the results more. Other than those two suggestions, this lab was a phenomenal learning experience.

Toothpick Fish

In science class, we did a lab called toothpick fish. There were different colored toothpicks to represent each fish allele (green, yellow, and red). The green alleles were dominant to all of the other alleles. The yellow alleles were recessive to the green alleles and incompletely dominant to the red alleles. The red alleles were recessive to the green alleles as well and incompletely dominant to the yellow alleles. The genotype for a green fish was GG, Gr, and Gb. For a red fish the genotype was rr. The yy genotype was for a yellow fish and the genotype for an orange fish was yr.

The first generation of my fish consisted of seven green fish, no red fish, one yellow fish, and four orange fish. This means that about 58% of fish were green, 0% of the fish were red, 8% of the fish were yellow, and about 33% of the fish were orange. However, all yellow fish are eaten up quickly and unable to survive. That meant that the one yellow offspring died. In the second generation, there were 7 green fish, one red fish, and 3 orange fish. In other terms, about 64% of the second generation were green fish, 9% were red fish, and about 27% were orange fish. Then came the third generation; six or 55% of the fish were green, 9% or one fish was red, 9% or one fish was yellow, and about 27% of the fish, or three fish were orange. Because there was another yellow fish, that fish died. In the fourth and final generation, 6 or 60% of the fish were green, 1 or 10% of the fish were red, and 3 or 30% of the fish were orange. Unfortunately though, all the green fish are eaten because of an environmental disaster. In the end, there were four fish remaining: one red and three orange. This was the data analysis of my toothpick lab.

This not only happens in labs, but in our environment. In an ecosystem, there are fish. They are eaten by their predators. However, sometimes there are large breakouts in which many fish are eaten more rapidly than usual. For example, one of the large breakouts could be an increasing population of sharks. These sharks would then eat many fish, and the fish would start dying at a faster pace, which would significantly decrease the fish population. This community of fish would be a lot less than what it was before. There are many scenarios like this that occur once in a while. This proves that fish population alters in our environment, as well ecosystems and environments around the world.

Punnett Squares

In science class, we are learning about punnett squares. Punnett squares are grids that have the combination from specific alleles from the parents of the offspring to find the gene of the offspring. The parents alleles' are multiplied together to form a punnett square and predict the outcome of the gene of the offspring. Punnett squares are very resourceful. Scientists and doctors use these punnett squares frequently to figure out the probable outcomes of the F1 generation. Then when the F1 generation is crossed with another parent, the F2 generation gets the combination of the alleles from the parents.

In punnett squares, more specifically monohybrid punnett squares, the alleles for each parent are multiplied to find the outcome of the gene for the offspring. We call this the phenotype. The phenotype is the physical characteristics of the offspring. For example, if the dominant allele is brown eyes and the recessive allele is blue eyes, and the parents have the alleles Bb and bb. The phenotype of the offspring would be 50% brown eyes and 50% blue eyes. Then, there is the genotype. The genotype is the genetic characteristics. In this case, the genotype for the offspring would be 50% Bb, or heterozygous, and 50% bb, or homozygous recessive. These are the basics about punnett squares but feel free to learn more about them.

The 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid

The new Honda Civic Hybrid is an excellent car. It is known for its price; however, it is more known for its amazing techniques to cooperate with the environment. The all new 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is going to be one of the greatest cars in the current era for many reasons. Very few cars will be able to compete with the statistics and reviews of this car!

The Honda Civic Hybrid can go 43 miles per gallon on the highway. This is extremely excellent in two ways. Firstly, the Honda Civic Hybrid is saving people a lot of money. It is one of the best cars fuel capacity wise. Getting gas won't be a common routine, unlike many other cars. In fact, the average mpg for each car in the United States is 2o miles per gallon. The 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is more than double the average mpg for each car in the U.S. with 43 miles per gallon. More importantly, the Honda Civic Hybrid is very cooperative with the environment. With the use of gas this car uses, there is almost no way to counter the miles per gallon for this car and make it better, which makes the car very unique from all its competitors. on top of that, this car has the second best emission in the country by a gas-powered car.

In the end, the Honda Civic Hybrid is one of the best cars in the world and is very eco-friendly. When looking into well priced vehicles, try checking out the Honda Civic Hybrid, which most people are very pleased with.

Mutualism

This is an image of poison ivy on a tree that I saw while I was in the car. This is a symbiosis relationship, a close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species. The type of symbiotic relationship that exists between the poison ivy and tree is called mutualism. Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship that benefits both species. In this case, the poison ivy is being benefited because the tree is giving it shelter. The tree is being benefited as well because the poison ivy is giving the tree protection. The poison ivy stops other creatures from harming the tree. If an organism tries to penetrate the tree, the poison ivy will infect the penetrating organism. The poison ivy is stable on the tree, as both of these things are being benefited. For these reasons, the relationship existing with the tree and poison ivy in this image is an example of mutualism.

Biotic Limiting Factor

This is an image of a biotic limiting factor. It is biotic because it is living, and the tree is a limiting factor because it prevents sunlight from reaching other plants near it, defeating all of its competition. It also spreads its roots underground, taking up the water. This causes the lack of water to supply other living things. Therefore, this tree is a biotic limiting factor.

Blizzard Project Link

Check out this cool website on blizzards at the following URL:
http://blizzardland.webs.com/