The Beauty of Science – The Power of Pee July 19, 2009
The things people come up with just amaze me. Wouldn’t road trips be so much better if stopping every few hours to “relieve yourself” and to gas up the car could be one in the same? 
Check out this article at discovery.com about the “Power of Pee” and a related article at Popular Science. Makes sense to me. Nitrogen is not as electronegative as oxygen so releasing the hydrogen would require less energy. The use of urea in this area just adds to the long line of uses the little organic molecule has – I am sure Friedrich Wöhler would be glad to see this little molecule doing so well! From its uses in cigarette flavor enhancer, topical dermatological medicines, nitrocellulose explosives as a stabilizer, pretzels as a browning agent, to a component of animal feed to promote growth – now we can possibly add another use – pee power! That’s just cool.
Physics Test Due Thursday April 22, 2009
When you get to the question about the Doppler Effect (#9, I think), it has been brought to my attention that I left out the temperature so you don’t know the speed of sound in air. Just assume that it is 25 degrees Celsius for this problem. Sorry about that! Let me know if there are any other questions by posting a comment here, by email, or if you want me to meet you in the morning, please let me know tonight!
Side note: When you get done with your test, Discover Magazine has a website devoted to pictures of science tatoos. Check it out!
Applied Chemistry Chromatography Lab Questions March 31, 2009
- What is the stationary phase in this lab?
- What is the mobile phase?
- Calculate the Rf factors for each of your chromatography sheets.
- What color dye tends to be most attracted to the water for each test?
- What color dye tends to be most attracted to the paper for each test?
AP Chemistry for Friday, February 6, 2009 February 3, 2009
Welcome to the computer lab! Due to some recent weather and health issues and my being gone to a conference, our schedule is being a bit adapted. When I get back, we will review chapter 17 and have a test on this. Then we will begin our Chapter 5 lessons. If you have papers you need run off for copies, technology or materials you need provided, or know about how long your lesson is expected to take, pleast post a comment to this blogpost so I can start planning accordingly. I will need two days advance notice for any copies you need to have made.
Today, you will use the computer lab to investigate further into redox chemistry and complete a mini project. Please visit this site on electrochemistry for project ideas. Click on the picture to get started. There is a list of 15 ideas – there are 14 of you – so you should each have a different topic. Sign up with the sub. Then research your topic and compose a powerpoint presentation of 5-10 slides (no more – no less) including a title slide and works cited slide. Save your presentation just inside your network folder. Name it “yourlastnameredox” so mine would be “bergerredox”.
Pay special attention to the “key points” listed at the bottom of the page. Be sure to include these in your slides. These are due on Tuesday. You should have time to get done during class if you use your time wisely.
Over the weekend, you should begin studying for your test next week. You can use this site by going back to the first page and clicking on the links at the top for discussion and practice on voltaic cells and calculating voltage. We will review Tuesday after we look at the powerpoints and the test will be Thursday.
Analysis of Bleach Titration December 9, 2008
bleach-analysis-analysis-questions
See this powerpoint as a guide to your calculations and which discussion questions you should answer. Remember to restate the question OR write out the question before answering. Label your calculations and don’t forget to include your calculation of your titrant (sodium thiosulfate).
Computer Programming in Physics September 25, 2008
My Physics I students are learning some computer programming skills thanks to Alice. Their first project is due Wednesday, Sept. 30 and is listed below:
TIP: use free sounds and other tools from www.grsites.com
Welcome Back to School Year 2008-2009 August 20, 2008
Welcome back students. This year, since I have a new baby , I will be working in the mornings first and second periods. I now teach AP Chemistry and Applied Chemistry on Black days and Physics I and have prep period on Gold days. It is such a blessing to be at school with you for part of the day and home with Gunnar for the other part.
I have also made a few changes to the classroom policies so stay tuned for those to be posted shortly. If you are in Physics, just a reminder your lab rules sheet is due Thursday (8/21) and your composition books are due Monday (8/25). Chemistry classes, your lab rules and Composition books are due Friday.
It has been a good start to school and I look forward to getting to know you all better and having a little fun… oh yeah, and learning too!
If you are new to the site, just a few things you should know. To the right, you will find links that help you view posts that are specific to your area. Further down the sidebar, you will find links to websites I use often and think you might enjoy checking out, or that are just plain fun. Finally, you can look in the archives for previous posts. You can comment on posts and ask questions. They will not show up until you are approved, and I will take care of that. Give it a try.
Gunnar James Berger May 30, 2008
Gunnar James Berger was born Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 1:16 AM. He is 6 lbs. 11 ozs. and 21 inches long.
We are doing fine and feeling better each hour.
