Today was a freaky Friday schedule with only 40 min classes. Didn't give us much time to finish up our lab we started on Wendesday/Thursday. But, we did none-the-less.
You should complete the questions on the back side for homework that's due Monday/Tuesday.
Our TEST over this unit with be Wendesday/Thursday of next week, so, we'll review all Monday/Tuesday and get our note sheets ready to do awesome on the test.
I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween.
-
Monegan
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday/Thursday, October 26/27th
Atomic Emission Spectra. That's the topic for the day.
When stars burn their fuel, the gasses they're fusing get really excited. Think of a young puppy discovering a beetle. When a gas is excited, it's electron start jumping energy levels and when they do this, they emit color. Nicely, a lot of gasses emit colors in the visible spectrum of light, which we can see.
Scientist then use a spectroscope (read more about it at wiki) to separate the colors into their individual frequencies, or wavelengths.
Like this:
Each gas emits light at specific frequencies and astronomers can then use this information to identify what gasses a star is burning. This will help them determine where in the star's life cycle it currently is.
Make sure to review the Universe and Star Life cycle notes. They're available on older posts here on the board. Don't be afraid to ask a question in the comments section.
We had homework. Here it is if you didn't get it: Star Life Cycle Worksheet that is homework.
Tomorrow, you're going to presented with three unknown gasses and it will be your job to find out what they are, based off the emission lines you already drew.
Until tomorrow,
-
Monegan
When stars burn their fuel, the gasses they're fusing get really excited. Think of a young puppy discovering a beetle. When a gas is excited, it's electron start jumping energy levels and when they do this, they emit color. Nicely, a lot of gasses emit colors in the visible spectrum of light, which we can see.
Scientist then use a spectroscope (read more about it at wiki) to separate the colors into their individual frequencies, or wavelengths.
Like this:
Each gas emits light at specific frequencies and astronomers can then use this information to identify what gasses a star is burning. This will help them determine where in the star's life cycle it currently is.
Make sure to review the Universe and Star Life cycle notes. They're available on older posts here on the board. Don't be afraid to ask a question in the comments section.
We had homework. Here it is if you didn't get it: Star Life Cycle Worksheet that is homework.
Tomorrow, you're going to presented with three unknown gasses and it will be your job to find out what they are, based off the emission lines you already drew.
Until tomorrow,
-
Monegan
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday/Tuesday, October 25/26th.
There's a lot of information about the universe and stars, and the great thing (or bad thing, depending on your perspective) is we're learning more and more every day as the technology gets better and better. I could probably go on for a few more weeks talking about the universe and all the crazy things we'll find in it class, but alas, we must go on to new material.
Today we dove in a talked specifically about Stars and their life cycle. Cool stuff. We learned that our sun isn't all that special when talking about stars. It's rather small and it's life will be relatively un-eventful until the end, when it balloons up into a red giant destroying Earth. It will then shrink and heat up to a white dwarf, where it will slowly cool to black.
The exciting stars are the big ones. Those like Betelguise, Rigel and Canis Majoris. These guys burn bright, hot and fast. Then, they end their lives in an awesome explosion, a supernova, followed by either becoming a neutron star or black hole.
Of course, astronomers haven't witnessed a single star going through all of these stages, that would take too long, but they've found countless stars in various stages, so we're pretty darn sure this is how it happens.
Here are the notes from the day to help yourself review: Star Life Cycle Notes.
STUDY THE NOTES!!! We will have a mini-quiz over these on Wednesday/Thursday.
Also, don't forget the EXTRA CREDIT: Using poster board or photoshop or a film, show the age or size of the universe in terms that the average person can understand.
Also, if you haven't do so yet, I need your Science Article Summary.
-
Monegan
There's a lot of information about the universe and stars, and the great thing (or bad thing, depending on your perspective) is we're learning more and more every day as the technology gets better and better. I could probably go on for a few more weeks talking about the universe and all the crazy things we'll find in it class, but alas, we must go on to new material.
Today we dove in a talked specifically about Stars and their life cycle. Cool stuff. We learned that our sun isn't all that special when talking about stars. It's rather small and it's life will be relatively un-eventful until the end, when it balloons up into a red giant destroying Earth. It will then shrink and heat up to a white dwarf, where it will slowly cool to black.
The exciting stars are the big ones. Those like Betelguise, Rigel and Canis Majoris. These guys burn bright, hot and fast. Then, they end their lives in an awesome explosion, a supernova, followed by either becoming a neutron star or black hole.
Of course, astronomers haven't witnessed a single star going through all of these stages, that would take too long, but they've found countless stars in various stages, so we're pretty darn sure this is how it happens.
Here are the notes from the day to help yourself review: Star Life Cycle Notes.
STUDY THE NOTES!!! We will have a mini-quiz over these on Wednesday/Thursday.
Also, don't forget the EXTRA CREDIT: Using poster board or photoshop or a film, show the age or size of the universe in terms that the average person can understand.
Also, if you haven't do so yet, I need your Science Article Summary.
-
Monegan
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday/Thursday, October 20/21st
Today was fun! We started off with a Mini-Quiz over the our notes yesterday; what three theories have existed for the origin of the universe (not God made it, not a theory) and what is redshift.
We then did a lab modeling the expansion of the universe and the observed phenomena of galaxies moving away from us. The model should have also shown that galaxies that are further away appear to be moving faster.
When then went back to our notes (which you can download from yesterday's blog entry) and talked briefly about Dark Energy, Dark Matter and a Type 1a Supernova.
Tomorrow we'll continue talking about supernova and how they're used to measure distance in the cosmos and hopefully wrap up notes about the Big Bang model.
Until next,
-
Monegan
We then did a lab modeling the expansion of the universe and the observed phenomena of galaxies moving away from us. The model should have also shown that galaxies that are further away appear to be moving faster.
When then went back to our notes (which you can download from yesterday's blog entry) and talked briefly about Dark Energy, Dark Matter and a Type 1a Supernova.
Tomorrow we'll continue talking about supernova and how they're used to measure distance in the cosmos and hopefully wrap up notes about the Big Bang model.
Until next,
-
Monegan
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October 18/19th, Monday/Tuesday
Well, we had a pretty crazy week last week. This week looks a lot easier to figure out and I think it's back to normal.
Today we really dove into our Big Bang Cosmology unit looking at how or model's for the Solar System and Universe have changed over the centuries. We ended in the middle of looking at the Big Bang and it's prediction for the existence of Dark Matter and Dark Energy.
Next class we're going to pick it up there after doing a lab looking at how galaxies are moving apart from each other. You can grab the power point I used here: Cosmology Power Point provided by the universe forum and the note sheet to go along with them, HERE.
Remember the Big Bang is a model the best describes how the universe evolved. So far, it's been very good at predicting and explaining the observed phenomena, but it only takes one piece of evidence that doesn't fit for the paradigm to shift.
Have a good night,
--
Monegan
Today we really dove into our Big Bang Cosmology unit looking at how or model's for the Solar System and Universe have changed over the centuries. We ended in the middle of looking at the Big Bang and it's prediction for the existence of Dark Matter and Dark Energy.
Next class we're going to pick it up there after doing a lab looking at how galaxies are moving apart from each other. You can grab the power point I used here: Cosmology Power Point provided by the universe forum and the note sheet to go along with them, HERE.
Remember the Big Bang is a model the best describes how the universe evolved. So far, it's been very good at predicting and explaining the observed phenomena, but it only takes one piece of evidence that doesn't fit for the paradigm to shift.
Have a good night,
--
Monegan
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 11/12
Today we got new seats, handed back some papers and posted new grades. The 4 1/2 week mid-term grades go out this Friday, so it's important that you have all your work caught up and turned in. I won't accept anything after Friday.
Also, those that missed the test need to make it up before Friday. Right now, it's a zero in the gradebook.
We started our new unit, cosmology, the study of how the universe began. We're going to look at the formation and life cycle of starts, how elements are created and the theory of the Big Bang.
We talked about the fundamental constructs of the universe: Matter, Energy and Forces. We then broke these down in our notes. You can get them HERE. Read them over thoroughly. We'll be testing on this stuff soon and often.
An extra project is also available this unit. I want you to show me visually either the size of the universe or it's age. Compare it to something that we're familiar with.
A great place to get an idea would be www.google.com . Do a search for Age of the Universe. I can do this too, so make sure your work is original.
This will be worth 20 extra credits points, about the value of a test. Those that are struggling should take advantage.
Monegan out.
Also, those that missed the test need to make it up before Friday. Right now, it's a zero in the gradebook.
We started our new unit, cosmology, the study of how the universe began. We're going to look at the formation and life cycle of starts, how elements are created and the theory of the Big Bang.
We talked about the fundamental constructs of the universe: Matter, Energy and Forces. We then broke these down in our notes. You can get them HERE. Read them over thoroughly. We'll be testing on this stuff soon and often.
An extra project is also available this unit. I want you to show me visually either the size of the universe or it's age. Compare it to something that we're familiar with.
A great place to get an idea would be www.google.com . Do a search for Age of the Universe. I can do this too, so make sure your work is original.
This will be worth 20 extra credits points, about the value of a test. Those that are struggling should take advantage.
Monegan out.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
October 4/5
Today we took our unit one Test. They're graded and will be handed back next week. Hopefully, for those that didn't score as well as they'd like, you can reflect about what you missed and how better to prepare yourself next time.
Our next unit is over the structure of the universe and it's origins.
We'll talk about matter, forces and energy and how they're all related.
We'll look at chemicals, elements and the periodic table.
We'll look at forces such as gravity and the electromagnetic forces.
Finally we'll end with energy and it's conservation and how that relates to Cells and our basic understanding of biomolecular energy usage.
So, it's going to be a fun ride.
In the mean time, here's an interesting/funny photo:
Our next unit is over the structure of the universe and it's origins.
We'll talk about matter, forces and energy and how they're all related.
We'll look at chemicals, elements and the periodic table.
We'll look at forces such as gravity and the electromagnetic forces.
Finally we'll end with energy and it's conservation and how that relates to Cells and our basic understanding of biomolecular energy usage.
So, it's going to be a fun ride.
In the mean time, here's an interesting/funny photo:
Until next time,
-
Monegan
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1st
Happy October!!
Today we finished up our lab, shared our results and calculated the class average. You should be graphing your data.
Remember, usually the independent variable goes along the X-axis, but, for this graph, it'll make more sense for the independent variable, the size of our Jars, to go along the Y-axis. When you're done, you should get a linear line graph.
Also, our Unit One test is on Monday/Tuesday. So, make sure you study and know ALL the vocabulary words and understand what the different variable types are.
Good luck, and I'll see you all on Monday.
-
Monegan
Today we finished up our lab, shared our results and calculated the class average. You should be graphing your data.
Remember, usually the independent variable goes along the X-axis, but, for this graph, it'll make more sense for the independent variable, the size of our Jars, to go along the Y-axis. When you're done, you should get a linear line graph.
Also, our Unit One test is on Monday/Tuesday. So, make sure you study and know ALL the vocabulary words and understand what the different variable types are.
Good luck, and I'll see you all on Monday.
-
Monegan
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