Cool Chem/Phys discovery: First type of molecule to form after Big Bang

Shortly after the Big Bang created the universe, the first atoms would have been the simplest, almost entirely hydrogen with small amounts of helium. About 100,000 years after the Big Bang, which is when the universe would have 'cooled down' enough for molecules to begin forming (i.e. chemistry starts up in the universe), one would expect helium hydride to be the first. This is helium and a hydrogen ion combining.

Astronomers have discovered helium hydride directly and for the first time in space. For those who study astrochemistry, this is similar to biologists who find candidates for the 'missing link' between species in the evolutionary process. Here, if scientists want to test that their models for chemistry during the evolution of the universe, finding helium hydride was essential.                                   

SpaceX able to launch and land its Falcon Heavy booster rockets

Yet a new amazing feat in the space program - SpaceX launched the world's most powerful rocket, the Falcon Heavy, and then landed all three boosters so they can be re-used. This is a wonderful feat of science and engineering, and is setting new standards for space travel and financing. Check it out.

Interesting study of what happens to human genetics when in space

Two identical twins, Scott and Mark Kelly, with Scott being an astronaut, took part in an important volunteer study. Scott lived in space for one year, and then their genetic expression were compared before, during and after the space time. About 7% of Scott's genes were altered. Check out this summary article - this is research that is absolutely vital before sending people to Mars for multiple years at a time. Zero gravity, radiation, environmental changes that can affect genetics, and more are to be studied.

A black hole photo!! This is insanely cool!!

The first photo of a black hole ever!! Check out how this was accomplished.

Creative, simple solution for a high-tech, expensive problem

Fermilab was the world's largest machine and highest energy collider for a couple decades, and it is just about an hour from ETHS. When it was built in the late 1960s to early 1970s, a major problem turned out to be cleaning small metal slivers from inside the electromagnets used to steer protons and antiprotons around the 4-mile ring. The solution to clean out the tubes inside the magnets?

Felicia the ferret!! See pictures and the article about this brilliant, simple and creative solution to a problem on some expensive high-tech equipment! I personally love simple solutions to problems of any kind! Thanks to graduate Isabella Green for finding and sending this.

April 10 classes

Periods 3-4, 8-9:
Please watch either alone or with a partner a Mechanical Universe video on angular momentum. You can start at the 11:00 minute mark and end at the 23:10 minute mark, where they get to the part we are interested in. Take notes as they get into the more detailed definition of angular momentum, and show some examples of conservation. Think about the how and why of a figure skater who is spinning, and how she is able to control the angular speed of the spin. A second video to then check out is on how to set up and problem solve with angular momentum. Same deal, take some notes on the setups so it helps you with some practice problems.

Practice problems are Ch. 10 #40,41,42,43 (on p. 3 of the packet). You can also talk through any issues on the last quizzam in your work groups. Check out the bug problem solution...does it make sense???


Period 5: 
Please watch either alone or with a partner a Mechanical Universe video on electric circuits. This will give some additional visual examples of what a circuit is and how it works, using the rules we have seen in the lab and in class. Please watch from the 3:20 mark to the 20:10 mark. Take good notes, since we will have a brief note quiz tomorrow on what you are watching.

After checking out the video, you can get a couple partners and get a start on the conceptual questions about series and parallel circuits on the page we got Monday. Work through the circled questions on the first page. We will discuss these Thursday, and try to wrap up the basic circuit ideas so we can move into a consequence of electric currents, which is MAGNETISM! Magnetism is also pretty cool, while being a bit mysterious. 

Bees use sophisticated eyesight and electric fields to find flowers with pollen

A fascinating example of electric fields for bees and flowers, that help bees seek out pollinated flowers. Check out this NY Times short article on the topic. I personally find this extremely cool. :-)