Wednesday, May 26, 2010










Mrs Chen Chow!




It's the end of the school year. So much has happened. I will truly miss being a sophomore.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

bay to breakers 2010





Jess, Dean Karnazes, and I
dead tired. i went to paces for polio last night and slept over. i didn't really sleep.. got about maybe three or four hours? i can't even remember. and this morning i had to wake up hekka early to bart to bay to breakers. it was sooo fun!
met dean karnazes! he's amazing. he ran 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days in 50 states... CRRRAZY<3

Mini Proj #3 MAKING CLAY


In class, we made CLAY! it was like dough . i felt like a baker again!

Materials:
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
  • food coloring
  • your heart
  • dry hands
  • water
  • flour

  • Instructions, step by step:


    1. Put all ingredients in a bowl or any container that is suitable for chemistry
    2. Mix ingredients together with your hands

    Scientific:
    mixing and boiling things together such as flour, veggie oil, and salt creates interesting things
    The result is hot and squishy.
    When it is cooled down, it hardens due to the molecule packing.

    PHOTOCREDIT: Chantel Yip!

    Tuesday, May 11, 2010

    ChemStd 11d:


    Students know the three most common forms of radioactive decay (alpha, beta, and gamma) and know how the nucleus changes in each type of decay


    Alpha:
    ( α) is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, and thereby transforms (or 'decays') into an atom with a mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. An alpha particle is the same as a helium-4 nucleus, and both mass number and atomic number are the same.
    Alpha 's mass is 4.0 units.
    Their charge is +2.
    Basically, alpha decay affects the nucleus by a loss of 4 in the mass (reducing by 4) and a loss of 2 in the atomic number (reduces by 2)

    For example:
    23892U 23490Th + 42He2+|[1]







    Beta:a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. In the case of electron emission, it is referred to as beta minus (β), while in the case of a positron emission as beta plus (β+)

    Beta's mass is .0005 units.
    Their charge is -1.
    Basically, this type of decay affects the nucleus by having an increase in the atomic number, of one(+1). Their mass does not change.

    Gamma: Gamma decay is one of the three radioactive decay modes available to atomic nuclei, along with alpha and beta decay. In alpha and beta decay, the atomic number of the nucleusenergy state decays to a lower-energy state by emitting a high-energy photon. Following an alpha or beta decay, the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus has changed, and the resulting nucleus may not be in its lowest energy state (called the ground state). As a result, the nucleus will decay to the ground state by emitting one or more gamma-ray photons.
    changes, but in gamma decay the atomic number does not change. In gamma decay, a nucleus in an excited
    Gamma has no mass.
    Their charge is neutral.
    Basically, in gamma decay, the atomic number does not change.



    RADIOACTIVE DECAY DEMONSTRATION

    Steps to solve this nuclear equation:
    27
    13Al + 42He ---> 3015P + ?

    1)
    The sum of the mass numbers of the reactants equals the sum of the mass numbers of the products .

    Using this rule, you can figure out any missing particles in the equation.

    2)

    To find the answer, you must add the mass and atomic numbers of the reactants. So, 27 + 4 = 31 , and 13 + 2 = 15 . This means that the products must have a total mass number of 31, and a total atomic number of 15. Subtract the known products from the sums of the reactants. So, 31 - 30 = 1 , and 15 - 15 = 0 . So, the missing particle would be 10N .

    Still having trouble? Here are two useful sites!

    Here's a link that taught me how to balance nuclear equations!

    Print this out, and practice practice practice! It's a great strategy to build up those balancing nuclear equation skills :]

    Saturday, May 8, 2010

    Wednesday, May 5, 2010





    Today, we had a PAL track meet @ CSM. It was sooo fun! I didn't PR in my 3200 m run, but I still enjoyed my time there. We even had this whole massaging line chain. it was soo funny<3 :]

    Monday, May 3, 2010

    Mini Proj #2 :Bending glass.



    We have been bending glass in chemistry lately, it's so fun :D


    SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

    • no loose clothing
    • do not reach across the bunsen burner while the flame is on
    • make sure an object is cooled before touching it
    • always have your goggles on


    PROCEDURE
    1. Light the Bunsen Burner
    2. Move glass around in the flame
    3. When glass softens, bend glass to create bent glass!
    SCIENCE
    Solids (the glass tube) melt at high temperatures. Liquid glass is flexible and malleable while on the other hand, solid glass is brittle.

    PHOTOCREDIT: CHANTEL YIp

    Here is a link on how to bend glass!