Allright, I'm going to begin by saying I really did think that using blogger was a great teaching tool. It pushed the students to be independent and research topics that they hadn't ever before. It was fun being able to post on other students' blogs and seeing what they had to say back. I liked reading other students opinion paragraphs very much to see what they actually thought about a certain subject. I enjoyed that none of the topics were too difficult, but pushed us enough to have to research them. I believe that the most interesting topic was when we wrote about the Big Bang Theory, because I enjoyed what others had to say about where our universe came from and their thoughts on God. I honestly enjoyed this a lot more than studying out of a book.
But here's the thing. In the midst of this great experience of being able to work on our own, being treated like adults, where was our teacher? I felt I had no guidance. Even our teacher's blog wasn't much of a help because deadlines, rules and regulations changed so often they even contradicted what our teacher was telling us to do.
Where was the teacher-student relationship? How were we supposed to learn when the one who is supposed to be teaching isn't even present? Not just literally in the classroom, but there to ask for help, for some support for some god foresaken answers. I didn't understand. Why should I have been motivated to put 110% into my physics work when I honestly do not know what these topics have to do with physics? You know, that's great that all these topics may be in our physics book and are related to physics, but how the hell am I supposed to know that? Now I am curious how the ocean deals with physics, how planets deal with physics. Honestly, how? I'm not just looking for an arguement, I just want to know. I never didn't want to do 'Blogger' I just wanted more of a reason too, I suppose.
Allright, now here's what I would keep the same if I were the teacher:
I would have posted all assignments on my own blog. It was great if we wanted to do our blog at home or in another class because it was right there.
I would have also still let the students keep some independence. It was nice not having a teacher look over your shoulder every five minutes.
Now, here's what I would have changed:
I would have developed more of a relationship with my students and provided them with information.
If a student had a question, I'd answer them in person, not over 'my blog.'
I would have used blogger, maybe every other week or so. Then using the topics that they wrote about I would teach them how they are related to physics because they are obviously in a physics class the learn what physics is (that's the point of taking a class about something, you know, to learn about it.)
When it came to the grading system, I would have made it a little more reasonable. I didn't like how the comments were worth more than the actual post
You know, overall blogger's great. But when substitutes come in and ask what were doing in this class and we reply with "nothing really." That's a shame. I wanted to learn about physics, it interested me. Yeah, I'll admit I complained about it, not the blogging, but the teacher. I'd say most of you who didn't complain was so you could still sit in that classroom doing nothing, learning nothing and maybe play a few games here and there. I'm just guessing. Heck yeah I like to sit and screw off in class sometimes, but after a whole semester I'd like to do something for once. Now, sadly, and I hate to admit it but Biology II sounds like a class worth my while.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
AI: Artificial Intelligence
So what is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence is the area of computer science focusing on creating machines that can engage on behaviors that humans consider intelligent. The ability to create intelligent machines has intrigued humans since ancient times. Today, with the advent of the computer and fifty years of research into Artificial Intelligence programming techniques, the dream of smart machines is becoming a reality. Researchers are creating systems which can mimic human thought, understand speech, beat the best human chessplayer, and countless other feats never before possible.
History
In 1941 an invention revolutionized every aspect of the storage and processing of information. That invention, developed in both the US and Germany was the electronic computer. The first computers required large, separate air-conditioned rooms, and were a programmers nightmare. They involved the separate configuration of thousands of wires to even get a program running.
The 1949 innovation, the stored program computer, made the job of entering a program easier, and advancements in computer theory lead to computer science, and eventually Artificial intelligence. With the invention of an electronic means of processing data, came a medium that made AI possible.
Although the computer provided the technology necessary for Artificial Intelligence, it was'nt until the early 1950's that the link between human intelligence and machines was fully noticed. Norbert Wiener was one of the first Americans to make an observation when it came to the feedback theory. An example of the feedback theory is the thermostat because it controls the temperature of an environment by gathering the actual temperature of the house. Then it compares it to the desired temperature, and it responds by turning the heat up or down. The thing that was so important about his research into feedback was that Wiener theorized that all intelligent behavior was the result of feedback mechanisms. Mechanisms that could possibly be simulated by machines. This discovery influenced much of early development of Artificial Intelligence.
In late 1955, Newell and Simon developed "The Logic Theorist". This was considered by many to be the first Artificial Intelligence program. The program, representing each problem as a tree model, would attempt to solve it by selecting the branch that would most likely result in the correct conclusion. The impact that the logic theorist made on both the public and the field of Artificial Intelligence has made it a crucial stepping stone in developing the Artificial Intelligence field. In 1956 John McCarthy, who was regarded as the father of Artificial Intelligence, organized a conference to draw the talent and expertise of others interested in machine intelligence for some time of brainstorming. Ever since that, because of McCarthy, the field would be known as Artificial intelligence. This conference laid down the foundation for Artificial Intelligence research.
Seven years after the conference, Artificial Intelligence began to pick up momentum. Although the field was still undefined, ideas formed at the conference were re-examined, and built upon. Centers for AI research began forming, and a new challenges were faced. Some were that further research was placed upon creating systems that could efficiently solve problems, by limiting the search. And second, making systems that could learn by themselves.
In 1957, the first version of a new program The General Problem Solver also known as GPS was tested. The GPS was an extension of Wiener's feedback principle, and was capable of solving a greater extent of common sense problems. A couple of years after the GPS, IBM contracted a team to research artificial intelligence. While more programs were being produced, McCarthy was busy developing a major breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence history. In 1958 McCarthy announced his new development; the LISP language, which is still used today. LISP stands for LISt Processing, and was soon adopted as the language of choice among most Artificial Intelligence developers.
How it is created and how it is used
Artificial Intelligence is something very important. In the journey to make intelligent machines, the field of Artificial Intelligence has split into several different approaches based on the opinions about the most promising methods and theories. Both of these theories tend to clash. These two rivaling theories have lead researchers in one of two basic approaches which are bottom-up and top-down. Bottom-up theorists believe the best way to achieve artificial intelligence is to build electronic replicas of the human brain's complex network of neurons. The top-down approach attempts to mimic the brain's behavior with computer programs.
Using the way the human brain works two men, Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts designed electronic replicas of neural networks. These were used to show how electronic networks could generate logical processes, just like our brains. They also stated that neural networks can be able to learn and recognize patterns. Artificial neural networks have become very impressive. A man named Frank Rosenblatt showed this. He experimented with computer simulated networks. In doing so he was able to create a machine that could mimic the human thinking process and recognize letters.
Artificial Intelligence is used in so many ways, mostly beneficial. Some are pure entertainment others are what the world tends to rely on. AI has mainly affected our society with the way we use it. Today we use it for authorizing financial transactions, configuring hardware and software, diagnosing and treating problems, and scheduling for manufacturing. It sometimes is a little scary. But here are some ways that AI is used.
One very interesting AI machine deals with chess. Yes, a mechanical chess player. Artificial Intelligence based game playing programs combine intelligence with entertainment. These chess playing programs can see ahead twenty plus moves in advance for each move they make! Which is pretty impressive. In addition, the programs have an ability to get progressably better over time because of their ability to learn.
An important way AI is used is in our military. The military and the science of computers has always been incredibly closely tied. The very first operational use of a computer was the gun director used in the second world war to aid ground gunners to predict the path of a plane given its radar data. Artificial Intelligence usage started to become extensively researched when the Japanese announced in 1981 that they were going to build a 5th Generation computer. It was to be capable of logic deduction and other such capabilities. However, that eventually failed. But nonetheless, use of AI in the military increased. Nowadays, developers seem to be concentrating on smaller goals, such as voice recogition systems, expert systems and advisory systems. The main military value of such projects is to reduce the workload on a pilot. Aside from research in this area, various paradigms in AI have been successfully applied in the military field. For example, using an evolutionary algorithm to evolve algorithms to detect targets given radar/FLIR data, or neural networks differentiating between mines and rocks given sonar data in a submarine.
When it comes to computers AI is very important. AI systems configure custom computer, communications, and manufacturing systems, guaranteeing the purchaser maximum efficiency and minimum setup time. This all occurs while providing the seller with superhuman expertise in tracking the rapid technological evolution of system components and specifications. These systems detect order incompletenesses and inconsistencies, employing large bodies of knowledge that describe the complex interactions of system components.
Another very important use if AI is medical. This applies to everyone. Systems that diagnose and treat problems, whether illnesses in people or problems in hardware and software are now in used almost everywhere. Diagnostic systems based on AI technology are being built into photocopiers, computer operating systems, and office automation tools to reduce service calls. Stand-alone units are being used to monitor and control operations in factories and office buildings. AI-based systems assist physicians in many kinds of medical diagnosis, in prescribing treatments, and in monitoring patient responses.
I find Artificial Intelligence very interesting. It seems so important in our lives today, but its weird. When i researched it i found that many sites talked about how these machines are great because they create less work. But what does that mean for our world? That humans are just going to let machines take over and run the world? I think its awesome that we're becoming so advance but it seems a little iffy. I just think we need to take a look into the future before we constantly are making such huge steps in technology.
History
In 1941 an invention revolutionized every aspect of the storage and processing of information. That invention, developed in both the US and Germany was the electronic computer. The first computers required large, separate air-conditioned rooms, and were a programmers nightmare. They involved the separate configuration of thousands of wires to even get a program running.
The 1949 innovation, the stored program computer, made the job of entering a program easier, and advancements in computer theory lead to computer science, and eventually Artificial intelligence. With the invention of an electronic means of processing data, came a medium that made AI possible.
Although the computer provided the technology necessary for Artificial Intelligence, it was'nt until the early 1950's that the link between human intelligence and machines was fully noticed. Norbert Wiener was one of the first Americans to make an observation when it came to the feedback theory. An example of the feedback theory is the thermostat because it controls the temperature of an environment by gathering the actual temperature of the house. Then it compares it to the desired temperature, and it responds by turning the heat up or down. The thing that was so important about his research into feedback was that Wiener theorized that all intelligent behavior was the result of feedback mechanisms. Mechanisms that could possibly be simulated by machines. This discovery influenced much of early development of Artificial Intelligence.
In late 1955, Newell and Simon developed "The Logic Theorist". This was considered by many to be the first Artificial Intelligence program. The program, representing each problem as a tree model, would attempt to solve it by selecting the branch that would most likely result in the correct conclusion. The impact that the logic theorist made on both the public and the field of Artificial Intelligence has made it a crucial stepping stone in developing the Artificial Intelligence field. In 1956 John McCarthy, who was regarded as the father of Artificial Intelligence, organized a conference to draw the talent and expertise of others interested in machine intelligence for some time of brainstorming. Ever since that, because of McCarthy, the field would be known as Artificial intelligence. This conference laid down the foundation for Artificial Intelligence research.
Seven years after the conference, Artificial Intelligence began to pick up momentum. Although the field was still undefined, ideas formed at the conference were re-examined, and built upon. Centers for AI research began forming, and a new challenges were faced. Some were that further research was placed upon creating systems that could efficiently solve problems, by limiting the search. And second, making systems that could learn by themselves.
In 1957, the first version of a new program The General Problem Solver also known as GPS was tested. The GPS was an extension of Wiener's feedback principle, and was capable of solving a greater extent of common sense problems. A couple of years after the GPS, IBM contracted a team to research artificial intelligence. While more programs were being produced, McCarthy was busy developing a major breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence history. In 1958 McCarthy announced his new development; the LISP language, which is still used today. LISP stands for LISt Processing, and was soon adopted as the language of choice among most Artificial Intelligence developers.
How it is created and how it is used
Artificial Intelligence is something very important. In the journey to make intelligent machines, the field of Artificial Intelligence has split into several different approaches based on the opinions about the most promising methods and theories. Both of these theories tend to clash. These two rivaling theories have lead researchers in one of two basic approaches which are bottom-up and top-down. Bottom-up theorists believe the best way to achieve artificial intelligence is to build electronic replicas of the human brain's complex network of neurons. The top-down approach attempts to mimic the brain's behavior with computer programs.
Using the way the human brain works two men, Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts designed electronic replicas of neural networks. These were used to show how electronic networks could generate logical processes, just like our brains. They also stated that neural networks can be able to learn and recognize patterns. Artificial neural networks have become very impressive. A man named Frank Rosenblatt showed this. He experimented with computer simulated networks. In doing so he was able to create a machine that could mimic the human thinking process and recognize letters.
Artificial Intelligence is used in so many ways, mostly beneficial. Some are pure entertainment others are what the world tends to rely on. AI has mainly affected our society with the way we use it. Today we use it for authorizing financial transactions, configuring hardware and software, diagnosing and treating problems, and scheduling for manufacturing. It sometimes is a little scary. But here are some ways that AI is used.
One very interesting AI machine deals with chess. Yes, a mechanical chess player. Artificial Intelligence based game playing programs combine intelligence with entertainment. These chess playing programs can see ahead twenty plus moves in advance for each move they make! Which is pretty impressive. In addition, the programs have an ability to get progressably better over time because of their ability to learn.
An important way AI is used is in our military. The military and the science of computers has always been incredibly closely tied. The very first operational use of a computer was the gun director used in the second world war to aid ground gunners to predict the path of a plane given its radar data. Artificial Intelligence usage started to become extensively researched when the Japanese announced in 1981 that they were going to build a 5th Generation computer. It was to be capable of logic deduction and other such capabilities. However, that eventually failed. But nonetheless, use of AI in the military increased. Nowadays, developers seem to be concentrating on smaller goals, such as voice recogition systems, expert systems and advisory systems. The main military value of such projects is to reduce the workload on a pilot. Aside from research in this area, various paradigms in AI have been successfully applied in the military field. For example, using an evolutionary algorithm to evolve algorithms to detect targets given radar/FLIR data, or neural networks differentiating between mines and rocks given sonar data in a submarine.
When it comes to computers AI is very important. AI systems configure custom computer, communications, and manufacturing systems, guaranteeing the purchaser maximum efficiency and minimum setup time. This all occurs while providing the seller with superhuman expertise in tracking the rapid technological evolution of system components and specifications. These systems detect order incompletenesses and inconsistencies, employing large bodies of knowledge that describe the complex interactions of system components.
Another very important use if AI is medical. This applies to everyone. Systems that diagnose and treat problems, whether illnesses in people or problems in hardware and software are now in used almost everywhere. Diagnostic systems based on AI technology are being built into photocopiers, computer operating systems, and office automation tools to reduce service calls. Stand-alone units are being used to monitor and control operations in factories and office buildings. AI-based systems assist physicians in many kinds of medical diagnosis, in prescribing treatments, and in monitoring patient responses.
I find Artificial Intelligence very interesting. It seems so important in our lives today, but its weird. When i researched it i found that many sites talked about how these machines are great because they create less work. But what does that mean for our world? That humans are just going to let machines take over and run the world? I think its awesome that we're becoming so advance but it seems a little iffy. I just think we need to take a look into the future before we constantly are making such huge steps in technology.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Holograms- with help from Jeff Spella
Everybody loves holograms, especially the really trippy ones. We've seen them since we were kids. W'eve maybe seen them on collectible cards and things like that. We've always liked looking at them, and wondering how the heck did that do that? Whatever the certain picture was doing, maybe changing pictures just by rotating the object its on. But what exactly are they besides flippin' awesome?
They way it works is fairly simple. Holograms are simply photographs that are three-dimensional. This makes them appear to have depth. Holograms work by making an image made up of two-dimensional pictures of the same object seen from different angles. Holography needs to use light of a single exact wavelength, therefore lasers have to be used. When viewing any object, the human eyes each receive a distinct image, from slightly offset reference points. The brain combines them into a three-dimensional image. The hologram produces the same effect artificially.
The way this works is in holography one beam, which is called the reference beam, comes directly from the laser being used. The other laser being used, called the object beam. This laser comes from the same laser but impinges on the object. This distorts it, before striking the photographic film. What is recorded on the film is the interference pattern produced by the two beams. After development, if the hologram is illuminated by a beam of light from the direction of the reference beam, the object beam is recreated, and the object "appears."
Now, there are many different types of holograms. The main two are transmission and reflection hologram. When it comes to transmission holograms, the light passes through a holographic plate. The coherent light from the laser is split to form an object beam and a reference beam. Another characteristic of transmission holograms is that the object beam and the reference beam come in from the same side of the holographic film plate during the exposure. This all creates the three-dimensional picture.
Relfection holograms can be seen in white light. A reflection hologram, the reference beam and the object beam illuminate a filmplate on opposite sides. As a consequence of this, the resolution of film emulsion must be very high. The recording of a reflection holograms needs ten to a hundred times as much power as for a transmission hologram. The result is that the exposure time will be long, and we need an optical arrangement which is multi-stabile.
Holography has so many uses. They also play a huge role in our lives. I mean, honestly, without holograms how would have Luke Skywalker known that Princess Leah needed rescuing if it weren't for the holographic message from R2-D2? How would have Tony Stark have built his IronMan suit? How would have the Halo Master Chief have had contact with Cortana? Nowadays, there is also holographic packaging, the use of holograms on credit cards and bank-notes has reduced the opportunity for forgery and particle physicists make holographic records of bubble-chambers from which accurate measurements can be made. Many museums have made holograms of valuable articles in their collections, both for insurance purposes and to check for deterioration.
I think that one day everthing we look at could be a holographic image. Instead of TV's we may just be watching a holographic image in our living room. Or maybe, we will use them to communicate, just like in the movies. I mean why not? It seems very probable. And instead of normal photographs we will look at holographs.
Overall, holograms are very interesting. They are used for so many different things and will become used more and more in the future. Everybody likes them, and it seems likely that soon they will become even more popular. Artists could use holography to express their creativity and are shown in galleries around the world. Which I find very cool. Holograms are the vision of the future.
They way it works is fairly simple. Holograms are simply photographs that are three-dimensional. This makes them appear to have depth. Holograms work by making an image made up of two-dimensional pictures of the same object seen from different angles. Holography needs to use light of a single exact wavelength, therefore lasers have to be used. When viewing any object, the human eyes each receive a distinct image, from slightly offset reference points. The brain combines them into a three-dimensional image. The hologram produces the same effect artificially.
The way this works is in holography one beam, which is called the reference beam, comes directly from the laser being used. The other laser being used, called the object beam. This laser comes from the same laser but impinges on the object. This distorts it, before striking the photographic film. What is recorded on the film is the interference pattern produced by the two beams. After development, if the hologram is illuminated by a beam of light from the direction of the reference beam, the object beam is recreated, and the object "appears."
Now, there are many different types of holograms. The main two are transmission and reflection hologram. When it comes to transmission holograms, the light passes through a holographic plate. The coherent light from the laser is split to form an object beam and a reference beam. Another characteristic of transmission holograms is that the object beam and the reference beam come in from the same side of the holographic film plate during the exposure. This all creates the three-dimensional picture.
Relfection holograms can be seen in white light. A reflection hologram, the reference beam and the object beam illuminate a filmplate on opposite sides. As a consequence of this, the resolution of film emulsion must be very high. The recording of a reflection holograms needs ten to a hundred times as much power as for a transmission hologram. The result is that the exposure time will be long, and we need an optical arrangement which is multi-stabile.
Holography has so many uses. They also play a huge role in our lives. I mean, honestly, without holograms how would have Luke Skywalker known that Princess Leah needed rescuing if it weren't for the holographic message from R2-D2? How would have Tony Stark have built his IronMan suit? How would have the Halo Master Chief have had contact with Cortana? Nowadays, there is also holographic packaging, the use of holograms on credit cards and bank-notes has reduced the opportunity for forgery and particle physicists make holographic records of bubble-chambers from which accurate measurements can be made. Many museums have made holograms of valuable articles in their collections, both for insurance purposes and to check for deterioration.
I think that one day everthing we look at could be a holographic image. Instead of TV's we may just be watching a holographic image in our living room. Or maybe, we will use them to communicate, just like in the movies. I mean why not? It seems very probable. And instead of normal photographs we will look at holographs.
Overall, holograms are very interesting. They are used for so many different things and will become used more and more in the future. Everybody likes them, and it seems likely that soon they will become even more popular. Artists could use holography to express their creativity and are shown in galleries around the world. Which I find very cool. Holograms are the vision of the future.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Wave, Wind, Solar and Hydro Power
Wave Power
Wave power is the energy of waves on the surface of the ocean and being able to take that energy to do useful work. There are many ways that wave energy is captured, ranging from using buoys to caputure energy to a lot more complicated ways. The type of energy captured though, depends on the wave. It depends on the height of the wave, the wave speed, thewavelength, and water density. Many different corporations use wave power in the U.S. and UK and all over the world. There are some problems, however. Devices used must be able to withstand the waves, or errosion or any other damage caused by power of wave or type of water.
Wind Power
Wind power is used to change the power of the wind into a useful resource, such as electricity. When it comes to windmills, wind energy is used to crush grain or to pump water, like many farmers use. Wind power is used a lot in Europe, nearly 19% of there energy is wind produced. There is so much wind energy and it is renewable. It is also safe and can be used nearly anywhere and helps eliminate greenhouse gas emissions when it replaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. However, devices that are used to produce energy from wind power can be hazardous. They can catch fire, break, and malfunction. This has happened and has caused many fatalities.
Solar Power
Solar power, also known as solar energy, is energy taken from the sun. It is used mainly to convert the suns energy and light into electricity. Solar power technologies take the Sun's heat and light and produce energy for things such as heating, lighting and electricity. Many architects use solar power to plan their buildings' desings. Solar design in buildings can provide needed lighting, comfortable temperatures, and improved air quality. But when it comes to basic use of the sun's energy for electricity there are several ways of doing this. One is Photovoltaics, which has been mostly made for small to medium sized applications, such as calculators. For larger appliances, there is concentrating solar.
Hydropower
Hydropower, which is also known as hydraulic power, is simply the force or energy from moving water. It is one of the oldest sources of energy that has been used. Hydropower has been used for things such as irrigation and the operation of machines and mills. Today, the use of hydropower is focused mainly on the creation of hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity allows low cost energy to be used at long distances from the water source. Energy from hydropower is collected by directing, harnessing, or channeling moving water. The amount of energy depends on how fast the water is moving or falling.
After reading this I have found that obviously wave power is a type of hydropower, so in that way they are related. All of these are very basic forms of energy it seems like. They are very natural, things that have been around since the beginning of time. I always find windmills interesting because they are seem like such a simple maching, but somehow are producing electricity from the wind. Solar power seems so practical because and a lot cheaper if used for lighting and heat. All of these energy sources that I chose seem endless because the world keeps on producing wind and water and the sun keeps on shining.
Wave power is the energy of waves on the surface of the ocean and being able to take that energy to do useful work. There are many ways that wave energy is captured, ranging from using buoys to caputure energy to a lot more complicated ways. The type of energy captured though, depends on the wave. It depends on the height of the wave, the wave speed, thewavelength, and water density. Many different corporations use wave power in the U.S. and UK and all over the world. There are some problems, however. Devices used must be able to withstand the waves, or errosion or any other damage caused by power of wave or type of water.
Wind Power
Wind power is used to change the power of the wind into a useful resource, such as electricity. When it comes to windmills, wind energy is used to crush grain or to pump water, like many farmers use. Wind power is used a lot in Europe, nearly 19% of there energy is wind produced. There is so much wind energy and it is renewable. It is also safe and can be used nearly anywhere and helps eliminate greenhouse gas emissions when it replaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. However, devices that are used to produce energy from wind power can be hazardous. They can catch fire, break, and malfunction. This has happened and has caused many fatalities.
Solar Power
Solar power, also known as solar energy, is energy taken from the sun. It is used mainly to convert the suns energy and light into electricity. Solar power technologies take the Sun's heat and light and produce energy for things such as heating, lighting and electricity. Many architects use solar power to plan their buildings' desings. Solar design in buildings can provide needed lighting, comfortable temperatures, and improved air quality. But when it comes to basic use of the sun's energy for electricity there are several ways of doing this. One is Photovoltaics, which has been mostly made for small to medium sized applications, such as calculators. For larger appliances, there is concentrating solar.
Hydropower
Hydropower, which is also known as hydraulic power, is simply the force or energy from moving water. It is one of the oldest sources of energy that has been used. Hydropower has been used for things such as irrigation and the operation of machines and mills. Today, the use of hydropower is focused mainly on the creation of hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity allows low cost energy to be used at long distances from the water source. Energy from hydropower is collected by directing, harnessing, or channeling moving water. The amount of energy depends on how fast the water is moving or falling.
After reading this I have found that obviously wave power is a type of hydropower, so in that way they are related. All of these are very basic forms of energy it seems like. They are very natural, things that have been around since the beginning of time. I always find windmills interesting because they are seem like such a simple maching, but somehow are producing electricity from the wind. Solar power seems so practical because and a lot cheaper if used for lighting and heat. All of these energy sources that I chose seem endless because the world keeps on producing wind and water and the sun keeps on shining.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Deep Oceans
In our world we have four oceans, the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific and Indian. All of these oceans are very important to us. They make our planet unique in the way that so far no other planet has been discovered to have liquid water. The oceans of our earth affect the weather and temperature by moderating our temperature on earth. These oceans cover about 70% of the earth. But let's take a look deep below the surface...
The deep sea, or deep layer is the lowest layer in the ocean. Very little and sometimes no light penetrates this area of the ocean, and most of its organisms rely on falling organic matter. The ocean depths have been thought to be among the most hostile environments for life, which makes them very hard to explore. There are a lot of sea monsters and such yet to be discovered.
The ocean is home to many unique communities of plants and animals. Things such as coral reefs and creatures inhabit down in the deep oceans. But many thrive on the sun's energy to live. However, the sun really only travels about three hundred meters below the surface so the ocean floor become a frigid environment with few life forms. Neverless, the ocean seems like another planet to us at times. Thousands of creatures live there in perpetual darkness and under mountainous pressures. Despite decades of exploration, less than a tenth of the deep ocean realm has been explored, despite it being the largest habitat for life on Earth.
The deep oceans seem so intense. So many creatures are down; fish, dolphins, whales, squids, plants, the list goes on! Personally it scares me a little, not knowing all that is down there. It is so vast and dark. It is also beautiful but has so many dangerous things as well. It really interests me but I really don't think I would ever go down so far myself.
The deep sea, or deep layer is the lowest layer in the ocean. Very little and sometimes no light penetrates this area of the ocean, and most of its organisms rely on falling organic matter. The ocean depths have been thought to be among the most hostile environments for life, which makes them very hard to explore. There are a lot of sea monsters and such yet to be discovered.
The ocean is home to many unique communities of plants and animals. Things such as coral reefs and creatures inhabit down in the deep oceans. But many thrive on the sun's energy to live. However, the sun really only travels about three hundred meters below the surface so the ocean floor become a frigid environment with few life forms. Neverless, the ocean seems like another planet to us at times. Thousands of creatures live there in perpetual darkness and under mountainous pressures. Despite decades of exploration, less than a tenth of the deep ocean realm has been explored, despite it being the largest habitat for life on Earth.
The deep oceans seem so intense. So many creatures are down; fish, dolphins, whales, squids, plants, the list goes on! Personally it scares me a little, not knowing all that is down there. It is so vast and dark. It is also beautiful but has so many dangerous things as well. It really interests me but I really don't think I would ever go down so far myself.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
Over the years science and religion have clashed when it comes to how our universe was formed. Science feels a strong need for the understanding of our world and religion feels the strong need for our world to have meaning. There are many theories out there, many people have their own beliefs but there are two major theories that we have. They are widely accepted but not by the same people. Science and religion have always seemed to contradict eachother, but can they possibly support one another?
THE BIG BANG THEORY
When it comes to the beginning of our universe scientists believe that the Big Bang was the way that our universe came to be. The Big Bang Theory is a theory that tries to explain how the universe was formed, which was thought of by Edward Hubble. Scientists believe that about fifteen billion years ago a huge explosion started the expansion of the universe. They believe that everything in the universe was compacted. The Big Bang actually was of an explosion of space within itself, not an outward explosion. The galaxies weren't all bunched together, but the Big Bang set out the foundations for the universe.
CREATION
Now, there is another theory other than the Big Bang of how the universe was formed. Christians believe that God created our universe. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."- Genesis 1:1. They believe that God created the universe, the earth and all of its life forms. They believe that the Bible is God's word and contains information on how the world was created. The scriptures in the Bible provide what they need to know in the beginnng of the universe.
I personally believe that science and religion in some way or another can support eachother. I do believe that God created the universe, but I don't disregard science at all. I know that both of these things have to correspond with eachother. Albert Einstein said himself that, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." And I completely agree with this. I believe God is real and I know that most science is fact.
THE BIG BANG THEORY
When it comes to the beginning of our universe scientists believe that the Big Bang was the way that our universe came to be. The Big Bang Theory is a theory that tries to explain how the universe was formed, which was thought of by Edward Hubble. Scientists believe that about fifteen billion years ago a huge explosion started the expansion of the universe. They believe that everything in the universe was compacted. The Big Bang actually was of an explosion of space within itself, not an outward explosion. The galaxies weren't all bunched together, but the Big Bang set out the foundations for the universe.
CREATION
Now, there is another theory other than the Big Bang of how the universe was formed. Christians believe that God created our universe. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."- Genesis 1:1. They believe that God created the universe, the earth and all of its life forms. They believe that the Bible is God's word and contains information on how the world was created. The scriptures in the Bible provide what they need to know in the beginnng of the universe.
I personally believe that science and religion in some way or another can support eachother. I do believe that God created the universe, but I don't disregard science at all. I know that both of these things have to correspond with eachother. Albert Einstein said himself that, "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." And I completely agree with this. I believe God is real and I know that most science is fact.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Solar Systems & Galaxies
What's the difference between a solar system and a galaxy? How are they similar? Many people get the general idea of them but let's look further into what they really are...
Solar Systems
A solar system is a system of planets and other objects in space that orbit a star. They can also contain other systems within it. Our solar system is mostly just empty space but contains some very important and interesting things. In our solar system, we have eight planets along with dwarf planets. The inner solar system contains the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The outer solar system contains Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. We also have over one hundred moons along with asteroids, comets and terrestrial planets. All of these objects in our solar system revolve around a star, which we call the sun. These objects are also all gravitationally bound to the sun.
Galaxies
Galaxies are large systems of stars and matter between and around stars. Galaxies contain millions and even trillions of stars which is an amount hard to imagine. There are different types of galaxies though. There are spiral, lenticular, elliptical, and irregular galaxies. We live in a giant spiral galaxy, which we call the Milky Way. Spiral galaxies pretty much define themselves. They appear as a flat, large disk which often contains a lot of interstellar matter and is in a spiral pattern. Lenticular galaxies are very similar and are defined as "spiral galaxies without spiral structure." Elliptical galaxies are in the shape of an ellipse but do not rotate as a whole. Irregular galaxies are galaxies without really any shape. This is due to the gravitation of other galaxies around them.
I find this all so hard to imagine. It's so hard for me to picture in my mind millions and trillions of stars and how space goes on forever, how is that possible?! It's so unbelievable and amazing. I found that pictures of galaxies were so pretty to look at. I really enjoy learning about space and how far out all this is. Personally, it's just crazy where we live. Though, I'm still wondering how all of this is physics related.
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