April 18, we made homemade ice cream from scratch. We took a plastic bag and filled with a cup of milk. Adding 2 spoons of sugar and a few drops of vanilla flavoring, we then zipped the bag to prepare for mixing. We put the creamy substance in another bag filled with ice and rock salt and shook the bigger bag back and forth until the mixture became a solid. Once hard, we were able to eat our resulting product. yum (:

Today, April 22, 2010, using wire and needle-nosed pliers, we created a gas jet unclogger and used it to remove a paper wad from an air jet.

It took 10 minutes to get the paper wad out, and then another 10 minutes to find where it flew off.

SCIENCE: I was able to create this useful tool because the metal of the wire was malleable (bendable and deformable).

chemStd 6b:Students know how to describe the dissolving process at the molecular level by using the concept of random molecular motion

To know how to describe the dissolving process by randomly moving molecules, we first need to know what dissolution is. Dissolution is the process of dissolving a solid substance into a solvent to make a solution. In the picture on the side, we see a solute and solvent breaking into molecules. As the molecules randomly mix, they combine together to create a solution.
When a crystal of salt is dropped into a beaker of water, it is bombarded by randomly moving water molecules which surround each ion and carry it into solution. It is this interaction between moving water molecules and the particles in the crystal that causes it to dissolve. Molecules randomly flow in all directions until there is an equal concentration throughout the solution. Heat speeds up this process. When an ionic compound dissolves in water, the water molecules separate and disperses the ions into the liquid. The positive ions are attracted to the negative ions.

Here's a video that describes sodium chloride being dissolved:

Here's another example of how an ionic compound dissolves in water:

Mills Canyon Map

View Mills Canyon in a larger map

Today we went on a fieldtrip to Mills Canyon. All the students met at 8am. We walked a mile from school uphill. Once we got there, all I could see was trees and dirt. We walked through mud and branches and saw some really cool stuff. During the fieldtrip, we took pictures of cool things we saw and took notes on our white worksheet. All the students were nicely grouped and walked up and down by the stream. We walked in a circle and came back to the entrance around 12. After everyone was regrouped we walked back to school just in time for the sports to go play. We signed in our names and went to our 5th period class.

the toothpick that didnt pop a balloon!

Today I stuck a toothpick into a balloon, and it didn't pop!

The tricks are:
Use a toothpick with a very pointy point
Use the relatively thicker point of the balloon (the rubber "spot" on the very top)
Lubricate the spot AND the toothpick with a small amount of petroleum jelly.
Push the lubricated tip gently into the lubricated spot (not too hard!), and rotate the toothpick as you push. Be patient -- as you push gently and rotate, the rubber will gradually move around the wooden point, and you'll succeed!

SCIENCE: Balloons are made of latex rubber, which is a loosely cross-linked network of long polymer chains. Look at the structure of latex rubber below, and you'll see why the rubber can move around the wooden point and still hold.


How To Stick A Toothpick In A Balloon - Watch a funny movie here

I Propose We Make a Smoke Bomb

Links:
How to Make a Safer Smoke Bomb

Make a Smoke Bomb



The classic smoke bomb is very easy to make, but I know some of you are concerned about the possibility of accidentally setting off your smoke alarm or igniting the mixture during preparation. There is safer way to make a smoke bomb. It uses the same ingredients and produces a comparable amount of smoke, but it takes a bit longer to make. Here's how to make the safer smoke bomb:

Smoke Bomb Ingredients
•potassium nitrate or saltpeter (if you can't find it at a garden store I see Skylighter sells it online)
•sugar (sucrose)
•water
•fuse
•paper or plastic cups
•plastic spoon
•waxed paper

Construct the Smoke Bombs
1.In a paper or plastic cup, mix 3 parts potassium nitrate with 2 parts sugar (e.g., 3 tablespoons potassium nitrate and 2 tablespoons sugar).

2.Using your plastic spoon, stir in just enough water to make a thick paste. Continue stirring until the ingredients are evenly mixed.

3.Set lumps of the mixture (~1 tablespoon each or a little less) onto the waxed paper. Insert a fuse into each lump.

4.Allow the smoke bombs to set up for 1-2 days. The drying time will depend on temperature and humidity. Warmer and drier is faster; cooler and damper will take longer. Keep the smoke bombs away from excessive heat or flame. The smoke bombs will be like clay when they are ready, not hard and solid.

5.Set a completed smoke bomb outdoors on a fireproof surface and light it.

Saftey:
-Wear goggles
-No loose clothing that could get caught
-Wear gloves

OMG WE HAVE A TEST TOMORROW

I'm not ready for this test because Matt Ho is distracting me. I have too much homework and studying to do tonight. AIYAH whatever shall I do? I guess I need to learn how to balance my time and work while dealing with friends and family. This is going to be a tough adjustment but it's a necessary one.