Here are some fun facts from the US Mint about the changes in the composition of the penny over the years. What was the percent of zinc in your penny? If there was a difference, what accounted for that difference?
Archive for Chemistry
Reading Measurements & Unit Conversions Practice
The retake for the test on reading measurements and unit conversions will be, November 13th (Tuesday) and 14th (Wednesday) at lunch. You need to do the practice on this page and make a comment on this post indicating that you’ve done the exercises.
Reading Measurements:
1. Reading graduated cylinders
2. Meniscus Madness
Unit Conversion Practice:
1. Practice on equivalents (ex. 1 m has how many mm?)
2. Practice on Length
3. Practice on Mass
Remember to leave a comment if you practiced and you need to retake the test. Tell me which sites you went on and if they helped.
Scientific Slime
The fun, but messy, experiment we did today can be found on Steve Spengler’s Science site. It’s the video called “Elmer’s Glue Slime.” Check out some of the other videos. Fun! Fun! Fun!
Safety Glasses
As you’ve been reminded dozens of times, we need to wear safety goggles or glasses in lab. I apologize for how uncomfortable they are… and still they need to be worn. For people who want to make a $3-8 investment, you can go to a major hardware store to purchase your own set. If you do, I highly recommend you write your name on them and keep them in your tote.
Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson and her writings launched the Environmental Movement. Check out the link to watch a short presentation on her life with some selected quotes from her writing. I remember as a kid listening to one of her books about the sea on tape. Wow!
Why not head to the library and check out some of her writings? Let me know what you think. Perhaps, you can be a famous writer who transforms the world in a powerful and beautiful way by your insights and observations. I hope that you do.
Metric System Staircase
The metric staircase is a helpful visual to teach how to convert in the metric system. Also look at the previous post to help you remember the different prefixes and their order.
Reading Science Equipment
This week in science we’ll be learning about how to use and read different scientific equipment.
Reading Graduated Cylinders
An important thing to know is how to read fluids properly.
1. Have a piece of paper with a solid line written on it. Hold this behind the graduated cylinder to help the meniscus stand out clearly.
2. Here is a video that shows you the proper way to read the meniscus.
NOTE: Parallax is the phenomenon of having a distortion in the reading by not being at eye level.
Reading a Triple Beam Balance
This activity will help you to learn about the triple beam balance.
