The Electromagnetic Spectrum

What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?? It is the complete sequence of all the electromagnetic waves placed in increasing frequency. The spectrum consists of six different types of waves which include the radio waves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays. The speed, wavelength and frequency are all related due to the formula to find speed. Speed=Wavelength x Frequency.
Radio waves have longer wavelengths with the lowest frequencies. Microwaves are radio waves with the shortest wavelength and highest frequency. Moving a little down the spectrum is Infrared Rays. These electromagnetic waves have shorter wavelengths than radio waves. Because they have a higher frequency they have more energy. Making up a very little part of the electromagnetic spectrum, visible light is electromagnetic waves that the human eye can see. The change in wavelength can display the different colors that appear. Ultraviolet waves are those who have wavelengths just a little shorter than visible light. Their frequency increase in the spectrum also has an increase to the energy put in. Ultraviolet Rays compose of enough energy to kill living cells. X-Rays is the next wave in the spectrum. The frequency is a little bit higher; however, the wavelength is lower than ultraviolet rays. X-Rays are used for a photographic film that go passed the tissue to the bone. These can also be used for engineering and industry use. Coming to the end of the electromagnetic spectrum, gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths with the highest frequencies. Gamma Rays consist of the most energy as it is the most incisive wave of all the electromagnetic waves. Although gamma rays are extremely harmful, they have become use due to technology. They produce enough energy to kill cancer cells in the body. The Electromagnetic Spectrum consists of many details that can further extend your knowledge about waves.

For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

Algae Fueled Plane Takes Off!

Just yesterday, Wednesday January 8, 2009, when an aircraft was tested for a 50/50 mix of biofuel and normal aircraft fuel, the flight was perfect. One of the US airlines tested the biofuel of algae as another alternative for aircraft fuel. The flight of the Continental Boeing 737-800 was the first plane by the US Carrier in progress of using alternative fuels. The aviation industry is having high hopes of using biofuels throughout within five years. Its ninety minute flight was completed from Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport to a course in Gulf of Mexico. The pilot had done several tests such as the mid-flight engine shutdown to find the plane exceeding the anticipations the industry yearned for. The biofuel used was made out of two types of plants, algae and jatropha. Both sources have a high growth speed and thus can be accessed at ease. Now the challenge is on in creating the biofuel in efficient ways to use everyday.

I think this is a very useful as it soon can be part of our everyday lives. Using natural sources from the earth can also be helping the environment instead of damaging it. The aviation industry should really begin using biofuels more frequently.

For more info:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7817849.stm

Camouflaged or Not?

Just recently during science class, we were instructed to color a paper butterfly and camouflage it within the room. Butterflies are like most insects with the six jointed legs and the three main body parts of the head, thorax, and the abdomen. Camouflage is a very important factor of the environment for both its preys and predators. Several animals depend on camouflage of their skin for a quick escape or to be left in hiding from their predators. For example, iguanas have the capability to change colors so they blend into the environment without notice. Prey on the other hand, can use camouflage in a completely different way. Once these consumers have spotted their meal they blend in and then go for a quick attack. Shaded a dark jet-black, my butterfly was hidden in the corner of the room. The predator was to come and find as many butterflies as possible in a given amount of time. Hidden in the corner, my butterfly was not found in the first two trials. This is because the predator did not bother to look at specific areas such as the corner. However, in the third trail it was necessary to place the critter where it would not be camouflaged at the same time in plain sight. Again, the predator was not able to spot the butterfly although it did not blend in at all. For the last testing, the flying insect was finally found. An observation noticed was the predator always followed the route he went previously, before looking in new areas. Camouflage is a way of life, animals use everyday.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterflies/allabout/

Smothering Fires

Thursday, November 13th, blazing fires broke out in Southern California. On the fourth day, firefighters are still trying to calm down the fires, but can’t do much for the destruction done. Almost 1,000 homes were burned and demolished from the raging fires including mobile houses and multi-million dollar mansions. Although winds did decrease, around FIFTY-THOUSAND people were forced to evacuate. Dozens of homes were burnt to ashes especially in L.A. and Orange County. The storm had a perfect time to strike; the high winds blew hard with the rising temperature and with the air very dry. Unknown cause of the fire did bring confusion, but nearly 20,000 acres of the foothills above Los Angeles was burned to the ground. Several families who had to flee from their homes are still in utter shock and hope all will soon get better. These yearly fires that wipe California can really be a pain, but a part of nature that we can’t prevent.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_wildfire_california;_ylt=AjOsglKpXG6FvXXy6BU_gays0NUE

TRASH INTO ENERGY!!

Could it be? Our daily household trash being turned into energy! Our landfills could be the nation's future use of energy. The twenty-one landfills in NJ are almost equal to the amount in Texas. Although it is not very good to have so many landfills in one state, they are about to make the trash useful. The decomposing garbage in NJ is letting out methane gas, which is used to produce fuel that generates electricity. Later through the years, environmentalists wish to make more out of landfills with solar and wind power. Tom Marturano, A director of solid waste and natural resources for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission said "It's like you're buying back your own garbage, but in a different form." Corozine, governor of New Jersey keeps high hopes that by 2020, thirty percent of "New Jersey's electricity is supplied by the renewable energy source of methane gas. This gas created by micro-organisms that feed on organic substances; however, the bacteria do not feed on any specifics. It has modified to trash such as cardboard and plastic. In order to collect the methane gas, perforated bases with tubes that extend far are drilled into the landfill.
I think this is a very useful way to light the homes of New Jersey in a renewable way. This can be the future's energy. We should continue collecting methane gas and try to produce energy naturally. There should be some use of the garbage we produce, and now there is.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081026/ap_on_re_us/green_garbage

Living and Nonliving Things: Their Enviroments

The environment is everything for the living thing and nonliving things i the world. A environment is all the living and nonliving things where organisms interact. Food, shelter, as well as other resources allow the species to live. Different animals need different environments to live in unlike us humans, who adapt our environments to us. For example, a penguin would be unable to survive in a rain forest due to all the different aspects and resources it has. A penguin can only live in environment such as Antarctica. The ecosystem is all the living and nonliving things that interact with one another in a given area. Ecosystems can vary in size from a pond to an ocean. If one ecosystems is damaged, many others ecosystems are affected because they all connect with one another. Within an ecosystem are communities, the living part of ecosystems. A group of lions living in a plain describes a population. To put into other words, a group of organisms that are the same species and type living together in the same area. Populations all have different habitats. Habitats is where the organisms lives. Our habitat would be our homes such as a squirrel's habitat would be a tree. Wherever you go, ten thousand feet under the water, or high in the sky, there will always be ecosystems where organisms live.

http://www.abheritage.ca/abnature/Ecosystems/intro.htm

CULTURAL FAIR EXTRA CREDIT!!(South Asia)

Food Prices on An All-Time High

The increase on prices for food has now become a large economic issue. With population of Asia soaring, it is becoming more difficult to feed such a great amount of mouths and still have a well-run economy. Asia faces many risks to their population growth. For example, the financial instability is rising, increasing food and energy cost, and the US slowdown. It is important that we focus on energy and food cost right now as it has impacted Asian economies and will continue to unless something is done.

Although there are many risks involved. If Asian countries increase their interest rates so that there is such a broad gap between the US and themselves, inflation may occur. However, if gas prices continue to drastically rise, many worry inflation will be greater. It shall impact the consumption in Asia for quite some time.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Indicators/Food_prices_threaten_Asian_economic_stability_ADB_head_/articleshow/3133453.cms