Benjamin,+Paige

The graphs are very similar and different in a variety of ways. For instance, the first graph contains pictures and words while the second graph focuses more on how the forms of matter connect using just words in a tree-diagram form. The third graph uses little description and connects the forms of matter through boxes labeled with single words. The third graph is also a flow chart while the first graph is a combination of a tree-diagram and a flow chart. Lastly, the second graph has words that are color-coded while the first and third graphs use color for the pictures ad the background. I would choose the first graph because it is easiest to understand and contains a lot of description. It also organized in such a way that you can see how the different types of matter relate to each other through picture and word form. It displays a variety of ways to comprehend the given information.
 * Graphs:**

Today I learned about chromatography in the lab. I discovered how pigments are separated and other colors are exposed when put on paper and inserted into water. One thing I thought was interesting was that there are so many different dyes used in our foods. I also learned that too much dye can cause your urine to change color because it has such a strong pigmentation. In addition to these things, the movie about crude oil gave me a new understanding about how the industrial world has been shaped by this important material.
 * Chromatography:**

Measurement is a crucial part in daily life. For instance, when you are baking a special treat, such as cookies, you need to make sure the ingredients are all properly measured, otherwise your food might not bake correctly. For instance, too much milk might make your cookies mushy, while too little milk might make them dry. You also need measurement when assembling something--such as a car. If you make the metal sheets too short, then the car might not run correctly.
 * Measurement:**

The article, as a whole, presented any new concepts that I had not been familiar with. I did not know that the Kilogram itself was such an important addition to the scientific world. I also had no idea that scientists, such as meterologosists, found the debate about changing the kilogram so relevant when it came to their studies. In addition to these things, I discovered that the kilogram is the last of the SI base units that has a physical artifact that defines it. Lastly, I learned about numerous new forms of measurements such as the ampere (which measures electric current) and the candela (which measures light intensity). Before reading this article, I didn't know that there was a need to measure light internsity or that it was even possible in the first place.
 * Redefining the Kilogram:**

Paige, Good reflection. Light intensity is important for many things, not the least of which is reading. MW

Before reading this article, I didn't know that so much was involved in keeping our country safe--I also didn't know that density played such an important role. Density itself it used to determine whether something is a bomb or not and can be used to decipher what could potentionally be dangerous. I originally suspected that the x-ray machines just took pictures of the items going through them, but now I know that they calculate density which helps categorize items and what types of harmful weapons they might carry inside of them.
 * Airport Security:**

Surprisingly, I actually learned a lot from the mole day website. Prior to my exploration of the site, I had no idea that mole day was so important to such a wide variety of people. I loved the jokes that they posted on the site--they were very clever. I also thought that the short comics on the "Molar Express" were cute and original. As for the mole itself, I learned that a mole's mass in grams is the equivalent to the molecule's atomic mass. In addition to this, I discovered that Amadeo Avogradro lived from 1776 to 1858. It's hard to believe that in his short lifetime, he contributed so much valuable knowledge to the chemistry world. However, I find it kind of depressing that he wasn't credited for his extraordinary discovery.
 * Mole Day Website:**

It was quite shocking to discover that a common household object such as sugar could be so hazardous and reactive when exposed to certain substances. Its hard to believe that something as miniscule as a spark could result in a massive explosion that killed nine people. In addition to this, I learned that dealing with Stoichiometeric relationships is a difficult and risky task. For one thing, just by altering something as seemingly unimportant as the number of compounds in a reactant or product combination can result in a life-threatening situation. If a person does not know how to properly use Stoich, the consequences of inaccurate chemical equation relationships could be disastrous.
 * Dust & Stoich****:**

Paige, No doubt about that. Just like with the pumpkin, powder can become very dangerous! MW

My favorite element is Lead (Pb). This is because its periodic abbreviation is my initials. I think that this is unique because not too many people can say that a "part of them" is included in the periodic table. Not only this, but lead can also be the basis for many interesting chemical reactions. Even though lead has many unpleasant side effects (like brain damage), it actualy conbtributes to the creation of many positive things in today's world. For instance, if it wouldn't be for lead, there would be no pencils. Without pencils, everything would have to be written in pen--which would make math/chemistry class very difficult. In addition to this, lead is also used to protect the human body from radition during important medical tests such as xrays.
 * Favorite Element:**

Before taking this class, I had no idea that there were any other gases besides Helium that could alter your voice. I also did not know how the process worked and why. One interesting thing that I learned from the article is that after holding your breath for 15-20 seconds, your body detects a disturbance and tries to correct it by causing you to feel the need to gasp for air. The reasoning for this is because of a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood stream. I also was intrigued with the fact that when Sulfur Hexafluoride is put into a balloon, it causes the balloon to expand--unlike Helium, which deflates quickly because it seeps out. The Helium balloon decreases in size because the molecules move with such speed that they seep out faster than air molecules can seep in. On the other hand, the Sulfur Hexafluoride balloon increases in size because the air molecules leak into the balloon because the Sulfur Hexafluoride molecules are moving too slowly to leak out faster than the air molecules.
 * Sulfur Hexafluoride:**

Paige, Good post! MW

After reading this article, I found out some interesting facts. For one thing, I never knew that motion detectors sensed motion based on light sources or warmth. I had always assumed that their secret was through transmitted signals emitted out of the device. I also never knew that when motion detectors detect "light" they are actually detecting electromagnetic radiation in the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet range. In addition to this, I was intriqued with the fact that low-intensity high-frequency beams can cause electrons to be propelled while a high-intensity low-frequency beams doesn't cause any electrons to be moved from a surface. This was discovered by Heinrich Hertz in 1887. I find it interesting that even so many years ago there were brilliant technological advances in a time where important concepts and ideas like the ones we have today weren't yet developed. Paige, Good observation. Technology keeps on enhancing our lives! MW
 * Motion Detectors**