How desert plants adapt to the conditions in the desert?

Different plants have different ways to adapt to the desert. They have their own way to preserve and get water. Some plants have developed tap roots. These tap roots can extend to thirty meters below the surface to draw water out of the water table. Other plants have shallow roots to catch water as soon as it lands. Desert sand is well drained and water doesn’t sit around on top. This means water can soak into the ground very fast.

Some plants such as the spines or fur trees reduce the heat by facing leaves directly up or down to minimize surface area hit by the sun so less water is evaporated.

Africa's baobob tree(Adansonia digitata) has a thick, water-storing trunk, to help the plant to store sufficent water for survival, stubby branches and large, white flowers. It can live more than 1,000 years living in the desert.

Other plants like the Joshua tree have small knife like leaves that have a very small surface area. The small surface area means that less water is evaporated. This tree also has a waxy resin that prevents much water from evaporating.

Another plant called stone plants(Mesembryanthemums) exposes only a few of its leaves. Most of them are underground along with the main body. This is done so it doesn’t loose all its precious water to the sun. The tree is also kept cooler. They have transparent leaf tops to allow sunlight to enter the plant to help to increase the rate of photosynthesis.

The Mosquite tree has adapted to the desert by having roots that can extend 30m into the ground. This is so it can tap into the underground water supply.

The cactus has spine/needle like leaves which reduces the surface of the leaves to decrease the loss of water in the plant through transpiration, especially in the extremely hot weather.

　

Reference:

http://scienceray.com/biology/ecology/plants-and-animals-adaptations-to-the-desert-biome/

www.google.com

Book: Plants

Biomass

Biomass is any plant derived organic matter available on a renewable basis, including dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and residues, wood wastes and residues, aquatic plants etc. The energy in biomass can be harnessed in waste-to-energy plants or cogeneration plants.

Reference: http://www.nccc.gov.sg/renewables/biomass.shtm

http://reich-chemistry.wikispaces.com/file/view/types-of-biomass.jpg/106800251/types-of-biomass.jpg

The Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conversation of energy states that energy can be converted or transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.

Electrical energy

Electrical energy is the energy flow of electricity.
Needed in all electrical appliances.
Source from charged particles.
Can be transformed into many different forms of energy.

Sound energy

Sound energy enable us to communicate. An important use as a warning signal.

Light energy

Light energy enable us to see.

Heat energy

Heat energy flows from region of higher temperature to a lower temperature.

Kinetic energy

Kinetic energy is energy in a body due to its motion.
ALL moving objects have kinetic energy.

Potential energy

Potential energy is stored energy due to our position or condition.

Types of potential energy:
-Chemical potential energy
-Gravitational potential energy
-Elastic potential energy

• Chemical potential energy is stored energy from chemicals.

• Gravitational potential energy is present when energy and an object has due to its position or location.

• Elastic potential energy is an energy an object has when it is stretched or compressed.

Energy

Energy is the ability to do work.
Energy is needed in order to do work.

Heat energy:)

HEAT INDUCED ROTATING LAMP SHADE

When the bulb is lit, it will generate heat. The heat generated will warm the air surrounding the bulb, causing it to rise. The rising warm air will travel upwardly inside the conical shade with the air escaping out the slits provided in the surface of the shade. The warm air escaping through the slits will apply a force to the unidirectional vanes which will cause the shade to rotate.

Reference: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5491616.html

In shorter words, when the bulb lits up, heat and other forms of energy is produced. The moving hot air surrounding the slits will rise and will apply a force on the slits, causing the vanes to rotate.

Hydroelectric dams

The water in the reservoir is considered stored energy. When the gates open, the water flowing through the penstock becomes kinetic energy because it's in motion. The amount of electricity that is generated is determined by several factors. Two of those factors are the volume of water flow and the amount of hydraulic head. The head refers to the distance between the water surface and the turbines. As the head and flow increase, so does the electricity generated. The head is usually dependent upon the amount of water in the reservoir.

Reference: http://science.howstuffworks.com/hydropower-plant1.htm

The principle of moments.

The principle of moments states: when a body is in equilibrium, the sum of all clockwise movements about a pivot is equal to the sum of all anti-clockwise movements about the same pivot.

Deadweight

• An oppressive burden or difficulty.
• The unrelieved weight of a heavy, motionless mass.
• Deadweight tonnage is an expression of a ship's carrying capacity, including the weight of the crew, passengers, cargo, fuel, ballast, drinking water and stores
• The extra weight on a machine part that lowers its performance when not in use. For example, the main engine on a rocket becomes dead weight when the propellant is used up. For this reason, multi-stages rockets eject engines after they have been utilised to reduce the dead weight. However, the later stages of the rocket are initially deadweight in the early stages of launch.ater, and stores.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadweight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esm4s9iK_Gs

Click link to see video.( The one we saw in class)

I think the plane crash was due to the fact that the plane was overloaded. The crew estimated the the mass of each passenger and added the total mass of the luggages/bags and concluded that the total mass of the load had not reached its capacity. Unfortunately, his estimated mass of each passenher was lesser than the actual mass, plus,the crew's calculation of the total mass of the bags/luggages was not accurate. Hence, the plane was flying at a abnormal angle as back of the plane,which contains all the bags/luggages, was too heavy and became unbalanced. The pilot tried to bring the nose of the plane lower but to no avail. The plane eventually crash and exploded because of ignited full tank fuel in the plane.

Stilletto Heels

Effects of wearing high heels/stilletto heels.(Bad)

1. A high heeled shoe forces the posture into an unnatural position that significantly stresses the joints. The spine, which in flat shoes is reasonably straight, forms more of an ‘S’ shape with the chest and lower back pushing forward and the hips pushed back. The height of the heel also changes the amount of weight on the forefoot. A 1-inch heel will increase the pressure by 22%; a 2-inch heel by 57%; and a 3-inch heel by 76%. This increased pressure puts the forefoot at risk for injuries such as stress fractures, bunions, and hammertoes.

2. Knee pain is common when high heels are involved. The heel height causes increased strain on the knee joint and associated tendons. The quadriceps muscle group in the front of the thigh works harder, increasing pressure on the kneecap by up to 26%. This can ultimately increase the incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee and quadriceps tendinitis.

3. Because of the constant elevation of the heel, contraction and shortening of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon may occur. Habitual wearing of extremely high heels can cause a woman to be unable to tolerate a flat shoe. On occasion, this can even require surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon. Most often, however, this will increase the chances of Achilles tendinitis or shin splints.

4. The changes in posture and overall imbalance will lead to instability when walking and a resulting risk of ankle sprains. High heels, especially stilettos, will lead to instability and a major increase in ankle sprains result. An ankle sprain is caused from the twisting of the ankle and results in a tear of the ligaments that connect the foot and leg bones and stabilize the ankle. When the heel is balancing on a narrow stiletto heel, if the heel shifts outward slightly a sudden twist may occur to sprain these ligaments. Swelling, bruising and pain will result. At worst, it is possible for the ankle to fracture, a ligament can pull a piece of bone off, or even a bone in the foot can break due to the pull of a tendon.

5. High heels are enjoyed by most women because they are "cute." They are narrow and are contoured to make the foot look slender. The tight fit of many heels will force the toes to conform to its shape. The added pressure on the toes can exacerbate bunions and hammertoes. The pressure of the shoe itself can cause corns to form. Furthermore. The compression of the metatarsal bones can cause pressure on the nerves that run between them. This pressure can cause a growth and inflammation of the nerve known as a Morton’s neuroma. Remember, a shoe is meant to fit the foot, not squeeze it relentlessly.

Reference: http://footsolutionsonline.ning.com/profiles/blogs/five-risks-of-wearing-high

How does the gravitational pull on the moon affects the high and low tides on earth?

The gravitational attraction that the Moon exerts on Earth is the major cause of tides in the sea; the Sun has a lesser tidal influence. If the Earth possessed a global ocean of uniform depth, the Moon would act to deform both the solid earth (by a small amount) and ocean in the shape of an ellipsoid with high points directly beneath the Moon and on the opposite side of the Earth. However, as a result of the irregular coastline and varying ocean depths, this idealization is only partially realized. While the tidal flow period is generally synchronized to the Moon's orbit around Earth, its phase can vary. In some places on Earth there is only one high tide per day, though this is somewhat rare.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_of_the_Moon

Relative Motion

The laws of physics which apply when you are at rest on the earth also apply when you are in any reference frame which is moving at a constant velocity with respect to the earth. For example, you can toss and catch a ball in a moving bus if the motion is in a straight line at constant speed.

The motion may have a different appearance as viewed from a different reference frame, but this can be explained by including the relative velocity of the reference frame in the description of the motion.

Reference: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/relmot.html

If you are on a subway train in a subway station, you can see people standing or sometimes walking in the aisles of another train; your train or the other train might be moving in either direction. Sometimes it is hard to say what is moving! This means that the motion of a body always depends on a particular frame of reference. Galileo was the first person to formalize this concept, which is known as relative motion.

Click on website to see reletive motion in subway station demonstrations.

Refence: http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/RelativeMotionInASubwayStation/

(Galileo Galilei; 15 February 1564 – 8 January 1642) was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. )

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_galilei)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIME AND LEMON

* A lemon is yellow and a lime is green!

* Limes are smaller than lemon

* Limes contain more acid than lemons, and are more sour (but lemons are small, green and more bitter before they mature and then turn yellow and more sweet when they mature. So what's the difference between a lime and an immature lemon?

* When put into a glass or bowl of water, a lime will sink to the bottom, and a lemon will float on the top. Could the difference in density be due to a difference in sugar content or a difference in lipid (oil) content? Lipids are less dense than water. Lemons are known for their lemon oil. Cut a lemon and feel the oil on the surface. A small, dense, green, immature lemon floats in water!

Reference: http://qna.rediff.com/questions-and-answers/what-is-the-difference-between-lime-lemon/12776448/answers

Cartesian Diver

Experiment description

The Cartesian diver experiment is set up by placing a "diver"—a small, rigid tube, open at one end, such as an eyedroper—in a much larger container with some flexible component; for example, a two liter soft drink bottle. The larger container is filled with water, and must be airtight when closed. The "diver" is partially filled with a small amount of water, but contains enough air so that it is nearly neutrally buoyant, but still buoyant enough that it floats at the top while being almost completely submerged.

The "diving" occurs when the flexible part of the larger container is pressed inward, causing the "diver" to sink to the bottom until the pressure is released, when it floats again.

Explanation of the principles at work

Air in the diver makes it neutrally buoyant and therefore float at the water's surface. As a result of Pascal's Principle, when the pressure increases by squeezing the container, the least dense material, the air in the diver, is affected. Thus, the pressure on the water increases the pressure on the air bubble in the diver. The air compresses and reduces in volume, permitting more water to enter the diver. The diver now displaces a lesser weight of water than its own weight and becomes negatively buoyant (i.e. sinks), according to Archimedes' principle. When the pressure on the container is released, the air expands again, increasing the weight of water displaced and the diver again becomes neutrally or positively buoyant and floats. If however, the buoyant force is equal to the compressed air force inside the diver, it will either float straight to the top or it will float in the middle of the container.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_diver

THE DEAD SEA

The Dead Sea ,also called the Salt Sea, is a salt lake bordering Israel and the West bank to the west, and Jordan to the east.

The Dead Sea is 67 kilometres (42 mi) long and 18 kilometres (11 mi) wide at its widest point. It lies in the Jordan Rift Valley, and its main tributary is the Jordan River.

The Dead Sea is 378 m (1,240 ft) deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. It is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of water, with 33.7% salinity. It is 8.6 times more salty than the ocean.

As the concentration of salt in the dead sea is very high, we are less dense than the Dead sea and hence, are able to float.

In recent decades, the Dead Sea has been rapidly shrinking because of diversion of incoming water from the Jordan River to the north. The southern end is fed by a canal maintained by the Dead Sea Works, a company that converts the sea's raw materials. From a depression of 395 m (1,296 ft) below sea level in 1970 it fell 22 m (72 ft) to 418 m (1,371 ft) below sea level in 2006, reaching a drop rate of 1 m (3 ft) per year. As the water level decreases, the characteristics of the Sea and surrounding region may substantially change.

Reference:

http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea

What caused the Dead Sea's formation?

The Dead Sea depression is a continuation of the Rift Valley depression , which was caused, millions of years ago, by continental drift. Because of the low rainfall in the catchment area of the Dead Sea, there is not enough water flowing into the sea for it to flow out, south to the gulf - so we have an inland sea. The Jordan River continually brings small amounts of salt into the sea. Since there is no outflow, the salt level gradually built up over the millions of years, until the Dead Sea is now so salty that fish can not survive in it - hence the name.

Reference:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_caused_the_Dead_Sea's_formation

How to find the volume of a cork?

AIM: to find the volume of a piece of cork.

APPARATIES: a displacement can, wooden block, beaker, measuring cylinder, sinker (ex. pebble) ,a piece of cork and piece of string.

ACTIVITY:

1. Set up the appartus.(put the displacement can on the wooden block and place the beaker close to the wooden block~under the displacement can's sprout~
2. Fill the displacement can with water and allow excess water to flow into the beaker.~discard this water, u don't need it~
3. Place the dry measuring cylinder directly below the sprout.
4. Tie the stone to the string and lower it carefully into the displacement can.
5. Allow the displaced water to collect in the measuring cylinder.
6. The amount of water collected is the volume of the stone. record it as VOLUME A.
7. Remove the stone from the displacement can and repeat steps 2 & 3.
8. Tie the cork on the same string you used to tie the stone and lower both of them carefully into the displacement can.
9. Allow the displaced water to collect in the measuring cylinder and record it as VOLUME B.
10. The difference between volumes A & B ,is the volume of the cork.

Reference: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_find_the_volume_of_an_irregular_shape_which_floats

How do submarines float and sink?

There are ballast tanks in a submarine. It is full of compressed air, and thus it floats. When the submarine wants to sink, the air is replaced by seawater. The weight of the submarine is now becoming greater than the weight of the amount of water it displaces. If it wants to stay at a constant depth, then the seawater/compressed air is balanced at a constant level. When it wants to rise to the surface again, the seawater is let out and the ballast tanks is once more full of compressed air.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_a_submarine_sink_and_float

Thus, when seawater enters the ballast tanks, the density of the submarine will be denser than water and when seawater in the tanks is replaced by air, the density of the submarine will be less dense than the seawater in its surroundings and hence, it will float.

Why does an intact orange float but a peeled orange sink?

(picture edited)

Basically, it is because the skin of an orange is porous and contains airbags. It traps air which causes the density of an orange to be denser than water. When the orange is peeled, it loses its buoyancy, the density of the remaining parts of the orange(pulps) , which consist of water and solid masses, is denser than water and will sink.

Meniscus

A meniscus is formed because the surface tension will attract the water solution to the molecues of the container thus lifting it up on the edges.

It is due to what is called cohesion and adhesion. The water molecules are attracted to each other through cohesion, which is the attraction between similar particles (by polarity). Adhesion is attraction between unlike molecules. When water is placed in a glass container, the forces of cohesion overcome the forces of adhesion, and the water climbs up the glass.
Conversely, the attraction between mercury atoms (cohesion) is stronger than its attraction to the glass (adhesion). Therefore, the atoms pull together and away from the glass.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_the_meniscus_of_water_concave_and_the_meniscus_of_mercury_is_convex

Cylinder, Pipette and Burette

A cylinder is the one of the most curvilinear geometric shapes,
the surface formed by the points of a fixed distance from a given straight line, the axis of a cylinder.

Pipette are devices that allow the users to extract or deliver small amount of liquid.
A pipette uses a bulb to dispense appropriate quantities of effluent.

A burette is a vertical piece of cylindrical piece of laboratory glassware with volumetric graduation on its full length and a presicion tap, or a stopcock, on the bottom . It is used to dispense known amouts of liquid regents in experiments which such precision is necessary.

The difference between the cylinder, pipette and the burette.

They measure volumes of liquids, however,

1)The burette has a tap to control the flow of liquid while the cylinder and the pipette do not have. a

2)The pipette uses a bulb to dispense appropriate quantities of liquid

3) The measuring cylinder is a graduated container with a spout unlike the pipette and burette.