New Jersey Deciduous Forests

Hello! Come and listen to the I Wonder radio station and this week's interesting topic...New Jersey Deciduous Forests! On this recording located at, http://www.podomatic.com/profile, we discuss the importance of forests and what will happen if we don't save them. One major forest in New Jersey is Stokes State Forest in northern New Jersey, covering approximately 15, 482 acres of land! However, deciduous forests are located all around the world including Europe, eastern North America, China and Japan! So come and listen to our podcast!

Citations:

The Brown Reference Group plc. Ecology, Danbury: Grolier, 2004. Print.

Fink Martin, Patricia A. Woods and Forests. Danbury: Grolier, 2000. Print.

Fiset, Nathalie. "The Positive and Negative Consequences of Deforestation." EzineArticles.com. 29 Nov. 2010.

Jasch, Mary. "Stokes State Forest" New Jersey's Great Northwest Skylands, Jan. 2010. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

Manta. "16 Logging Companies in New Jersey." Manta Find Companies Connect with Customers. Manta. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. .

Sayre, April. Temperate Deciduous Forest. Brookfield: Twenty-First Century Books A Division of The Millbrook Press Inc., 1994. Print.

Topsoil Niches

This is a picture of topsoil I found in my backyard. It plays many important niches, or roles, in my backyard community. For example, it provides nutrients for my garden where I grow many vegetables in the summer. Moreover, it provides a home for many worms, which enrich the soil. All in all, topsoil is very important to not only humans but worms as well. It helps produce different types of foods and provides shelter for annelids which poduce fertile soil.

I got my information from www.ehow.com/about_5199889_importance-topsoil.html

Picture taken by JetsFan21

Sun-Abiotic Factor

What would life on Earth be like if there wasn't a sun? Well, there wouldn't be any life. The sun is a very important abiotic factor (a non-living feature of an ecosystem that limits population size). First, the sun is essential during the process of photosynthesis, when plants make their own food. Without the sun, all plants would die. Many animals such as herbivores, omnivores and humans would perish without plants because they provide food and oxygen. The sun also creates a suitable environment for us to live in, not too hot or not too cold. It also regulates temperature, precipitation, air mass movement and radiation. These things are all vital to our life on Earth.

Picture take by JetsFan21

I got information from www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=37

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

www.biology-online.org/6/3_abiotic_factors.htm

Storm Project

Are you interested in learning more about tornadoes? Visit this website!

http://www.yellowscience.webs.com/

Lit. Poems

"Family"

Friends

Amiable, generous

Loving, caring, sharing

Selfless, devoted, Papa, togetherness

Breathing, playing, whispering

Friendship, safety

Accordion

"Hans Hubermann"

Hans Hubermann

Generous, loyal, dedicated

Who loves to spend time with Liesel

Who feels guilty about Erik Vandenburg

Who needs his cigarettes

Who shares his musical talent with his family

Who fears the revealing of Max

Who'd like to see a peaceful world

Who dreams of a successful future for Liesel

Who ends up dying in a raid

Cloud Lab

We did a lab in science class, and now I have a better understanding of how clouds forn. In this lab, a ringstan about two feet high supported a tin can full of ice cubes. Under the tin can was a teapot full of water. My group turned on the teapot and watched as the steam, or water vapor, was produced from the pot. The steam rose and condensed onto the tinpan since it was a cool surface. After a few minutes, the tin pan started raining! I gained a lot of knowledge from this activity, but here are the top three interesting facts. Firstly, clouds need to attach to something in the air, such as dust particles, in order to stay aloft. In this lab, the tin can represented the dust particles since that is where the water droplets condensed. Secondly, in order for a cloud to produce rain, the water droplets need to be large enough in order for them to fall out of the cloud. I watched as a bunch of tiny condensed cloud droplets gathered, and formed a large raindrop. Thirdly, the process of the teapot producing water vapor is called evaporation. This is how the steam rose to the tin can in the first place. I further researched this topic, and discovered two more intriguing pieced of information. Cloud droplets are approximately one thousand times smaller than a raindrop, having a diameter of about ten thousandths of an inch. Secondly, the largest cloud is six mile high in the sky and can hold up to 500,000 tons of water! This cloud is known as the cumulnimbus cloud. In conclusion, I enjoyed this lab and I have a better understanding of how clouds form. I think it is important to know about weather because you experience it every day. The next time it rains, I'll know that the cloud droplets gathered and the cloud can no longer sustain the water, therefore it will rain. I'm excited to share my knowledge with other people.

Citations: www.funshun.com/amazing-facts/clouds-weather-facts.html

Picture- www.enchantedlearning.com/cgifs/clouds.GIF

Temperature Interactive

After visiting http://funphysics.jpl.nasa.gov/adventures/temperature-game.html, I knew a lot more about temperature than before. Did you know that….

Boiling Point = 212ºF
Death Valley = 134ºF
Human Body = 98.6ºF
Room Temperature = 68ºF
Freezing = 32ºF
Mars = -81ºF
Antarctica = -128ºF
Saturn = -229ºF
Space = -454.54ºF
SuperFluid Helium = -455.76ºF

Heat plays a major role in atomic or molecular motion, Molecules move rapidly in a gas or liquid when it’s hot and slower if it’s cool. Moreover, atoms vibrate when for a solid. Lastly, there are three different units of temperature
-Celsius
-Fahrenheit
-Kelvin

Picture from http://blog.wattzon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/temperature-scales1.png

Convection Popcorn Lab

Have you ever wondered why popcorn pops? Magically, people put these small, brown kernels into the microwave for a few minutes, and the result is a delicious, white, fluffy snack! How did this happen? I was thinking this exact thought I made popcorn in science class. Here's how it happened... There was a small droplet of water in each kernel (specifically the endosperm) which expands and converts into water vapor when heated. This puts pressure on the endosperm which eventually enhance in size and fills with air. Because of the building pressure, the kernel’s pericarp pops, and the kernel flips inside out. Thus, the white starch known as popcorn is now visible. Here are some interesting facts you should know in order for a popcorn kernel to pop.
1.) There must be 13-14% of water in the kernel.
2.) The kernel's pericarp must be strong enough to endure the pressure until it is the "right time" to pop.
3.) The kernel will not explode if it has a damaged (cracked) pericarp, thus causing the moisture to escape.
4.) Temperature must exceed 300 degrees F Picture and information from

http://www.tellmewhyfacts.com/2006/11/why-does-popcorn-pop.html

The Greenhouse Effect-Read About it

1.) a.) List three forms of radiation from the sun.

-infrared radiation

-visible light

-ultraviolet radiation

Which form of radiation from the sun has the longest wavelength? The shortest wavelength?

b.) Infrared radiation has the longest wavelength among other forms of radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation has the shortest.

2.)a.) What happens to most of the sunlight that reaches Earth?

Most of the sunlight that reaches the Earth is absorbed by Earth's surface. This is about 50%.

What percentage of incoming sunlight is reflected by clouds, dust, and gases in the atmosphere?

b.)25% of incoming sunlight is reflected by clouds, dust, and gases in the atmosphere.

Why are sunsets red?

c.) Sunsets are red because its light passes through a greater thickness of the atmosphere than when the sun is higher in the sky. More light from the blue end of the spectrum is removed by scattering before it reaches the human eye. The remaining light contains mostly red and orange light. Therefore, sunsets are red.

3.)a.) What happens to the energy from the sun that is absorbed by Earth's surface?

Energy from the sun that is absorbed by Earth's surface either reflects back into the atmospere or absorbed by the land and water and changed into heat.

How might conditions on Earth be different without the greenhouse effect?

b.) Conditions on Earth might be different without the greenhouse effect because temperatures would be too cold that living oganisms wouldn't be able to survive.

Air Pressure-Read about it

1.) What is air pressure?

a.) Air pressure is the result of the weight of a column or air pushing down on an area.

How does increasing the density of a gas affect its pressure?

b.)Increasing the density of a gas affects its pressure because the more dense a gas is, the more pressure it exerts.

2.) What two instruments are commonly used to measure air pressure?

a.) Two instruments commonly used to measure air pressure are the mercury barometer and the aneroid barometer.

What units are commonly used to measure air pressure?

b.) Units that are commonly used to measure air pressure are inches of mercury and millibars.

How many millibars are equal to 27.23 inches of mercury?

c.) 922.2801 millibars are equal to 27.23 inches of mercury.

3.) What is altitude?

a.) Altitude, or elevation, is the distance above sea level, the average level of the surface of the oceans.

As altitude increase, how does air pressure change?

b.) As altitude increases, air pressure changes because it decreases. It does not have the whole atmosphere pressing down on it and there is less weight present.

What changes in air pressure would you expect if you carried a barometer down a mine shaft?

c.) I would expect the barometer column of mercury to enhance since the air pressure is pushing down on the surface of mercury in the dish. Since a mine is below sea level, the air pressure is great thus heightening the mercury in the barometer.

The Collapsing Can Lab

My group and I filled the soda can with approximately 15mL of water. I carefully placed the container on the Type 15500 Hot Plate and in a couple minutes we saw a cloud of condensed water vapor. We counted to thirty, then I took the prongs and turned the hot can upside-down into the bucket filled with ice cold water. Instantaneously, the can collapsed. Why did this happen? Air was forced out of the can when it started to steam. Then it was full of water vapor. Next, my group and I created low air pressure inside the container when we inverted it into the ice cold water. Thus, the can collapsed because the air pressure outside of it was stronger than the air pressure within it.

Picture from http://valuestockphoto.com/downloads/31513-2/crushedsoftdrinkscan2.jpg

Information from http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/HomeExpts/COLLAPSE.html

Frog Blog

Who knew that a frog’s body system is similar to humans? For example, their digestive system starts at the esophagus where the prey is swallowed wholly and enters the stomach, which is the first major sign of chemical digestion. Then the digested food travels through the small and large intestine (cloaca) and exits out the anus.

In addition, here are some interesting frog facts. Frogs breathe and drink through their skin, and their eyeballs are pushed into their head when they swallow a prey to help push the food down the esophagus!

Finally, I loved the Animals Unit and enjoyed dissecting the frog. Initially, I was confused about the location of each organ, but when I explored this amphibian, I had a better understanding of it. All in all, dissection is a great experience and I hope future students can do it as well.

Resources: www.allaboutfrogs.org/weird/weird/.html
Picture- http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2006/01/Bullfrog1CBrown_altLG.jpg

Math Blog-Global Warming

One may be surprised that global warming cab be related to math. Climate change is negatively impacting organisms and these statistics support my statement. “Droughts caused by global warming could dry up 90 percent of central US wetlands, eliminating essential breeding habitat for ducks, geese and other migratory species.” (“Effects on Wildlife and Habitat”). As one can see, many animals could become homeless due to water shortage. Not only are animals negatively affected, but humans as well. “Climate change is responsible for at least 150,000 extra deaths a year--a figure that will double by 2030, according to WHO’s conservative estimate” (“How it Affects Your Health).

Global warming is caused because of fossil fuels. These fuels power cars. “Right now, oil, gasoline and natural gases account for about 60% of the energy used in the world” (“Fossil Fuels,” 1999-2010). People may have trouble reducing the amount of fossil fuels they burn, but it is essential for people to do so because it is detrimental to the environment.

Global warming results from the excessive use of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are chlorofluorocarbons, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and carbon dioxide (Stoyles, Pentland, Demant 18). However, carbon dioxide is the reason the average temperature is rising (“Global Warming,” 1999-2010). In fact, there was more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than the past 650,000 years!

Works Cited:

"Effects on Wildlife and Habitat - National Wildlife Federation." Home - National
Wildlife Federation. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.
<http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/Effects-on-Wildlife-and-Habitat.aspx>.

"Fossil Fuels." Brainpop. 1999-2010. Web. 14 Jan. 2010.
<http://www.brainpop.com/technology/energytechnology/fossilfuels/>.

"Global Warming." Brainpop. 1999-2010. Web. 9 Jan. 2010.
<http://brainpop.com/science/ourfragileenvironment/globalwarming/>.

Gorman, Christine. "How It Affects Your Health - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis,
Politics, Blogs, News, Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.
<http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1177002,00.html>.

Stoyles, Penny, Peter Pentland, and David Demant. Science Issues Global Warming.
South Yarra: Smart Apple Media, 2003. Print.

This picture is from:

http://online.sfsu.edu/~lavonne/You%20Control%20Climate%20Change.jpg

Global Warming

I have a strong passion for preventing global warming therefore I chose to research this topic for the seventh/eight grade research task on current global issues. The main contributors to global warming are the clearing of forests and the use of fossil fuels. Climate change is having a major impact on wildlife. Wildlife is everywhere, and these animals are relying on freshwater, food, raising grounds, and normal temperatures. With the increase in temperature, the ice will melt which means there is not a place for animals to hunt. Additionally, water shortage will cause plants to die. Global warming is occurring so rapidly, that animals may not be able to adapt fast enough.

I feel strongly about global warming and humans must start changing their ways. If we do not start acting now, the world might not have a future. We can slow down the process of global warming by consuming fewer amounts of energy. We can reduce our shower time, use fans in lieu of air conditioning, and people can wear sweatshirts instead of heating. Little things like these can make a difference. I believe that climate change results from human activities, and it is affecting innocent animals. The world should know more about global warming, so we can alter our future.

I got my information from www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/Effects-on-Wildlife-and-Habitat.aspx and www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/kidspage.cfm#Q2

The picture is from http://mollymintz.com/ESW/Images/Global_Warming_polar_bear.jpg