Melting Glass [mini-project]

So, glass is bendable, melt-able, and shape-able under the high temperatures of fire. After heating the glass for a long time, I was able to reshape it, using the proper tools and a lot of care.

Some things to avoid/take caution of:
-Don't dip the heat glass into cold water - it'll either shatter the glass, or make it very brittle
-Make sure you have the proper equipment: goggles, metal claw (for holding class), it can get hot and even somewhat dangerous
-If the glass parts DO break, make sure to watch out for the sharp parts at the ends of the glass and be sure to clean up any broken bits

Science:
-to bend the glass tube, you have to heat up the area you wish to bend until it is immensely hot
-a sudden decrease in temperature raises the chance of the glass shattering
-if a warm glass tube is filled quickly with cool water, some steam may be produced

Photocredit: My mom (Tracy Lai)

IProposeWe Make A Volcano

IProposeWe Make Our Own Volcano

Photocredit: My mom (Tracy Lai)
Good materials
Places where you can get them:
-Safeway
-Lucky's
-CVS
-Most stores like aforementioned

Links:
- Discovery Kids: Make a Volcano
- About.com: How to Build a Volcano

Materials:
-Volcano (paper mache, clay, dirt, bottles, bottle)
-a Container for 35 mm film
-Food coloring (red or yellow/optional)
-Vinegar
-Liquid dish washing soap
-Baking soda

Procedure:
1. Gather materials
2. Make a container of some sort (bottle, clay, etc.), this will be your volcano
3. Add two spoonfuls of baking soda into the container
4. Add approximately a spoonful of dish soap
5. For a more realistic appearance, add 5 drops of red and yellow food coloring
6. Add one ounce of vinegar to the container to spark the reaction!

Safety Precautions:
-Never hurts to wear goggles
-Tuck in shirts
-Gloves (optional)

Scientific Principles:
-the vinegar reacts with baking soda
-there is some kind of chemical reaction

Star Testing

So this Tuesday and Wednesday, we had STAR testing, fun right? Yeah, not really. Especially when our grade was the only one that had to come to school early on Wednesday. I ended up RUSHING to school... It was cool though because Mrs. Lighty was really chill and I had probably one of my most relaxing STAR testing experiences so far. Also, it's springbreak next week - and this week has been going by SO SLOW... I think it's taunting me... whatever doooohhhhhh. I'm really excited for springbreak, even though our schedule is so fun we have star testing AFTER it too! hahah...juskidding Anyway, we have a test tomorrow, and I need to studyyyyyyy and finish my packet, so ttyl and peace out.

Wanderers

So, the spring season has started, both literally and for soccer. I'm playing on a team in San Bruno, and the league isn't too strong, so we've been winning pretty easily. We score 15 goals so far and conceded 2, which is a pretty good record. Also, this team will be attended multiple tournaments, and one in Florida, which I am really excited about. My teammates are heckaaaa funny and chill to be around, so I'm having a pretty good time. School is okay right now, I have a lot to worry about, though. There is star testing coming up, and finals soon enough. I feel like I'm not understanding some material very well, especially math, so I'll be looking into tutoring soon. Now is the time to work harder, and I will try my best to get better grades.

webbs

so this week, there was change. instead of just doing work all week in every class, we had this two-person presentation during chem, and it was heckaaaaaaaa tight. David Webb and his wife gave this really cool presentation with many experiments that taught us about vacuums and pressure. These experiments included inflating and deflating a balloon with pressure and air, and crushing a Diet Pepsi can by taking pressure away from the can via a vacuum. I was even involved in the soda can experiment - I held the can up like the Statue of Liberty for everyone to see. Also, I did pretty well on the chem test, and hopefully I can keep my grades up especially since there is a lot of testing coming up.

test

So this Monday, we had what I believed to be the hardest, most confusing test of the year. I was pretty confused by the questions, and I'm really worried about my grades. The second progress report is coming up, and my grades are not nearly as high as I would have hoped. There's not too much time left, and I really, really have to work harder and get help. On a slightly better note, soccer has been pretty fun lately. The team I play on has a lot of talent and it's fun to be around them. I really should work on my attitude though, because lately I seem to get annoyed very quickly. Hopefully, my grades will start going up, making me a much happier person.

Real Madrid are out

So just yesterday, I found out that Real Madrid is knocked out of the Champions League, for the sixth year in a row. Same spot - the first knockout round. However, this is extra disappointing because they spent over $200 Million during the summer to bring in players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Real Madrid were down 1-0 on aggregate when Ronaldo tied the game up in the opening few minutes of the match. However, with 15 minutes left to play, Pjanic from Lyon scores the goal that allowed Lyon to progress, and Madrid to pack their bags. Still, you have to give credit to Lyon for playing a great game.























Ronaldo with the ball vs. Lyon.


Also, this week, we did a pretty cool lab, including phase changes of wax and happy duck stuff. These really helped show the effects of pressure and temperature. I just had a math test this morning, which I found to be somewhat confusing. I hope that later I will be able to understand all of my subjects better and get good grades.