The Creation and Collision of Galaxies

Watch the video below to see a simulation of the creation of a galaxy. Note the counterclockwise spinning and the gravity that is pulling material towards it. As the galaxy continues to get larger, it absorbs a smaller galaxy and becomes even bigger.

Crashing Galaxies

This simulation is what scientists believe will happen when 2 galaxies collide. The simulation was created by using images provided by the Hubble Telescope and a little imagination. The Simulation details what scientists believe will happen then stop the animation and show actual photos that demonstrate the galaxies in that portion of the simulation and thereby support the theory.

The Universe - Poetry in Motion

The Universe is a great big beautiful place. The clip below talks about the Universe and how truly magnificent it it. It is like Poetry in Motion.

Big Bang and the Creation of the Solar System

The following video shows the big bang through the creation of the universe, then the solar system, and onto the planet Earth and its evolution through 4.6 billion years.

Environmental Science - 3rd simulation - Gases

Gas Properties Worksheet

 Learning Goals: Students to be able to

A. Describe what happens to the measurable  quantities if changes to a gas system are made.

B. Relate the amount of energy of the gases to resulting molecular motion.

C. Explain using physics what is happening on a molecular level when changes are made to a gas system.

D. Use ideas about pressure and temperature to explain some common phenomena.

Directions:

1.      Open the Gas Properties link http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/ gas-properties  - click on Run Now

2.      Familiarize yourself with the different setting. After clicking on some of the possible options, answer these pre-activity questions using prior knowledge:

3.      People who climb the tallest mountains in the world often use oxygen tanks to help them breathe. If a mountain climber asked you to explain the science behind the “thin air”, what would you say to him?

4.      If you are in a building fire, you are supposed to lie on the ground. Why?

5.      If you are hiking in the mountains and find yourself short of breath, do you think if you lie on the ground you could breathe easier? Why?

6.   Be sure that the Gas Properties program is set to NONE as the constant parameter. Make sure HEAVY gas is clicked. Pump the Handle 4 times and put some gas in the chamber. What happens to the molecules?

7.   Slide the gravity to LOTS. What happens to the molecules at first?

8.   What happens to them after a couple of minutes?

9.   Click RESET. Now click on NONE again and pump more molecules into the chamber.

10.  Click on PRESSURE. A handle has appeared on the left – click on the handle and move the box to the right so it is smaller. What happens to the molecules?

11.  Increase the pressure to 3.5 ATM  - what happens to the box when you let go of the mouse?

12.  What pressure does it move to on its own? Why does that happen?

13.  Click on NONE and add heat at the bottom of the chamber. What happens to the molecules?

14.  As you keep adding heat, watch the pressure gauge. What is happening?

15.  What eventually happens to the chamber and the molecules? Why?

16.  Be sure that the Gas Properties program is set to NONE as the constant parameter. Make sure LIGHT gas is clicked. Pump the Handle 4 times and put some gas in the chamber. What happens to the molecules?

17.  How do they react different than the HEAVY gases?

18.  Carbon dioxide is a heavy gas. Explain how does this simulation help you understand how carbon dioxide interacts in our atmosphere?

19.  How  is this simulation similar to what happens in our atmosphere when discussing the heating of our atmosphere and global warming?

20.  Name 3 things that add heat to our atmosphere and write and essay that describes the effect that they have on our atmosphere in detail.

Mysterious Sea Creature

I have absolutely NO IDEA what this is - pretty cool though!!!!

Rare whale vomit found by schoolboy on beach

A schoolboy could make a gross profit after stumbling across a rare piece of whale vomit on a beach - which could by worth as much as £40,000 ($63,000 in the United States).

Charlie Naysmith, 8, discovered the 600 grams solid piece of sick after taking a stroll along Hengistbury Head beach. He came across a big chunk that looked like a yellowish beige rock with a waxy finish and picked it up. With the help of his parents he discovered his find was not a rock, but a substance vomited or excreted by sperm whales.

But it appears that one whale's trash is another person's treasure. Decades of floating and exposure to sun and salt have turned the substance, technically called ambergris, into a smooth lump of compact rock which feels waxy and has a sweet smell.

As repulsive as it my sound, the substance is highly sought after with perfume makers as it helps prolong the scent of perfume. A pound of the whale waste sells for as much as £6,300 (over $10,000 a pound).

While perfumes can still be found with ambergris around the world, many perfumers usually avoid it because it is associated with whaling and the sperm whale is a vulnerable species.

Charlie is not the only one to discover the foul - if lucrative - find.

Beachcombers Sean Kane and, 24, and Ian Foster, 39, discovered a 110lb of whale vomit washed up on the beach in 2008. Known as 'floating gold', because of its high value, the waxy haul was estimated to be worth £500,000 (over $1 million!).

However, in recent times the perfume industry has largely switched to synthetic versions instead of using the vomit as it is seen as a by-product of the whaling industry.