Jason

Practical 3 - ‘Convection Currents’

Conclusion Convection Currents- Part A

The hypothesis I had planned turned out correct. I predicted we would successfully observe the movement of convection currents. The crystal had released purple coloured dye into the water. The dye had spun around also rising in the water as the convection current. The dye had risen due to the fact that the heat caused the dye to become more lighter and less dense than the water.

Conclusion Convection Currents- Part B

The crystals did realeased dye into the water. The cold air from the bag of ice had pushed and caused the dye to sink to the bottom of the beaker where it circulated. The cold air had made the dye heavier and more dense than the water which is why the dye had fallen to the bottom of the beaker.

Questions

1. Explain what causes convection currents.

Convection currents are caused by activity between hot air and material and cold air and material. In the mantle hot air, liquids and molten rock rise whereas cool air, liquid and rock sink due to their higher density. When hot mantle rock comes into contact with relatively cold crust, it cools and sink. This is what causes convection currents in the mantle.

2. Use a diagram to clarify what a ‘hot’ current does.

3. Identify the direction of a ‘cold’ current.

A cold current sinks and travels in an anti-clockwise direction. The cold current is the opposite of a warm current which spins in a clockwise direction.

Practical 1 - ‘Plates that seperate’.

Conclusion

In the end my hypothesis was correct, we have successfully modelled the mid-ocean spreading tectonic plates in the classroom. From this practical we learn that when two plates have seperated new rock is formed and old rock is pushed further out. The new rock (Magma & heated material) is pushed out of the faultline and is then cooled down by the ocean water, solidifying it and causing it to sink down as newly formed rock.

Questions

1. Explain how this activity relates to the spreading at the mid-ocean ridges.

Just like a mid-ocean ridge, the two plates are replaced by two desks and the magma or new rock is replaced by the paper. As the paper is pushed out and spreads outwards with a downward slant it reanacts what exactly happens underwater when plates seperate underwater.

2. Identify what in your model represents each of the following:

a. Ocean floor or plate- The desk

b. The water- The desk

c. The Lava Flow- The layers coloured on the paper

d. Gravity- The force of your hand

e. Mid-ocean ridge- The split in the middle

f. Magnetic strips found in rocks parallel to mid ocean ridges- Parallel to the lines drawn

3. Describe what you noticed about the height of the paper as it emerged from the gap compared to the paper further out.

As the paper came out it rose high but then started to slant downards as it came out symbolising the magma being cooled into rock and the rock slowly falling down to the ground. The further the paper went the lower it became till it couldn’t get any lower.

4. Identify which of the strips you coloured would be the oldest rock and which the youngest rock.

The strip the furthest away from the split would be the oldest rock and the ones closest would be the youngest rock. When new rock is formed they push the old rock out further.

5. Identify which of these strips would be the first to be swallowed by an ocean trench.

The oldest strips would be the first to be swallowed by a trench. As they are first in line towards a trench and infront of all the other new rock.

Practical 2 - ‘Colliding plates’

Conclusion

My hypothesis for this experiment was correct, we have properly modelled what happens when two tectonic plates collide. This experiment teaches us how when pates collide, landmass can be pushed in a variety of directions depending on the factors. It gives us a practical representation of plate tectonics.

Questions

1. Compare the above tests with plate tectonics.

Each test represents a type of plate tectonics (i.e collision boundary). The first test shows a plate colliding with another plate which causes folds of mountains. The second one shows a faster plate going below a slower plate which can cause the some islands to be formed. The third one shows a continental plate going over a oceanic plate because an oceanic plate is more dense and heavy.

2. The stack of paper had obvious layers. Assess whether rock has layers, and if so explain.

Rocks do have layers, different layers can be made from minerals or other substances i.e. fossils collected on the rock.

3. State which tests simulated the following conditions:

a. Continental plate wiht another continental plate- Test 1

b. An oceanic plate with another oceanic plate- Test 2

c. An oceanic plate with a continental plate- Test 3

4. Identify a place on Earth where each of these collision types occurs.

Test 1- Asia (Himalayan region)

Test 2- Indonesia

Test 3- Andes Mountain range

1. Analyse why red sunsets can sometimes be more impressive when there is more dust or pollution in the air than usual. This happens because the sunlights rays are broken up and also reflected in and around the millions of particles of dust and other tiny solids in the air giving the sun it’s impressive colours during sunset.

2. Describe what happens inside water droplets to cause a rainbow and explain how you can tell whether a rainbow is a primary or secondary. When the sun shines onto raindrops light is refracted out as a spectrum on light, which in turn creates the big rainbow we see.

Investigate the two types of sight defect; long sightedness and short sightedness.

Find the following information:

1. What causes the defect?
Long sightedness: The causes are not exactly known but some cases are beleived to be caused because it is hereditary.
Short Sightedness: Light focuses infront instead of behind the eyes retina and a blurred image is created. Can be caused by certain drugs or if it runs in your family.

2. The symptoms displayed.
Long sightedness: You are unable to focus, particularly on objects upclose and are seeing objects as blurry.
Short Sightedness: You are unable to focus upon distant objects, they appear blurred. Nearby objects remain clear and unchanged.

3. Propose what sort of lens may be used to correct each vision.
Long sightedness: Glasses & contact lenses are commonly used.
Short Sightedness: Glasses & contact lenses are commonly used.

Fibre optic technology offers many advantages when used in medical applications.

Describe how optical fibre may be used in medical applications - Fibre optics are used as guides in medical procedures or operations, they provide a precise and accurate small light source when operating on patients.

Identify the traditional medical techniques that optical fibres might replace - Optical fibres may replace the current form of communication within hospitals to provide a faster way of communicating across and around the hospital.

Evaluate the benefits of fibre optic technology to medicine - Fibre optics provides more than satisfactory light vision in inclosed medical surgeries in and around the body possibly saving lives in the process.

• What influences your values about issues relating to your life?
• Do you ever compare images/values presented by the media to those of the bible? If so why? If not why not?
• Has this project challenged you to examine your values? Why / Why not

The Elizabethan Era
This era was during the years of 1558-1603 and one of the most interesting eras in the history of England. It existed during the ruling of Queen Elizabeth I, and in english history is also be known as the ‘Golden Age’. Characteristics such as it’s Polictics, Religion, Crime Punishment and Clothing all had a big influence in this era and distinguishes this it from other eras. During the ’Golden Age’ many new accomplishments were made such as new style plays never seen before composed by William Shakespeare and the very first theatres in England.
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/

Globe Theatre
Simply put, it was the first theatre in London with a seating of 1500+ people and was associated with William Shakespeare where his plays and others became very famous and more demanded by watchers. This roman styled theatre was erected in 1599 but later burned down in the year of 1613. Following this a second theatre was built in 1614 but later closed down in 1642. Then in 1997 a modern version of the theatre was built a couple hundred metres from the original theatre site.
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/globe-theatre.htm

What are the typical features that all shakespeare plays must include?
In my opinion, generally shakespeare’s plays would have a complication, climax and eventually a solution, it can be dragged out for a long time or can be short and concise. Also depending on what theme the play was on there are varying typical features and characteristics included.

• How do you feel the media portrays social justice issues?

I think the media has many different ways of portaying such issues. They tend to have incorrect information at times or a biased look on the featured article. Although overall i think they portray these issue in a satisfactory manner.

• Has it been difficult to find articles on social justice issues why/why not?

Seeing as social justice issues include topics such as; Poverty, Racism, War and Euthenasia it can be quite easy finding such articles in the media.  For example the recent Jayant Patel article concercing Euthenasia etc.

• Do you think that the media operates from a moral framework? Give evidence by using your research.

Open and read the “How to write a critique” document in the resources menu.

Describe what is a critique.

2. Outline the FOUR stages in a critique.
The four stages that are followed in a critque is the introduction which directs the reader’s attention to the publication and your response to it, names the issue and state why it is considered important. A summary of the article which summarises all main points and views in your own words no longer than 1/3 of the original article. Next an analysis, critical commentary on the original text identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the publication with reasons. And finally and evaluation or conclusion which considers both positives and negatives of the article with a general statement on what messages you took from it.

3. Can a critique be positive? Discuss.
A critique can be positive, negative or both depending on what information the article has put forth. If the article has many good facts and little to no negative points or characteristics it could be critiqued positively.

4. Critique the accuracy of the following articles:
The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?
Year-Old Donkey Called Up To Pro Donkey Basketball League

1. Name the issue- Bullying

2. Describe one media account of this issue- SCHOOL bullying has claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy who hanged himself at home after a series of violent run-ins with schoolmates.

3. Where did you get this media account from?- The Daily Telegraph.

4. Is this media account correct or reliable? Why?- This media account seems pretty reliable as the daily telegraph has a good reputation. Furthermore there would be no reason to skimp on details or lie about any of this information as it is a serious issue.

5. Where else might you be able to find more information about this issue?- We may be able to find more information on this issue in other newspapers such as the Sunday Telegraph or other news providing sites and sources on the internet.