As we all know, light travels in a straight line. A solar eclipse is only possible with this theory behind it. A Solar Eclipse happens when the Sun, the Moon and the Earth becomes align. The Moon would be in between the Earth and the Sun, blocking light rays from the Sun from striking the Earth. Such a phenomenon can only happen during a New Moon. At least 2, but less then 5 of such events would happen each year, making it extremely rare. Although this is a natural phenomenon, but it was however regarded as bad omens in the pass, as there were no astronomical explanations for it back then.
There are 4 kinds of Solar Eclipses. Total Eclipse, Partial Eclipse, Hybrid Eclipse and Annular Eclipse.
Total Eclipse
A total eclipse would only happen at the very most twice per year. In order to witness the Total Eclipse, one have to stand on the narrow path where this eclipse can be seen from. This path, name the Path of Totality covers less then 1% of the Earth's surface. The route of it changes everytime, but in order for 1 to witness a Total Eclipse at a same location twice, he has to wait for an average of 375 years. However, this period of time may always vary. For example, a total eclipse was winessed from Princeton, NJ in 1478, and the next one would be in 2079. However, the following one would be in 2144. The intervals are a huge difference with 1 being 601 years, and the other being only 65 years. And unfortunately, this awesome phenomenon can only last for a few minutes.
Annular Eclipse
An annular eclipse would happen when the Sun and the Moon are exactly in line. Since the moon is of a smaller size compared to the sun, there would be a bright ring surrounding the moon. With this bright ring around, it is dangerous to look at it with our naked eyes, as the intensity of light is not lessen. Such eclipses can stretch up to 10-12 minutes, but usually occurs for a mere 4-5minutes.
Hybrid Eclipse
The hybrid eclipse is much of a weird eclipse. Instead of having it's own 'style', it is a merger of the total and annular eclipse. This only occurs when the curvature of the Earth brings the different points of the path taken by that particular eclipse into a the Total and Annular shadows. Hybrid eclipse occurred previously in 2005, and the next one would be in 2013.
Partial Eclipse
A partial eclipse is totally different from the 3 eclipse mentioned. While eclipses like a Total Eclipse or Annular Eclipse occur, someone outside of the track that the eclipse takes would witness a partial eclipse. Of which the moon would only obstruct the sun partially. However, partial eclipse may still happen solely, when the umbra passes right above the Earth's polar regions, but not the surface of the Earth.
Myths and Superstition
Myths come along with such natural phenomenon, as there were no logical explanations for such a thing to happen in the past. For example, during a war between Medians and Lydians, peace was declared when the eclipse occurred. Chinese have also recognized this as a bad omen, naming this as 天狗食日, which means the Celestial Dog eating up the Sun. This has been recognized as a bad omen.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Reflections on Cat-1 Project
Doing a Cat-1 project for the 1st time was not easy. There were many things to do, all of which I found to be strangers. It all started out with my mentor's recommendation this the whole project: Effects of pH on Antioxidant Capacity. Initially, I had totally no clue what it was about. The lab procedures were extremely difficult for me to understand. The rationale behind each procedure was also something that I had no clue about. For example, I had no idea why is a UV-Vis Spectrometer related to this chemistry project. It took me quite some time for me to understand the whole rational behind it -- In order to figure out how much has the antioxidants reacted, we have to measure the light intensity since the ABTS(simulation of free radicals) would become colorless after reaction with the antioxidants.
It was also difficult to come up with the powerpoint for the various judging. Initially, we were not familiar with the different science terms that had to be used, and thus had to keep on editing the powerpoint in order to achieve one that was suitable for our presentation. Another challenge that we faced, was to put our results into graphs, and include things like standard-deviation, something that we totally had no clue what it was. The next challenge that we have faced, was to analyse and come up with a conclusion. This was especially hard with our preliminary results, as there was totally no trend. But as we did more and more sets of experiments for the semi-finals judging, trends started to be seen. However, there were 2 totally different sets of results that we had gotten. Thus coming up with a conclusion was much harder. After we had approached our mentor, we then realized that it was possible to conclude that there were 2 kinds of trends, and a re-test had to be done to confirm our results. Which we did, since we were into the finals! :D The results that were gotten were somewhat the same, which demoralized us quite a little, since there was no conclusive results. Nonetheless, we managed to qualify for a 'A' grade, achieving 6 marks in the finals.
This Cat-1 project, has taught me various important lessons. This includes never giving up when faced with results that were not optimal, or at least not encouraging. And it allowed me to get more familiar with more scientific terms. Last but not least, the whole experience of it, and the friendship that was strengthen throughout the year :D
It was also difficult to come up with the powerpoint for the various judging. Initially, we were not familiar with the different science terms that had to be used, and thus had to keep on editing the powerpoint in order to achieve one that was suitable for our presentation. Another challenge that we faced, was to put our results into graphs, and include things like standard-deviation, something that we totally had no clue what it was. The next challenge that we have faced, was to analyse and come up with a conclusion. This was especially hard with our preliminary results, as there was totally no trend. But as we did more and more sets of experiments for the semi-finals judging, trends started to be seen. However, there were 2 totally different sets of results that we had gotten. Thus coming up with a conclusion was much harder. After we had approached our mentor, we then realized that it was possible to conclude that there were 2 kinds of trends, and a re-test had to be done to confirm our results. Which we did, since we were into the finals! :D The results that were gotten were somewhat the same, which demoralized us quite a little, since there was no conclusive results. Nonetheless, we managed to qualify for a 'A' grade, achieving 6 marks in the finals.
This Cat-1 project, has taught me various important lessons. This includes never giving up when faced with results that were not optimal, or at least not encouraging. And it allowed me to get more familiar with more scientific terms. Last but not least, the whole experience of it, and the friendship that was strengthen throughout the year :D
Term 3 Learning Reflections
Term 3 was a whole new learning experience. Instead of the normal curriculum, where teachers would come in to teach us what we had to know, we were given a stack of worksheets that had to be completed, with references to a online website given to us. It is yet another way to train our self-Independence, making sure that we do keep up with our work.
I find that the main challenge in Term 3 was actually digesting the various information that was flooded to us. Memorizing the various outcomes cause by different lenses and mirrors were also much of a challenge. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I really have much difficulty when it comes to memorizing academic stuff :P
I found the practicals in the labs quite interesting, especially the demonstration on how the various lenses worked. I had never expected such results, and interestingly, I thought that all lenses would result in a same projection at the end of the day. This whole syllabus had led to me understand much more of the various 'phenomenoms' I have seen around me.
For the part on academic results, it was pretty much crucial for me, since it is the last term for me to gain more marks. I had achieved exactly what I have aimed for -- 35/40 :D Initially, I felt that it was much of a impossible task, however, I still managed to do so at the end of the day. I was quite surprised to get such marks, as I have calculated quite some loss of marks right after the task. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been.
In a nutshell, Term 3 has been a wonderful learning experience for me. It was tough in the beginning trying to make time, but at the end it was a sweet experience :D
I find that the main challenge in Term 3 was actually digesting the various information that was flooded to us. Memorizing the various outcomes cause by different lenses and mirrors were also much of a challenge. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I really have much difficulty when it comes to memorizing academic stuff :P
I found the practicals in the labs quite interesting, especially the demonstration on how the various lenses worked. I had never expected such results, and interestingly, I thought that all lenses would result in a same projection at the end of the day. This whole syllabus had led to me understand much more of the various 'phenomenoms' I have seen around me.
For the part on academic results, it was pretty much crucial for me, since it is the last term for me to gain more marks. I had achieved exactly what I have aimed for -- 35/40 :D Initially, I felt that it was much of a impossible task, however, I still managed to do so at the end of the day. I was quite surprised to get such marks, as I have calculated quite some loss of marks right after the task. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been.
In a nutshell, Term 3 has been a wonderful learning experience for me. It was tough in the beginning trying to make time, but at the end it was a sweet experience :D
Friday, June 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Term 2 Learning Reflections
Term 1 test results were a considerably lucky one for me. BUT TERM 2 WAS EVEN BETTER ;D When I knew that the class highest barely passed an A1 at 31.5/40, I thought that all hope was lost for me. I had not expected any better with the standard that was given during the test. But somehow, I actually got a 30/40!! It may have been just lucky enough for me, where I had studied the right topic, although losing 4 marks to STI questions, but I really did not have time for STI...
Term 2 of Biology was quite interesting, learning about sexual reproduction more in-depth, furthering the knowledge that was given to me when I was just Primary 5. Lessons were generally interesting, with a few other students in my class, and having Ms Nada able to accept the various nonsense :D I find that the hardest part to study is the Menstrual Cycle, needing to memorise the different phases and the duration of each period. Hardest of most are the names of the various hormones! I used to keep mixing up the effects of progesterone and oestrogen!
I find that the way we had to conduct a self-research of STI, and where the teacher would only briefly go through the whole topic, a way to train the self-control and independance in us. If we did not want to study this topic, we end up losing the marks and knowledge.
All in all, I have found Term 2 a fruitful journey. :D
Term 2 of Biology was quite interesting, learning about sexual reproduction more in-depth, furthering the knowledge that was given to me when I was just Primary 5. Lessons were generally interesting, with a few other students in my class, and having Ms Nada able to accept the various nonsense :D I find that the hardest part to study is the Menstrual Cycle, needing to memorise the different phases and the duration of each period. Hardest of most are the names of the various hormones! I used to keep mixing up the effects of progesterone and oestrogen!
I find that the way we had to conduct a self-research of STI, and where the teacher would only briefly go through the whole topic, a way to train the self-control and independance in us. If we did not want to study this topic, we end up losing the marks and knowledge.
All in all, I have found Term 2 a fruitful journey. :D
Friday, March 18, 2011
Term 1 Learning Reflections
Term 1 was a wonderful journey learning about Chemistry. The periodic table was something newly exposed to me. I had used to wonder when I flipped through the Encyclopedia when I was young, thinking of what did the numbers on each "card" represented. The term has also led me to understand what are atoms, neutrons, electrons, protons etc. This used-to-be words that seemed so much of a stranger to me, became so much of a friend to me when I had discovered my interest in this topic, of Chemistry.
Acids and Bases was also much of an interesting topic. Having learnt the different kind of ions that made a particular solution acidic or alkaline was much of a important step for my projects competition as well. Acids and bases experiments in the labs were even more of a fun experience. Smelling the smells of gases like Ammonium, and testing out for gases like oxygen with a glowing splint. All of these are 1-of-a-kind experiences that I had never had before. Acids and bases has also led me to understand much more than I ever had, like why are soaps and shampoos alkaline, just like bleaches.
The term's results were quite surprising. I did not expect to get more then 30 when I sat for the paper. I had initially aimed for an A2, but ended up with a 32/40, which was greatly to my surprise. I remember studying for the test through the night, and still feeling quite in-confident in doing the test well. The part on memorizing the valency of the various elements was the most time consuming part, since memorizing things had always been a chore for me, especially school work :P
Acids and Bases was also much of an interesting topic. Having learnt the different kind of ions that made a particular solution acidic or alkaline was much of a important step for my projects competition as well. Acids and bases experiments in the labs were even more of a fun experience. Smelling the smells of gases like Ammonium, and testing out for gases like oxygen with a glowing splint. All of these are 1-of-a-kind experiences that I had never had before. Acids and bases has also led me to understand much more than I ever had, like why are soaps and shampoos alkaline, just like bleaches.
The term's results were quite surprising. I did not expect to get more then 30 when I sat for the paper. I had initially aimed for an A2, but ended up with a 32/40, which was greatly to my surprise. I remember studying for the test through the night, and still feeling quite in-confident in doing the test well. The part on memorizing the valency of the various elements was the most time consuming part, since memorizing things had always been a chore for me, especially school work :P
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