woodchurch science

here’s a good game to test your knowledge of how science works words. usual rules apply.

here’s a load of links about smart materials for c1a chemistry:
a nickel-based alloy that changes shape in response to a magnetic field is attracting interest and funding from some powerful sectors, including the U.S. military.
trick spoons bend when you stir hot coffee.
dental braces and orthodontic archwires: using memory metal causes less pain for patients, and increases the amount of time between needed visits.
nitinol faqs
car parts: shape memory actuators
all these and more can be found in this informative smart materials activity booklet

for this chemistry activity (C2 4.0) visit this site (http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) and use the two tabs at the top, ‘energy saving products’ and ‘home improvements’.
1. list the ways houses are heated, identifying the source of the heat.
2. list the ways houses are illuminated, identifying the source of the light.
3. list the ways houses are insulated and the materials used, for example, carpets on floors.
4. list the range of devices that use electricity. How can consumption be reduced for each of them?
5. give examples of building materials used for houses, are they renewable resources or not?
6. in pairs, identify ways to reduce some of the ways energy is used at home, try to come up with some imaginative ideas.
7. design a poster, leaflet or fact sheet about the best ways of reducing energy consumption at home.

the chinese government has bought an entire mountain in peru and plans to ship it back to china - every last ounce. why? it’s one of the largest copper resources in the world and china is desperate for copper which it is planning to use to re-wire its entire infrastructure. this from the bbc…

The Peruvian government is happy with the $3bn (£1.53bn) that Chinalco will invest in the Toromocho mines. The Chinese will be even happier. They have got themselves a bargain. The copper Chinalco extracts from Toromocho will cost something like US$410 (£210) per ton. Today, the price for copper on the London Metal Exchange was $8,255 (£4,220) - 20 times more. Chinalco stands to make a 2,000% profit on its investment.

here’s a short video clip.

created using wordle

here’s a link to the guardian’s tech page which in this episode discusses smart materials and nanotechnology applications. good for a listen while you’re doing something else. you can even download it for your mp3 player.

try this hsw quiz (only 10 multiple choice questions). courtesy dr welch.

comments or queries to me please…press the comments button.

start here, your first stop

the year 10 separate science group now have their own edublogs which can be accessed here:
becky anderson
kelly baird
peter bird
jess cain
rosie clare
ben cookson
michael davies
lewis farrell
niall farrington
jasmine gillison
bethan harris
bradley howarth
ben kierman
lesley lewis
katrina lewis
tom lockwood
aaron lyons
rhianne mcilhatton
matthew melling
stephanie merry
becky naylor
phil o’neill
catherine percival
katherine pottinger
lee rafferty
damian seber
nathan shaw
jack small
jake wright