Rock Candy

We learned about rock candy and how to make it!
Apparently, its just crystals!

All you have to do is used super-saturated sugar water.
That will form edible crystals that make up rock candy!

Mills Canyon Field Trip

On April 29, 2010, Thursday, Mr. Olson's chemistry classes took a field trip to Mills Canyon. It was very fun! We got time out of school to hang out with friends as well as interact with nature and to learn things. We should really do more of these activities! We could do without assignments pertaining to the trip tho. ;)

This is a map:



View Mills Canyon Field Trip in a larger map




It is really worth going on your free time!

PHOTOCREDITS: Mr. Olson, Kevin Mo :D

Mini Project 1 - Sticking Toothpicks in Balloons

Today, i did something cool.
I stuck a toothpick into a balloon...without it breaking!!!
It was great how i got it on the first try :D
I drew a face on it!
Doesn't it look like hassam? :3

PHOTOCREDITS: Michael Zeichick

It's really easy to do!
Here's what i did:

1. Put petroleum gel on the thickest part of the balloon (the tip)
2. Lubricate the toothpick with gel too
3. Slowly twist and turn the toothpick until it goes through into the balloon

SCIENCE:
The gel keeps the rubber from expanding and unwrapping. As the toothpick is inserted, it causes the gel on the sides of the toothpick to rub off onto the rubber that was just penetrated, allowing the gel to cover all of the hole, keeping it together.

Field Trip

This week, we took a field trip to Mills Creek Canyon.
It was on April 29, 2010.
That was a Thursday.

We walked there from school and spent a few hours there.
It was very fun!
We saw many plants, had fun by the creek, and got time to hang out with friends.

Free Time

this week we had a lot of fun in class.
we got lots of free time to do whatever type of labs we wanted.
it was really fun because we got to know our classroom and the cool stuff inside such as bowler hats

IProposeWe Freeze Carbon Dioxide

Link(s):
How to Freeze Carbon Dioxide aka Make Dry Ice!

Materials:

• CO2 tank (one with a value!) - click for prices!!
  
• gloves
• goggles
• ice bag
• thick jar (no lid)

Procedures:

1. Before you start making dry ice, wear safety goggles and gloves. You can also wear a jacket if you are a bit clumsy. Remember, touching dry ice may cause severe skin damage, so you have to be fully protected when creating such a substance.
2. Cover the nozzle of the tank with the ice bag. Hold the bag tightly. Make sure that it sticks to the nozzle even if the tank produces a significant amount of pressure.
3. Once the bag is held in place, turn the valve of the tank to release CO2. Keep the valve open for about five to 20 seconds, depending on the amount of dry ice that you’re planning to create.
4. Turn off the valve.
5. Remove the bag from the nozzle and transfer the dry ice to a thick jar. Do not close the jar, since the air pressure coming from the solid carbon can shatter the container.
6. Repeat the entire process if you want more dry ice.

Safety Procedures:

• Never let dry ice touch your bare skin—always handle it with gloves.
• Dry ice displaces oxygen in the air, so always use it in a well-ventilated area.
• When transporting dry ice in a vehicle, roll down the window to ensure adequate ventilation, especially if you feel short of breath.
• If you're using dry ice in a confined space, open the door and air out the area before entering.
• Never place dry ice in a tightly sealed container or vessel, because it converts back to gas and creates its own pressure.
• When shipping frozen products with dry ice, notify the carrier prior to shipment.

Scientific Principles:
Freezing Carbon Dioxide makes Dry Ice

More explanations here.

Gas Stoichimetry

This week we had a lot of work.
We finally finished learning about pressure and the many interesting laws relating them to temperature and volume
Now, we combined our new topic with our favorite subject from before: stoichiometry
GAS STOICHIOMETRY!!!
another interesting thing we learned was STP :D
it stands for Standard Temperature and Pressure
previously, we learned how to measure pressure!