Filed under: Physics
Things I learned:
- The second law of thermodynamics states that given their own devices systems move naturally toward states of less organization and more chaos, in other words, entropy tends to increase.
- Entropy is a measure of disorder.
- The entropy of a closed system cannot decrease.
Filed under: Physics
Things I learned:
- Refrigerators were invented in the 20th century.
- Freon causes chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere which affects the ozone which lets more ultraviolet through.
- Microwave ovens work by pumping energy, not heat, into food.
- Microwave ovens have a kind of grille in front of the viewing glass which allows visible light through, but does not allow microwaves through.
Filed under: Science
12.16
American Astronaut Photography 1962-1972, by Ron Schick & Julia Van Haaften.
Things I learned:
- John Glenn was the first man to carry a still camera into space.
- Alan Shepard was the first American in space.
- Friendship 7 was the first spacecraft that had a window over the pilot’s head.
- In May 1963, Gordon Cooper flew the concluding mission of the Mercury Series.
- Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space.
12.17
American Astronaut Photography 1962-1972, by Ron Schick & Julia Van Haaften.
Things I learned:
- Gemini 8 was able to dock with an Agena vehicle, which had been designed by NASA as a mate for the Gemini, but had to break free when both craft went into an uncontrolled spin.
- Gemini 10 was the first to complete a wholly successful Agena docking.
- The final mission in the series, Gemini 12 proved man’s ability to work in space during a 5 1/2 hour EVA.
- Apollos 7-10 were graduated steps toward a lunar landing.
- Apollos 11-14 were designed to perfect landing and to begin lunar studies.
Filed under: History
12.16
Famous Men Of Greece, by John H. Haaren & A.B. Poland, Revised by Cyndy A. Shearer & Robert G. Shearer.
Things I learned:
- Greek gods were often selfish and jealous.
- Greek gods fought a lot.
- The Romans called Zeus, Jupiter.
- The Romans called Ares, Mars.
- The Romans called Athena, Minerva.
12.17
Famous Men Of Greece, by John H. Haaren & A.B. Poland, Revised by Cyndy A. Shearer & Robert G. Shearer.
Things I learned:
- Hebe was the goddess of youth.
- Oligarchy means a government by the few.
- Lycurgus was opposed to all expensive ways of living.
- At the battle of Marathon the Greeks defeated the Persians who had an army fifteen times larger than their own and had only lost one hundred and ninety-two men.
- It is said that Xerxes was angry because he had lost some of his bridges, so he ordered his soldiers to scourge the water with three hundred lashes and the throw chains into it to show the water that he was the master.
12.18
Famous Men Of Greece, by John H. Haaren & A.B. Poland, Revised by Cyndy A. Shearer & Robert G. Shearer.
Things I learned:
After the Persian’s first defeat by Greece, Darius started planning once again to take over Greece, but he died before he could finish the plans. His son, Xer’xes came to power and after a time, he decided to finish what his father had started. He spent four years preparing his forces. His army and fleet were the largest the world had heard of. The land forces met at Sar’dis, in Asia Minor. They crossed at Hellespont, then made their way southward until they came to the pass of Ther-mop’y-lae.
12.23
Augustine Came To Kent, by Barbara Willard
Chapter by chapter summary:
Chap. 1 – Wolfstan tells Wolf and Ana about how he came to Rome. Wolf and Ana go to see Tullus. Wolfstan is summoned to Pope Gregory.
Chap. 2 – Wolfstan goes to Pope Gregory and sees Brother Sylvanus and Father Augustine. Wolfstan refuses to go on the mission to his old home, England.
Filed under: English
12.16
Dear Mr. Henshaw, By Beverly Cleary.
Summary:Leigh Botts is an ordinary kid who lives with his divorced Mom. When his teacher assigns a letter writing assignment, Leigh writes his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw. When Mr. Henshaw replies, the two become unofficial pen-pals.
Cobweb Christmas, by Shirley Climo.
Summary:An old lady that everybody calls “Tante” loves Christmas. However, the little old lady longs to see some “Christmas magic”.
Little does she know that her wish is soon to be granted.
All For The Newborn Baby, by Phyllis Root.
Summary:Mary sings a song for little baby Jesus.
12.17
Three Pebbles And A Song, by Eilleen Spinelli
Summary:Moses is a young mouse whose family is busy gathering things for winter. However, they forget something, something to do during winter!
Angela And The Baby Jesus, by Frank McCourt
Summary: Angela is a six year-old girl in a large family. One day she decides that the Baby Jesus in the nativity scene might be chilly, so she takes him home to warm him up.
Tony’s Bread, by Tomie De Paolo
Summary: Tony’s bread is the finest bread ever made in his town, and he dreams of becoming the greatest baker in the world. But when he goes to the city he realizes that even his bread would never have a chance there. So he creates the famous Pannetone.
12.18
The Tale Of Despereaux, by Kate Dicamillo
Summary:
Despereaux has always been considered a weird mouse, with his oversized ears and small size. But when he goes up to the princess’ room to listen to music, great events are set in motion.
12.22
Doomwyte, by Brian Jacques
Summary:
A young mouse named Bisky sets out to find the four eyes of The Great Doomwyte statue that his ancestor stole many seasons ago. On the way he meets many friends, including Dubble the Guosim, the Gonfelin tribe, and many others.
Filed under: English
Marlfox, by Brian Jacques(Fiction)
Summary:
Four young warriors go to retrieve a tapestry that was stolen while they were on guard duty. However, some of the same band that stole it attack their home while they are away.
Filed under: Science
Pictures From Outer Space (Non-fiction):
Read about – John Glenn, Evolution of space photography
Filed under: History
Famous Men Of Greece:
Read about – Cronus, Zeus, Poseidion, more gods and goddesses
Filed under: Physics
Things I learned:
- Bi-metallic structures usually consist of two metals with varying levels of thermal expansion.
- Liquid nitrogen is simply air with the oxygen removed.
- Water contracts at 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A changing substance remains at a fixed temperature.
- The lower the atmospheric pressure , the lower the boiling point of water.
- Ice melts when you exert pressure.
Filed under: Physics
Things I learned:
- Conduction = Flow of energy through a material medium.
- Convection = Transfer of energy by motion of a fluid such as water or air.
- Radiation = Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves.
- The sun provides about 99.98% of all energy coming to the surface of the Earth.
- Average rate of solar energy on Earth = 240 watts per square meter.
