Foul Water Lab Report
6/18/2013
Meredith Wells, Ricardo Vasquez, & Sammy Weiser
Summer Chemistry
Dr. Forman
Abstract
Through a lengthy procedure, my lab group and I learned how to purify water. After we sucessfully purified our water, we collected our data and put it into a chart. Then, the rest of the class did the same so we could compile a historgram and compare results.
Purpose, Backround, Significance
The purpose is to filter a sample of foul water to get it clean enough to wash one's hand. Puryfying the water teaches us the process of puryfying water so we can obtain valueable, lifelong skills.
Procedure
1. Make a data table
2. measure the volume of 100 ML of foul water, leave sample in graduated cylander
3. closely observe and describe your sample in the data table
4. let your sample sit for 1 min
5. use a biral pipette to remove the top layer of liquid and put it in a seperate, clean test tube
6. add distilled water to the liquid in the test tube
7. record the amount of liquid left in the graduated cylander
8. dispose of the liquid in the test tube
9. poke small holes in the bottom of a stirofoam cup using a paper clip
10. put a 1 cm layer of gravel, 2 cm layer of sand, and 1 more cm of gravel on top of one another inside the stirofoam cup. makre sure the gravel is premoistened
11. pour your sample into a cup and catch the filtrate in a beaker as it is draning through
12. throw away your sand and gravel that has been used
13. measure the volume of the sample of the filtered water. save the water for your next step in filtering.
14. fold a piece of filter paper into a cone shape
15. put the filter paper into a funnel while you slightly moisten it so it sticks to the sides of the funnel
16.place the funnel in the clay triangle
17. add a teaspoon of charcol to the water
18. pour the water smaple into the flask. swirl it vigoriously, then pour the water into the filter paper
19. pour the water sample into a graduatred cylander and record the final volume, color, and odor of your purified sample
21. listen to your teacher abouot how to dispose of everything
22. wash your hands!
Results
1. 40-49.9% (percent recovery)
2. we lost 63 milliliters of water
3. 39.42% of original foul water sample was lost during purification
4. histogram pic
5. 80-89.9%= largest percent recovery obtained by one of the groups in my class, 40-49.9%= smallest percent revcovery obtained by a group in my class, 40-49.9% is the range of the percent recovery of the smallest and largest amounts of water obtained by the groups
6. 72.83%= mean value
histogram
my indavidual lab group
final result- purified water!Extra Credit
"Grassed Up"
Africa's famous grasslands have recently been said to have a great connection to human evolution. Many people think that we walk upright because our ancestors had to walk upright in order to see over the tall grass. Certain people argue that when the savannas came into existence, evolution intensely sped up and caused our ancestors to adapt or die out. A paper in Geology, written by Sarah Feakins at the University of Southern California suggests that our ancestors walking upright to see over the tall grass did not have anything to do with the savannahs. Feakins discovered 12 million year old plant molecules that contained carbon and carbon atoms which come in many different isotopes (variants of a particular chemical element), making it easy to decode their history. Feakins discovered that the grass changed as species adapted to drier weather. The climatic change was the reason people suspected to savnnah of excellerating human evolition. Although, Feakins proves that east Africa was never heavy with tall grass, therefore. it is impossible that our ancestors starting walking upright due to their need to see over the grass. This ecological explination that was created is certainly wrong.
(http://humanorigins.si.edu/research/climate-research/effects)
(http://www.livescience.com/15377-savannas-human-ancestors-evolution.html)
before climatic change
after climatic change
Africa's famous grasslands have recently been said to have a great connection to human evolution. Many people think that we walk upright because our ancestors had to walk upright in order to see over the tall grass. Certain people argue that when the savannas came into existence, evolution intensely sped up and caused our ancestors to adapt or die out. A paper in Geology, written by Sarah Feakins at the University of Southern California suggests that our ancestors walking upright to see over the tall grass did not have anything to do with the savannahs. Feakins discovered 12 million year old plant molecules that contained carbon and carbon atoms which come in many different isotopes (variants of a particular chemical element), making it easy to decode their history. Feakins discovered that the grass changed as species adapted to drier weather. The climatic change was the reason people suspected to savnnah of excellerating human evolition. Although, Feakins proves that east Africa was never heavy with tall grass, therefore. it is impossible that our ancestors starting walking upright due to their need to see over the grass. This ecological explination that was created is certainly wrong.
(http://humanorigins.si.edu/research/climate-research/effects)
(http://www.livescience.com/15377-savannas-human-ancestors-evolution.html)
before climatic changeafter climatic changeWater Testing Lab Report
6/25/2013
Meredith Wells & Sammy Weiser
Summer Chemistry
Dr. Forman
Procedure
1. Calcium Ion Test
- Place 20 drops of a solution into a well of a wellplate
- Next, add 3 drops of sodium carbonate to the well
- Record observations and check for a precipitate or a color change
- Decide whether cations are present and write down your results
- do the same thing for the remaning samples
- clean out your wellplate and wash your hands!
2. Iron (III)Ion Test
- Place 20 drops of a solution into a well of a wellplate
- Next, add 2 drops of potassium thiocayante to the well
- Record observations and check for a precipitate or a color change
- Decide whether cations are present and write down your results
- do the same thing for the remaning samples
- clean out your wellplate and wash your hands!
3. Chloride Ion Test
- Place 20 drops of a solution into a well
- Next, add 3 drops of silver nitrate to the well
- Record observations and check for a precipitate or a color change
- Decide whether anions are present and write down your results
- do the same thing for the remaning samples
- clean out your wellplate and wash your hands!
4. Sulfate Ion Test
- Place 20 drops of a solution into a well
- Next, add 3 drops of barium chloride to the well
- Record observations and check for a precipitate or a color change
- Decide whether anions are present and write down your results
- do the same thing for the remaning samples
- clean out your wellplate and wash your hands!
Results
(page 45 questions)
1. A refernce solution and a blank were used in each test so you have something you can compare other samples to.
2. If your well plate or pipette is contaminated, incorrect color changes might occur, precipitates may not form properly, or your sample will not react properly. Therefore, there are many possible qualitative testing issues that could occur.
3. These tests cannot absolutley confirm the absence of an ion because in many cases you can not physically see the ion, so it is impossible to tell or judge the sample based on something that is not visible.
4. If our tools were not properly cleaned, our samples could have had many qualitative testing problems. Incorrect chemicals would be mixed which could lead to improper reactions between chemicals or discoloration and many other issues.
my indavidual group data
my indavidual group data continued
aggreagated data of the entire class
I think my group was the only group that got a "yes" for a precipitate in the calcium group because we probably made an error in obervation or didn't properly clean our pipptte or stirring rod. Some of the group also got a "no" for the ocean water sample probably for the same reasons my group got a "yes" for calcium.
Extra Credit
"Checkpoint Charlie"
In today’s modern
and advanced medical science world, there are many techniques that doctors and
scientists have developed to help treat cancer. For example, patients can get
treated through surgery, chemicals such as cancer killing drugs, or radiation therapy.
Scientists have recently worked with doctors to start treating patients using immunotherapy
pills called ipilimumab. Instead of attacking cancer directly, immunotherapy
recruits a patient’s immune system to attack the virus. Immunotherapy works by
removing the controls that allow your immune system to work when your body is
resting so it can be stronger when it needs to fight disease. Immunotherapy has
mainly been used to treat melenoma cancer. Ipilimumab locks onto and blocks the
actions of a protein inside your body called CTLA-4 which are located on the
outer membrane of immune system cells called t-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes kill
diseased cells in your body such as cancer cells. The drug can switch on your
cells and allow them to fight disease when needed, or switch off your cells and
allow them to rest to conserve your body’s energy. Although it seems like a small number, 11% of patients strongly recovered from melenoma and had long term health benefits after taking the drug. Many other pills have also been invented to cure melenoma, but none left patients with such long term disease free side effects. Roy Herbst, who works at Yale, tested another protein to see if some of the pills on the market to treat melenoma could help fight off other cancers, and he discovered that some of these pills can cure at least 6 types of common cancer. This is definatley a big step towards advancing cancer treatments.
 |
| this is the medicine working from inside of your body |
http://www.oncolyticimmunotherapy.com/?WT.srch=1
Solubility Lab Report
7/1/2013
Meredith, Ricardo, and Sammy
Summer Chemistry
Dr. Forman
Abstract
The purpose of this solubility curve lab is to test the solubility of various substances. We tested the solubility of succinic acid at 45°C, 55°C, and 65°C so see how to substance's solubility levels changed with tempature. By using many dangerous materials such as acid and hot plates, my group learned to work together and look out for one another to prevent injuries while still getting the job done. Eventually, my group discovered that with a rise in tempature, there was also a rise in the solubility of the succinic acid.
Procedure
1. Put on safety goggles, a lab coat, and gloves, then place 300 mL of water in a 400 mL beaker
2. Heat the beaker on a heating plate to 45oC 
3. Add 4-5 grams of succinic acid in each of two test tubes
4. Use tongs to place the test tubes in the warm-water bath. Stir every 30 s for 7 min while observing the tempature on the thermometer.
5. Decant the clear liquid from each test tube into a another empty test tube. But, try not to pour any of the precipitate into the new test tube
6. Empty hot water from the beaker into the sink
7. Fill a 400 mL beaker with ice and water
9. Gently stir the liquid in the test tube twice
10. Remove the test tubes from the ice bath with tongs and allow the test tubes to sit at room temperature for 5 min while recording your obervations
Results
 |
| .5 mm at 45°C |
 |
| 7.5 mm at 55°C |
 |
| 9.5 mm at 6°C |
 |
| my group's solubility curve chart |
In my individual lab group, there is is clearly a raise in solubility levels that corresponds with the raise in temperature of the beakers.
 |
| aggregated class data : The average crystal height for our whole class based on the information above was 14.1mm at 45'C, 101.3mm at 55'C, and 102.8mm at 65'C. |
Questions
1. It is useful to do more than one trial at a particular temperature because the results could be different due to minor changes in temperature,the time needed to mix the solutions, how long the soltuion sits in the hot and ice water baths, etc.
2. Because succinic acid is a solid solute, it is clear that when the tempature of the water rises, the solubility levels of the the solute into the solvent will rise as well.
3. Yes- The succinic acid that we dissolved into the water crystallized and seperated from the solution. We got this result by placing the decanted solution in an ice bath and then allowing it to sit at room temperature for five minutes. By doing so, we sucessfully re crystalized the acid that was originally disolved into the water.
4. Because our class aggregated all our data into a histogram, we did have enough information to make a reliable solubility curve chart. All our data put together allowed us to compare answers and come to the conclusion that overall, with a rise in tempature there was a rise in the solubility levels of the succinic acid. Although we only tested succinic acid at 4 tempatures, we still had enough data to make a conclusion based on our results.
5. The hardest part about this experiment was figuring our how to avoid making small errors that could soil the overall results of the experiment. For example, if a group did not heat their water to the correct tempature or if they forgot to clean their tools, their results would be jurastically different.
6. An alternative procedure for gathering information to create a solubility curve would be to take a specific substance and add water to it at a controlled tempature. After the water became a saturated solution, we could do what we did in this lab and test the substance with the water in it at different tempatures to get different results.
Extra Credit Report
Summary:
In Washington, it is legal to have under 1 ounce of medical marijuana in your possesion. Many people use medical marijuana for the effects that THC, the chemical in marijuana that get you "feeling high", has on the body. Recent studies in the medical science field have shown that a substance called Cannabidiol, which is also found in marijuana, could be a major advancement in the war against cancer. Medical marijuana is typically perscribed to people to help cure pain from harsh treatments on the body such as chemotherapy. It is also perscribed because to help lower levels of anxiety and depression in the cancer patients. But, with this new research being conducted, medical scientists are finding that Cannabidiol doesn't only help reduce pain levels in the body and enhance mood, but it also has the ability to reverse the growth of cancer cells. The California Pacific Medical center in San Francisco gave animals with cancer a small dose of Cannabidol and found that the Cannabidiol stopped the growth of the tumor cells. Cannabidol is a natural defense mechanism found in the cannabis plant. By genetically modifying marijuna plants, scientists can now add large amount of Cannabidol to the plant so there are more medical marijuana dispensieres that can distribute this cancer fighting chemical. In addition, wikipedia backs up the studies on Cannabidol found in this article. According to wikipedia, this chemical can help to reverse the growth of metastatic breast cancer cells.
Why this was interesting to me:
Personally, I find it interesting that something that has been around for years has all of a sudden been known to help stop the growth of tumor cells in the human body. I think it is very interesting how much medical scientists can discover by studying a plant. It is remarkable that a simple compound in a plant can help cure cancer.
 |
| Marijuana genetically modified with extra Cannabidol |
 |
| Regular marijuana that has the normal amount of Cannabidiol |
Links:
extra information about cancer
link to the article http://www.naturalnews.com/040046_medical_marijuana_cancer_treatment.html
Extra information on the effects of medical marijuana
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuana-and-cancer_n_1898208.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
Metal vs Nonmetal Lab Report
8/9/2013
Sammy, Julia, Clemmy
Summer Chemistry
Dr. Forman
Purpose
The purpose of this lab was to try and determine which of the given sample elements were metals, nonmetals, and mettaliods.
Significance
This lab was significant because it taught my group to be very observant. Because we were constantly checking for color changes and other features of the elements, we had to focus and pay close attention to our samples.
Abstract
For this lab, my group tested various sample elements to distinguish whether each element was a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid. To start, my group wrote down the initial characteristics of the given elements such as color, conductivity, malubility, reactivity with copper (II) chloride, and reactivity with hydrochloric acid. After adding the copper (II) chloride and the HCl, we recorded the characteriscs of the sample elements again to look for any changes. Lastly, my group analyzed our data to determine which samples were metals, which were nonmetals, and which were metaliods.
Procedure
1. Create a data table to record the color, luster, shape, conductivity, durability, and malbility of the given sample elements
2. Using an electrical conductivity apparatus, touch both the electrodes to your sample element and determine if it was a conductor
3. Hit each element with a hammer determine if the element was maluable or brittle, and record it in your chart
4. Reactivity with copper chloride
- Label the wells of a clean wellplate A-G
- Place each sample element into a seperate well
- Add 20 drops of 0.1 M copper chloride to each sample
- Let the sample to sit for 5 minutes to give it time to react to the chemical
- Observe and record changes in the sample and the reaction between each sample and the copper chloride 5. Reactivity with acid
- Label the wells of a clean wellplate A-G
- Place each sample element into a seperate well
- Add 20 drops of 0.5 M HCl to each sample
- Allow the sample to sit for 5 minutes to give it time to react to the chemical
- Observe and record a formation of gas bubbles and a reaction with the hydrochloric acid
 |
| sample elements |
 |
| procedure |
Results
 |
| indavidual group results |
My indavidual group determined that samples a,b,c, and e were mettaliods, while samples d and f were metals. Lastly, sample g was a nonmetal. When my group sat down to look over all the traits and reactions that we recorded in our data table, we examined all characteristics to determine what each sample was. For example, to determine sample a, we looked closely at color and ability to conduct electricity. Because this sample had the silver luster of a metal but could not conduct electricity, my group carefully discussed the sample and came to the conclusion that it was in fact a mettaliod. Being observant was the most important part of coming to conclusions based on our indavidual group data.
 |
| aggregated class data |
Overall, it seems as if my class disagreed on what catergory each sample element falls into. This is probably because some groups' wellplates were not fully clean, so the chemicals reacted differently with their samples. Or, some groups did not have enough knowladge to distinguish between a metal, nonmetal, and mettaliod. Many of the answers for the class were the same, but especially for sample G there was clearly some confusion.
Analysis
1.
color- physical
luster- physical
form- physical
conductivity- physical
reactivity- chemical
hammer- physical
2.
Group one- Physical
D, E, F.
Group two- Chemical
A, B, C, G.
3. Elements D, E, and F fit into the physical group of elements because they are non-reactive with the chemicals we added and have a very distinct appearance. Elements A, B, C, and G fit into the chemical group of elements because they did react with the added chemicals.
4.
Metal- A, B, C, F
Nonmetal- E
Metalloid- D, G
Extra Credit Report- Why do cats Purr?
Many domestic cats produce a "purr" like sound when nursing her kittens or recieveing social contact from humans (such as petting and getting fed). Although most people would think that when a cat is purring it is expressing happiness and pleasure, cat's actually purr because they feel stressed. Stressful moments in a cat's life that can trigger a purr include visits to the vet or recovering from injury. Scientists were interested in this discovery, so they decided to research how cats actually purr. The scientist's discovered that cats purr through intermittent signaling of the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles in the cats throat. Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation at speed of 25 to 150 hertz. Scientists have discovered that purring can help cats strengthen their bone density and heal the inside of their bodies. Over the years, cats have adapted to conserve much of their energy through long periods of rest and sleep. Because of this, scientists have also concluded that purring provides a low energy way to stimulate the cats muscles and bones. Although people would want to conclude that cats purr because they are happy, it is more accurate to say that purring is a means of communication and a potential source of self-healing.
Why was this interesting to me?
This article is interesting to me because I love animals and I always thought that cats purred because they were happy, not stressed or in pain. It is interesting to know that scientists could study cats and make this conclusion.
Link to the article
Other article about how/why cats purr
The cats meow
Extra Credit Report
Evolutionary scientist Stephen Jay Gould proposed the idea that evolution was "utterly unpredictable and quite unrepeatable. But, a new study on caribbean lizards challenges this statement. Luke Mahler, a researcher at the University of California, traveled to the 4 carribiean islands (Jamacia, Hispanoila, Cuba, & Puerto Rico) to study the lizards and found that all the islands have similar types of lizards. The carribean islands are also home to "twig specialists," which are "little bitty cryptic guys, gray- or lichen-colored, with tiny prehensile limbs, that creep almost undetected on twigs," Mahler said. Studying both the lizards and "twig specialists" is an example of convergent evolution (a common evolutionary phenomenon in which different species develop similar adaptations that allow them to uphold a way of living). When lizards first appeared on the islands, they began to develop similar ways of living even though they weren't all living on the same island. In terms of the evolution of species living elsewhere, this means that evolution can be somewhat predictable due to species adapting to their specific landscape. Enviroment has a big influence on evolution, but for places that are not as easy to study and isolated as the caribean islands, other factors might not make predicting future evolution possible.
This article interested me because I find it amazing that nature and science are so connected to one another and through studying nature, scientists can draw conslusions that can effect major topics in the world such as the evolution of certain animals.
Article
Other article about Caribbean lizards
Male vs. Female Brains
Scientists have known for many years that men and women have different brain structures. But, scientists thought that only minor differences existed (such as the part of the brain that controls hunger was seen to be larger in men). Scientists have now admitted that men's brains were significantly larger than female brains. Researchers from Harvard university have discovered that parts of the frontal lobe, which is responsible for problem solving and decision making, were much larger in women, while the parietal cortex, which is responsible for space perception and social behavior were larger in men. The Harvard researchers also found that women's brains have the ability to make quicker decisions and think faster compared to men's brains due to the fact that the neuron's in the female brain are packed tightly, allowing the brain to make faster connections and decisions. Although men and women's brain structures differ, they seem to have relatively the same IQ range.
This was interesting to me because I have always wondered why men and women act so differently in certain situations. I think it is really interesting that the male and female brain structures differ so highly, yet still allow both genders to preform the same routines and functions on a daily basis.
Article
Other article
Many domestic cats produce a "purr" like sound when nursing her kittens or recieveing social contact from humans (such as petting and getting fed). Although most people would think that when a cat is purring it is expressing happiness and pleasure, cat's actually purr because they feel stressed. Stressful moments in a cat's life that can trigger a purr include visits to the vet or recovering from injury. Scientists were interested in this discovery, so they decided to research how cats actually purr. The scientist's discovered that cats purr through intermittent signaling of the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles in the cats throat. Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation at speed of 25 to 150 hertz. Scientists have discovered that purring can help cats strengthen their bone density and heal the inside of their bodies. Over the years, cats have adapted to conserve much of their energy through long periods of rest and sleep. Because of this, scientists have also concluded that purring provides a low energy way to stimulate the cats muscles and bones. Although people would want to conclude that cats purr because they are happy, it is more accurate to say that purring is a means of communication and a potential source of self-healing.
Why was this interesting to me?
This article is interesting to me because I love animals and I always thought that cats purred because they were happy, not stressed or in pain. It is interesting to know that scientists could study cats and make this conclusion.
 |
| hairless cat |
 |
| kitten |
 |
| a lady holding her obese cat |
Link to the article
Other article about how/why cats purr
The cats meow
Extra Credit Report
Evolutionary scientist Stephen Jay Gould proposed the idea that evolution was "utterly unpredictable and quite unrepeatable. But, a new study on caribbean lizards challenges this statement. Luke Mahler, a researcher at the University of California, traveled to the 4 carribiean islands (Jamacia, Hispanoila, Cuba, & Puerto Rico) to study the lizards and found that all the islands have similar types of lizards. The carribean islands are also home to "twig specialists," which are "little bitty cryptic guys, gray- or lichen-colored, with tiny prehensile limbs, that creep almost undetected on twigs," Mahler said. Studying both the lizards and "twig specialists" is an example of convergent evolution (a common evolutionary phenomenon in which different species develop similar adaptations that allow them to uphold a way of living). When lizards first appeared on the islands, they began to develop similar ways of living even though they weren't all living on the same island. In terms of the evolution of species living elsewhere, this means that evolution can be somewhat predictable due to species adapting to their specific landscape. Enviroment has a big influence on evolution, but for places that are not as easy to study and isolated as the caribean islands, other factors might not make predicting future evolution possible.
This article interested me because I find it amazing that nature and science are so connected to one another and through studying nature, scientists can draw conslusions that can effect major topics in the world such as the evolution of certain animals.
 |
| comparison of lizards on different carribean islands |
Article
Other article about Caribbean lizards
Male vs. Female Brains
Scientists have known for many years that men and women have different brain structures. But, scientists thought that only minor differences existed (such as the part of the brain that controls hunger was seen to be larger in men). Scientists have now admitted that men's brains were significantly larger than female brains. Researchers from Harvard university have discovered that parts of the frontal lobe, which is responsible for problem solving and decision making, were much larger in women, while the parietal cortex, which is responsible for space perception and social behavior were larger in men. The Harvard researchers also found that women's brains have the ability to make quicker decisions and think faster compared to men's brains due to the fact that the neuron's in the female brain are packed tightly, allowing the brain to make faster connections and decisions. Although men and women's brain structures differ, they seem to have relatively the same IQ range.
This was interesting to me because I have always wondered why men and women act so differently in certain situations. I think it is really interesting that the male and female brain structures differ so highly, yet still allow both genders to preform the same routines and functions on a daily basis.
Article
Other article
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