Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Research Paper Progress
My research topic is Nuclear Energy and the positives and negatives associated with harnessing its power.
The first link I found useful was http://casenergy.org/nuclear-energy/energy-in-your-state/nuclear-energy-in-louisiana/. This link is useful to me because it's an article published by CASEnergy Coalition. Even though this website is technically "biased" because it only provides the positive uses and effects of nuclear energy, all of the information provided is accurate and relevant. I would consider the website a reasonable source even though it doesn't clearly state both sides of the coin of nuclear energy.
The second link I discovered is http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter13.html. This link brings you to a page that is relatively simple but interactive. All the information is straightforward and could be geared towards middle school kids with how easy it is to comprehend. I liked this website in particular because it has two links that describe the differences between nuclear fusion and fission in comprehensive language. Often times when one looks for information comparing and contrasting fusion and fission they are escorted to websites that have information written for scientists or in a very complex fashion. I enjoyed this website for the reason that it is user friendly to the common person while still providing useful and accurate information.
Perhaps the best source I have found so far is http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Nuclear_Chemistry/Fission_and_Fusion. I like this source because it is a sub page within the UC Davis website with accurate information provided by the college's school of chemistry. Even though my research paper is on Nuclear Energy, one must understand the sub topics of fusion and fission to better understand the chemistry of how Nuclear Energy is created. Within this website virtually everything about fusion and fission is explained. From the abstract ideas for harnessing its power, down to the science of the very atoms that start the chain reactions producing electricity. This website shows no bias towards the use of Nuclear Energy and has scientific data and links to back up its substance. I found this website the most informative so far as well as the most complex. I predict this will be the website I use most to support my research.
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/07/is-nuclear-power-good-for-you.html
This is another website I found, it's from a reputable science journal. In the page the author of the article explains why nuclear energy could in fact be beneficial to humans as a population. This article focuses on the idea that nuclear energy produces "cleaner" energy and is better for the environment than other forms of energy.
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_f_o/nuclear_energy_the_good_the_bad_and_the_debatable.pdf
The title of this article basically explains it "The Good the Bad and the Debatable" It basically emphasizes the idea that the exploration of nuclear energy is a very controversial prospect. It explains that what we already know about nuclear energy has greatly advanced our ability to create clean environmentally friendly energy. What the article also explains is that although nuclear energy is a "clean" form of energy, it has severe negatives. The thing I like best about this article is that it completely discusses the scientific reasoning and creation behind nuclear energy. It not only describes the process of how nuclear energy is made but also the exact amounts of waste it creates and how we could dispose of that waste. I think this source will be very useful in providing specific scientific research to support my ideas in my paper.
The first link I found useful was http://casenergy.org/nuclear-energy/energy-in-your-state/nuclear-energy-in-louisiana/. This link is useful to me because it's an article published by CASEnergy Coalition. Even though this website is technically "biased" because it only provides the positive uses and effects of nuclear energy, all of the information provided is accurate and relevant. I would consider the website a reasonable source even though it doesn't clearly state both sides of the coin of nuclear energy.
The second link I discovered is http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter13.html. This link brings you to a page that is relatively simple but interactive. All the information is straightforward and could be geared towards middle school kids with how easy it is to comprehend. I liked this website in particular because it has two links that describe the differences between nuclear fusion and fission in comprehensive language. Often times when one looks for information comparing and contrasting fusion and fission they are escorted to websites that have information written for scientists or in a very complex fashion. I enjoyed this website for the reason that it is user friendly to the common person while still providing useful and accurate information.
Perhaps the best source I have found so far is http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Nuclear_Chemistry/Fission_and_Fusion. I like this source because it is a sub page within the UC Davis website with accurate information provided by the college's school of chemistry. Even though my research paper is on Nuclear Energy, one must understand the sub topics of fusion and fission to better understand the chemistry of how Nuclear Energy is created. Within this website virtually everything about fusion and fission is explained. From the abstract ideas for harnessing its power, down to the science of the very atoms that start the chain reactions producing electricity. This website shows no bias towards the use of Nuclear Energy and has scientific data and links to back up its substance. I found this website the most informative so far as well as the most complex. I predict this will be the website I use most to support my research.
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/07/is-nuclear-power-good-for-you.html
This is another website I found, it's from a reputable science journal. In the page the author of the article explains why nuclear energy could in fact be beneficial to humans as a population. This article focuses on the idea that nuclear energy produces "cleaner" energy and is better for the environment than other forms of energy.
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_f_o/nuclear_energy_the_good_the_bad_and_the_debatable.pdf
The title of this article basically explains it "The Good the Bad and the Debatable" It basically emphasizes the idea that the exploration of nuclear energy is a very controversial prospect. It explains that what we already know about nuclear energy has greatly advanced our ability to create clean environmentally friendly energy. What the article also explains is that although nuclear energy is a "clean" form of energy, it has severe negatives. The thing I like best about this article is that it completely discusses the scientific reasoning and creation behind nuclear energy. It not only describes the process of how nuclear energy is made but also the exact amounts of waste it creates and how we could dispose of that waste. I think this source will be very useful in providing specific scientific research to support my ideas in my paper.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Senior Project Update
As I mentioned In my previous blog, my senior project entails computer programming. Although I haven't been given a chance to work on it recently, most of my field hours have been completed. I have logged over 50 hours at this point. I am waiting to fully pick my mentor. Originally I had planned on contacting the creator of the C++ manual I read. I recently realized that this is an unrealistic goal because he is a very busy well-renowned man and the chances of him contacting me back are slim to none. My uncle is a computer programmer and works with a few well established programmers and my aunt also has connections with computer programmers in the bay area. The only problem is that my uncle lives in southern california and having him as my mentor would mean that I would need to skype him or work primarily with him over the phone and computer. If I use one of my aunt's programming friends as my mentor they may be more accessible on a regular basis for meeting in person and helping me when needed.
Besides trying to figure out who to contact and ask to be my mentor, I have started thinking about what to do for my reserch. I realize that research and information is important not only to the structure of my research paper, but to help me learn and understand the components of programming as well. I look forward to conducting my research and continuing to move my senior project along.
Besides trying to figure out who to contact and ask to be my mentor, I have started thinking about what to do for my reserch. I realize that research and information is important not only to the structure of my research paper, but to help me learn and understand the components of programming as well. I look forward to conducting my research and continuing to move my senior project along.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Nuclear Energy
1.) The topic I have chosen for my senior research paper is nuclear energy and its benefits as well as its negatives.
2.) My topic is controversial because it can be seen as a type of energy that will reduce the amount of pollution in the air, and it is generally a "cleaner" energy but many also see its pollution as having negative effects on the environment.
3.) To conduct my research the sources I will use are my Uncle who is a nuclear engineer, but I will also use the Napa County Library databases as well as other online databases and books.
4.) My emotional investment in this paper is the fact that my uncle is a nuclear engineer and he is frowned upon by many people but he is a firm believer that nuclear energy is a cleaner more sustainable form of energy.
5.) I do not think this research topic is very popular, but my touch that will make it unique is the fact that my uncle works directly with nuclear power plants in Lousiana as a head operator. My connection to him will allow my research to be more personal as well as accurate.
6.) I do not have any questions.
2.) My topic is controversial because it can be seen as a type of energy that will reduce the amount of pollution in the air, and it is generally a "cleaner" energy but many also see its pollution as having negative effects on the environment.
3.) To conduct my research the sources I will use are my Uncle who is a nuclear engineer, but I will also use the Napa County Library databases as well as other online databases and books.
4.) My emotional investment in this paper is the fact that my uncle is a nuclear engineer and he is frowned upon by many people but he is a firm believer that nuclear energy is a cleaner more sustainable form of energy.
5.) I do not think this research topic is very popular, but my touch that will make it unique is the fact that my uncle works directly with nuclear power plants in Lousiana as a head operator. My connection to him will allow my research to be more personal as well as accurate.
6.) I do not have any questions.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Gore Vidal : Drugs; Critical Writing Response
I agree wholeheartedly agree with Vidal's statement "Each man has the right to do what he wants with this own life". When he connects this statement to the idea that each man has the right to do drugs, or kill himself, or partake in any activities he wants, as long as they do not interfere with his neighbors pursuit of happiness, my opinion changes. I think as Americans, the promise of the pursuit of happiness is something we cherish greatly. When one being interferes with another human being happiness, they are taking away an inalienable right endowed to that individual by our country. Many people who do drugs don't try them once and then leave them alone. Many drugs are addictive and often times people who started them don't stop them for a long time.
Vidal's assumption that drugs are not necessarily threats to the neighbors of the abusers is inaccurate. People all over america hear stories of drug deals and break-ins gone bad. In the particular story I linked, an entire neighborhood was negatively affected by "squatters" or drug dealers who took up residence in a bank owned house. The drug dealers turned the neighborhood into a crime spree zone, there were countless acts of robberies and violence during the time the squatters inhabited the house. Their presence reduced the desire of Detroit citizens to want to move into the neighborhood, and also caused the families that lived in the nieghborhood to be scared to leave their homes. The article I posted is a perfect example of how one drug dealer, or many, can cause strife to not only one neighbor but an entire neighborhood. Even if the abuser doesn't have ranking of a drug dealer, they are still a threat to their neighbors. What if they are in debt to their dealer? Or have bad blood with a particular group of people? One wrong step on the part of the abuser could set an entire neighborhood at risk.
Vidal's assumption that drugs are not necessarily threats to the neighbors of the abusers is inaccurate. People all over america hear stories of drug deals and break-ins gone bad. In the particular story I linked, an entire neighborhood was negatively affected by "squatters" or drug dealers who took up residence in a bank owned house. The drug dealers turned the neighborhood into a crime spree zone, there were countless acts of robberies and violence during the time the squatters inhabited the house. Their presence reduced the desire of Detroit citizens to want to move into the neighborhood, and also caused the families that lived in the nieghborhood to be scared to leave their homes. The article I posted is a perfect example of how one drug dealer, or many, can cause strife to not only one neighbor but an entire neighborhood. Even if the abuser doesn't have ranking of a drug dealer, they are still a threat to their neighbors. What if they are in debt to their dealer? Or have bad blood with a particular group of people? One wrong step on the part of the abuser could set an entire neighborhood at risk.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
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