November 7. 2012 notes summary

The Earth's atmosphere is 99% of atmospheric gases, with water vapor being the largest greenhouse gas.  Other gases in the atmosphere (mainly in the troposphere) are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gasses.  These gases are invisible, unlike smog that contains nitrogen and VOC's in the ozone.  This is found in larger cities.  Speaking of smog, the greenhouse effect is very important to teh atmosphere, even more so the ozone.  Infrared radiation is emitted to Earth's surface due to the warming of the atmopshere.  The main gases responsible for this are water vapor and carbon dioxide.  Aerosols are also wtih the greenhouse effect (manmade, soil, salt, ash). Pressure is important with the atmosphere, pulling gases towards earth.  The higher the pressure, air is thinner, making it harder to breathe. 

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Solar radation cosists of albedo (radation reflected back into space) and absorption (radation not reflected into space).  Urban heat island effect is usually found in metro areas.  Clouds are definded by shape, form, and base altitude.  Concerning wind and air pressure, warm air expans and leaves low pressure and cold air sinks and leaves high air pressure.  Uneven heating makes some places warmer, and warm air follows cold air.  Humidity is the amount of water vapor stuck inbetween molecules in the air and depends on air temperature. 

Group review.

The following is a small and logical conclusion and overview of what I enjoyed and did not enjoy of my group.

Three things I enjoyed:

1. There was a nice balance of people's strengths. 
2. Each person worked well with one another.  No arguing or misconceptions were involved.
3. Everyone actually did their work, for the most part.

Three things that could have been better:

1. More collaboration with the power point, rather than one person doing it.  Same with other tasks.
2. Everyone work everyday, not just somedays.  This isn't a big issue because everyone did get their work completed on time in a great and professional manner.
3. More communication while working in groups in class.

Aerosols and their Effects

Aerosols, defined by dictionary.com, are substances packaged under pressure with a “gaseous propellant for release as a spray of fine particles.”  Aerosols in the ozone layer come from everyday products like hairspray, cans of paint, and other things like air conditioners.  Some aerosols are natural, like dust, sea salt, and volcanic ash.  Dust and sea salt are mainly the only two "natural" aerosols and they are the most abundant in the atmosphere, leaving man made aerosols with a smaller percentage in the atmosphere.  

Aerosols affect climate and weather because it helps with chemical changes in the atmosphere.  The particles mixed in with the ozone particles get hot from the sun and harmful rays, causing the aerosol particles to burn the ozone.  The burning of the ozone lead to a warmer climate because of allowing more UVB rays into the Earth’s atmosphere.  Basically, aerosols are a leading factor to the harm of humans.  Aerosols give the same effects to humans, because they are one of the leading causes for the depletion of the ozone.  The small difference is, every human and other living thing breathes in most of these aerosols.  Some, like man made chemicals, can cause great damage to one's health.

The Ozone is IMPORTANT.

Surface ozone affects every person, animal, and living organism on Earth.  This layer of various chemicals and oxygen, located in the stratosphere, insulates the Earth and protects it from the sun’s harmful UVB rays.  This is a major concept related to life.   If the earth did not have the ozone, it would be a huge ball of fire.  No human or any other life could survive on earth due to its lack of oxygen and large amount of UVB rays.  Besides UVB rays, VOCs and NOx are commonly found in the atmosphere.  One more dangerous than the other. 

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are gasses given from certain solid and liquid objects.  Some prime examples are from paints, clean supplies, permanent markers, and even photo copiers.  That being said, it is proven that VOCs are at least 10% higher indoors than outdoors.  Even though VOCs are higher indoors, it still contributes just as much harm to the atmosphere. 

NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) is found in many places that gives off heat or some sort of gas.  NOx is basically NO (nitric oxide) and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) are formed together.  It goes hand in hand with VOCs.  It is found in hot gasses and has high levels in large, hotter places.  An example to find NOx is in a city.  With the heat island effect, the NOx level rises because of lots of air pollution from busses, taxis, and the overall infrastructure of the city. 

The ozone layer is actually pretty simple.  It is made out of various gasses, most of which is created of various types of oxygen.  O₂ and O₃ are a large part to the ozone.  VOCs are also in the ozone make up.  It's basically any compound of carbon that is not one of the main carbon compounds.  For example, carbom dioxide/monoxide, carbonic acid, and metallic carbides are not apart of VOCs.  Methane is a prime example of a VOC. 

Factors to protect the ozone are quite easy, but hard to cancel out in everyday life and interaction.  The cut down on fossil fuels (for example, gasoline) and aerosols (for example, cans of hair spray) can save the deterioration of the ozone layer.  Since we, as a society, cannot cut out these materials, a significant drop can still help slow the process. 

The ozone does, in fact, affect everyday health.  Some benefits include insulating the Earth at a right temperature for a comfortable climate.  It also protects UVB rays, protecting humans and other life from too much radiation.

Scientific Method -- Everyday life.

I have to admit, I'm not much of a science person.  I'm more of a craft person.  I like looking up different DIY crafts, and then try to attempt them.  Surprisingly, sometimes the steps listed online aren't the best ways to go about the craft.  So trial and error is pretty big. 

I made a cell phone holder out of household items. 

1. Problem: I had an old lotion bottle and almost 50 leftover Chinese menu sheets.  I wanted to put those to good use, instead of throwing them away. 

2. Observation/research: I found a craft online to make a cell phone holder using the lotion bottle.  I could decorate any way I wanted, I just had to use Mod Podge (that stuff is awesome). 

3. Hypothesis:  I decided I would give it a try.  I pretty much told myself "It's not going to look as awesome or detailed like the one on the website.  I can live with that." 

4. Experiment: I got together my supplies, and started working.  Cutting the lotion bottle was the toughest part, because of the curved edges for cutting.  I also cut out various pictures from the Chinese menus. 

5. Collect/analyze results:  After observing the finished product, I found that 3 coats of Mod Podge looked better (and held the pictures better) rather than the suggested two coats.  The whole project took me a couple of hours, rather than a few that I was estimating.  If anyone else did this project, I'd tell them to set aside at least 3 hours of their day to do it correctly due to drying and layering of Mod Podge.  

6. Conclusion:  After all the coats were spread on and my work station was cleaned, I looked at my finished product and the website's finished product and came to the conclusion that mine turned out way better than expected.  For the first time doing the craft, all the patterns and pictures flowed and the Mod Podge didn't make uneven lines.  It was a success. 

7. Communicate the results:  I have a different blog, with many viewers.  I posted the picture of the cell phone holder and explained what I used and how long it took.  I got lots of feedback saying it looked fun to make and I did a great job!  I think I only got one negative comment, saying the hanger was oddly shaped, but that's okay!  I'll know for next time. 

I am an avid television fan.  Late night shows like Conan and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon are my favorites.  Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, The Office, Up All Night, 30 Rock, and Bob's Burgers take over my evening life.
I dream to study television, music, and media communications at New York University.