Exxon Valdez :: science

Exxon Valdez When people hear the phrase "oil spill: they think a bunch of black stuff all in the water. Well there is a lot more to it then just that. It is an economical disaster as well as an environmental one. As you read along you will see how devastating this one oil spill, the Exxon Valdez, really was compared to others. Whether you, as the reader believe it or just think it is something that is none of you concern and happened 10 years ago is completely up to you. I think that your mind will change after hearing all the facts. On the day of March 24, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez was afloat when it ran aground a reef in Prince William Sound, putting a gash in its hull. This gash bled out 11 million gallons of crude oil. The oil covered roughly 10,000 sq. miles of water. This is the area of Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, and 25 Washington D.C.’s combined! In only a week’s time the wind and current moved the oil 90 miles into the Gulf of Alaska. It contaminated 1,500 miles of coast. This is like the shoreline of California. This oil as it moved through the water killed 300,000 sea birds, 2,600 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, and perhaps millions and millions of fish. Of the 23 studied species hurt by the spill only 2 are said to be completely recovered. The 2 are the Bald Eagle and the River Otter. Some show no recovery at all. Of these that haven’t recovered at all are the Harbor Seal, Harlequin Ducks, Pacific Herring, Cormorants, and even certain whales. If people were familiar with some of the clean up that went on, they would probably remember that cleaning of all those ducks. Well I hate to tell you but it was useless. Some of them died 5 days after they were released. Scientists now know that the oil is 100 time’s more toxic then originally thought. Even a minuet amount can cause deformities in fish like an extra fin.

Reflective Letter

In Class Assignment 4 4 Reflective Letter: Introduction 4 People are capable to learn from several basis of knowledge throughout their life. Knowledge can come from sciences or language. Actually, language may come first according to the demand and affectedness of arrangement. It is the link of all other sciences skills. Through fourteen weeks period of learning â€Å"English Academic Writing II † I have gained three important points that I hope they will lead me to be an independent writer.These points are thesis statement, discussion leader and Read, Reason, Write activity. Body 4 Thesis statement is the master key of the essay . Whenever you have read an essay, but keeps feeling that something is missing, it will be surely in the thesis statement. Thesis statement is a sentence , a couple or even more in which arrange, clarify ,state and simplify the main points which will be discussed in detailed each one alone in the essay .Thesis statement helps understand the structure and systematic arrangement of the essays. I have learned how to write a strong thesis statement through a lot of practices of different types of essays. The second point that touched me through attending this course was leading a class discussion through a new topic with several points to be discussed. A discussion leader activity has inspired me and it has enhanced my self-confidence as an independent writer.In addition, it improves other skills for the person to achieve better experience of understanding how to write, specify or conceive people through your piece of writing. Last point, but not the least, † Read, Reason, Write’’ assignment which focuses on justifying the reasons behind a written essay through writing. Therefore, it is a kind of challenge or inverse of writing skills by giving a written response. This helped me gathering a nice collection of ideas of arrangement, new stylistics of writing, and ways of expression.This collection can support my sk ills as an independent writer and improve it as well. Conclusion 4 In conclusion, the benefits I got from past practices provide better quality of writer and writing . Thus, it results in improvement or developing the skills of language, writing, or even both. Discussion leader and â€Å"Read, Reason, Write† activities have integrated my writing, while thesis statement and its practices have fluently achieved the understanding of different essays.

Do Young People Today Make Good Use of Their Leisure Time?

Leisure time can be well spent in many different ways. One popular option among the young is playing video games and watching television. While other activities like sports,social gathering and reading are available to them,many people feel that they spend too much time on these indoor games and screens and prefer them to be more active. In this essay,I will discuss my view on the issue to get positive results out of free time. Nowadays, younger generation has greater choices of leisure facilities than previous one. Among such facilities are television and video games.Some social experts and families are concerned about health of teenage overindulge on these activities. This is supported by some reports that sitting too long in front of television could lead to problems of eyes and back. On the other hand, some medical experts believe that some video games can improve the dexterity of the player and this could help his or her future career like operating doctor or pilot. In addition, watching television keeps young audience inform about what happens around locally as well as globally. Related article: How Teenagers Spend Their TimeThat would enhance teenagers' inquisitive mind and encourage them to keep eyes on challenging local and international issues. While such benefit is welcomed, there also are dangers of exposing them to violence, crimes and explicit scenes on some television series which can have negative impact on younger personalities. Alternatively, there are many activities which have positive results in term of social, physical and educational values. For example, walking, jogging and trekking in a recreational park improve their physical strength and give an opportunity to observe nature and environment.Furthermore, spending time with family, relatives and friends outdoor enriches their social lives. As a result, they would be more interactive and responsible socially. Finally, one could simply be entertained by reading at home or playing some music. In conclusion, how much time should we spend on each activity during extra time is debatable. Each ha s its own merit so long as individual does not involve excessively. In my opinion, young and adult alike should choose sensibly on type of activity and time spent to get most benefits out of their free time.

Wildlife of the Great Lakes

Wildlife of the Great Lakes The Great Lakes are a chain of five large, freshwater lakes that are located in central North America, astride the border of Canada and the United States. The Great Lakes include Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, and Lake Superior and together form  the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. They are contained within the Great Lakes watershed, a region whose waters discharge into the Saint Lawrence River and, ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean. The Great Lakes cover a total surface area of 95,000 square miles and hold about 5,500 cubic miles of water (approximately 20% of all the worlds fresh water and more than 80% of the fresh water of North America). There are more than 10,000 miles of shoreline that frame the Great Lakes and from west to east, the lakes span more than 750 miles. The Great Lakes formed during the Pleistocene Epoch as the result of the repeated glaciation of the region during the Ice Ages. Glaciers advanced and retreated time and again, gradually carving deep depressions in the Great Lakes River Basin. When the glaciers receded at the end of the last glacial period about 15,000 years ago, the Great Lakes filled with water left behind by the melting ice. The Great Lakes and their surrounding lands encompass  a wide variety of freshwater and terrestrial habitats including coniferous and hardwood forests, freshwater marshes, freshwater wetlands, dunes, grasslands, and prairies.  The Great Lakes region supports a diverse fauna  that includes numerous species of mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and fishes. There are more than 250 species of fishes found in the Great Lakes including Atlantic salmon, bluegill, brook trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, freshwater drum, lake sturgeon, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, white perch, yellow perch, and many others. Native mammals include the black bear, fox, elk, white-tailed deer, moose, beaver, river otter, coyote, gray wolf, Canada lynx, and many others. Bird species native to the Great Lakes include herring gulls, whooping cranes, snowy owls, wood ducks, great blue herons, bald eagles, piping plovers, and much more. The Great Lakes have suffered greatly the effects of introduced (non-native) species during the past two hundred years. Non-native animal species such as zebra mussels, quagga mussels, sea lampreys, alewives, Asian carps, and many others have greatly altered the Great Lakes ecosystem. The most recent non-native animal to have been recorded in the Great Lakes is the spiny water flea, a crustacean native to the seas of the Middle East that are now quickly populating Lake Ontario. Introduced species compete with native species for food and habitat and can also More than 180 non-native species have entered the Great Lakes since the latter part of the 19th century. Many of the introduced species have been transported into the Great Lakes in the ballast water of ships, but other species such as the Asian carp, have invaded the lakes by swimming through the man-made channels and locks that now connect the Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. Key Characteristics The following are the key characteristics of the Great Lakes: the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earthaccount for 20% of all the worlds fresh wateraccount for more than 80% of the fresh water of North Americaintroduced species have greatly altered the Great Lakes ecosystemsupports more than 3,500 species of plants and animals Animals of the Great Lakes Some of the animals that inhabit the Great Lakes include: Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) - The lake whitefish is a species of freshwater fish that belongs to the salmon family. Lake whitefish are found in all of the Great Lakes and are a valuable commercial species. Lake whitefish feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as snails, clams, and the aquatic larvae of insects.Walleye (Sander vitreous) - The walleye is  a large freshwater fish native to the Great Lakes as well as most parts of Canada and the northern United States. Walleye are much recognized as icons of the places they inhabit- they are the state fish of Minnesota and South Dakota and they are the official fish of Saskatchewan.Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) - The yellow perch is a species of perch whose range includes the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River. Adult yellow perch feed on aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans, mysid shrimp, fish eggs, and small fish.Great blue heron (Ardea Herodias) - The great blue heron is a large wading bird common to freshwater wetland habitats throughout North American, including the Great Lakes. Great blue herons have a long, sharp bill that they use to capture a variety of small prey animals such as fish, crustaceans, insects, rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) - The Canada lynx is a medium-sized cat that inhabits the forests throughout Canada and Alaska. In the Great Lakes region, Canada lynx occurs around Lake Superior and on the northern shores of Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, a large bay of Lake Huron that lies in Ontario, Canada. Canada lynxes are secretive, nocturnal mammals that feed on snowshoe hares, rodents, and birds.Moose (Alces alces) - The moose is the largest living member of the deer family. Moose inhabit the forests that border the northern shores of the Great Lakes. Moose are herbivores that feed on a variety of herbaceous plants and grasses.Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) - The common snapping turtle is a widespread turtle that inhabits freshwater wetlands east of the Rocky Mountains, including the Great Lakes region. Snapping turtles have a reputation for being quite aggressive.American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana) - The American bullfrog is a large frog that occurs in wet lands in the Great Lakes region. American bullfrogs are predators that feed on small mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. Sources Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. About Our Great Lakes. Published online at https://www.glerl.noaa.gov//pr/ourlakes/intro.htmlHarding JH. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region. University of Michigan Press; 1997. 400 p.Kurta, A. Mammals of the Great Lakes Region. Revised Edition. University of Michigan Press; 1995. 392 p.US Environmental Protection Agency. The Great Lakes: An Environmental Atlas and Resource Book. 2012. Published online at https://www.epa.gov/greatlakesUS Environmental Protection Agency. Great Lakes Invasive Species. Accessed November 22, 2013. Published online at https://www.epa.gov/greatlakes

Whats the Difference Between AP Physics 1, 2, and C Which Should You Take

What's the Difference Between AP Physics 1, 2, and C Which Should You Take SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Are you interested in taking AP Physics? You might have noticed that the AP program offers more than one physics course. So what’s the difference between the different AP Physics classes- AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, and AP Physics C? We will introduce you to them and help you decide which one to take. What AP Physics Classes Are Offered? The AP Program used to offer three physics classes: AP Physics B, AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. However, the AP program recently replaced AP Physics B, a one-year course, with two one-year courses: AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2. These are both algebra-based physics courses, which means they don’t require a math background beyond Algebra II. The AP program still offers AP Physics C, which is broken into two courses and exams: Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Many schools teach these as the same class, or just teach one topic. Both of these courses are calculus-based. This means that there are now four AP Physics exams: AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics The fact that there are now four AP Physics exams can be confusing. So do you take Physics 1, Physics 2, and Physics C in order? What’s new about Physics 1 and Physics 2? We will introduce you to all of the courses and help you decide which class is right for you. AP Physics 1 AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory, college-level physics course. It explores Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion), work, energy, power, mechanical waves and sound, and circuits – in other words, fundamental physics concepts. AP Physics 1 was designed to be a first-year physics course which you can take without prior physics experience. This is the main difference from the old AP Physics B course, which was designed to be a second-year physics class. The AP program recommends that students have at least taken geometry and are concurrently taking Algebra II while taking this course. If you’re not that far along in math yet, consider taking a different science class until you’re caught up, as math is very important in physics. AP Physics 2 AP Physics 2 is also an algebra-based, college-level physics course. However, it delves into some more advanced topics than Physics 1. Physics 2 explores fluid statics and dynamics, thermodynamics with kinetic theory, PV diagrams and probability, electrostatics, electrical circuits with capacitors, magnetic fields, electromagnetism, physical and geometric optics, and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. AP Physics 2 was designed to be a second-year physics course. This means it could come after AP Physics 1 or any first-year physics course. Much of its content is similar to the old AP Physics B course. You can read the full descriptions of AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 at the Advanced Placement website. AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Both AP Physics C courses are calculus-based, meaning you should have already taken calculus or concurrently be taking calculus while you take either AP Physics C course. This is the main factor that makes Physics C more challenging than Physics 1 and Physics 2. But what’s the difference between AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism? Mechanics covers kinematics, Newton’s laws, work, energy, power, linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, oscillations and gravitation. As you can see, these are many of the same concepts explored in Physics 1. However, this course goes into more depth than Physics 1 and uses calculus, making it much more challenging. Electricity and Magnetism covers electrostatics, conductors, capacitors, dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism. Notice there is some overlap with the Physics 2 curriculum, though again, Physics C will be more difficult since it incorporates calculus. The two topics are sometimes taught as the same course even though there are two different exams, with each topic being taught over one semester. When taught as a single class, Mechanics is usually taught first, and Electricity and Magnetism comes second. If schools only teach one topic, it tends to be Mechanics, since it builds on material most commonly taught in beginning physics classes (Newton’s laws, work, energy, power, etc). Each topic is supposed to be equivalent to one semester of college calculus-based physics. Because of this, AP Physics C is highly recommended to be at least a second-year physics course. You can read a full description of Physics C at the AP website. Which AP Physics Class Should You Take? Now that you know a little bit about the different AP Physics classes, you’re probably wondering which class you should take. Or, if you want to take more than one, you’re probably wondering the best order to take the classes in. We will present a few possible sequences, but we will also give you some steps to follow up with your school so you can choose the class that’s best for you! Option 1: Regular/Honors Physics, Then AP Physics 2 If your school doesn't offer AP Physics 1 or you don't want the first physics class you take to be an AP class, then one option is to start with a regular or honors physics class, where you learn the basic concepts of physics. Then, you can take AP Physics 2 as your second physics class. This option is ideal for students whose schools don't offer multiple AP Physics classes as well as students who don't have the time or desire to take multiple AP Physics classes. Physics 2 is the best AP Physics class to take after a regular or honors physics class (Physics 1 would pretty much just repeat what you already learned), although AP Physics C is also an option if you're taking/have already taken calculus. Option 2: AP Physics 1, Then AP Physics 2 The AP program says taking Physics 1 and 2 provide a solid physics background for future pre-med, geology, and life sciences students. They also say it’s a good option for students attending colleges where they will have to fulfill a science requirement but will not be studying science as their major. If your school teaches AP Physics 2 but not AP Physics 1, you can just replace AP Physics 1 with whatever introduction to physics course your school offers. Don’t jump straight into AP Physics 2 – it’s meant to be a second-year physics course! If your school teaches AP Physics 1 but not AP Physics 2, you could take Physics 1 and then take another natural science course (including chemistry and biology), a science elective, or consider taking AP Physics C if your school offers it. Option 3: AP Physics 1, Then AP Physics C AP recommends Physics C (along with AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC) for students aiming for engineering or physical science majors in college. However, taking AP Physics 1, Physics 2, and Physics C might be overkill – you would lose time for biology and chemistry. Getting exposure to all three natural sciences is important for a well-rounded, challenging high school career, especially if you're going into science or engineering. You also want to make sure you can fit in at least one of the AP Calculus classes. So if you want to take Physics C, start with AP Physics 1 (or a regular physics course), and then take AP Physics C, which will give you a total of two physics classes during high school. Physics C is intended as at least a second-year course, so don’t jump into it unprepared. Also make sure you have taken or are taking calculus while you take AP Physics C. Next Steps Now that you have a better idea of what the AP Physics classes cover and the general order they should be taken in, what should you do next? Read this section for the five steps you should follow. #1: Meet with your guidance counselor and find out which physics courses your school teaches. Do they offer both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2, or do they just offer a basic introductory physics course? Do they teach AP Physics C? If so, do they teach Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, or both? Getting these answers is the first step to planning your schedule. Also keep in mind that since Physics 1 and Physics 2 are new classes, schools might still be working them into their schedules over the next few years. #2: During the meeting, ask about the recommended physics course sequence at your school. There may be required prerequisite courses or placement tests for the AP Physics courses, or your school might have a recommended order of science classes that includes biology and chemistry. #3: Find out who teaches the AP Physics classes Ask your counselor and ask other students. You can ask other students currently taking AP Physics what they think of the teacher and how prepared they feel for the AP test. You can ask your counselor what the AP Physics test pass rate is like at your school. Getting some background on how the classes are taught at your school can help you decide if AP Physics is right for you. As a brief example, at my high school, our AP Physics class included a lot of independent work and self-studying. It was great for students who were self-motivated, but challenging for students who wanted more support. Many students decided whether to take AP Physics based on whether they thought they could handle the independent nature of the class. #4: Ask for the syllabi for the different physics classes if you want to find out about the workload and topics they cover. This might help you choose between taking a regular introduction to physics course or AP Physics 1, or choose between AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C. #5: Find out about any summer assignments. AP courses often have summer assignments. AP Physics C in particular is likely to have summer work, especially if your school teaches both topics. Make sure to consider your schedule and summer commitments (like camps, jobs or trips) before signing up. And finally, be aware that Physics 1 and 2 are fairly courses so there are still kinks to be worked out. They won't have as many old-free response questions and other official practice materials to study with. If your school has a very strong, established AP Physics C class, it might be a better option for you if you’re up to the challenge. Bottom Line Aim to take AP Physics C if you are a future engineer or natural sciences major – but take it alongside or after taking calculus. If your school doesn’t offer Physics C, take AP Physics 2 or honors physics if you can. Taking AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 is plenty if you aren’t going to study natural sciences or engineering, but want to take challenging science courses in high school. If you’re considering college engineering but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, taking AP Physics C could be a good way to find out if you are up to the challenge and enjoy the topics you would continue to explore in college. What’s Next? Want to dip your toe into the physics pool to see if physics is the right AP science for you? We have straightforward articles on the law of conservation of mass, the specific heat of water, and the three formulas you need to calculate acceleration. How many AP courses total should you take? What if you want to get into an Ivy League school? Read our advice on AP course load here. Also studying for the SAT/ACT? Learn the difference between the two tests, including why one tests science and one doesn’t. Also figure out which test you will do best on. Curious about what it takes to get a perfect SAT score? Read advice from our full-scorer. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Starbucks and Its Difficulties During the Time of Economic Hardship Case Study

Starbucks and Its Difficulties During the Time of Economic Hardship - Case Study Example Branded firms have their unique approaches to improving their market reach, brand image of the product, and maintain the quality standard of the product. Keeping in view the rapid rate of their expansion and growth at multiple locations these companies manipulated their marketing strategy according to the location since different locations offered different marketing environment (Larson. 2008). These companies focused more on its quality standard by critically handling the entire process involved from the purchase of raw materials till it's possession by its end user. These companies took a great care of each and every step to avoid compromising the quality standard of their products. In case of Starbucks Corporation, the firm created a coffee culture and also provided an atmosphere of relaxation for their customers who helped them in bringing the concept of â€Å"third place† where the first and second places were considered to be the home and office respectively (Larson, R. (2008). Many efforts are made by these companies under its strategic approach towards marketing to gain their customers’ trust and offer a value-based service to their customers. The companies also face problems due to variations in their customer group which varies with the location. Under such circumstances, these companies faced challenges which were mainly of following types, what mode should be used by the company to exist in the international market, how they should design their product offering to their customers keeping in mind the variations among the behavior of customer group. Along with it, another major challenge for such companies was to compete with other brands of the same industry serving globally to their customers. The marketing strategies adopted by Starbucks Corporation worked like a magnet which drove their customers to do things as per the company’s expectation (Carroll. 2007). A brand name in watchmaking industry is Maurice Lacroix which is famo us for its luxurious watches adopted strategy to promote their product and also form the alliance with a brand name in movies production house Dream Works for their film named Time Machine.

Edgar Allan Poes message on life and death Research Paper

Edgar Allan Poes message on life and death - Research Paper Example Among the literary figures who tried to analyse these two terms, Edgar Alan Poe stands apart from the common category. His perspectives on these two terms were the contributions of the great man’s experience with his life. He has not clearly stated his perspectives directly about life and death, but the works and characters display the way he viewed both life and death. According to Harold Bloom, Poe’s life â€Å"presents almost as much mystery, drama, melancholy, and in some cases fiction as his tales and poems do† and one can also find that â€Å"Poe’s personal image is closely associated with many of the characters and imagery contained in his works: dark, gloomy, half –mad (Bloom 5). In most of his works, the characters show the true replica of Edgar Allan Poe’s own ideas regarding life and death. The narrator in the poem, The Raven, is believed to be Poe himself. The personal experiences of Poe from his early child hood to the adulthood are reflected in his works. Almost all his works are filled with the element of melancholy and disillusionment in it as he had witnessed in his life. In his essay, The Philosophy of Composition, he states, â€Å"Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears. Melancholy is thus the most legitimate of all the poetical tones† ("The Philosophy of Composition": Edgar Allan Poe (1809?1849) 3). His works are a combination of the twin aspects- life and death. It can be seen that the attitude of Poe towards life was something pessimistic. This paper analyses Poe’s perspectives on life and death as shown by his characters in various works. For this, some of his important works are taken into consideration, to elucidate how much these aspects- life and death, are portrayed in his works. Life sketch of Edgar Allan Poe and the making up of the philosophy: The experiences that one receives from one’s personal life create an influence on one’s own perspectives. It was true with the case of Poe. The background of Poe was very dismal from his early child hood. He was born on January 19, 1809. In his short span of life (40 years) he had gone through all sorts of struggles and his personal life was a series of tragedies. Being orphaned at the very small age due to the death of his mother and the desertion of his father, he was entrusted with the care of John Frances Allan. The name, Allan he took from his care taker. His step father and step mother could not soothe the young Poe in his agonies. The antagonistic attitudes that developed between his step father and Edgar made their relationship become very uncomfortable. As a result, young Edgar had to struggle a lot to earn money. The futile studentship due to lack of money in the University of Virginia was another hit in his life. Even though he succeeded to become a soldier at the end the undesired incident could make its effect in his life. He h ad some kind of attachment to Mrs. Allan, his step mother. The death of his step mother also contributed to his peculiar character and thereby constructed a philosophy of dark comedy in his works. He had to part with the Allans as the struggle between the two increased, and he moved towards the outside world and tried to get foot in his literary career. The experiences that he acquired from working in various journals and periodicals paved the way for his literary career. The movements he had made far and across the places had also made an influencing effect to picture his philosophy in his works. In considering his very personal life many ill-fated sequences can be seen. His first courtship with Sarah Elmira Royster was a failure. When he wooed his 13 year old cousin Virginia Clemmm, he was faced