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Entry #1:

Electric Devices and the Search for Life on Mars 3/4/2011

A changing electric current that carries information is called and electric signal. There are two types of electric signals, analog and digital. An analog signal is a signal that varies smoothly in time. An analog signal can also be produced by anything that varies in a smooth continuous way and contains information. And, analog signals can be converted into electric current. Digital signals change roughly in jumps of steps, and each jump is represented by a number. An analog signal can be converted into a digital one too. Full analog signals can be transmitted into a series of numbers. When a sample of those analog signals is collected, it can be read and recorded as an interval(s) for a certain amount of time. Although, some analog signal information is lost when converted into digital. It takes many numbers to digitize a full analog signal and computers do so for us. A computer changes these signals using mathematical formulas. This is called signal processing. Electronic devices use signals stored by computers to do a job like making sounds or images. The signals are electric currents that flow through the electronic devices. Components inside electronic devices control flow of current in the circuits. These electronic components are made of semiconductors. A semiconductor conducts better than nonmetals, but not as good as metals and they conduct electricity under only certain conditions. This keeps the electronic devices from overheating or reaching too extreme temperatures. Electricity flow can be controlled in semiconductors by adding impurities. Impurities are different and relatively small amounts of other elements. The process of adding these is called doping. There are two types of semiconductors n-type and p-type. Combinations of the two form switches that can be turned on and off. Other combinations can increase the electric current and voltage. Combinations of semiconductors are called solid state components. Some examples are diodes and transistors. Diodes all current to flow in only one direction. Transistors amplify current in electric signals. Integrated circuits contain large number of interconnected solid-state components and are made from a single chip of semiconductor material can contain millions of components.

Electronic devices will serve a very important purpose when searching for life on Mars. Firstly, any type of rocket or rover we send up will collect Analog signals from devices such as thermometers, pressure gauges, or motion detectors. This information can then be sent to the computers and transmitted into digital signals. These digital signals can also be sent down to earth using certain Integrated circuits and components that will transmit information over long distances. Also, these electronic devices can be used to collect samples of dirt, water, or possibly even microscopic life forms. It would also be important to make sure that the semiconductors used to build the electrical components in these devices can withstand the drastic conditions and dramatic temperatures of Mars. Without these important electrical devices, achieving our goal of finding life or evidence of it on Mars would surely be impossible.

I positivly adore everything you are saying and I love all of the great information you gave. I very much agree with what you said. -Jubal

Ms. Mc - Great overview of electronics and ideas of how we might use electronic devices on our mission to search for life on Mars! 10/10. Please # your entries.

Entry #2: My Rocket Simulation 4/42011

Instructions: 1. Press green flag to play 2. Press red sign to stop media type="custom" key="8964000"

Entry #3: The Brief History or model rocketry 4/5/2011

A rocket is an aircraft that obtains thrust from rocket engines in order to oppose gravity enough to leave the earth’s surface. These engines can be composed of both liquid and solid propellants. The earliest of rocket propellants, gunpowder, was used in the firing of projectiles by the Chinese. This introduced or rocket weaponry and the overall idea of rocketry. This led to the creation of bombs, cannons, and flaming arrows. The first know use of these rockets was in 1232, used by the Chinese against Mongolian invaders. These fired as far as 600 meters. The first recorded use of exploding rockets (Internal-combustion rocket propulsion rockets) was a “Ground Rat” firework in 1264. The technology was then spread by Mongols all across Europe and the rest of Asia. In 1792 the first iron-cased rockets were successfully developed and used for military purposes by rulers of a kingdom in India. In battles at Seringapatam rockets were used to much success against the British. Then came the hero engine. The hero engine was a steam powered engine composed of a pot of water heated by fire and a metal ball with two tubes sticking out of the ball in opposite directions. The steam would rise from the pot into the tubes and it would be pushed out in opposite ways, causing the ball to spin. This engine worked on Newton's 3rd law; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. William Congreve further developed the rocket in 1801, he improved the accuracy by developing a metal engine holster, a cone shaped nose, and a new solid mixture of rocket fuel. He called it the Congreve Rocket. The first demonstration the solid fuel rocket took place in 1805, by the Royal arsenal. These first rockets were very inaccurate, and they would always veer sharply off course. This is because they were guided by the still attached to the side, but this was later fixed by placing the stick straight through the center of the rocket. This accuracy issue was fixed in 1844 by William Hale, who removed the stick and altered it so it spun on axis like a bullet. The idea of interplanetary rocketry was introduced in the early 20th century by writers H.G. Wells and Jules Vern. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was a Russian rocket scientist and a pioneer of the Astronautic theory. The astronautic theory was a theory of navigation above earth’s atmosphere. Modern rocketry began before WWII when Robert Goddard attached a supersonic nozzle to a liquid fueled rocket engine combustion tank. In 1926, Robert Goddard launched the world’s first liquid fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts.In 1943, the production of the V-2 rocket warhead began in Germany. It had a range of over 300 km (190 miles). After WWII, the V-2 evolved into the American Redstone, used in the early space program. Then the Soviet Union’s space program was formed and in the late 1940’s Sputnik was made. Sputnik sent the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, along with the first space probes. In America the manned programs, Project Mercury, Project Gemini, and the Apollo program came to 1969 with the first manned landing on the moon on the Saturn V (Neil Armstrong). NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was formed because of the space race and the potential threat that the launch of Sputnik 1 posed, also known as the “Sputnik crisis” Today, rockets still remain a popular military weapon and the hobby of model rocketry has grown wide and far throughout the world.

//Ms. Mc. - Wow! What a summary. I see that you did some further research on your own -- great job! You were to draw 2 pictures so please be sure to follow the guidelines. Also, don't forget to have a figure # and title for your drawings/photos. Good work! 14/15 //

Entry #4: 4/13/2011 Rocket Parts

Nose cone guides the air and reduces air resistance. The body tube is the main structural part that acts as a strong framework, housing the recovery system, motor, and motor mount. Recovery system returns the rocket safely after launch for reuse. Launch lug guides the rocket straightly off the launch pad. Fins keep the rocket moving upwards straight by cutting throught the air. Motor mount holds the motor in place. Rocket motor is the source of the rockets thrust and can only be used once. Recovery wadding keeps the heat of the motor from scorching the recovery parachute.

//Ms. Mc: Good definitions and labels. Don't forget your captions (-1). 19/20//

Entry #5: 4/17/2011 Introduction and Results for Mass VS. Height in Rocketry

**INTRODUCTION **

The purpose of the experiment was to determine if mass affected the flight of an Estes© model rocket and if so, how much. It was hypothesized that the more massive the rocket the lower its apogee, or peak of flight, would be, and the less massive the rocket, the higher the apogee. It was also hypothesized that the weather, wind speed, and wind direction would also affect the flight and apogee of the rocket. This was hypothesized because research showed that the more massive and object it, the more the force of gravity does work on it. This hypothesis was tested by assembling seven rockets based upon the given directions, painting the rockets however one chose, and then measuring the mass of the rockets using a triple beam balance. After that, the rockets were brought out into an open field and launched. When the rocket engines were ignited, they caught fire and began to thrust the rocket upwards. The thrust, stronger than the forces of gravity and air resistance pushing down, lifted the rocket off the launch pad, as the launch lug guided it up straight. Then, the engines burned out and the rockets’ inertia caused them to coast upward while still opposing gravity and air resistance. Then, once the force of gravity overcame the rockets’ inertia, they hit their apogees. Their apogees were measured exactly 100 meters from the launch pad using two angle guns per rocket. When each rocket hit its peak, the two angle guns were fired and the angle measurements were recorded and averaged. Then, gravity caused the rockets to descend back to earth. While falling, the pressure inside the rocket’s built up enough and the recovery system was deployed. Then, the rockets’ parachutes were pressed upwards by air resistance causing the rocket to float safely to the ground for a recovery. Then, the mathematical formula was used to calculate the height of the rockets apogee. This information for all seven rockets was then graphed and compared. The hypothesis was proved to be partially correct, the third least massive of the seven flew the highest, while the first and second least massive also flew higher than some others.

**RESULTS ** Results showed firstly that that group number seven’s rocket, with a mass of 41.5 grams, had an apogee of only 69 meters, the second lowest of the seven. This rocket’s data posed as the only major outlier in the data group. Secondly, group number two’s rocket, the third lightest with a mass of 44.4 grams, had the highest apogee of 119 meters. It was also noted that this was the only rocket of the seven that had launched on Thursday when the winds hadn’t been as strong as on Wednesday of Tuesday. And group number four’s rocket, with a mass of 46.9 grams, the largest mass of all seven rockets, had the lowest apogee of only 62 meters, as shown in the table below. Group number five’s rocket was the only rocket to be launched twice as a result of incorrect measurement. This rocket, with a mass of 45.2 grams had the second highest apogee of 93 meters. It was hypothesized that this was a result of the second launch and was directly related to the second, brand new, rocket engine installed for the launch. Overall, the data showed an obvious inverse relationship between the rocket mass and apogee height as shown in the graph below. **Figure 1: A Graph Showing the Inverse Relationship between Rocket Mass and Apogee Height **

Despite a single outlier, the hypothesis was proved correct. The data showed an inverse relationship between the independent variable of rocket mass and the dependent variable of apogee height. The most mass rocket, 46.9 grams, had the lowest apogee of 62 meters. And the third least massive rocket, 44.4, had the highest apogee of 119 meters. In the process of testing the hypothesis, several variables may have inferred with the final results. Two of these main variables were weather conditions and wind, because the rockets had all been launched of the range of three days, all with varying weather conditions. On windier days, the rockets face more air resistance. One example of how varying air resistance affected the rockets’ flights was group number two’s rocket which was launched on Thursday when the wind was blowing least. This rocket flew highest of all, while its mass was not the least of all seven rockets. Another main variable that may have altered the results was how the fins were positioned and how much hot glue was used to position them firmly on the rockets. The fin angle controlled how straight the rockets flew and the hot glue added more mass to the rockets.

Entry #6: 4/21/2011

Quarks are made of protons and neutrons. There are only 6 known types in nature. Protons and neutrons are made up of "up" and "down" quarks. Up quarks have charges of + 2/3 and down quarks have charges of - 1/3.  A galaxy is a collection of interstellar dust and gas, that collects and forms into larger particles and everntually planets and stars that all orbit around a center mass. Galaxys are all shapes and sizes, depending on how they formed. Starburst galaxies can have very irregular forms while spiral arm galaxies, like our own Milkyway Galaxy, tend to be more disc shaped.They can form from something as simple asthe death of a small star. 

//Ms. Mc: Good answers and figures. What are the 6 types of quarks? (-1/2). Don't forget to check for spelling errors (galaxys should be galaxies) or create your answers in Word and run the spell check before posting. Also, you should have a title for each entry. (-1/2) 9/10//

5/1/2011 Log Entry #7

The History of Robots

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with design, construction, operation, and manufacturing of robots. A robot is a machine designed with a specific purpose, to complete or serve a task. The word robot was first displayed to the public by Czech writer, Karel Kapec’s play in Rossum’s Universal Robots, in 1920. In 1927, “machine-man” became the first robot ever to appear in a film. In 1942 science fiction writer Issac Asimov wrote the three laws of robotics. In 1948, Norbert Wiener formed a basis of practical robots. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Figure 1: A Humanoid Robot from the Hit Movie I-Robot Starring Will Smith ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Fully autonomous robots didn’t appear until half way through the 20th century, when Unimate was created in 1961 to lift hot metals from casting machines. Then, and still now, robots are widely used in manufacturing, assembly, packing and packaging, transport, earth and space exploration, surgery, weaponry, laboratory research, safety, and the mass production of consumer and industrial goods.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Figure 2: Laparoscopic Surgery Robot ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Right before R.U.R., the play, Nicola Tesla invented the first radio controlled robot in 1898. In 1975, the world’s first robot arm appeared.

//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Ms. Mc: Very good summary, figures and captions! +10 extra credit. //

5/8/2011 Entry #8 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Robot Challenge #1 <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> Firstly, the robot was placed at point one, facing straight forward to point two. It then traveled from point one to point two. After that, it turned right and traveled to point three. Then, it turned around at point three, so its back was facing point four. Next, it traveled backwards to point four and turned around twice at point four. Finally, it played “applause” and displayed a smiley face in the center of the screen. See diagram below for point reference. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Figure 1: Challenge One Track with Points Labeled <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Figure 2:Block by Block Challene one Program

<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 1: Movement block telling the robot to use servomotors B and C to go forwards at about 50% power for 3.75. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 2: Movement block telling the robot to use servomotor B to turn 170 degrees to the right at about 50% power. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 3: Movement block telling the robot to use servomotors B and C to go forwards at about 50% power for 1.75 rotations. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 4: Movement block telling the robot to use servomotor C to turn 170 degrees to the left at about 50% power. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 5: Movement block telling the robot to use servomotors B and C to go backwards at about 50% power for 1.25 rotations. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 6: Movement block telling the robot to use servomotor C to turn 1390 degrees to the left at about 50% power. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 7: Sound block telling the robot to play sound "applause!" at 60% volume for a certain amount of time. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 8: Display block telling the robot to display a smiley face on the center of the screen. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 9: Wait block telling the robot to wait for three seconds flat while still displaying a smiley. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Block 10: Display block telling the robot to clear the display at the end of the program.

<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; overflow: hidden; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">﻿ media type="file" key="Ajr_robot challenge.MOV" width="256" height="251"

<span style="font-size: 130%; line-height: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; overflow: hidden; tab-stops: list 1.0in; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Figure 3: Robot Challenge Video