Types of volcanoes

In class we created a study tool to compare the 3 types of volcanoes -shield, composite and cinder cone. Volcanologists group volcanoes based on their size, shape, and what they are made of (composition).

Be sure to study this and your notes (pgs 36-40) for your quiz on Friday. Left your notebook at home? Check the link on the side to access the class PowerPoint!

The good and bad of volcanoes

In class we started our new unit, volcanoes. Last week we watched a video that followed scientists monotoring Mt Pinatubo in 1991. Thanks to their dedication and careful eye, they were able to evacuate the villages and military bases nearby. 

Today, we wrapped up questions from the video and discussed the good, the bad and where they occur (thankfully not here in NJ!). Tomorrow we will look at the structure of the volcano and the types of volcanoes that can occur.

You will have a quiz FRIDAY- start looking over your notes now!

Heating things up

By now you should be able to explain that the continents were once all together and that the ocean floor is spreading in some places. Now you can explain why this is all possible- CONVECTION! The same idea that causes wind and ocean currents can now explain what causes earthquakes and volcanoes. To understand this better we modeled convection currents using a special liquid and a candle.

We also made a study tool for tomorrow's notes on the layers of the Earth. If you did not finish you will have time to complete after your quiz.

QUIZ TOMORROW- Study pgs 24, 25, 27 and 29

Seismic waves

Last week we used slinkies to mimic earthquake waves. Today, we discussed our findings from the investigation. Seismic waves travel outward in all directions. After the earth moves energy is released in a series of waves- P, S and surface waves. We also discussed arrival times, where they occur, how they move and the damage they cause. All of this should be written onto pg 14 in your ISN.

There will be a quiz Wednesday. Study pages 14 and 15 in your ISN.

Reviewing electricial circuits

We used the following website to help us review the 2 types of circuits made on Friday. Practice making your own circuits and review for your quiz on Friday! 

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab

Homework: Complete worksheet on electrical circuits (do not do the side on work, that's tomorrow!)

Variables that affect friction

Today we shared our findings from Lesson 6 and took notes on what variables affect the force of friction.

There will be a quiz Tuesday, October 19, 2010. Topics include forces (elastic, gravitational, friction) and calculating net force. We will review on Monday.

Investigating elastic force

This week our investigations will lead us to thinking about forces. Today, we looked at the force needed to stretch a rubber band. There are 2 questions we want to answer:

1. What happens to the force required to stretch a rubberband when the stretching distance is doubled?
2. Based on the graph, is there a relationship between the force needed to stretch the rubberband and the distance it stretches?

Please have your data graphed for tomorrow's discussion.

Also, HW for the week has been assigned today. See Class Info for a link to the assignments. Keep in mind that work not finished in class may be assigned as additional homework.

QUIZ WEDNESDAY! Study parts of a battery, energy forms and transformations.

Science skills

Oops! I forgot to post this before I left.

Observations and inferences are a huge part of a scientific investigation. We did some practice on differentiating between the two.

We also looked at how to write a good hypothesis. For homework countine working on the practice sheet that we started in class. Try your best to complete the problems. Remember that a good hypothesis should state the IV, the DV and a reason why you think the DV will respond.

The quiz scheduled for Friday has been moved. Pd1 Monday and Pds 2,4,5 Tuesday.

Space Day 2010

We took a break from organisms today to celebrate space. The eighth grade science classes were visited by Lockheed Martin. Hopefully you learrned about the different careers available in the field of space and technology. We even had a chance to investigate the forces that work against a helicopter. To learn more about Space Day visit http://www.spaceday.org/

The microscope quiz has been pushed back to Monday. Use the weekend to review your vocabulary. I am also collecting Student Sheet 3.1 (Blackworm lab) on Monday. Use pages 34-38 in the textbook to help you answer the questions.

What is work?

What we consider work and scientists consider work are 2 different things. In class I reviewed how to calculate work if given force and distance. Please review the problems you worked on in class on Wednesday and complete Student Sheet 8.1b. Do not complete 8.2. That is for Friday's lab.

***The quiz scheduled for Friday has been rescheduled for Monday***

Snow Day!

Enjoy sleeping in tomorrow BUT don't forget to be working on your take home quiz. Have a question about the quiz? Email or tweet me.

Reminder that all quizzes are due the day we return. No quizzes will be accepted late. Late quizzes will result in a new quiz to be given during lunch or after school next week (and no notes being used...YIKES!)

Finding the best operating conditions

That was the goal today. What setup will lift the most number of washers? Tomorrow we will share our obseravtions and determine the maximum force the motor can lift.

QUIZ UPDATE: Due to the impending snow storm Wednesday, the quiz will now be a take home quiz. Quizzes will be issued tomorrow and will be DUE THE DAY WE RETURN TO SCHOOL. If you do not return the quiz on the day we return, you will be issued a time either afterschool or during lunch next week to take the quiz (again). I am not accepting quizzes past the date we return (if you are absent then yes I will accept).

Intro to Forces

In class we used a rubberband to get us thinking about common forces. Our investigation led us to find that the distance that a rubberband is stretched is proportionate to the force needed to stretch. Tomorrow, we will look for a relationship between weight and mass.

Reminders:

• Notebook Quiz Thursday ~ Energy and Batteries
• MOS logs due Thursday
• All missing/make up work is due Thursday

Homework: Doing something a little different this marking period. All HW for this week only was assigned today. All HW is due no later than Friday. There is a section with links at the top of this page.

All about volcanoes

We were able to witness 2 different underwater volcanoes by watching links that scientists had posted on YouTube. If you are interested in seeing more video on submarine volcanoes, then search for "underwater volcano" on YouTube. **Please note that comments posted by other viewers may contain some "colorful" language.

We also completed a studyguide on volcanoes. This sheet will be helpful for your volcano vocab quiz on December 9.

Homework: Read pgs 222-223. Create 5 new questions that you could ask a volcanologist.

Making a cross section

In class we reviewed our homework assignment on sea-floor spreading. We then made a cross section of Earth's layers for our notes. On Thursday we will add descriptions to our layers. *If you were absent we amde one for you!*

Tomorrow is our SS trip to Philadelphia. Be prepared for a quiz on Thursday (continental drift vocab, etc).

Homework DUE 11/12!!:

• Choose an object whose interior differs from its exterior.
• Draw a cross section of the object showing the interior.
• Label the different parts.

Earthquake patterns

In class we completed Inquiry 13.1. We discovered there are three major areas prone to earthquakes: Circum-Pacific Belf (the Ring of Fire), Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and the Mediterranean-Himalayan Belt. Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries.

For homework tonight use the World Plate Map given to you in class and complete the questions.


All missing/make up work is due by Wednesday, November 11.


You will be having a quiz on Thursday on continental drift vocab. Be sure to reveiw your notes!