Double physics today: fun, fun, fun!!!!
We've just started a new topic this week: motors and generators. For some peculiar reason learning about motors and generators makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Today was the real word application of current carrying wires and external magnetic fields. Since we were learning about torque force, we were given a demonstration on how a simple motor works.
The simple motor with three wire coils, 2 curved magnets and a tiny commutator was connected to the power box and whooo!!! It spun!!! Then we saw a motor that a science teacher had made, and it was absolutely fantastic. It consisted of a wire wrapped around a cork with nails in it attached to a pencil, permanent bar magnets, felt and copper strips, all taped on a board. Its simplicity was stunning. AND IT WORKED!!!! Okay, it did not manage to turned 360 degrees, but it made it to 90 degrees! So amazing...I want to make one someday.
As a bonus reward for being so attentive we were given Newton's cradle to play with. *tap tap tap tap tap* XD I could stare at that the whole day and not get bored. If I have one of those I'll never get anything done. So maybe it's a good thing I don't have one of those. Haha. Another toy that was demonstrated was the chicken toy. Four chickens on a board with their pivoting necks attached to strings that ended in a weight under the board, and when you swung the weight, the heads bobbed up and down, pecking at the board!!! Gaaaah I love the toys physics has.
Cheers!
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Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Rash...
I have a really bad rash running down both my arms. It's driving me crazy.
I don't know how it came about. I just woke up this morning with my arms itching like crazy. I tried ignoring it but it got worse as the day proceeded. Now I have a patch of scarlet and inflamed skin on both arms. It looks like a really angry, bumpy version of sunburn.
Someone helpfully said that it's probably heat rash so I should cool it down by applying body lotion. I did that and my rash didn't bother me for about 5 seconds.
Then my mom told me that I should put Zam-Buk. After application I discovered that the Zam-Buk we have had expired one year ago...The only thing effective about it was the stink.
I've resorted to using Eurax to relieve the itching a little. It doesn't completely relieve it but it has brought down the itching levels to "bearable".
It's come to a point where I'm considering wrapping my arms up in clean bandages so the dust-filled air doesn't aggravate my skin and further. Maybe I should include ice in the bandage wrappings too. UGGGH. Go away you darn rashes!
On a happier note, the thought of my English Ext exam next Thursday takes my mind off the itch. Studying English has never been such a relief! ^.^
And to all of you who are having exams over the next few weeks, happy studying and best of luck!
Cheers!
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I don't know how it came about. I just woke up this morning with my arms itching like crazy. I tried ignoring it but it got worse as the day proceeded. Now I have a patch of scarlet and inflamed skin on both arms. It looks like a really angry, bumpy version of sunburn.
Someone helpfully said that it's probably heat rash so I should cool it down by applying body lotion. I did that and my rash didn't bother me for about 5 seconds.
Then my mom told me that I should put Zam-Buk. After application I discovered that the Zam-Buk we have had expired one year ago...The only thing effective about it was the stink.
I've resorted to using Eurax to relieve the itching a little. It doesn't completely relieve it but it has brought down the itching levels to "bearable".
It's come to a point where I'm considering wrapping my arms up in clean bandages so the dust-filled air doesn't aggravate my skin and further. Maybe I should include ice in the bandage wrappings too. UGGGH. Go away you darn rashes!
On a happier note, the thought of my English Ext exam next Thursday takes my mind off the itch. Studying English has never been such a relief! ^.^
And to all of you who are having exams over the next few weeks, happy studying and best of luck!
Cheers!
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
Going out for dinner on CNY's Eve
Chinese New Year's Eve was epic!!! XD
First of all was the car incident. To day, we drove to Bankstown's RSL for dinner (along with a million other Asian families that were too lazy to cook). After successfully avoiding the highway jams by corkscrewing through back lanes with the help of the mighty GPS, we came to the worst of the worst horrors all drivers experience at any stage in their lives...FINDING A PARKING SPOT.
Actually, that wasn't too hard. We found one almost immediately. It was the parking that was difficult.
It doesn't look that hard, does it? Well, because the car had its headlights right up to the fence, and since the lane was only as wide as the length of one car...we were in a very tight spot. How were we going to turn the car to back into that parking lot? After spending half an hour of inch by inch progress in turning 90 degrees (navigated by father with flamboyant hand motions and driven by mother who pushed the steering wheel to its limit), we made it. It was the first time it took longer to actually park than find a parking space. EPIC!!!! It wasn't until the amazing feat was done that we realized it would have been easier to reverse all the way out, turn 180 degrees in big open space, then reverse back into the parking lot. =.=
The next epic thing was the lion dancing!!! Okay, so we've parked the car, we've gotten into the restaurant, we've bypassed the crowd, we're at the counter paying for our all you can eat buffet, it's all good...when cymbals sound and the huge drum starts up. Gaaaah!!! It's the lion dance troupe! It's starting! Where's it going? Where's the cabbage? <.< >.> <.< OMG!!!! The cabbage is right next to us, at the counter!!!!
As it happens the lion was basically staring us down, bobbing it's huge head at us. Why are mere mortals blocking my heavenly way towards my bribe of cabbages and money? Then it decided to change position and back right up to us, with its fluffy tail now bobbing in front of me. Here, I'll show you my butt. You can have a nice lovely rear view of me tearing my cabbage up. YUM. Gong Xi Fa Chai, Happy Chinese New Year, I have accepted this bribe so this restaurant will have prosperity all year long! I'll let you mere mortals who have seen me reap the benefits of this amazing phenomenon as well! I couldn't resist. I had to grab that tail. Boing. AWESOMENESS!!! I have touched the amazing heavenly lion's tail!!! Now I'm positive I'll be getting that high ATAR of mine this year! ...
On another note, more than half the crew of that lion dance troupe were white people. Interesting. I also had an amazing sugar high from the desserts served at the buffet. Aaaaah...Meringues. I saw heaven for a minute there. ^.^
The car ride home was also fun. The GPS has a habit of saying "Follow the course of the road for 5km" and then not saying anything for 5km and hence freaking my mom out because she has no sense of proportionality. Without prompting, as soon as she thinks the 5km is done, she will make a turn to the left or right, provoking a reaction of "Recalculating route" from the GPS. So my sister and I had the job of reminding her to stay on course and telling her periodically how long more she has to go.
New word learnt :
Odourmeter - the device that determines the strength of smells in the car, hence prompting a requirement for an internal car wash.
Actually that was just me misinterpreting the word "odometer" when I heard my dad asking my mom to check it. Haha.
Have a wonderful, wonderful Chinese New Year Eve everyone!
Cheers!
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First of all was the car incident. To day, we drove to Bankstown's RSL for dinner (along with a million other Asian families that were too lazy to cook). After successfully avoiding the highway jams by corkscrewing through back lanes with the help of the mighty GPS, we came to the worst of the worst horrors all drivers experience at any stage in their lives...FINDING A PARKING SPOT.
Actually, that wasn't too hard. We found one almost immediately. It was the parking that was difficult.
It doesn't look that hard, does it? Well, because the car had its headlights right up to the fence, and since the lane was only as wide as the length of one car...we were in a very tight spot. How were we going to turn the car to back into that parking lot? After spending half an hour of inch by inch progress in turning 90 degrees (navigated by father with flamboyant hand motions and driven by mother who pushed the steering wheel to its limit), we made it. It was the first time it took longer to actually park than find a parking space. EPIC!!!! It wasn't until the amazing feat was done that we realized it would have been easier to reverse all the way out, turn 180 degrees in big open space, then reverse back into the parking lot. =.=
The next epic thing was the lion dancing!!! Okay, so we've parked the car, we've gotten into the restaurant, we've bypassed the crowd, we're at the counter paying for our all you can eat buffet, it's all good...when cymbals sound and the huge drum starts up. Gaaaah!!! It's the lion dance troupe! It's starting! Where's it going? Where's the cabbage? <.< >.> <.< OMG!!!! The cabbage is right next to us, at the counter!!!!
As it happens the lion was basically staring us down, bobbing it's huge head at us. Why are mere mortals blocking my heavenly way towards my bribe of cabbages and money? Then it decided to change position and back right up to us, with its fluffy tail now bobbing in front of me. Here, I'll show you my butt. You can have a nice lovely rear view of me tearing my cabbage up. YUM. Gong Xi Fa Chai, Happy Chinese New Year, I have accepted this bribe so this restaurant will have prosperity all year long! I'll let you mere mortals who have seen me reap the benefits of this amazing phenomenon as well! I couldn't resist. I had to grab that tail. Boing. AWESOMENESS!!! I have touched the amazing heavenly lion's tail!!! Now I'm positive I'll be getting that high ATAR of mine this year! ...
On another note, more than half the crew of that lion dance troupe were white people. Interesting. I also had an amazing sugar high from the desserts served at the buffet. Aaaaah...Meringues. I saw heaven for a minute there. ^.^
The car ride home was also fun. The GPS has a habit of saying "Follow the course of the road for 5km" and then not saying anything for 5km and hence freaking my mom out because she has no sense of proportionality. Without prompting, as soon as she thinks the 5km is done, she will make a turn to the left or right, provoking a reaction of "Recalculating route" from the GPS. So my sister and I had the job of reminding her to stay on course and telling her periodically how long more she has to go.
New word learnt :
Odourmeter - the device that determines the strength of smells in the car, hence prompting a requirement for an internal car wash.
Actually that was just me misinterpreting the word "odometer" when I heard my dad asking my mom to check it. Haha.
Have a wonderful, wonderful Chinese New Year Eve everyone!
Cheers!
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
It's HOT.
Walking home in the summer is pure torture. ""=.=""
The first five minutes out of the air conditioned train are no worries. I just listen to my music and walk with the beat to beat the heat.
The next five minutes requires a struggle of concentration to put one foot firmly in front of the other while sweat pours off me in torrents. I can feel myself melting under the intense heat. I can hear the sun evilly chanting "BURN baby BURN."
The final three minutes stretches on into eternity. So near yet so far. The upbeat music in my ears are nothing more than a drone of noise. I am now a mere pile of goo just dragging my body around.
The cool relief offered by the sanctuary of my house is bliss. I just lie down on the tiled floor and go into a convalescing sleep. ^.^
Cheers!
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The first five minutes out of the air conditioned train are no worries. I just listen to my music and walk with the beat to beat the heat.
The next five minutes requires a struggle of concentration to put one foot firmly in front of the other while sweat pours off me in torrents. I can feel myself melting under the intense heat. I can hear the sun evilly chanting "BURN baby BURN."
The final three minutes stretches on into eternity. So near yet so far. The upbeat music in my ears are nothing more than a drone of noise. I am now a mere pile of goo just dragging my body around.
The cool relief offered by the sanctuary of my house is bliss. I just lie down on the tiled floor and go into a convalescing sleep. ^.^
Cheers!
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Physics - Relativity XD
I have just been reprimanded by three persons for making their life even more complicated. Oh well.
What happened was physics. We were talking about relativity, a concept that is a bit hard for me to get my head around. I keep firing questions at the teacher. (keep is in present tense because it is an ongoing process). One of the many questions I asked whether l0 of the length contraction equation referred to the length at rest according to the moving object or according to the stationary object (I later figured out that I was being redundant as this was basically the same thing in both frames of reference. No wonder everyone got so confused. They probably subconsciously spotted the mistake but couldn’t figure out why my question was so confusing. XP). After much discussion, it was determined that l0 referred to the proper length in any inertial frame.
Another question was about time dilation (moving clocks measure slowly), ie. a clock travelling at the speed of light would record a time shorter than a stationary clock on earth. Here comes my dilemma: according to time dilation, a human being travelling at the speed of light would theoretically age slower than a human being on Earth. OH GOSH. I think I’ve just stumbled across a formula for immortality!!!... NOT.
What took me about two days to figure out was this: it doesn’t matter whether time appears to move slower or faster. Human beings have an average lifespan of under one century in Earth years that cannot be changed (just yet). Just because the time seems to go by slowly does not necessarily warrant a longer life. It’s just like how one year on Mars is about 2 years (687days) on Earth. Does that mean we age slower on Mars? No…. the only thing that is different is the measurement. We are STILL aging. Dang!! Bang goes that immortality theory.
By the time I figured all this out, lots of people were getting confused. Sorry, I can’t help it. It’s my nature to ask until something clicks in my head, regardless of whether other people understand it. XD
Haha, I like this article. It’s just a little bit of insight that I have gleaned from my physics class. As well as the incredibly long thought process of mine.
Cheers!
PS: When an object approaches to the speed of light, energy gradually becomes the equivalent of mass. Despite the fact that energy gets converted to mass when an object is travelling at c, increasing the mass exponentially, why hasn’t anyone tried to stop that process of mass conversion and instead use that energy to continue the acceleration of the rocket? (Put in layman terms, it seems easy, but apparently it’s a long and difficult process way beyond anything I’m likely to learn in High School. Sigh.)
PPS: Does anyone know how to insert equations into the blog? Or would you guys recommend me to stay completely off the subject because it bores you to sleep?
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Sunday, February 7, 2010
Gaaah!!! Where'd the time go?
Here was the goal: to update the blog every two-three days. That goal seems to be non-existent at the moment. Gaaah!!
Here's a quick rundown on what happened the past week.
Monday, my birthday!!! Was surprised by an sms at night, followed by a bunch of flowers at the train station. Then the cupcake followed, and a gorgeous gorgeous notebook, spontaneous birthday song by my physics class, lots of hugs, and an AWESOME power point presentation that nearly made me cry. I LOVE YOU GUYS. As if you didn't know that already. XD Lily and Vanezha gave me pressies on Tuesday too! You guys are the best! I'm the luckiest person in the world! ^^
My night was disrupted by two guys who didn't know the meaning of time difference, but it's okay, I still love you. ^^ The hangover carried on to Tuesday though, whereupon most of us were already getting tired. Homework has been crazy. And all those essays due? Crazy.
Wednesday was so interesting!!! Albeit uncomfortable. My friends and I were walking to school from the station, when suddenly we realized it was raining... two meters in front of us!!!!! Just as soon as we got the umbrellas out it started to pour over us. Not quite soon enough. I got partially drenched. The hair was most important. The hair MUST stay dry. XD Lol....
Thursday. Haha!! Karmen found out just how weird her friends (namely, Nichole and I) were in a group chat on msn. We drew faces and typed little kiddies songs to each. XD Hehehe.
Friday. Nichole's bday!!! I was in charge of buying the traditional cupcake but since I passed by three bakeries, I bought three cupcakes of different flavour. Haha! Tasmin went "that's just so you!" XD
That's all I can type for now it's like, 11pm here and I'm supposed to be in bed. Uggh.
Cheers!
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Here's a quick rundown on what happened the past week.
Monday, my birthday!!! Was surprised by an sms at night, followed by a bunch of flowers at the train station. Then the cupcake followed, and a gorgeous gorgeous notebook, spontaneous birthday song by my physics class, lots of hugs, and an AWESOME power point presentation that nearly made me cry. I LOVE YOU GUYS. As if you didn't know that already. XD Lily and Vanezha gave me pressies on Tuesday too! You guys are the best! I'm the luckiest person in the world! ^^
My night was disrupted by two guys who didn't know the meaning of time difference, but it's okay, I still love you. ^^ The hangover carried on to Tuesday though, whereupon most of us were already getting tired. Homework has been crazy. And all those essays due? Crazy.
Wednesday was so interesting!!! Albeit uncomfortable. My friends and I were walking to school from the station, when suddenly we realized it was raining... two meters in front of us!!!!! Just as soon as we got the umbrellas out it started to pour over us. Not quite soon enough. I got partially drenched. The hair was most important. The hair MUST stay dry. XD Lol....
Thursday. Haha!! Karmen found out just how weird her friends (namely, Nichole and I) were in a group chat on msn. We drew faces and typed little kiddies songs to each. XD Hehehe.
Friday. Nichole's bday!!! I was in charge of buying the traditional cupcake but since I passed by three bakeries, I bought three cupcakes of different flavour. Haha! Tasmin went "that's just so you!" XD
That's all I can type for now it's like, 11pm here and I'm supposed to be in bed. Uggh.
Cheers!
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