Identify a minimum of three different natural phenomena that are typically responsible for natural disasters. Analyze the potential impact of these disasters.

/in /by

Assignment 1: LASA 2: Monitoring Our Home Planet

The Internet is a powerful tool that provides the ability to monitor natural phenomena and disasters that happen all over planet Earth.

In this assignment, you will research resources available on the Internet for monitoring natural phenomena including earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, global climate, and weather.

Based on your research, do the following:

  • Identify a minimum of three different natural phenomena that are typically responsible for natural disasters. Analyze the potential impact of these disasters.
  • Analyze how these phenomenon are monitored, or not, via the Internet. Critique available Web sites, which publicly display up-to-date monitored information related to each of the natural phenomena you have identified. Focus on the following aspects:
    • Geography
      • What parts of the world are potentially affected by these phenomena? Specifically identify the countries.
    • Resources
      • What kinds of resources are allocated toward monitoring these phenomena and why?
      • What types of Web resources monitor the phenomena and provide up-to-date information about them?
      • What kinds of technology are involved in monitoring the phenomena?
    • Politics
      • What political ramifications would this disaster-preparedness technology cause between more-developed countries and less-developed countries?
      • What kinds of issues could this technology cause between less-developed countries?
    • Economics
      • How would this technology directly impact the economies of those countries that have the technology versus those countries that do not?
      • Do you predict any indirect impacts? What current evidence supports your position?
    • Disaster Preparedness
      • What types of systems are in place in terms of disaster preparedness related to these monitored phenomena?
  • Summarize your findings. Evaluate how this technology will impact the future of humanity, both positively and negatively. Be sure to consider the political and economic issues discussed in your future predictions.

Support your statements with examples. Use a minimum of six reliable references, two of which should be peer-reviewed articles.

Write a 7–8-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc.

By Monday, December 15, 2014, deliver your assignment to the M5: Assignment 1 Dropbox.

Grading Criteria and Rubric

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Identify a minimum of three different naturally occurring phenomena that are typically responsible for natural disasters and analyze the potential impact of the disaster.
104
Analyze ways different Web sites monitor phenomena by critiquing available Web resources. Analysis should include topics such as geography, resources, political/economic issues, and disaster preparedness.
104
Summarize and discuss future projections on humanity regarding the use of technology. Include research on political and economic issues.
28
Writing Components:
Organization (16)
Usage and Mechanics (16)
APA Elements (24)
Style (8)
64
Total:
300

What types of resources should the mayor use to conduct his research? Why would these be considered reliable source of information and why?

/in /by

Your Task: For this assessment, you will complete a worksheet where you will evaluate some real world scenarios and determine if they are science or pseudoscience. You will also design your own experiment that uses the scientific method. Please save your work on the Science and You Worksheet and submit the file for grading.

Part 1:

Read the examples and answer the questions.

Remember to put each situation to the validity test by asking each of the following:

  • Has it been tested and observed numerous times by more than one group of scientists?
  • Is the study or data documented completely, and does it follow the scientific method?
  • Does the information contain just the facts and avoid mixing in opinion and assumption?
  • Is the information presented purely for public knowledge, avoiding being connected with a new product that is for sale?
  • Does the information come from a third party that is not profiting from the results of the study?
  • Is this information supported by any other studies that have been conducted by other companies or agencies?

Example 1 (5 points)
A team of researchers are working on a project to make a new kind of airplane fuel. During their experiment, there was an explosion that destroyed the lab. While they were cleaning up the debris, they discovered a number of pieces of frozen metal. The scientific community was amazed. The researchers were so excited to report that they had discovered a fuel that burns so hot that it becomes cold. They were not sure of the true importance of their discovery but they knew it was something that had never been seen before. The researchers quickly wrote up a report, created a press release, and applied for a patent. The news spread quickly through the world wide scientific community and soon other scientists were trying to replicate their experiment. Much to the relief of the original team or researchers, no other scientist could ever replicate their find.

Would this example be considered science or pseudoscience? Support your decision with at least three reasons.

 

Example 2 (5 points)
Researchers at a university want to know if higher levels of nitrogen in fertilizer will increase the production of tomatoes per plant. Twenty plants are given normal levels of nitrogen and twenty other plants are given ten percent higher levels throughout the growing season. The plants receive the same levels of sunlight, water and are planted in the same soil on one farm. At the end of the experiment the average number of tomatoes produced is the same for each group. The scientists repeat the experiment on two additional farms further south that season. The researchers conclude that increasing nitrogen levels by 10% in tomatoes is not beneficial.

Would this be a well designed reliable experiment? Support your decision with at least three reasons.

 

Example 3 (5 points)
There is a new brand of water on the market that has been proven to relieve headaches. It is selling like crazy! When the Food and Drug Administration asked for scientific proof that the water actually does what it claims to do, the owners of the company produced a scientific research study that they had paid a group of scientists to perform. In the study researchers gave this special water to a group of 50 people who claimed to have a headache. The people drank the special water whenever they felt thirsty over a period of 24 hours. After the 24 hours, 99% of the people reported that their headache was gone.

Should the Food and Drug Administration trust this scientific study and allow the company to sell the water with this claim? Would this be an example of Science or Pseudoscience? Support your answer with at least three reasons.

 

Example 4 (5 points)
A group of researchers from a local lab are trying to get funding for a research study to determine if the color blue is better than the color green. They have written a proposal and submitted to the company that could potentially give them the money needed to conduct the study. The researchers proposed to carry out their study in four different geographic locations and use variations of both the color blue and the color green to ensure that they will gather reliable information.

Should the company give the researchers the money to conduct this study? Support your decision with at least three reasons.

 

Example 5 (5 points)
The town of Seaside needs to build a new power plant. The old coal burning plant produces too much pollution and is no longer safe. The mayor decides that he will do some research on alternative forms of energy like nuclear power plants and solar power plants.

What types of resources should the mayor use to conduct his research? Why would these be considered reliable source of information and why? What types of resources are reliable? How can he use what he learns to make the best decision for the town?

 

Part 2: (35 points)

Design your own scientific experiment. Your experiment must follow the scientific method and meet the criteria described in the lesson in order to be considered scientific. You do not have to conduct your experiment; however, you are still responsible for including all the steps of the scientific method. Since you will not be able to record data or draw a conclusion, for the last two steps please include a description of what each step involves.

Your points will be awarded as described below:

Topic chosen–is it testable? 5 points
Experimental design–are the variables controlled? 5 points
Includes all steps of the Scientific Method, as described in the lesson, in proper sequence 10 points
Each step of the Scientific Method is appropriately used or fully explained as it applies to the experiment 15 points
Total 35 points

Question:
Hypothesis:
Materials:
Step by Step Procedure:
What measurements or other method of data collection would you use?
How could you form a statement about your hypothesis based on the data?

When an air bubble rises in water, what happens to its mass, volume, and density?

/in /by

1)    Define atomic structure including the electrons, protons and neutrons.

 

 

2)    What is a Periodic Table?

 

 

3)    Define these terms: Atomic number, Atomic Mass Unit (AMU), Isotopes and Isotones.

 

 

4)    What are the differences among the following: Compounds, Mixtures and Molecules.

 

 

5)    Define the following: Antimatter, Dark Matter, and Dark Energy.

 

 

Chapter – 12. Solids:

 

1)    How can you determine the crystal structure of a Solid?

 

 

2)    How is amorphous structure different from the crystalline structure?

 

 

3)    What is the difference between the Mass density and Weight density?

 

 

4)    What is Elasticity? Define elastic and inelastic properties of a substance with examples.

 

5)    What is elastic limit?

 

6)    Define Hooke’s law

 

Hooke’s law can be stated that, the stress on a solid substance is subjected to, is directly proportional to the strain produced by it, provided the stress is less than the elastic limit of the substance.

 

7)    What is Stress? What is the difference between Tension and Compression?

 

 

Chapter – 13. Liquids:

 

1)    Define Pressure in a Liquid

 

 

2)    What is Buoyancy of a liquid?

 

 

3)    Describe Archimedes’s Principle. Give two examples.

 

 

4)    What makes an object sink or float?

 

 

5)    What is Pascal’s principle? Give two examples.

6)    Define Surface Tension and Capillarity of liquids.

 

 

7)    What is the difference between cohesion and adhesion?

 

Chapter – 14 Gases:

 

1)    What do you mean by Atmospheric pressure?

 

 

2)      What do you understand by the statement that the atmospheric pressure at sea level is 105 N/m2 ?

 

3)    What is a Barometer? What is so special about 76 cm in a barometer?

 

 

4)    What is Boyle’s Law?

 

 

5)    What is Buoyancy of air?

 

 

6)    Define Bernoulli’s Principle, and give three examples of it.

 

 

7)    What do you understand by Plasma?

 

 

 

Module: 4- B: Chapter Exercises:

Exercise questions are at the end of each chapter. Answer these  in details

 

 

Chapters/Topics                     Exercise#

 

11. Atomic Nature of Matter   1, 16, 26, 35

 

1. How many types of atoms can you expect to find in a pure sample of any element?

 

16. The atomic masses of two isotopes of cobalt are 59 and 60. ( a) What is the number of protons and neutrons in each? ( b) What is the number of orbiting electrons in each when the isotopes are electrically neutral?

 

26. A carbon atom, with a half- full outer shell of electrons— four in a shell that can hold eight— readily shares its electrons with other atoms and forms a vast number of molecules, many of which are the organic molecules that form the bulk of living matter. Looking at the periodic table, what other element do you think might play a role like carbon in life forms on some other planet?

 

 

 

35. Make up a multiple- choice question that will test your classmates on the distinction between any two terms in the Summary of Terms list.

 

 

12. Solids                                9, 12, 21, 35, 42

 

9. What happens to the density of water when it freezes to become ice?

 

 

12. Which has more volume, a kilogram of gold or a kilogram of aluminum?

 

 

 

21. Can a horizontal I- beam support a greater load when the web is horizontal or when the web is vertical? Explain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

35. Why does crushed ice melt faster than the same mass of ice cubes?

 

 

42. What is the advantage to a gymnast of being short in stature?

 

13. Liquids                             4, 21, 32, 43, 52

 

4. Which do you suppose exerts more pressure on the ground— a 5000- kg elephant or a 50- kg lady standing on spike heels? ( Which will be more likely to make dents in a linoleum floor?) Approximate a rough calculation for each.

 

21. Why does water “ seek its own level”?

 

 

32. Why is it inaccurate to say that heavy objects sink and that light objects float? Give exaggerated examples to support your answer.

 

43. In answering the question of why bodies float higher in saltwater than in freshwater, your friend replies that the reason is that saltwater is denser than freshwater. ( Does your friend often answer questions by reciting only factual statements that relate to the answers but don’t pro-vide any concrete reasons?) How would you answer the same question?

 

52. What would you experience when swimming in water in an orbiting space habitat where simulated gravity is g ? Would you float in the water as you do on Earth?

 

14 Gases                                  9, 11, 18, 45, 51

 

 

9. When an air bubble rises in water, what happens to its mass, volume, and density?

 

11. When boarding an airplane, you bring a bag of chips ( or any other item packaged in an airtight foil package) and, while you are in flight, you notice that the bag puffs up. Explain why this happens.

 

 

18. From how deep a container could mercury be drawn with a siphon?

 

45. Imagine a huge space colony that consists of a rotating air- filled cylinder. How would the density of air at “ ground level” compare to the air densities “ above”?

 

51. How is an airplane able to fly upside down?

 

Define evolution using the course materials.

/in /by

Purpose: The primary goal of this exercise is for the student to further examine evolution from the perspective of two subfields in anthropology.  The all-encompassing nature of evolution will be illustrated, and students will have the opportunity to explore the holistic nature of anthropology.
Description: Anthropologists study many different aspects of humanity in order to fully understand the diversity of the human species.  One of these aspects concerns our development as a species, both physically and culturally.  For the assignment, the student will first discuss and investigate evolution as viewed by physical anthropology, and then the student will investigate and discuss evolution from one other subfield – cultural, linguistic, or archaeological.
Directions: 
In a 4-6 page written assignment, answer the following questions. 1) Define evolution using the course materials.  2) Define physical anthropology.  Discuss some of the general ways physical anthropologists investigate evolution.3) Using the APUS Library, find at least one appropriate outside source that identifies one specific research project in which physical anthropologists are studying evolution (e.g. the Human Genome Project).  Describe the research project and its significance in our understanding of evolution.  Conduct original research, do not use the genome project because that example is given in class.  4) Choose and define a second subfield of anthropology (cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, or archaeology).5) Discuss some of the general ways an anthropologist in this second subfield investigates evolution.*Remember, evolution can apply to both physical and societal changes, so things like language and customs can evolve just as much as bodies and brains can.6) Using the APUS Library, find at least one appropriate outside source that identifies one specific research project in which anthropologists in this second subfield are studying evolution. Describe the research project and its significance in our understanding of evolution.  For example, an archaeologist may look at how tools have changed through time, and what has caused that change (conduct your own original research, do not use this example).8) Discuss how the study of evolution between physical anthropology and your chosen subfield compares and contrasts.9) Conclude by discussing and reflecting on one new piece of information you learned about evolution. Coaching: Finding articles to use for this Assignment

Review this screencast or script to help you learn to locate appropriate college-level sources using the Summon search tool in our Library.

Review this FAQ page from our Librarian: How do I locate articles associated with evolution, culture, and anthropology research projects?

Disclaimer Originality of attachments will be verified by Turnitin. Both you and your instructor will receive the results.Writing ExpectationsAll written submissions should be submitted using APA formatting. In part, this includes:

  •      Typewritten in double-spaced format with a readable style and font and submitted inside the electronic classroom.
  •      Arial 11 or 12-point font or Times New Roman styles.
  •      Page margins Top, Bottom, Left Side and Right Side = 1 inch, with reasonable accommodation being made for special situations and online submission variances.
  •      Save as .doc, .rtf, or .pdf
  •      See a Basics of APA Style tutorial for coaching on APA formatting.  For additional resources, use your COLL100 materials, our Library, and the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Note: 

This course has “Resubmission” status enabled to help you if you realize you submitted an incorrect or blank file, or if you need to submit multiple documents as part of your Assignment.  Resubmission of an Assignment after it is graded, to attempt a better grade, is not permitted.

Grading Rubric

View the grading rubric so you understand how you will be assessed on this Assignment.  Click the grid icon at the top of this instruction page, or the grid icon under “View iRubric” on the main Assignments page.