What's that smell?

This is a picture of the corpse flower.

Phew! What's that rotten smell? Well if you are near a 44.5-inch plant in the Western Illinois University Botany Greenhouse, you are probably near a corpse flower. The corpse flower was first founded in 1878 by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari who collected the seeds and offered the seeds to England's Botanic Gardens in Kew. As a result, the corpse flower planted in these gardens marked the first successful cultivation in history.The corpse flower has a foul-smelling flower that smells like rotten meat. Its stench becomes more ghastly during blooming process because that it when the plant heats up. Secondly, the corpse flower's bloom is not made up of one flower, but is actually made up of thousands of flowers.

The corpse flower just bloomed last week in the Western Illinois University Botany Greenhouse, releasing a powerful wretched odor. In addition, it was tended by greenhouse gardener Jeff Hillyer. He says this Titan never bloomed in the past 8 years, but only grew a leaf that looks like an umbrella.

To sum it up, although the corpse flowers is foul-smelling and takes years to grow, with a little patience, Jeff made it bloom. This can teach us a lesson that if we want to achieve a goal, we should put in time and have a little patience to make it bloom.

Information taken from http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/corpse-flower-blooms-100503.html.
Picture was taken from http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID8294/images/corpseflower.jpg.

Young Sun Paradox

Even though there are many hypothesises about the why the Earth's oceans did not melt in the prehistoric times. I think Dr. Rosing's hypothesis is true. Rosing's hypothesis says that the Earth's oceans did not freeze due to thin clouds. This is thought to be true because at that time, clouds lacked condensation nuclei. As might be expected, this made the clouds more transparent to the sun. Thus, allowing more sunlight, keeping the Earth warm. Another factor, is that there was less continental area at that time. This meant less sunlight was absorbed.

Hence, Rosing's hypothesis is true due to huge factors. One factor is the thin clouds at that time. Another factor, is the less continental area in the prehistoric times.

Information taken from http://www.livescience.com/space/young-sun-paradox-solved-100331.html.

Images taken fromhttp://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/img/web/backgrounds/space-sky/cartoon-clouds.jpg.

Popcorn Lab

The kernels in the bag contain thermal energy. So, when it was heated, the atoms moved faster and faster. This created the popping noise from the bag. When radiation from the microwave occurred, the heat energy transferred to the empty space of the bag. Thus, filling the bag with air and making it look bigger. When a minute and thirty seconds are up, the bag gradually deflated.

Babies Are Born to Dance

Studies shows babies respond better to music than speech.

Did you know your little baby brother or sister is born to dance? Well when I first read this article, I was shocked! They are actually born to dance! Research shows that infants move to the tempo and beat of the music because they are drawn to it more than speaking. A researcher at the University of York in England states, ""We also found that the better the children were able to synchronize their movements with the music, the more they smiled." Researchers tested the baby's tendency to dance by playing music such as rhythmic beats. They also used speech to see how the infants responded and videotaped both results.The baby had to sit on the parent's lap during the experiment. Also, the parents were given headphones to not listen to the music and were told not to move because this may not provide valid results. Secondly, the researchers hired real ballet dancers to see if the baby's movement matched the ballet dancer's. As a result, the researchers found that the baby responded to the music (by moving their body) much better than speech. Analysts see that the ability to dance is inborn in humans, they are not sure why it evolved. One sensible explanation is that it has evolved into another function used for processing music. Hence, the next your baby brother or sister dances, cheer them on! Who knows they could be the next Micheal Jackson!

For more information visit livescience.org. Information was taken from livescience.org. Image were taken from google.com/images.

Civil Rights Movement and Math

My 5th grade math teacher once said, " Math is everywhere, just open your eyes and look around. " This quote finally hit me when I was researching for my topic on the American Civil Rights Movement. Math is everywhere, even in history. As I was researching, I came across 3 interesting, math-related facts.

1. The " I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. lasted about 17 minutes and was one of the most greatest moments in history.

2. For every 9 applications for employment sent by Caucasians, 16 had to be sent by the ethnic minority for a positive response.

3. When reparations, a public policy to repair damages of racism towards African-Americans, were introduced, not everyone liked it. 65% of African- Americans liked this. 88% of Caucasians disliked the idea.

In my opinion, this shows we have come along way from segregation and discrimination. However, racism still exists today and we should do more to stop it. So, the world should achieve what American Civil Rights Movement sought for- equality.

Information was taken from http://www.fofweb.com/ and http://search.epnet.com/.

Can Your Tongue Really Stick to a Frozen Flagpole?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if your tongue got stuck to a frozen pole? Well, when I read the title of this article, it made me wonder and grab my attention. As I read on, I found out that if you put your tongue on a frozen flagpole, it really will stick! So, if your tongue becomes stuck , you would have to wait until a rescue squad came and got you.

How does your body try to stop it?

The tongue is covered with moisture that will freeze under the temperature 32 degrees Fahrenheit. By pumping warm blood, your body tries to warm your tongue through a process called conduction. Heat energy causes the atoms to vibrate and absorb the energy. Their temperatures increase and eventually warm the surface of your tongue.

How does it stick to the pole?

Metal is up to about 400 times more powerful of a conductor than your tongue.

In other words, the metal takes away the heat faster than your body can supply warm blood. The pole has free electrons that absorb heat energy, which steals the heat from the moisture on your tongue. As a result, the water from the moisture chills tiny openings on your tongue.

Why can't I just pull it out?

If you do pull your tongue out, a part of your tongue can actually come off.

Another painless solution would be to pour warm water at the place where the tongues touches the pole. The tongue will come out.

Personally, I believe that the only time you will stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole is when you are dared. So, the next time someone dares you to stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole- don't!

Information was taken at http://www.livescience.com/mysteries/071218-tongue-flagpole.html.

Image taken from http://www.livescience.com/.

This is podcast about a science radio show called Science Live. On this episode, we interview an environmental chemist. As a result, this influences other with a high concern for the environment to pursue a career in Environmental Chemistry.
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