Where is North?

Geographic North/True North

Geographic North, otherwise known as True North, is what one would follow when heading towards the North Pole. It is located at the end of the axis that the Earth is rotating on (in the northern hemisphere) and this fixed location determines the lines of longitude and latitude (for all the lines of latitude intersect at the North Pole). When following a map, the picture compass always points towards true north.

Magnetic North

Magnetic North is a point in the arctic that constantly shifts and is controlled by the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated by the Earth’s liquid metal core that circulates due to the earth’s constant rotation. Electric currents are created and thus the magnetic field is formed. Due to the constant shifting field, the magnetic north and the geographic north are not aligned. When using a compass, the north end always points to the magnetic north. But then again, opposite ends of the magnet attract. Therefore it is concluded that the magnetic north is actually the Earth’s south pole. Since the Earth’s core acts as a huge magnet, it means that the south end is actually in the northern hemisphere and the magnetic field lines of the Earth flow out of the magnetic south pole and into the magnetic north pole.

Physical North

                Physical North is the direction of north from a person’s perspective. The direction varies depending on where one is standing. Since there is so much variety, there is no specific physical north.

References:

Conger, C. (n.d.). HowStuffWorks "Introduction to How to Find True North". HowStuffWorks "Adventure". Retrieved February 25, 2013, from http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/survival/wilderness/true-north.htm

The Dynamic Earth @ National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History NMNH. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/text/4_1_5_0.html

The Energy Ball Report

Series                                                    Parallel

Parallel Circuits vs. Series Circuit

          When it comes to modern day electrical devices, the most basic circuits that are used are the series and parallel circuits. During the experiment, there were some distinct differences noted between the two circuits. In a series circuit there is only one pathway for the energy to flow through. If this path were to be broken, then the entire circuit will stop functioning. Take neighbourhood lights as an example. When one light bulb or lamp burns out, the circuit is cut short and therefore all the other bulbs would stop working (for the circuit is now incomplete). Having only one circuit would mean that all components will have the same amount of energy flowing through them. But then the down side is, with only one circuit, the current is more likely to encounter more resistance. A parallel circuit has many paths for the current to flow through. Common household lights will not encounter the same problem neighbourhood lights would. If one light bulb were to burn out, or be removed, the current will just navigate to another complete circuit and therefore the other light bulbs would continue working.  The energy is divided every time the current meets two different paths. But having different paths would also mean encountering less resistance.

Energy Ball and the Human Body

          The energy ball wouldn't work on certain individuals due to the person’s lack of water. Humans are semi-conductors. They are organic and are made up of covalent bonds (which don’t conduct electricity). We are also 70% water and since pure water doesn't conduct electricity either, we have salts, which are dissolved in the water, to do that job. The salts in our body dissociates into ions which is why can conduct electricity. If a person cannot make the energy ball work, it would mean that they either lack water or salts. But if a person were to lack salts, they would have more severe complications. Therefore the only reasonable reason to which why the ball won’t work on certain people would be that the person is dehydrated.

Self-Regulation

          While doing this experiment, I discovered that working with my hands helped me develop a better understanding about the science behind the energy ball. Testing out the energy ball made getting the information a lot easier and it was more fun that way too. Not only do I enjoy being a kinesthetic learner but I also enjoy group work. It was much easier to understand the concept when everyone had something to say and you could listen to everyone else’s opinion about the topic. I also learned that I am dehydrated for the energy ball didn't always work on me.

References

1. How to Wire a Circuit "In Parallel". (n.d.).Berkeley Point. Retrieved February 7, 2013, from http://www.berkeleypoint.com/learning/parallel_circuit.html

 2. Henderson, T. (n.d.). Parallel Circuits. The Physics Classroom. Retrieved February 7, 2013, from http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circuits/U9L4d.cfm

3. Henderson, T. (n.d.). Series Circuits. The Physics Classroom. Retrieved February 7, 2013, from http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circuits/U9L4c.cfm