Chem Topics

I am interested in studying the chemistry of space, our solar system, or mars. The general topic is known as astrochemistry, but it will be easier to narrow in on mars and our solar system. I am interested in learning about the chemistry on other planets and comparing it with the chemistry on earth. The way planets formed and how they evolved sounds like a good topic to research. Many new chemical compounds and elements could be discovered on other planets. Chemistry on earth is too limiting, so I would like to research something that is open for exploration.

I Visited These Blogs

I posted comments on Travis's, Ryan's, Josh's, and Mica's blogs.

People in our chem class chose many different chemistry topics. Travis and Josh chose complex topics like photovoltaics and quantum chemistry. Ryan and Mica, and Josh chose topics that would be beneficial to either earth or to humans such as green chemistry, self-cleaning glass, scramjets, and biofuels. The amount of chemistry topics to choose is endless!

Cool Chemistry Topics

Antifreeze for ice cream
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114100258.htm

Mysteries of Thunderstorms
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/1011-mysteries_of_thunderstorms.htm

Biofuel-producing Bacteria
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203120344.htm

Friction-Reducing Atoms
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071101170719.htm

Early Mars Environment
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070721212322.htm

The fifth and final topic was the one which I found most interesting. The article I found was about clay studies on Mars and how the clay may not have come from water. This topic interests me because I like learning about things that are going on in outside worlds, such as Mars. It is interesting to learn what other planets besides Earth were like an how they were formed. Studies on Mars could show methods of how other planets in the solar system were created. More research could easily be done on this topic.

Cool Scientific Ideas

I think it is necessary for scientists to research things that do not seem of importance. They might not be important now, but they might be later. Exploring new ideas helps people discover new things and sometimes incredible technoligical innovations. Many people do not think scientists who research topics that have little benefit to humans will help the world. These people who are willing to explore new concepts are the ones who might find something important and be very successful in life.
It is also good to have people doing research with a focus on things that will benefit mankind. Focused research is needed in order to improve current technologies. People who do not want to take risks and research a seemingly irrelevant topic can also be very successful. The good thing about focused research is that is will probably benefit humans, where hypothesis-based research may or may not yield results. Both types or research are needed to figure out all the scientific questions there are in the world.

I posted on Ryan's, Travis's, and Corinne's blog.

Chemclass

Our small honors class helped me learn in a smaller environment with less people. We can all focus on what we need to know and get personal help from the teacher. it would be harder to learn as many things in a larger group of people. Ms. V can answer all the questions we have in our small group. Our group is plenty diverse so it would not make a difference if our group was more diverse (I don't think it could be). I think it's good we have smart people in our class so we understand things easier. Everyone contributes to our class learning experience. Most other classes are much larger in size, and this class has only 8 people, which is awesome!