Week 1
School reopened. Our first lesson was on density calculations. Physics again! We mainly had practices again, again, and again. We were given two worksheets home to do: 'Floating and sinking' and 'Mass and density worksheet 1'. I felt that we were just basically revising all our Primary school topics. Density is basically mass divided by volume.
Week 2
We did two experiments; both on density of a regular solid. The first experiment that we did, 1P8, was to determine the density of a regular solid- a glass marble. We calculated the mass of the glass marble with the help of an electronic beam balance. Its volume was given in numeric symbols and we had to sort it out ourselves. The second experiment, 1P9, was basically 1P8+floating and sinking concept. I found out that to find the volume of a floating object, a glass stopper must be used. The procedures are as follows:
 |
| Glass stopper |
- Fill a beaker with 50ml of water.
- Tie a piece of string to the glass stopper and lower it gently into the water.(3 times)
- Record the average reading.(r1)
- Tie the glass stopper to the floating object and lower them gently into the water.(3 times)
- Record the average reading.(r2)
- Take r1-r2 to find the volume of the floating object.
Week 3
This week, we learnt about classification of matter . We were revising our primary school topics (see matter and its states). But, we learnt about the packing of particles. I found out that solid has the most tight 'packing' and gas has the most loose 'packing'. We also learnt about how particles move.
We were taught kinetic particle theory the next lesson. "The kinetic particle theory states that matter is made up of tiny discreet particles (atoms or molecules), which are in constant and random motion" Non-living things could move by themselves? I thought that only living things could move by themselves! So, are molecules and atoms living things which make up non-living things? Before I could open my mouth to ask, we were already on the next topic: Brownian motion. Brownian motion is actually the movement that the kinetic particle theory states. Before I could grasp its concept, we were learning about diffusion. "In diffusion, particles move randomly from a region of higher concentration to lower concentration"
Actually, atoms and molecules are not living things, there are just similar to cells in living things. The do not move by themselves, they move through kinetic energy. As for "Diffusion", an example is when you pour orange syrup into a glass of water and do not stir it, it would slowly diffuse, and soon the syrup would spread evenly throughout the whole glass of water.
I also researched on kinetic particle theory. This is the link (click)
I feel that this website is very useful for helping me understand the theory better. Moreover, there is a quiz to test me if I truly understand the topic. I recommend this website to all Pro-Ed students.
Week 6
The image below shows the image of the Periodic table of elements.
I find it amazing how scientists had managed to classify these elements meaningfully into the Periodic table, and give each element its name and atomic number. Actually, according to Wikipedia, the Periodic Table is credited to a Russian chemist- Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev. There are currently 118 elements. I am sure there are more elements still not found out yet. We just had to memorize the first 20 now. Moreover, we had to memorise their uses and now I know that magnesium is used to make fireworks since I have always wondered how those nice fireworks displayed during National Day Parade are made of.
Week 8
We were tested more on the Term 1 topics than the Term 2 ones. But, this time, I had learnt from my previous mistake and had revised and checked thoroughly and eventually got an A1! I was over the moon.
