Week # 5 Sept. 28 - Oct. 5


The course is shaping up with the first big hurdle of exam 1 being completed as this is posted. Many students are right on target, a few people still need to make great efforts to get caught up.

Fifth Week Assignments for Oct. 5
Topic 5
Energy Assessment Lab

Assignments Past Due:
Topic 4:
Exam # 1 Exams will be released electronically, when all have been returned. I will send an email when you may view the results. Depending upon when all exams are in and graded, I will be giving you your first grade update sometime during this week or early next.


On-line Discussion Lecture Topic: As the course progresses, I am now more discerning in judging your remarks in the discussions. Initially, I was just looking for participation and completion of discussion questions. Most of you are already doing very excellent work in composing your responses, good content, about the right length (usually a paragraph or two) - keep up the same level of work. In a few cases people may lose a point for an inadequate response on content or citing references.  For responses and extra credit responses, please try to say more than you agree with someone - add a new point or two of your own.

  1. I.Grading of Questions I - IV:  (Four points each)
    Participation = 1 point  (just do something even if other criteria are not met)
    Content = 1 point (you have included all items requested)
    Appropriate Length = 1 point (one to two sentences is usually not sufficient)
    Cite Sources = 1 point

    Total points = 18 + up to two more extra credit points
    I will serve you well to do the extra credit as at the final grade time 10-12 points is sometimes the separation between an A and a B grade.


 

Fifth Week Assignments for Oct. 5

1. On-line Lecture Topic 5 Discussion: Do the readings in the text book and correlate that with the Topic 5 Energy I: Resources - Fossil Fuels.

This week will begin a three week sequence on energy sources and resources.  We focus first on on the current energy sources which are fossil fuels - coal, oil, natural gas.   The report of the week will be on one of the types of fossil fuels.

All of them through the combustion reaction produce carbon dioxide as a by product.  Although carbon dioxide is not an air pollutant, it has been implicated as contributing to global warming.  This then is the focus of the issue question within Topic 5.  Should we begin to control greenhouse gases?

In this issue question it will be important to be critical of the sources of information that you do find. I have included links to both sides. You should know that the vast majority of reputable scientists do believe that there is sufficient evidence of global warming that we should do something about it. There are other folks and a few scientists that will argue the other way.

This debate is quite pertinent this year, after President Obama with a new energy bill proposal is in favor of a new treaty that did not come out of talks in December of 2009.  The energy bill passed in the House but was not passed in the Senate in 2010 because of a lack of support.  The other countries have already adopted the Koyoto treaty without our previous support support. In fact a couple of years ago, Russia approved the treaty so that now it can go into force. If you really get into the facts of what it is and what would be required to correct it, you will find some sobering information. This treaty would require some lifestyle changes in the use of fossil fuel energy. There are very few ways to reduce carbon dioxide without substantially reducing the use of coal, oil, and natural gas - all of which put out carbon dioxide. What are the alternatives??  Be serious and realistic about this.


2.  The Energy Assessment Lab will be due this week. This will not require any “kitchen chemistry” this week, but will have you look at gasoline, electricity, and natural gas usage.  We will then be able to calculate how much carbon dioxide that you personally produce in a year.  There are also other type of carbon calculators that will give a broader picture.


A LOOK AHEAD:

1. Collect some rain or water samples and measure the pH in preparation for Part I.
    Procedures 1 and 2: Lab # 4 .