Chemistry in 2015!

2015 has been an exciting year in the world of Chemistry! 

As we wrap up the year, here are some top Chemistry stories of the year! Enjoy:)

Happy holidays!

"Ups and downs of Ebola vaccines, home-brewed heroin, better solar-cell material, why lobster turns from blue to red, and the first new class of antibiotics in years top a banner year for chemistry."

Top Chemistry Stories from 2015

Half-life simply explained

This is for all of you year 11's that are learning about radioactivity and half-life in physics. If you are still having some trouble understanding the "half-life" concept, spare a few minutes of your time, click on the link below and watch this video. 

Hope it helps:)

Half-life and carbon dating

Heart Dissection!

So this happened yesterday :)

Check out the photos and the 2 videos from Mr. Carter's year 10 heart dissection lesson.

Here is a question for all you heart experts out there:

Why is there a difference between the left and the right side of the heart?

ok, and another one:

Why are arteries thick with elastic properties but veins are thin?

The heart "looks like fish" (Iza) :)

You girls are brave!!! 

Latest in Nanotechnology & Medicine

Hi girls!

In light of our discussion with 10-1 this week on smart materials and nanotechbology, here is an interesting article issued by Scientific American on use of super tiny nanoparticles in medicine. 

Have a read, it's pretty interesting! The future of medicine is quite amazing. (Click on the link to read).

Disguised Nanoparticles Slip Past Body's Immune Defense

Can you tell me, what obstacle did scientist manage to overcome when trying to use nanoparticles to fight disease and tumours?

Blinded by the Light ...

Hello everyone,

Here are some fun photos from last week's year 7 science classes.
We were learning about chemical reactions and how different compounds, molecules, elements can be combined to make new products.

In the photos the girls are burning magnesium, therefore combining the metal with oxygen molecules from the surrounding air. 

This reaction is always quite spectacular!

Do you know some other signs of a chemical reaction?

P.S. Happy half term girls! See ya in a week. 

                    

 

     

In search for Starch!

In year 9 we are currently learning about plants! 

Last week, the girls carried out an investigation to test for presence of starch in leaves that have been exposed to light and leaves that have been kept in the dark. First, the leaves had to be soaked in ethanol and placed in a hot bath to remove chlorophyll (you know that chemical in plant cells that gives leaves the colour green). The girls then used iodine to test for starch. The leaves that turned dark blue/black tested positive for presence of starch.

Which leaves do you think turned dark blue/black and what's PHOTOSYNTHESIS got to do with it? 

The one on the left is clearly positive for starch!

Looking impressed and amazed :P

She took her goggles off only for the photo snap! 

The nicest water bath you've seen in Science!

      

Soaked in Ethanol!

DNA once again!

Last month the year 9s got to extract DNA from green peas. This Friday, some of the year 8 girls got to have a go as well at doing this very extensive practical. You did a great job and I hope you had fun! 

Below are the results! Not bad girls:) 

The fuzzy bits between the the bottom, greenish pea juice layer and the top, ethanol layer is the DNA! 

P.S. If you could repeat the experiment, what would you do differently to get even better results?

The scientists in action!