The picture I chose was the water outlet at the nuclear power plant. I was amazed by how much water was needed to cool the reactor down. I was taken in by the huge waves and saw that the waves changed colours at the end. This amazed me and I went to research. I found out that when water is agitated, the trapped air bubbles in the water surfaces and causes the water to look white. I can apply these knowledge by further researching the relationships between water agitation and the amount of bubbles produced.
Day 2
The picture I chose was the fossilised corals on the mountain. Plate movement can cause mountain formations but it takes a very long time and I was amazed by how the fossilised corals could withstand natural elements and corrosion for such a long time. I wish to study further on how fossilised corals can be used to date landforms or oceans.
Day 3
The picture I chose was from the SDS-Page process. The last time I did this was months ago in a biotech lesson. The chance to do SDS-Page again allowed me to learn from past mistakes perfect my skill. Also, looking at the endosymbiosis document shared, I found myself understanding a lot of the terms used like PBS and supernatant and I can apply this knowledge by helping others who may not know. Today’s activities were like a revision of previous biotech lessons, allowing me to practise some aseptic techniques and the skills that I have learnt.
Day 4
The picture I chose today was the qualitative analysis of the seawater used to culture corals. Qualitative analysis is the identification of substances present in the sample. I have already done experiments like this in school but this is the first time I do it out of school. Also, we tested for KH which is very reactive and normally not present in labs. I believe that my understanding of the optimal concentration for these substances help me in my project, which involves culturing of corals.
Day 5
The picture I chose today was the Nurse Shark. I learnt from one of the professors that Nurse Sharks do not bite but rather they suck. Nurse sharks are unlike normal sharks that lay eggs, their eggs hatch within the bodies of the females and they give birth when the babies are fully matured. From this, I learnt that there are always exceptions in nature and we should protect unique species like Nurse Shark as they are currently endangered.
Day 6
The picture I chose today was a picture of my own presentation. The lecturer told me that heavy water was used in nuclear reactors. I wondered why heavy water, which has Deuterium, an stable isotope of Hydrogen was used in the primary cooling loop. Heavy water has the chemical formula of D2O and as its name suggest, it is heavier than normal water due to an extra neutron. It can be used as it can be a neutron moderator to increase the frequency of effective collision between Uranium-235 and the neutrons. Uranium-238 is present in trace amounts and collision with it would not have a resultant reaction. Heavy water is also used as it has a specific heat capacity of about 1.5% more than normal water. Thus, increasing the efficiency of cooling. I have learnt a lot and can apply this knowledge in a project that I am considering to do.
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