I demonstrated critical thinking during this experiment by carefully preparing and diluting solutions, predicting when precipitation would occur based on concentration and equilibrium principles, and calculating ion concentrations and trial ion products. Interpreting when a precipitate formed (or dissolved when heated) required me to connect solubility equilibrium and Le Châtelier’s Principle. When determining the Ksp, I had to reason through the steps logically, including calculating molarities after dilution, recognizing patterns in the data, and explaining discrepancies compared to known reference values. Through problem-solving and analytical thinking, I was able to draw meaningful conclusions about the solubility behaviour of lead iodide under different conditions.
Today, I learned a key concept in physics that totally changed how I think about how roller coaster loops aren’t actually perfect circles, they’re called clothoid loops. This has everything to do with circular motion and how our bodies experience forces during high-speed motion.
At first, I assumed roller coaster loops were circular, but that would actually be extremely dangerous. If a loop were a perfect circle, the centripetal acceleration required at the bottom of the loop would be extremely high because the speed is greatest there, and that would result in massive G-forces on the rider. Too much force, and people could black out!
Instead, roller coaster engineers design loops in a teardrop shape (a clothoid). This shape makes the radius smaller at the top, where the speed is lower, and larger at the bottom, where the speed is higher. Since centripetal acceleration is ac = v^2/r, adjusting the radius helps keep the acceleration (and the G-forces) within a safe range throughout the loop.
Critical Thinking Core Competency: This learning experience helped me develop my critical thinking by challenging my assumptions and deepening my understanding of how physics concepts apply in real life. By analyzing the relationship between velocity, radius, and acceleration, I was able to see why a simple circular loop would fail to meet safety requirements. I evaluated the reasoning behind the clothoid design and recognized how math and science principles are applied creatively in engineering. This helped me think more analytically and draw logical conclusions based on evidence and real-world application.
One challenge I faced while reading Kindred was confronting the uncomfortable and painful themes surrounding slavery and systemic racism. The vivid descriptions of violence and oppression made me feel uneasy, yet they were essential to understanding the protagonist’s experiences. To work through this discomfort, I reminded myself of the importance of learning about these harsh realities and discussed my feelings with my group, which helped me process the material in a meaningful way.
Something I admired about Butler’s writing style was her ability to evoke strong emotions through detailed and realistic storytelling. Her narrative forced me to confront these topics directly, making the story deeply impactful. However, I occasionally found the pacing uneven, especially during some of the shifts between Dana’s modern life and her journeys to the past, but re-reading those sections helped me maintain the flow of the story.
Core Competency Self-Assessment
Strength:
I worked cooperatively with other members of my group and was willing to help with any task. For instance, I facilitated discussions about the uncomfortable themes in Kindred, ensuring everyone had a chance to express their thoughts and feelings. This helped our group explore the book’s deeper meanings.
Area for Improvement: I need to improve my focus during important group discussions by minimizing distractions. This includes staying fully present, actively participating, and contributing meaningfully. My goal is to ensure I am fully engaged in both the tasks and the conversations.
Titration is a technique used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by gradually adding a solution of known concentration until the reaction reaches completion. In this lab, titration was used to find out the concentration of a hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution by neutralizing it with a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution of 0.100 mol/L. The endpoint of the titration is reached when the amount of base added completely neutralizes the acid. This point is typically identified by a noticeable change in a physical property, such as the colour of the solution. In our experiment, the endpoint was observed as the solution changed colour due to the phenolphthalein indicator, signaling that the acid had been fully neutralized by the base. Based on the volume of NaOH required to reach this endpoint, the concentration of the HCl solution was calculated to be 0.137 mol/L.
Core Competency Reflection:
I chose to reflect on the critical and reflective thinking competency for this lab. Throughout the experiment, I used analytical reasoning to ensure accuracy in measurements and calculations. For instance, I carefully controlled the flow of the sodium hydroxide solution to prevent overshooting the endpoint. I observed the colour change closely to determine when to stop adding the base. Additionally, I used the data collected to calculate the acid’s concentration, cross-checking the math for precision. This process reinforced my ability to analyze evidence and draw conclusions. If I were to perform this lab again, I would focus on improving my pipetting technique to minimize potential errors, further enhancing the reliability of my results.
Why do you think Japan is so creative with its sandwiches? How do these compare to the sandwiches available in Canada? Japan’s variety of sandwiches is mainly attributed to the rich culture and the progressive society Japan is built on. One of the most popular sandwiches in japan are the fruit cream sandwiches. Traditionally sandwiches are savoury usually including some sort of protein, veggies, and condiments. But Fruit cream sandwiches are more or a dessert, shattering the norm and creating a much more fresh and sweet sandwich. Compared to Canada, our sandwiches are much more traditional, strictly being savoury. We have yet to explore the world of sweet sandwiches
What is the most creative meal you have made or had? Would it taste good in sandwich form? The most creative meal I’ve ever made was a sirloin 짜장면. I seared sirloin steak, cut it into cubes, then added it to black bean noodles. I do not think this would work in a sandwich as the sauce and noodles would have made the bread soggy creating a less enjoyable texture.
What sandwich type are you most excited to try? (Upload a photo if you make one!) A5 wagyu Cutlet Sandwich. When my family visited japan i had the opportunity to try this sandwich in Tokyo. The crunchy bread followed with the melt in the mouth A5 wagyu paired with their Katsu sauce was unimaginable. 10/10 sandwich (Wayyyy to expensive tho).
If offered by him, would you eat a part of Anpanman’s head? Why?? 10000000%, growing up as a little kid my sisters and I would watch 호빵맨 every weekend!!! I remember him splitting pieces of his head off and as a kid I didn’t see a problem with it but as I’m typing this out i am becoming slightly more concerned. That being said if i had the oppurtunity of taking a bite out of 호빵맨 head i would absolutely take it.
The “a” value in any equation will significantly impact the way your parabola looks. It is the variable that dictates whether your parabola opens up or down. If the “a” value is negative, this means our parabola will be opening downwards, indicating that our vertex is the maximum point. The reverse occurs when our “a” value is positive; it will open upwards, meaning the vertex is the minimum point. In my equation, the “a” value is positive, making it open upwards. However, the “a” value’s significance does not end there, as it also dictates the width of our parabola. In the example above, because our “a” value is greater than 0 but less than 1, we know the parabola will be wider. If my “a” value were to be greater than 1, the parabola would be narrower. Analyzing the graph above, we can see that our “a” value differs significantly from our parent function, as our parabola is significantly wider than the parent function.
h
When identifying the vertex of a parabola, the (h) value is half of the entire process. Our (h) value is crucial as it is our x coordinate for the vertex and determines the horizontal shift and the axis of symmetry for our parabola. If (h) is positive, your parabola will shift right and If (h) is negative, it will shift to the left. In our original equation, our (h) value is 7, allowing us to infer that our parabola will shift right, and our vertex will be (7,y). This means our vertex has shifted right from our parent function by 7 units.
k
The second half of finding our vertex, equally as important as (h), is the (k) value. This is what gives us our y coordinate to our vertex. The (k) value dictates the vertical shift of our parabola and represents the minimum/maximum value. With the example above our (k) value is -2 giving us a y coordinate to our vertex. This means our vertex has shifted down from our parent function by 2 units. Giving us the vertex of (7,-2).
Self-Assessment
How did you represent the same mathematical idea in multiple ways in this assignment?
During this assignment, I successfully displayed the same concept in two ways. I was given an equation and was able to take the information provided and present it algebraically-(Vertex/Standard form) and visually through my graph.
State the relevant mathematical vocabulary words you used to demonstrate your understanding.
Vertex
Axis of Symmetry
Vertical/Horizontal Shift
Standard/Vertex Form My Mathematical vocabulary allowed me to express and go deeper in my learning and display my understanding of the concept to the reader.
How did you use formatting to share this information in a clear and organized way?
For my assignment, I chose to break my points into 3 major topics. The (a), (h), and (k) values, organizing my essay in this format allowed me to go more in-depth with my understanding, express the concept as a whole, how it applies to my parabola, and how it differs from my parent function. It made the information easy to consume and left the reader with a deeper understanding of not only the concepts but how they are applied when given an equation.
I can analyze evidence to make judgement. During this lab we were tasked with the challenge of figuring out whether our solutions were an acid or a base. I was prompted to mix two solutions together to identify its properties. Through this lab I was able to come to my own conclusions based on the scientific data we collected. I was successfully able to identify the solutions properties and determine the formers, pH range. This allowed me to have hands-on experience with the topic, further allowing me to deepen my own learning, while supporting my group members simultaneously. This lab was a true testament of my abilities as a scientist. I collected evidence and data of the solutions and came to my own conclusions on what they were, based on their physical/chemical changes.
With my initial encounter with this problem, I was confronted by its complexity. We were tasked with the challenge that revolved around a newly introduced concept. My initial mistake was when I inadvertently overlooked the application of the zero property rule.
After looking into the nature of my mistake, I sought assistance from my upperclassmen, asking them to look over any mistakes in my logic or calculation. This collaborative effort enabled us to support each others learning through a difficult mathematical problem.
In future encounters with challenging problems, I will be more mindful of the zero property rule. Additionally, I plan to work backwards, reviewing my work in order to identify and rectify any calculation errors.
This was displayed during my physics test #1. I was able to comprehend the information, apply my practical knowledge to the exam, and reflect back on the original question. During this exam, we were tasked with multiple questions that required us to think more logically about the situation. I was able to think and reflect, allowing me to prove my knowledge.
Image
During this lab, we were able to learn more about static electricity through a van de graph. This allowed us to visualize more what was happening and comprehend what we were actually learning about. I would like to have a better understanding of how charges came into existence.
3 Years to net $120,000 (15% Down Payment of $800,000)
S&P 500 Fund Annual Return of 11.88%
$10,000 per year through employment
First Year = $80,000 + 11.88%(80,000)
End of First Year = $89,504 + $10,000 = $99,504
Second Year = $99,504 + 11.88%(99,504)
End of Second Year = $111,325 + $10,000 = $121,325
Third Year = $121,325 + 11.88%(121,325)
End of Third Year = $135,738 + $10,000 = $145,738
Created on PowerPoint
Justification
With an Annual yield of 11.88% The S&P500 fund is by far the most consistent way to quantify and hold your money. Hypothetically if the index fund was to take a dip, the % would still, far pass the other two options (A, [1 Year 3.5% annual non-redeemable GIC], B [3 year 4.2% non redeemable GIC (4.2% annual return per year)]) The S&P500 Consists of the top 500 largest U.S company’s and has proven to yield a consistent increase (Even beating inflation). This option suites me best as A. I enjoy making money, B. Although there may be slight risk, if one of your companies was to dip, you still have 499 companies making up for the loss.
Collaboration and Contributions
As, I was elevated into a grade 10 class during my second semester, I did not have a chance to work with anyone.
Core Competency Reflection
I can analyze evidence to make judgements – I displayed this while gathering information to see which investment options will yield me the biggest return the fastest.
I can reflect on my thinking. – This was displayed during my explanation/justification of my idea. This was a good representation of how I reflected on my ideas..
I consider more than one way to proceed in an investigation. – This was displayed during the process of determining which solution was the greatest. I explored multiple options such as (Mutual Funds, Roth IRAs, ETFS, Crypto, Stocks) and came to the analysis that the S&P500 Index fund resulted in the most amount of growth.
I can take on roles and responsibilities in a group; I do my share. – I took on every single role and responsibility.
Citations
Canada Inflation Rate – April 2023 Data – 1915-2022 Historical – May Forecast. https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/inflation-cpi. Accessed 23 May 2023.
“S&P 500 Average Return.” Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042415/what-average-annual-return-sp-500.asp. Accessed 23 May 2023.
