Although all of the lab rotations were slightly tiring by the end of the today, today was filled with many memorable experiences. Beginning with the lecture, I had previously never thought about how the Bohr Diagram is very similar to the solar system. In some way, this almost connected science and art for me, because individuals are taking scientific concepts (like the solar system), and they are using creativity and inspiration to create future developments.
First on the rotating lab visits was to the museum. The works of art mainly consisted of symbols, lines, and dots; it was almost unrealistic to hear about the culture that the artists live in: women and children are sometimes not allowed to view the artwork because it holds such praise and importance. Following the museum, my group progressed into the library, in where we saw the historical collection of books. We were shown many books, and the stories behind several of the books were flat out amazing: for example, the one book that a UCLA alumni checked out in the 80s and took with her to space in a space shuttle.
Our last excursion of the day took place at the UCLA Plasma Research Center. Following an informative lecture, we were shown the device that works with the plasma. Despite its enormous size, our presenter explained that it took three-and-a-half years to build. The machine takes up more power than all of Brentwood does, and therefore, following every four months of running, the specialists turn it off for two or three weeks and perform mandatory repairs.
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm425/hoops4kobe/86745126_7a641291c5.jpg
An image of plasma. This kind of reminded me of the mural in the Plasma Research Center that a former student drew.
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm425/hoops4kobe/bohr.jpg
The Bohr Diagram…
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm425/hoops4kobe/solarsystem.jpg
Compared to the solar system.
Links:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/plasma-display2.htm
This website explains the use of plasma as it is in televisions.
http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/news/SE333nr.pdf
While searching about historic books, I stumbled upon this webiste. In 2006, UCLA launched the California Rare Book School, which is continuing-education program that provides training for people in the field of rare books and manuscripts.
http://www.research.ucla.edu/labs/index.htm
A website containing links to numerous labs at UCLA and more information about them.
http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_06/01NOV08/04-QFI.htm
This shows a deeper comparison between the Bohr Diagram and the solar sytem.
http://www.orbitals.com/orb/index.html
An interactive way to view the different possible shapes of atoms–inspired by today’s lecture on shapes.