Alchemy and Modern Chemistry

Name: Nada Al Zahrani

Class: EAP 1 B

Date: 4/28/11

Major: Chemistry

Reading Reaction Journal#4

Reference:

Mulder, H. (2011, April 19). Alchemy and Modern Chemistry. Science and You. From http://www.scienceandyou.org/articles/ess_08.shtml

Summary:

            This article talks about chemistry history. By magicians and charlatans was the beginning of chemistry. How were the chemistry and chemical reactions in the past? It told about some uses of old chemical reactions. The old idea of chemistry is that it could convert base metals to the metal which is expensive. Many countries dealt with gold differently. How was the discovery of chemistry? How did chemistry spread in the world?

Reaction:

            In the past people thought that chemistry was a kind of magic, and that chemistry and the witchcraft were two sides of one coin. Perhaps magicians were the first ones who used chemistry. But fortunately this idea has faded over time. This is perhaps also because they were not able to transform base metals to precious. Chemistry today is one of the most important disciplines in the whole world. Since chemistry began until now, it has been in constant evolution. Chemistry is everything in our lives today, in the air, water, food, medicines, detergents, and even in our bodies. I think we do not have something in this life that does not pertain to chemistry in its composition. By chemistry, natural materials are converted to raw materials to meet human needs, making the possibility of chemicals that are produced from coal and oil, some new materials like drugs, perfumes and plastics (pvc), and synthetic rubber. Chemistry contributes in the field of agriculture with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It contributes in the production of synthetic fibers, and in the field of clothing and textiles. Finally, I think that chemistry is everything in life.

Multiliteracies and communications media

                                                                          Name: Nada Al Zahrani

                                                             Class: EAP 1 B

                                                                                Date: 4/10/11

                                                                                 Major: Chemistry

Reading Reaction Journal#2

Reference:               

Multiliteracies and communications media (2011, April 6). Queensland (Aust.) Education. From http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/newbasics/html/curric-org/comm.html

Summary:

This article talks about ways to connect people with each other, and communicate with the world. And these methods of communication are divided into two parts: the old methods of communication such as reading, and writing, and modern methods of communication such as the Internet. The media has evolved dramatically since World War II. Modern means of communication have contributed to the use of the old means of communication. For example you can not use the internet without the knowledge of the principles of reading.  Also communications media contributed to the understanding of other cultures, and it has increased the importance of integrating communication tools, ancient and modern, in problem-solving and communication. Language is important to communicate what is happening, and often causes a misunderstanding because of language differences. Also it is important to know the numbers, history, customs and other things in the current time and widely used in communication.

Reaction:

I think that the media have contributed to communicating with the world, and the media have linked people in the world with each other. The world has become like a small village. I think that the media have contributed to educating communities. I also think that the media has helped in strengthening social ties. For example, I'm here in the United States and can communicate with my family by video and audio via the Internet or sound by telephone, or by writing by messenger or by using the mail. I agree with the content of this article that it is necessary to integrate communication tools, ancient, and modern with each other, and use language to communicate without relying solely on English language, in order to connect communities with each other well. I do not think anyone can use modern means of communication without the knowledge of the rules of reading, writing and arithmetic. This is one of the old means of communication. Also many countries are seeking to spread the culture of the communities through the media. This is the easiest way of any state, to publish what you want published to the world. But I think that there are some media that tarnished the image of their communities through the publication of some of the irregular behaviors and photographs as a rampant feature in society.

Green Chemistry

  Name: Nada Al Zahrani

Class: EAP 1 B

 Date: 4/4/10

Major: Chemistry

Reading Reaction Journal # 1

Reference:

Conference highlights UC Berkeley's unique approach to green chemistry (2011, March 23rd). University of California-Berkeley, from http://www.physorg.com/wire-news/62350205/conference-highlights-uc-berkeleys-unique-approach-to-green-chem.html

Summary:

          This article talks about the style of the University of California Berkeley Center in green chemistry. This is the production and marketing of products less toxic and recyclable. The principle of green chemistry is to exploit the products with the environment preservation. The green chemistry is environment-friendly, and tries to apply green principles in all areas of life, and solve problems in economics, business, law and others. It the use of cheaper products with access to high quality and without harming the environment. It tries to re-design education for students through the establishment of laboratories to test the green. It also tries to launch special courses to teach it, and develop research and study this.

Reaction:

          My major is chemistry so I am very interested in topics of chemistry, especially green chemistry. It is important to replace hazardous substances to another friend of the environment.

          I know a lot about green chemistry. But new for me is the attempt to apply the principles of green everywhere and in all disciplines such as law, business and others.

          I think that the green applications would greatly help in building the environment around us. And therefore I agree with these proposals for the green application principles, and the establishment of centers that help in the adoption of these ideas.

         The green chemistry is working for the environment through without use the hazardous substances to the environment or materials that could produce hazardous materials. And green chemistry is now at the beginning of its way and seeks to reduce environmental pollution which is increasing day after day, so I hope for the day when science has overcome the pollution.

           I'm going to replace hazardous chemicals in chemical experiments with other non-hazardous materials whenever possible, or at least cancel very dangerous experiments to the environment during the practical laboratory after discussing the matter with my boss.

          I think the United States is a very advanced at research and green applications. There are many universities that are doing research on green principles. Also, there are specialized centers for the work of this research. In addition to attempting to apply these principles in all fields such as law and business. But in Saudi Arabia there are only two universities interested in green principles. And green chemistry is still its the beginning, and now there is no application of these principles actually.