Math Matters

 Math isn't just repetitive exercises; it's the core of all science and business theory. It's all about problem solving! 🧠✏️ #mathmatters

Centripetal Motion

 Demonstrating centripetal motion. A Hoop with pipe insulation wrapped around it. The ball is sent around the loop. When the loop is lifted the ball moves off in a straight line.

RuBisCO

 RuBisCO is the most abundant protein on Earth. When plants evolved, high CO2 and Low O2 favoured the Calvin cycle, but now there is more O2 than CO2 Photorespiration is selected, meaning that that must be the most evolutionary pressured protein in the world.

Photosynthesis is the fundamental cornerstone of nearly all life forms on our planet. Through the remarkable utilization of solar energy, plants achieve the extraordinary task of transforming water drawn from the soil and carbon dioxide (CO2) extracted from the air into a broad spectrum of life, ranging from delicate mosses adorning damp rocks and logs to vast stretches of grasslands to the majestic grandeur of towering redwoods. This process, by which carbon is converted into the living fabric of our natural world, is made possible by the action of an enzyme called Rubisco—an enzyme that could very well be the most abundant protein globally.

Photosynthesis is the conduit through which most carbon enters Earth's biosphere. As a consequence, each and every carbon atom within our own bodies can be traced back to a point in time when Rubisco pulled it from the atmosphere, marking a remarkable achievement for this single enzyme.

However, within the magnificence of Rubisco lies a fundamental vulnerability that countless aeons of evolution have yet to resolve. When the levels of atmospheric CO2 dip in comparison to molecular oxygen (O2), Rubisco loses its ability to differentiate between the two gases and can mistakenly latch onto O2 molecules. This misstep triggers a process known as photorespiration, which plants must engage in to avert the accumulation of unwanted byproducts resulting from O2 fixation. Regrettably, photorespiration exacts a toll on the plant's energy reserves and causes a loss of previously captured CO2. Particularly in the context of the Earth's current atmospheric conditions—an environment characterized by relatively low CO2 and high O2 levels over the last 30 million years—photorespiration can significantly diminish the efficiency of photosynthesis.

The evolutionary landscape thus places substantial pressure on the emergence of novel adaptations that address or sidestep this inherent flaw in Rubisco.

WiFi Analysis

Using WiFi is sometimes a bit more complex than some students realise. We looked at the WiFi strength and also how much WiFi interference there is in this area with other users also using WiFi.

 

Ready for Maths

 Year 12 to 13 Maths is tough during the holiday. Most of my students have been attempting at least 2 AS level papers each week to maintain and improve their Maths skills over the holiday. A period of consolidation really improves their Maths skills.

Sodium

Cutting a piece of Sodium to see how easily it cuts with a scalpel, and then watching the shiny metal surface as it reacts with the air in the atmosphere.

 

Lesson Prep

 Lesson Prep - learning all about schema.org and tags to put into websites ready to teach some new students. Part of the fun of teaching is actaully the teachers learning new things.