Methane and Mercury

Read the following articles:
Arctic Melt Releasing Ancient Methane  and
Toxic mercury, accumulating in the Arctic, springs from a hidden source

Why is methane being released into the atmosphere from the arctic and why is this a concern?

Where is Mercury coming from and why is it concentrated at the poles? Why is this a serious problem? 

What does bioaccumulative mean?

What groups of people are most impacted by the mercury pollution?  Why do you think it is now recommended that pregnant women and children under three not eat fish that have high concentrations of mercury?

What are some possible solutions to these environmental and human health problems?

Why Chemistry is Important in Identifying Possible Planets with Life

Read this article (click here) and then answer the following in paragraph format. Don't forget to ask another peer in a separate post about their post.


What types of elements present in other stars besides our sun might improve the chances of finding life on a planet in the habitable zone?


How do scientists detect the presence of these elements in distant stars? 

What is the habitable zone?


What mission has been sent by NASA to find planets similar to Earth?


What other factors do scientists consider when looking for habitable planets? Describe at least two.


Do you think that there might be planets that could host life? Why is it important to look for these planets? Or is it?

Massive solar flare headed toward Earth

Read this article here

Answer the following questions in PARAGRAPH format and ask a question of one your peers in a separate REPLY post to one of their posts.

1) What is a solar flare and how does it effect the Earth?

2) If we had clear skies and lived further north, what might we see as a result of the solar flare?

3) Describe the cycle that the sun is currently in?

4) How does this article relate to chemistry?

Frackety Frack Frack

Article on fracking

Watch the video above and read the article about fracking.  Answer the following questions.

What is fracking?

What is the purpose of fracking?

Why do some of people think that fracking is not a great idea?

List all the chemicals that are mentioned that are involved with fracking.

How does fracking relate to our study of water?

Your thoughts/opinions??

A Planet to Call Home?

Read the following article and watch the video:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/1205/New-earth-like-planet-discovered-by-NASA-spacecraft-Video

What parameters do astrobiologists look for when looking for a planet that is like Earth and could possibly support life as we know it?
What are five interesting ideas that you read about or watched in the video?

Life on Mars?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/science/space/aboard-mars-curiosity-rover-tools-to-plumb-a-methane-mystery.html

Read the article in the link above.  What evidence (read entire article to be able to answer this question thoroughly) do scientists have that there is life on Mars?  How is this evidence related to our chemistry class and to the scientific process?  What do think about the possibility of life on Mars?

Faster than the speed of light?

Read this article.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110923084425.htm

Summarize the main points in three sentences and comment on what it shows about science and technology.