emriley2015

[emriley2015]

How To Conduct An Experiment Using Static

Have you ever touched something and had a small shock? That is caused by static electricity. Static electricity is caused when there is an imbalance of negative and positive charges of different objects. By using an electroscope, you can see how the objects react to the piece of metal in the electroscope. An electroscope is a scientific instrument that detects if there is an electrical charge, and it can show how big the electric charge is. In my experiment, I used a glass jar, a piece of cardboard, a wire hanger, a plastic hanger, and two small tear-drop pieces of foil. You will need a piece of styrofoam or an inflated balloon and a piece of wool or a wool sweater to help conduct your experiment. You will assemble your electroscope by tracing the rim of the jar onto the piece of cardboard and cutting a hole big enough to fit the straw into. Next, you will take about six inches of the wire hanger and stick it into the straw making one end a hook shape and then the other turn it to look like a lollipop. On the hook end, you need to place your pieces of foil, making sure they touch each other. My hypothesis is that the static that the balloon conducts will make the foil move more than the static from the piece of wool. To conduct the experiment you will need to rub the balloon against something to conduct some static. Then get the balloon close but not touch it and if the foil moves then there was static dispersed from the balloon to the piece of hanger. Do the same thing with the piece of wool. Did the wool make the foil move? In my experiment the balloon made the foil move a lot more than the piece of wool did. The balloon made the foil move because the rubber of the balloon being brought near the metal of the hanger caused electrons to be pushed down to the foil. When the electrons have the same positive or negative charges they will repel each other and the foil will separate. If they have opposite charges they will stay together like when I used the wool.

[emriley2015]

Caffeine Effects On The Brain

Have you ever thought about what caffeine does to your body? Well, I have and I did some research on it. Some might think it is just a cup of coffee or a can of energy drink but there is so much more to it than that. You might feel good at first but eventually, you might feel a lang in energy. That is from the caffeine's blockade of your adenosine receptors and increase of the autonomic nervous system (Gonzaga). Adenosine is said to act as a homeostatic regulator of sleep and helps regulate when a person is awake or asleep (National Institute of Health). Adenosine is found in ATP. ATP is the source of energy for use and storage at a cellular level (Biology). The structure of ATP is a nucleotide triphosphate, consisting of a nitrogen base (adenine), ribose sugar, and three serially bonded phosphate groups (Biology). An increase in adenosine increases a person's need for sleep. There are many parts of the brain that are involved for sleep such as the hypothalamus, brainstem, thalamus, cerebral cortex, pineal gland, basal forebrain, midbrain, and amygdala (National Institute of Health). Some signs or symptoms of too much caffeine include a rise in body temperature, rapid heartbeat, and frequent urination which leads to dehydration, restlessness, anxiety, or shaky hands (Mayo Clinic). If caffeine intake is done in moderation then it can have good health effects. Such good health effects like one could live longer, your body may process glucose better, and a lesser chance of developing Parkinson's disease, it might also help keep the chances of colon cancer down (John Hopkins). Caffeine also can affect multiple systems of the body. The renal system, cardiovascular system, limbic system, and gastrointestinal system just to name a few (Leonard). Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. Other central system stimulants are used to treat ADD, narcolepsy, and excessive sleepiness. Some central nervous system stimulants are illegal due to people misusing them such as cocaine and ecstasy (Livertox) Located in the limbic system is the hippocampus. The hippocampus manages the function of feeling and reacting. Other known as the "fight or flight" response. The hippocampus also helps process and retrieve declarative memories and spatial relationships. Short-term memories are converted into long-term memories in the hippocampus. (MedicalNews Today)Caffeine affects everyone differently. The amount of caffeine also contributes to its lasting effects.

Gonzaga, L.A., Vanderlei, L.C.M., Gomes, R.L. et al. Caffeine affects autonomic control of heart rate and blood pressure recovery after aerobic exercise in young adults: a crossover study. Sci Rep 7, 14091 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14540-4

Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you

Leonard TK, Watson RR, Mohs ME. The effects of caffeine on various body systems: a review. J Am Diet Assoc. 1987 Aug;87(8):1048-53. PMID: 3301987.

LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants. [Updated 2021 Aug 12]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548702/

Mayo Clinic Staff.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678 March 19, 2022.

MedicalNewsToday. What is the Hippocampus. Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on February 17, 2023 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313295

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep#:~:text=The%20brain%20stem%2C%20at%20the,%2C%20medulla%2C%20and%20midbrain.)