~That-Bloody-Penguin

5/22/08
Thursday
Daily Log

1:00-2:30
I. Attempted to perform the experiment without Father's help:
A. Set up a small balance:
1. 10 loop on one side
2. Nothing on other side
3. Balanced on a folding-chair foot
4. Alternated between a compass and a magnet under the solenoid:

B. Set up a circuit:
1. 9V battery
2. 63 Ώ resistor
3. 23 loop
4. Alternated between a compass and a magnet under the solenoid

C. Turned on the circuit:
1. Nothing happened

To Do list for tomorrow
A. Determine for sure what formulas are needed at this point:
1. So far we have:
a. FB = BIlsin@
b. B=Mc (I/R):
i. To solve for the Magnetic field of a solenoid
c. τ = Fd:
i. To figure out the forces from the balancing straw
d. B= (mg)/(I2l)
e. qV= (1/2)mv2
f. m= (qB2R2)/(2V)

B. Set up a free body diagram for the fulcrum problem

Reflection
I. Today, I decided to give the experiment a try on my own because I'm actually beginning to understand what is going to happen. So, I didn't really accomplish much, but I did become more familiar with the workings of the project. The high point of the day was when I closed the circuit, and the 23 loop finally made the compass move slightly. The only two obstacles were that the battery is dying, and that the straw keeps slipping off the fulcrum. Once again, I wish to thank my father for providing me with help, and materials to work with. My insight for today is that I need to not slack off like i did, and get to work.

Daily Checklist for 5/21/08
I. Logistics
√ A. Log of hours spent working
√ B. Specifics of the work done on an hourly basis
√ C. Plans for the next day
II. Reflection
√ A. What did I accomplish today?
√ B. What were the high points of the day?
√ C. Were there obstacles or frustrations?
√ D. How can I overcome those obstacles?
√ E. Is there anyone I need to thank for his/her assistance?
√ F. What are my insights for this day?

5/21/08
Wednesday
Daily Log

12:00-4:00
1. Determined that the 200 loop will be used instead of Car Solenoid.
A. Solenoid does not work in the way it was previously thought to
B. 200 loop allows easy access to the center of the solenoid

2. Made 23 loop solenoid
A. Balanced it on a fulcrum
B. Put magnets under it
C. Turned on the current:
I. Solenoid rose up
D. Turned magnets over, balanced straw, turned on current again:
I. Solenoid was pulled down to magnets
E. Please note: this experiment was run several times until performed correctly

4:00-5:00
1. Found basic formulas
A. F(b) = BIlsin@
I. To find the
B. B=M(c) (I/R)
I. To solve for the Magnetic field of a solenoid
C. τ = Fd
I. To figure out the forces from the balancing straw
D. B= (mg)/(I2l)
I. To find the magnetic field of a solenoid

To do list for tomorrow
1. Repeat the above experiment several times with the differently looped solenoids
A. Find a more reliable fulcrum than a chair foot from chapel.

II. Find more formulas and determine what they are all for.

Reflection
I. Well, today I started out with a plan of action, but it pretty much decayed as I became more and more irked by the 'fulcrum.' The high point of the day was definitely when I actually got it to work. An obvious frustration was when the experiment did not want to co-operate with me, but fortitude was a romanticist virtue, as was patience, in this case. I feel the need to thank Mr. Salisbury for unknowingly supplying me with a spur-of-the-moment fulcrum. My insight for the day is to keep on track with the journal! I have been slacking off in terms of the detail required for the last two days saying that I'll do it later. Well, here it is 15 minutes before I have to leave for my first advisor meeting, and I'm just now finishing the 3 logs.

Daily Checklist for 5/21/08
I. Logistics
√ A. Log of hours spent working
√ B. Specifics of the work done on an hourly basis
√ C. Plans for the next day
II. Reflection
√ A. What did I accomplish today?
√ B. What were the high points of the day?
√ C. Were there obstacles or frustrations?
√ D. How can I overcome those obstacles?
√ E. Is there anyone I need to thank for his/her assistance?
√ F. What are my insights for this day?

5/20/08
Tuesday
Daily log

9:00-9:45
Drove to Schucks and bought a solenoid. Turns out it was the wrong kind.
1. We need one that gives us access to the center. This one was bolted shut with a metal plate.

10:00-10:45
After fooling around with the basic circuit for 15 minutes, we went back, and got another solenoid
1. This one looks a little like our old camping stove with a spring sticking out

11:00-11:30
Lunch time!
1. Practiced the principle process of purchasing perishable products

11:30-1:00
Went to Fry's to look for a variable resistor. We didn't find it, but at least I got more driving experience.

1:00-2:00
Started setting up the experiment:
1. Got out several boxes of electrical wiring, and circuit components.
2. Became quite proficient at untangling alligator clips

5:00-8:00
Made a small version of the experiment:
1. Looped a small wire 10 times, set it next to compass, hooked it up to a big 6 volt box battery:
A. Nothing happened either:
i. More loops are needed
ii. More power needed
B. Turns out the battery was dead.

2. Hooked the solenoid up (tried to, anyway)
A. Found the path of electricity from tong to tong
B. Hooked it up to the Box Battery and put it next to compass
I. Nothing happened
i. Could be that battery is dead/dying
ii. Could be that it doesn't work in the way it was thought to
C. Hooked it up to a relatively new, small 9 volt battery
I. Nothing happened
i. Ok, this isn't working...
ii. Need to find spec sheet for this type of solenoid

3. Brought out a much larger coil of wire, at least 200 turns, hooked it up to the box battery.
A. compass moved slightly
B. hooked it up to the 9 volt
I. compass spiked

4. Hooked the small 10 loop to the 9 volt
A. Nothing happened

5. Taped the 10 loop to a rod which was balanced inside the 200 loop. Hooked them each up to a 9 volt
A. Nothing happened.
B. Checked balance
C. Tried again
I. Nothing happened.

6. Note for tomorrow:
A. Find spec sheet for solenoid

To do list for tomorrow
1. Find specs sheet for solenoid
A. If not, we'll just use the 200 loop

2. Continue looking for a veristor
A. Variable resistor. Veristor

3. Find necessary equations
A. This should get easier as we go along and my perception of the big picture of this project becomes more and more clear

Reflection
Well, I think I officially counterbalanced the non-productivity from yesterday. Not only have I gained driving experience, but we have started on the first step of the project; we have begun to attempt to find the Magnetic Field strength of the Solenoid. When we know that value, the process will become quite simple, conceptually anyway. All we will have to do is fire the electrons at a CRT, see how the CRT reacts, put the solenoid next to the stream of electrons, observe, and use the data from that and the equations to determine the electron's mass. I'm sorry, but personally, I think that's pretty cool. The main frustration so far is that the stupid solenoid does not work, and that the battery was dead, but the latter was easily replaced. Thankfully, we found that Tauroid to replace the solenoid, because all we really need is a magnetic field generator. Once again, I owe thanks to my father for taking off of work and supplying me with all these electrical doo-dads. My insights for the day are that I'm starting to like how this project is unfurling itself, and that Alligator clips are a pain in the neck to un-tangle.

Daily Checklist for 5/20/08
I. Logistics
√ A. Log of hours spent working
√ B. Specifics of the work done on an hourly basis
√ C. Plans for the next day
II. Reflection
√ A. What did I accomplish today?
√ B. What were the high points of the day?
√ C. Were there obstacles or frustrations?
√ D. How can I overcome those obstacles?
√ E. Is there anyone I need to thank for his/her assistance?
√ F. What are my insights for this day?

5/19/08
Monday
Daily Log

10:00-12:00
Determined plan of action:
Fire electrons at CRT. Observe. Generate Magnetic field with Solenoid, fire electrons at CRT. Observe. Use Data and formulas to determine mass.

12:00-1:00
Lunch time!:
Ate lunch

1:00-2:45
Determined what resources were needed, if we already had them, where we would get the ones we did not have, and brought the ones we did have up to the workstation:
1. Solenoid: Get one from Schucks
2. CRT: Can use an old CRT from a screen lying around the house
3. Veristor: Get one from (possibly Fry's)
4. Battery Charger: Can use the one in the Garage
5. Various electrical wiring: We don't need more. Currently, we could open up a store

To-Do List for Tomorrow
I. Go to the various stores and buy the stuff we need:
1. Solenoid
2. Veristor

II. Find Necessary Equations

III. Start setting up the experiment:
1. Include the Circuit Diagram

Reflection
I. Well, while I didn't accomplish much in the tangible sense, what I did was just as, if not more important. Now I actually understand the first stage of the experiment. I suppose that the high-point of this day was the fact that I actually am beginning to understand what is going to go down. As I sit here reading the checklist, I come to part C of the reflection, and several obstacles and frustrations immediately come to mind, but first and foremost among those are nostalgia and senioritis. Not far down the list, number three actually, is the obstacle presented by the fact that we don't have all the components needed. I find that fact rather irking at present, but once I check back into reality and remember that this is only day one, I calm down and realize that this obstacle can be easily overcome by simply going to the store tomorrow. As this log draws to a close, I wish to thank my Father for his 'willingness' to take a day off of work to help me with this daunting task. The only insight that comes to mind which pertains to the project is that I hope I don't slack-off like I'm prone to doing.

Daily Checklist for 5/19/08
I. Logistics
√ A. Log of hours spent working
√ B. Specifics of the work done on an hourly basis
√ C. Plans for the next day
II. Reflection
√ A. What did I accomplish today?
√ B. What were the high points of the day?
√ C. Were there obstacles or frustrations?
√ D. How can I overcome those obstacles?
√ E. Is there anyone I need to thank for his/her assistance?
√ F. What are my insights for this day?

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"
~ Dr. Seuss



3/31/08
Calculus, Be not proud
((with appologies to the author of "Death, be not Proud"))

Calculus, be not proud, though some have called thee
The Krav Maga of math, for that's actually a fair assessment...
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
fail not, poor calculus; nor yet hast thou derived me.
From Y and X, of which thy formulas be,
The Answers, then from thee many will flow;
And soonest our best students with thee do go -
Wrested of their grades by their tests delivery.
Thou'rt slave to F(x), delta x, k, and desperate minds,
And dost with Disks, washers, and Integrals dwell;
And multiple choice or free response can make us cry as well
And better than any English essay. Why swell'st thou dy/dx then?
One short-or-long formula past, we know the answer eternally,
And Calculus shall be no more. CALCULUS, THOU SHALT BE DIVIDED BY INFINITY!