Tornado Essays - Tornado, Storm, Wind, Thunderstorm, Funnel Cloud

Tornado A tornado is a violent windstorm usually characterized by a twisting, funnel shaped cloud that is caused by a thunderstorm or a hurricane. It is produced when a cool air mass meets a warm air mass and forces the warm air mass to rise over the cool air mass very rapidly. Most of the damage from a tornado is a result of high wind velocity and wind blown debris. Most tornadoes occur during the months of March through August, but they can occur during any time of the year. They also seem to strike in the afternoon to the evening. What you should do and know You should know all key terms that are used to describe tornado threats. 1. Tornado Watch- This means that tornadoes are possible and you should stay tuned to a radio station for more reports. 2. Tornado Warning- A tornado has been sighted and you should take shelter immediately. 3. Severe Thunderstorm Watch- Severe thunderstorms are possible and they may bring a tornado. 4. Severe Thunderstorm Warning- A severe thunderstorm is here and a tornado may be present. 5. You should know the country and terrain in which you live. This is used in identifying the location of a tornado. 6. You should know the places you can seek shelter such as a cabin or rest area. 7. Practice doing this before you head out into the wilderness. 8. You should have emergency supplies on hand such as: Flashlight with extra batteries Portable battery operated radio with extra batteries First aid kit with all supplies and manual Emergency food and water Nonelectric can opener All essential medicines Money Sturdy, good shoes 9. Make an inventory of all your possessions and take pictures of them so if they are lost they you can replace them. Tornado Danger Signs Large hail Calmness before the tornado hits Cloud of debris Funnel cloud Roaring noise Calmness and clear skies after the tornado What to do during a tornado watch 1. Listen to your radio for the latest weather updates. 2. Be alert for an approaching storm so you can get ready and gather your emergency disaster materials up. If you see a funnel cloud call your local emergency number to report it if you can. 3. Be ready to take shelter. What to do during a tornado if you are outside If possible get inside a building If there is no shelter nearby or there is no time to get indoors, lie down in a ditch or a low-lying area with your hands shielding your head. Be aware of flooding in the low lying area or ditch. What you should do after the tornado Help any injured or trapped people Give first aid if it is necessary and do not move any seriouly injured victims unless they are in jeopardy of more injuries. Call for help Turn on your radio to get the latest information Use a telephone if you have one to make any emergency calls Did you know this... Tornadoes can be nearly invisible and only marked by swirling debris at the base of the funnel. On average the U.S. experiences about 100,000 thunderstorms a year and out of those about 1,000 tornadoes develop. Although tornadoes can occur throughout the world the U.S. has the most and most devastating ones. Tornadoes produce the most violent winds in the world. Tornado winds can be as high as 300 miles per hour, travel distances over 100 miles and reach heights of over 60,000 feet above the ground. In 1988 121 tornadoes struck 15 south central states. This resulted in 14 deaths and damages reaching $108 million.

Observations on What Is Language

Observations on What Is Language Language- more specifically human language- refers to the grammar and other rules and norms that allow humans to make utterances and sounds in a way that others can understand, notes linguist  John McWhorter, an associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University. Or as Guy Deutscher said in his seminal work, The Unfolding of Language:  An Evolutionary Tour of Mankinds Greatest Invention, language is what makes us human. Discovering what is language, then, requires a brief look at its origins, its evolution through the centuries, and its central role in human existence and evolution. Greatest Invention If language is mankinds greatest invention, it is supremely ironic that it was actually never invented. Indeed, both Deutscher  and McWhorter, two of the worlds most renowned linguists, say the origin of language remains as much as mystery today as it was in biblical times. No one, says Deutscher, has come up with a better explanation than the tale of the  Tower of Babel,  one of the saddest and most significant stories in the Bible. In the biblical fable, God- seeing that people of the earth had become skilled in construction and had decided to build an  idolatrous tower, indeed an entire city, in ancient  Mesopotamia  that stretched to the heavens- infused the human race with a myriad of tongues so that they could no longer communicate, and could no longer build a massive edifice that would replace the almighty. If the tale is apocryphal, its meaning is not, as Deutscher notes: Language often seems so skilfully drafted that one can hardly imagine it as anything other than the perfected handiwork of a master craftsman. How else could this instrument make so much out of three dozen measly morsels of sound? In themselves, these configurations of the mouth- But, if you run these sounds through the cogs and wheels of the language machine, says Deutscher, arrange them in some special way and define how they are be ordered by rules of  grammar, you suddenly have language, something that an entire group of people can understand and use to communicate- and indeed to function and a viable society. Chomskyan Linguistics If languages mysterious origin sheds little light on its meaning, it can be helpful to turn to Western societys most renowned- and even controversial- linguist: Noam Chomsky. Chomsky is so famous that an entire subfield of linguistics (the study of language) has been named after him. Chomskyian linguistics is a  broad term for the principles of  language  and the methods of language study introduced and/or popularized by Chomsky  in such groundbreaking works as Syntactic Structures  (1957) and Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965). But, perhaps Chomskys most relevant work for a discussion on language is his 1976 paper, On the Nature of Language. In it, Chomsky directly addressed the meaning of language in a way that foreshadowed the later assertions of  Deutscher  and McWhorter. The nature of language is considered as a function of knowledge attained...[T]he language faculty may be regarded as a fixed function, characteristic of the species, one component of the human mind, a function which maps experience into grammar. In other words, language is all at once a tool and the mechanism that determines how we relate to the world, to each other, and, even to ourselves. Language, as noted, is what makes us human. Expressions of Humanity Famed American poet and existentialist, Walt Whitman, said that language is the sum total of all that humans experience as a species: Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground. Language, then, is the sum of all human experience since the beginning of humankind. Without language, humans would be unable to express their feelings, thoughts, emotions, desires, and beliefs. Without language, there could be no society and possibly no religion. Even if Gods wrath at the building of the Tower of Babel led to a plethora of tongues throughout the world, the fact is that they are still tongues, languages that can be deciphered, studied, translated, written, and communicated. Computer Language As computers communicate with humans- and with each other- the meaning of language may soon change. Computers talk through the use of  programming language. Like human language, computer language is a system of grammar, syntax, and other rules that allow humans to communicate with their PCs, tablets, and smartphones, but also allows computers to communicate with other computers. As  artificial intelligence  continues to advance to a point where computers can communicate with each other without the intervention of humans, the very definition of language may need to evolve also. Language will still always be what makes us human, but it may also become the tool that allows machines to communicate, express needs and wants, issue directives, create, and produce through their own tongue. Language, would then, become something that was initially produced by humans but then evolves to a new system of communication- one that has little or no connection to human beings.

Mission Statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mission Statements - Essay Example This definition will be a guiding point in the evaluation of the mission statements of McDonald and Dell, Incorporated. McDonald's mission statement can be classified one of the best examples in the global corporate arena. The mission statement clearly defines what the company is and what it wants to accomplish-"to be the world's best quick restaurant experience." This future goal is backed by the strategies which the company will employ-"outstanding quality, service, cleanliness and value." Furthermore, the mission statement is crafted with the company's stakeholders in mind. McDonald emphasizes that it wants that it will be looking after its employees, customers, and shareholders. Written in clear and simple language, the message that McDonalds want to communicate is clearly delivered and is understood by any individual. The mission statement is clear, precise, simple and is very suitable for the world's largest fast food chain. In comparison, Dell's mission statement is more inclined in the company's future than on what it is. It should be noted that Dell's mission statement can be applied to any computer manufacturer.

Adab In Medieval Arabic Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Adab In Medieval Arabic Literature - Essay Example The first Al-Kindi’s argument for the existence of God pertains to the belief on causality. This means that everything that professes existence must have a beginning of existence. In this sense, it is impossible to have a beginning without a cause. Besides, entities to causes are infinite. Therefore, there is a prime cause of infinite elements that trigger other causes. This means that the prime cause must be a true one. The true cause refers to a sole God. According to Aristotle’s arguments, there are four stages of causes. This entails the final, the efficient, the formal and the material causes in terms of vitality. In a nutshell, there are two credible causes in the universe. The first cause is the sincere efficient one since its action springs from nothing. On the other hand, the other causes are intermediate since they spring from other causes. God is the only credible force that acts on other things. The reverse meaning of the same regards the idea that other thi ngs cannot act upon Him. Besides the argument on causality, Al-Kindi argues that everything in the world springs from creation (Kennedy 220). This means that there is a divine being that creates such entities. However, every creation lacks the life of sustaining itself. It must rely on the superior being to feed life into the same. This suggests that every creation is not eternal. The sole eternal being is God since He exists to breathe life into new creations. Similarly, the unicity of God is arguably from the observed nature of beings. The world possesses both irregularity and regularity that interact to create a beautiful working mixture. The world has a sculpture in a sense that does not jeopardize itself. In this sense, there are surprising disparities that coexist to accord a meaningful life.

Effect of Voltage on the Rate of Electroplating a Metal

Effect of Voltage on the Rate of Electroplating a Metal Akinlabi Boluwarinde Oluwatosin BACKGROUND Electroplating is the process of plating one metal onto another by hydrolysis, most commonly for decorative purposes or to prevent corrosion of a metal. There are also specific types of electroplating such as copper plating, silver plating, and chromium plating. Electroplating allows manufacturers to use inexpensive metals such as steel or zinc for the majority of the product and then apply different metals on the outside to account for appearance, protection, and other properties desired for the product. The surface can be a metal or even plastic.[1] RESEARCH QUESTION How does varying the voltage of the circuit affect the rate of electroplating a metal with copper? HYPOTHESIS The voltage of the cell also known as the E.M.F (electromotive force) is known to be the force that drives the current thhrough the circuit. It is expected that by increasing the Voltage the circuit will lead to an increase in the rate of electroplating the metal as more current will flow easily throughout the circuit. VARIABLES Independent Variable The voltage of the circuit Dependent Variable The mass of pure copper electroplated onto the metal Controlled Variable The amount of time allowed for reaction The concentration of the electrolyte solution The metal rod used CONTROL OF VARIABLES The amount of time allowed for reaction to occur will be measured with the use of a stopwatch. The voltage of the circuit will be increased by a fix aed amount of 1.5V to keep the experiment and easily measure a changein rate. The same metal rod will be used throughout the experiment for all trials and of the different voltage. The mass of the metal rod to be used is 7g APPARATUS Cells Low resistance wire Copper solid Electrolyte (copper sulphate solution) Electric Balance Stopwatch Metal rod Voltmeter Beaker METHOD I Setup the circuit as shown in the diagram below. I measured the initial mass of the metal and recorded it.Starting with one cell of 1.5V. I closed the circuit and allowed the reaction to occur for 10 minutes. I removed the electroplated metal and measured its mass and recorded it in the table. I Repeated the experiment increasing the number of cell each time and recorded the mass of the of the electroplated metal each time. SAFTEY PRECAUTIONS There is the risk of electrocution if care is not taken. To avoid this the use of well protected wires is necessary and great care must be taken when carrying out the experiment. DATA COLLECTION Raw Data Voltage /v Mass of metal rod after electrolysis /g  ± 0.1g Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 1.5 7.8 7.9 7.9 3.0 8.9 8.7 8.8 4.5 10.0 9.9 9.9 6.0 11.1 11.2 10.9 Qualitative Observations: The pure copper solid used became faded after it was used in the electrolysis reaction. There was still some residue of copper left on the metal rod after rinsing it. The voltage recorded by the voltmeter was not constant but varried in range that was close to the desired value The mass of the metal rod used is 7g Processed Data Voltage /v Mean Average mass of metal rod after electrolysis /g  ± 0.1g Mass of copper added to rod /g  ± 0.1g 1.5 7.9 0.9 3.0 8.8 1.8 4.5 9.9 2.9 6.0 11.1 4.1 The data has been processed. The mean of the three trials for each voltage has been calculated and represented on the table above as Mean Average mass of metal. Also the mass of copper that was electroplated onto the metal rod was calculated using the equation: Graph 1 Graph 2 CONCLUSION As expected when there was an increase in the voltage flowing in the circuit the mass of copper that was electroplated onto the metal rod increased too. This is because as the voltage increases a larger number of electrons flow from the cell or battery into the anode which causes the formation of copper ions to occur faster and so more ions are attracted to the metal rod (cathode) in the given time. The relationship between mass of copper electroplated and voltage can be seen on both graph 1 and graph 2 above. In graph 1 there is an increase in mass as voltage increases but the graph obtained is a slight curve rather than a straight line which indicates random errors, this could likely be due to the voltage fluctuating in circuit. Graph 2 shows a line of best fit for the graph and it is a straight line graph as expected, the error bars are plotted as well. The line passes through all the error bar ranges but does not touch any of the points on the graph and it does not pass through the origin (0,0), this may be due to systematic errors such as errors in the electric balance when measuring the mass of the metal rod before and after electroplating. The linear correlation is 0.998, which suggest very strong correlation between the two variables. EVALUATION The graph of values obtained was not exactly the same as what was expeted. A straight line graph starting from the origin was the expected graph but the graph ontained after a lin of bestt fit was plotted started from the y-intercept -0.25. This was due to errors in the experiment. Random errors such as the fluctuation of the voltage flowing through the circuit as a result of the chemicl reactions going on in the cell led to some of these errors. The voltmeter showed values that ranged from below to above the value of the voltage required indicating that this variable was not kept constant. The deviations were very little and not too far from the required voltage but were still enough to cause errors. It is also possible that because the same solution was used for all trials not all the copper ions had been electroplated onto the metal rod, this could have altered the concentration of the electrolyte (copper sulphate) leading to more errors as the concentration of the electrolyte als o has an effect on the rate of electroplating. Systematic errors were also present throughout the experiment, errors in measuring the mass of the of the metal rod before and after electroplating and also in measuring the mass of the anhydrous copper sulfate solution. This may have been due to poor caliberation before the experiment was carried out. The copper used may also have not been pure as it is possible that there were impurities in the copper solid used. Finally not all of the copper was rinsed off the metal rod before it was used for the next trial which could have altered the total mass when the mass of the metal after electro plating was measured. Errors in measuring the volume of water to be added to the beaker could also have been present. Systematic errors in the stopwatch used such as the delay in starting when the timer was started. The experiment also depended on human reaction time which is known to less accurate than machines, this will have led to more errors. It is impossible to keep the voltage of the cells constant but the range of values can be reduced by using new cells. The eleectric balance cshould be well caliberated before carring out the experiment and a balance with a higher degree of accuracy and sensitivity (measures to more decimal places) could be used. Before each trial a new electrolyte solution could be used to avoid any changes in concentration during the experiment. The experiment could have been automated using a switch that opened after ten minutes from when it was closed to eliminate the error as a result of dependence on human response time. The experiment could also have been repeated more times to reduce errors and increase accuracy. Also a lager rane of voltages could have been tested to gain more data for better more accurate analysis. [1]  http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Electrochemistry/Electrolytic_Cells/Electroplating

Fracking: Carbon Dioxide and Natural Gas

April 8, 2012 Dear Senator Greg Ball, The current practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) began in America in the late 1990‘s and has been wreaking havoc on the land and the lives of the American people since. In case you are unaware, fracking is the process well diggers use to extract natural gas and oil from the earth. They use pressurized mixture of water, sand, and chemicals to form veins (or fractures) in the rock in order for the natural gas or oil to escape.Although this process is an affective way to produce the natural resources from the earth, there are repercussions that are being ignored by the well companies. For instance, there were several private wells in Dimock, Pennsylvania contaminated with methane caused by the fracking done by Cabot Oil and Gas. The people living off these wells were not able to use their water. Although the gas company denied any kind of fault, they compensated the residents financially and built a new pipeline to bring clean water in. In December, 2011 the EPA sent out letters to the residents telling them their water was safe to drink. But in January of 2012 the EPA retracted its position and told the gas company to immediately take care of the problem. Another problem that has developed due to fracking is pollution around the dig sites. Emissions associated with combustion include nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Another emission problem is the emission produced from the natural gas.Gasses such as methane, ethane and liquid condensate and volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOC’s have been proven to cause birth defects, neurological problems, and cancer. Most recently, in March of 2012, officials in Ohio are blaming the wastewater produced from fracking for a series of recent earthquakes. What my goal would be from you Mr. Ball, is that you would introduce a bill to the senate that would encourage regulation on fracking from the federal level.If the federal government woul d regulate the way fracking is done in America, it could save many lives and help save the environment. Bad drilling techniques, design and execution are some of the reasons the drilling wreaks so much havoc. This is something that could very easily be regulated by inspections of the wells. I also believe that the number of wells being drilled needs to be regulated. In Pennsylvania alone, there are 3,500 wells. This number is too high. Having that number of wells in such s small area, is inviting problems.If the federal government would make some regulations on how many wells per square mile are aloud, it would cut down of a lot of the damage being done. It may also be possible to regulate how far from civilian dwellings a well should be drilled. If the wells were drilled several miles from any home, the chances of it endangering people and animals would decrease. Mr. Ball I appreciate you taking time to read this letter and listening to my concerns. I am confident that you love thi s country as much as I do and will try to put an end to hydraulic fracturing as we know it today. Sincerely,

Superstition in a Taiwanese Family

Final Writing Assignment: Superstitions in my family Talking about superstitions is a common fact in my family, and in ours modern societies. Even the more reasonable person at least once in his life had been superstitious. Even if we are not extreme in this belief; whom had never crossed their fingers or ran away if we see a black cat. We all even unconsciously believe in fate, good or bad luck. Some people are really extreme in their belief of superstitions but I tend to think that is a way for them more easily to accept some facts whenever the science can not explain it.Superstitions are not limited to a particular part of the globe, people, or community. All superstitions exist, in one form or another, and get different degrees of implication. Superstitions are passed on from one generation to another, through habits or religious practices. No doubt that less educated people are more sensitive to these believes because their understanding of the world and sciences are limited. I am however a rational and educated person. I tend to believe more in reason than feeling but I also happen to be superstitious.My superstitions are those ones my family has, and more precisely my mother conveyed to me. Also my country, Taiwan, where I have grown up is full of superstitious beliefs. Superstitions are a real part of the Asian culture. I totally experience it everyday in my proper family. Some examples of common superstitions of my culture are: you have to knock the door when you enter a room in a hotel in order to tell the ghosts that they have to leave. Or do not use your finger to point the moon or you take the risk to get your ears cut.Another, the most common in all over the world as well as in my country is the belief is link to a number for us the number four which pronunciation in Chinese is really close to the word, die. The another is that a black cat crossing your path can affect your luck, something bad will happen to you soon or later. Firstly, I think it is important to know what a superstition is: According to The Oxford Dictionary, superstition is â€Å"excessively credulous belief in and reverence for the supernatural.A widely held but irrational belief in supernatural influences, especially as leading to good or bad luck, or a practice based on such a belief. † Now for the really scientific mind this belief can seem totally stupid or wrong. But I tend to think that there is no real rational explanation to this belief, we just follow those superstitions because we may be unconsciously afraid of the consequences in next second if we do not follow. For example, my mother used to tell me since I am a kid that do not whistle during night because hypothetically some ghost could be attract by the sound and follow me home.The elder generation really keeps and respects this kind of belief and we grow up with. Lots of people in Taiwan respect those believe that most of foreigners who do not know it and make the mistake are rapidly warned. Maybe this superstition could seem preposterous but most of people here believe in it, so you tend to believe too. For other example, in my family everybody believes that during the Ghosts month, it is inauspicious to travel, to marry, to swim, or stay late outside at night because they believe that all the ghosts of the universe walk on the earth during that month.So, that is why my mother asks me not to stay out at night because she wants to prevent any possibility that I meet any of this â€Å"unknown but possibly dangerous ghosts. † My country may be full of superstitions but many of them can be mock through scientific experimentation. For example, my mother believes that a woman during her pregnancy cannot use any sharp tool or glue without take the risk that her baby gets some bad after-effects. So does it mean that during all her pregnancy, she cannot use a knife so she cannot eat meat by herself.If we think more reasonably I do not see which does not enter the body can get the baby any consequences. This superstition must have evolved with the science but still in Taiwan that lots of family believe in it and really pay attention to pregnant woman. I ignore from where this superstition comes from but we still scare of the unknown and invisible things. In conclusion, the superstitions had been through centuries brought down from our ancestors. All these superstitions affect people’s life and have been kept and brought forward until now.In Taiwan superstitions are a real part of our customs and traditions. I really think that my family is really affected by these beliefs and divided between tradition and modernity. Eventually though I am a realistic person, I sometime get caught up in my mother's superstitions. I do not believe in superstition but unconsciously, I put myself into these through my youth. These superstitions are more than only simple beliefs they are my culture, and my identity. I would love to know how people of my ge neration and other countries live their proper superstitions.