Biology: Characteristics of Life

Just putting up some main points found in textbooks, I haven't learnt the actual thing yet.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE:
Cells

• Living things are made of cells while non-living things aren't, cells carry out activities necessary for the organism to stay alive.

Nutrition

• All organisms need energy to stay alive. They need materials to make protoplasm in the cells. 
• Nutrition = the process by which organisms take in food and convert it into new protoplasm.
• Organisms gain energy and materials needed from food. Plants photosynthesize while animals feed on other organisms.
• Non-living things don't require nutrition. (Unable to to convert substances into part of them)

Respiration

• Living organisms gain energy through respiration. Respiration = Oxidation of food substances to release energy for call activities.  
• Organic food substances such as carbohydrates and fats are used to store energy. This energy is set free when these substances are broken down through respiration into carbon dioxide and water.

Glucose + oxygen --> carbon dioxide + water + energy

 Excretion

• Glucose broken down(in respiration) ---> chemical reaction takes place
• Numerous chemical reactions occur in the cells of a living organisms. 
• These chemical reactions are called biochemical reactions, metabolism is the sum of all biochemical reactions that take place within the cell. 
• Some biochemical reactions produce waste substances that are useless or harmful to the organism, and must be removed, this process is excretion.
• Substances which are to be removed are excretory products.
• Living organisms are open systems continually receiving and disposing both energy and materials. 

Homeostasis

• Cells require a constant chemical and physical environment in order to carry out their functions. The maintenance of a constant internal environment = homeostasis.

Growth and development

• Growth is a permanent increase in the mass and volume of an organism when absorbed food is converted into protoplasm. Some of the new matter formed is used to repair worn-out parts of the cells while the rest is added to the original living matter and this increases its size.
• Growth may make an organism more complex or even change its form.
• The body of an organism can change and become larger in size and can also become more complex. 
• A non-living thing does not grow. 

Movement

• The movement of organisms is independent of external forces.
• Most animals are able to move from one place to another and such movement is termed locomotion.
• Animals such as corals and sponges do not have the power of locomotion and most plants are unable to carry out locomotion.

Reproduction

• In reproduction, some characteristics are passed on from parents to their offspring.
• Organisms are mortal, they die of disease, old age, in accidents or being eaten by other organisms. 
• Reproduction is necessary for a species to survive.

Sensitivity

• Animals and plants are sensitive to changes in their environment, they often react to changes in ways which are beneficial to themselves.  
• A change in the environment or an external influence causes the organisms to react in a predictable way. Such a change/external influence is called stimulus (plural: stimuli).
• The reaction to a stimulus is known as a response, this response to stimuli is termed sensitivity/irritability.

Adaptability

• Living organisms are able to adjust and adapt to changes in their environment. Non-living things do not show adaptive responses.
• An adaptation is any characteristic of an organism that improves its chances of surviving in its environment. It improves chances of survival, support reproduction and the rearing of an offspring.

How to differentiate living organisms and non-living matter 

Machines do not reproduce and they do not grow. All characteristics of life must be considered when distinguishing between a living organism from non-living matter.

Passive Voice

This is one of the most important aspects in the exams......I know preliminary exams and PSLE are difficult...
Fighting! 加油!
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Use passive sentences when you want to emphasise the effect of an action and when it is not important to mention the doer of an action, or if you do not know who the doer is.

Example: Children who are brought up in the equatorial country of Colombia have a different lifestyle from children in Sweden.

When you want to say who the doer of the action is in a passive sentence, use "by + person".

Tense of passive sentence:

has/have been + past participle

Science: Adaptations for escaping from predators

1. Living in groups
2. Moving quickly from predators
3. Hiding
4. Defending themselves
5. Appearing bigger and fiercer when threatened(camouflage)
6. Warning colours or patterns(used to warn predators about bad-tasting or poisonous prey)
7. Taking the appearance of others(camouflage)

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Living in groups(eg): elephants.

Purpose: It enhances survival of the plant-eaters, and they help one another to look out for predators

Moving quickly from predators(eg): Antelope

Purpose: It allows them to move quickly from predators

(Extra: A squid can force out a jet of water to help it swim away quickly)

Hiding(eg): Tortoises

Purpose: To hide from predators because they cannot move quickly enough

Defending themselves(eg): Porcupine

Purpose: To defend themselves. They have structural adaptations like quills, horns and armour-like shells.

Appearing bigger and fiercer when threatened: Puffer fish

Purpose: To scare predators. They can make themselves look bigger and more dangerous when threatened by swelling up using water or air.

(Extra: Some puffer fish are spiny and dangerous)
..........

Science: Adaptations for obtaining food

Sharp senses: Keen sense of smell, sight, hearing, touch, "taste"

Using sharp teeth and claws

Using speed

Using poisons

Using comouflage


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Feeding


Plant-eaters: Cutting and grinding teeth.

Animal-eaters: Sharp teeth for tearing meat

Birds: Sharp, hooked beaks for tearing meat/Long slender beak

Science: Effects of a force

I know I'm in hiatus for a long time, because I do not want to continue posting.

But PSLE is coming, and I have to do it. ARGH. I hate this. Worse year ever.

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Effects of a force

1. Make a stationary object move
2. Change the direction of a moving object
3. Speed up, slow down, or stop a moving object
4. Change the shape of an object

IMPORTANT: Tips on how to do well for Science exam (for my friends)

I've noticed some careless mistakes and decided to give some tips, for my friends and for myself(LOL).

Section A

1. Read the questions carefully, make sure you read them properly. Read a question at least 2 times, then highlight the clues in a colour that makes the words stand out. Recommended colour: Yellow, Light green.....any bright colour that contrasts with the words.
2. Refer to the clues to help you get the answer.
3. Eliminate answers and write down the answers in pencil. Then shade your final answer in pencil at the OAS LIGHTLY.
4. If you need to, draw some kind of graph or picture to help you visualize or help you answer your questions.
5. After you have finished the whole of Section A, erase the answers and everything in pencil. This is to avoid any careless mistakes made in the paper and the things in pencil might affect the second time you check the answers. You will tend to follow the pencil markings(because you are tired, I am too!) and it might lead you to a careless mistake(2 careless mistakes prevented me from getting an A! What a waste!). 
6. Check your answers the second time. Refer to the clues highlighted. 
7. IMPORTANT: Check for words that determines your answers, example: not. It might not be in bold. I made a careless mistake on that when I didn't notice the "not". It is very important, you will lose 2 marks because of that! Read every word carefully, go through the question slowly if you want.
8. Check your answers and check that you have shaded the correct answer in the OAS or you will lose marks! One question cost you 2 points, that's how I got a B....sadly.
9. Write down key words, like if you see a certain concept being tested. Jot down points in PENCIL. You also have to erase that later. 

Section B

1. Use this to help you answer Section B questions: Claim, Explain, Reason. I tried it and it works.
2. Use key words. 

Key words for light concept: Light travels in a straight line, the thing is opaque/translucent/transparent, light pathway is blocked/unblocked, it forms a shadow/no shadow.

Key words for heat concept: Heat is transferred from a hotter object to a colder object, good/bad insulator/conductor of heat.

Key words for water:
-evaporation: water gains heat, evaporates to become water vapour
-condensation: water vapour from the surrounding air comes in contact with the cooler surface of the ________, condenses to form water droplets.

Key words for dispersal:
-wind: wing-like structure, soft hairs, parachute-like structure, light.
-water: fibrous husks, light, trap air, float in water
-animals: pass out through droppings, stiff hairs cling onto fur/clothes,

Key words for increase/decrease of populations:
population increase/decrease, predators, prey, eaten......


Also, write down the key points and highlight the clues that might help you in answering the questions. Writing down key points helps you to answer the question correctly and not beat around the bush. You must also check your answers.


Hope these tips helps you to do well in your Science exam. Also, remember to revise your Science concepts and understand them well.

Science: Forces: Friction

Force that acts in opposite direction of a moving object = friction

It can slow down/stop the motion of the moving object.

Friction is (usually) greater when an object moves on a rough surface than on a smooth one. 

Friction between two moving objects produce heat, and causes wear and tear.

Science:Forces:Elastic Spring force

A spring is elastic; goes back to original shape & length after being compressed/stretched. (not over-stretched)

How it works

Force act on spring => spring stretched/compressed => spring exert elastic spring force on object that is compressing/stretching it.

Science:Forces:Gravity

Gravity = force of attraction between two masses.

An object on Earth has weight because of the gravitational force between the object and Earth.


Additional

Mass = amount of matter in an object
Weight = gravitational force that acts on the object.

Science:Forces:Magnetic force

Magnets attract objects that are made of magnetic materials.
Forces exerted by magnets = magnetic forces.
A magnetic force can act at a distance.
Force of attraction = magnetic force of attraction
Force of repulsion = magnetic force of repulsion

Science:Types of Forces

There are four types of forces. They are:
-Frictional force/Friction
-Gravitational force/Gravity
-Magnetic force
-Elastic spring force

Science:Introduction to Forces

This is taken from my textbook. No copyright infringement intended.


Forces:
-is a push/pull
-can make a stationary object move.
-make a moving object move faster.
-change the direction of a moving object.
-slow down a moving object.
-stop a moving object
-change the shape of the object.

English: Past perfect tense

Use of had + past participle = to talk about the action that happened first

Example: After young Mandela had jumped onto the donkey, it unseated him.

Young Mandela jumped onto the donkey first, then the donkey unseated him. For the second action you use simple past tense.

Past perfect tense is formed when past participle of the verb follows had.

Science:Cells

Taken from the PSLE Science Revision Guide, I would simplify the information, I hope you understand what am I posting.

Cell(s):
-smallest unit of life
-able to grow, take in food, reproduce and react to changes in the environment.
-come in different shapes, sizes and structures
-too small to be seen by the naked eye.
-has a nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane. (animal cell)
-has a nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane,(chloroplast) and cell wall.

Maths: Decrease in percentage

Hello visitors to my blog! I'm posting this because I've posted "Increase in percentage" post, here's the link to view the post:http://revisioning-blog.blogspot.com/2011/03/maths-increase-in-percentage.html

Ok so basically it's the reverse. I'm using the same question in the post, but just change the conditions so the question will be about the decrease in percentage. Please stop the music if you find it annoying, hehe....

So here's the question: The temperature of a piece of metal was 36 degrees. It was then lowered into a glass of cold water and the temperature of the piece of metal decreased to 32 degrees. Find the percentage decrease in temperature of the piece of metal. Round it off to 1 decimal place.


Solution(2Steps):


1st step: Find the difference between 36 and 32.
36-32=4
2nd step: Put 4 over 36 and multiply it by 100%.
4/36 x 100% =(approximately) 11.1%


So here's your answer: 11.1% This post is like introducing short-cuts to Maths questions....

Science: Energy and Photosynthesis(P5 topic)

light + carbon dioxide + water => sugar(food) + oxygen

Chlorophyll trap sunlight.
Most stomata found underside of the leaf.

Extra:Game added!

Hello visitors to my blog, I'm now introducing a game called Penguin Diner, though I've forgotton if it is version 1 or 2-I'm so forgetfull! I hope you like this game, and you could also request for other games, I would try to put it into the blog. Use the C-Box to request for anything you would like to have in this blog. You could also use the C-Box to suggest, comment or to simply have a chat. I hope you like this blog!

Science: Light

I felt that I have to post this, for revisioning purposes. Also, my mother is subjecting me to read books. If I posted this, at least it will give me an excuse to use the computer and get into facebook.....Anyways, the post!

• Light is a form of energy.
• Light = not matter
• Light don't occupy space, it do not have mass.
• Sun = most important source of light.
• Stars give off light.
• Mirrors reflect.

If you have any questions, you can ask by posting at the C-Box. I will try to answer them!

Science: Adaptations for coping with physical factors of the environment

The physical factors of environments:

• Light
• Water
• Temperature
• Air
• Soil

Light is used for
-seeing
-photosynthesis

Seeing in the dark
Cats and owls have large eyes with light sensitive cells, able to see well at night, can hunt for food or escape from danger.

Plants need light for photosynthesis, some plants uses their roots to climb up trees and obtain more light, it enables its leaves to grow bigger.

Aquatic plants need light too. The flowers and leaves of water lilies stay above water.

The leaf stalks of water hyaciths are spongy. They have air spaces for the leaves of water hyaciths to stay above water.

Water
Water = essential for life

Fishes have streamlined bodies. Streamlined bodies = a body that has a pointed head and end, while the middle is bigger and broader.
Streamlined bodies helps a fish to move easily in the water by reducing friction between its body and the water. Its fins help it to balance and move in water.

Aquatic animals have gills to help them breathe underwater. Dophins and whales have blowholes on top of their heads. They can hold their breath for a long time underwater before surfacing to breathe.

Water scopions, water stick insects and mosquito larva have breathing tubes/air tubes which extend out of the water surface to help them breathe in air.

Camels drink a lot of water at a time. Some desert plants have deep and long roots. Others have shallow roots which are spread across a large area to absorb water.

The leaves of cactus are reduced to needles. The thick and fleshy stems store water, also have a waxy surface and few stomata.

Extra: Change in Taemin's picture

This previous Taemin picture was dedicated to my cousin, who was a big fan of Taemin. But she did not like the picture, and wanted me to change it. I changed the picture and she liked it! Yes, for Taemin fans who want the previous picture, you can request for it to be either put in the blog or sent to you in the C-box under Taemin's current picture.

Science: Environment: Introduction

Organism = a living thing

Habitat = Place where an organism can find four things: food, shelter, protection and mate.

Population = a group of many organisms of the same kind, regardless of stage in life.

Community = many populations living together in a habitat.

Environment = factors that affect survival/physical characteristics, they are:

• temperature 
• water
• air
• light
• soil

Science: Introduction of Adaptations

Note: This "Adaptations" post is taken from either my textbook or the PSLE Science Guide, no copyright infringement intended!!!!
Adaptations = characteristics which help an organism survive in (its) habitat.

• Organisms have special characteristics or features that help them to:

          -survive in their habitat
          -reproduce

Structural Adaptations
Organisms have special body parts or unusual life processes which are suited for the environment. They are called structural adaptations.


Behavioural Adaptations
Organisms behave in certain ways to survive in their habitats. These are behavioural adaptations.

Organisms may have both structural and behavioural adaptations to help them survive/reproduce.

Continued in next post!

English: The Verb 'Dare'

The verb 'dare' can be used to express different meanings. 

Meanings of the verb 'dare' : To have enough courage to do something and to actually do it, to challenge someone to do something dangerous or frightening.

Meaning: To have enough courage to do something and to actually do it

When dare is immediately followed by the verb, we may or may not use 'to' before the verb.

Examples:

Format: dare + to + verb: Would you dare to push an old woman into a hot oven?

Note: Verbs are highlighted in red, the verb I'm talking about will be highlighted in orange, special words will be highlighted in blue.

Format: dare + verb: Would you dare push an old woman into a hot oven?

In negative sentences using dare, we do not use to before verb.

Example: Unless people accept the truth of my story, I dare not come out of hiding.

Meaning: To challenge someone to do something dangerous or frightening

Example: The journalist dared the old woman to tell her story on television.

The verb dare can be used to show that we are shocked and angry that someone has done something that they have no right to. The verb dare can also be used in exclamations to express outrage. Such sentences(that express outrage, earlier I've mentioned) begin with How dare.

Example: How dare they say such things about me! 

Don't you dare is used to express strong disapproval-telling someone that not to do something and letting them know that you are angry.

Example: Don't you dare eat any more of my cakes!

Extra: Change in Slideshow

Haha, for those who visit my blog would know that I used to have a SHINee slideshow because I'm a fan!!!! Unfortunately, I changed the settings for almost all pictures to be of Minho because he's my bias!!!! Hehe, for fans who want a slide show of their bias, using the slideshow gadget in my blog, you can request for it!!! Unless you're a desperate fan though.

Extra:Songs in my new playlist

These are songs in my playlist. You can ask for new songs (any will do, regardless of language) and I will add them in the playlist. PLEASE request them using the C-Box. Because there are too many songs in my playlist, so I had to write out this list for convenience purposes. This is how it is written.
Order: Song by Artist
Now here's the list!!!

1. Nobody but You by BoA
2. Nothing's Gonna Change by BoA
3. Valenti by BoA
4. Jewel Song by BoA
5. Miracle by BoA
6. Altantis Princess by BoA
7. Tree by BoA
8. Milky Way by BoA (Korean)
9. Gift by BoA
10. Make a Move by BoA
11. So Much in Love by BoA
12. The Show must go on by BoA
13. The Lights of Seoul by BoA
14.  B.I.O by BoA
15. Shine We Are by BoA
16. Be the One by BoA
17. My Name by BoA
18. Spark by BoA
19. Stay in Love by BoA
20. Dakishimeru by BoA
21. Hurricane Venus by BoA
22. Copy and Paste by BoA
23. Game by BoA
24. Everlasting by BoA
25. Double by BoA (Korean)
26. Don't Start Now by BoA
27. My Sweetie by BoA
28. Merry Chri by BoA
29. Possibility by BoA
30. White Wishes by BoA
31. Eat You Up by BoA
32. Key of Heart by BoA (Korean) 
33. No.1 by BoA
34. Be with You by BoA
35. Hello by SHINee
36. Lucifer by SHINee
37. Replay
38. Ring Ding Dong by SHINee (Live)
39. Bad Girl(Boom Boom) by Super Junior (Live)
40. Bonamana by Super Junior
41. Steps to Stop by Super Junior
42. She's Gone by Super Junior
43. Every Heart by BoA
44. Listen to my Heart
45. Midnight Parade by BoA (Korean)
46. Moon and Sunrise by BoA (Korean)
47. Lollipop by BoA
48. Woo Weekend by BoA
49. Sara by BoA
50. Sunshine by BoA
51. Beat it by BoA
52. Winter Love by BoA
53. Autumn Letter by BoA
54. My Prayer by BoA
55. Feel Me by BoA
56. Dangerous by BoA
57. Waiting by BoA
58. Make a secret by BoA
59. Did Ya by BoA
60. Touched by BoA
61. Dress Off by BoA
62. Do you love me by BoA
63. Moto by BoA
64. M.E.P (My Electronic Piano) by BoA
65. Addiction by BoA
66. Stand By by BoA
67. Whatever by BoA
68. Implode by BoA
69. Adrenaline by BoA
70. Don't Know what to say by BoA
71. Romance by BoA
72. Love Letter by BoA
73. Best Friend by BoA (Live)
74. I SEE ME by BoA
75. Brand New Beat by BoA
76. Sparkling by BoA
77. Sweet Impact by BoA
78. Do the Motion by BoA
79. Eien by BoA
80. The Love Bug/M-Flo loves BoA by BoA feat. M-Flo
81. Energetic by BoA
82. Pain-Love by BoA
83. Happiness by BoA
84. Realize(Stay with me) by BoA
85. Azalea by BoA
86. Feeling Deep Inside by BoA
87. Share your love (with me) by BoA
88. Happiness by BoA
89. Snow White by BoA
90. Next Step by BoA (Japanese)
91. Sekai no Katsumi by BoA
92. Winding by BoA feat. Dado
93. Searching for truth by BoA
94. Discovery by BoA
95. Flower by BoA
96. Beside You by BoA
97. Feel the Same by BoA
98. Time to Begin by BoA
99. Beat of Angel by BoA
100. Where are You by BoA
101. Endless Sorrow by BoA
102. One Way by BoA
103. Always by BoA
104. Kimochi wa Tsutawaru by BoA
105. Konoyono shirushi by BoA
106. Happy Birthday by BoA
107. LA.LA.LA Love Song by BoA
108. Scream by BoA
109. My Only One by BoA
110. I'M OK by BoA
111. Romantic by SHINee
112. Y.O.U (Year of Us) by SHINee
113. Get it by SHINee
114. Shout out by SHINee
115. Obsession by SHINee
116.  Love Pain by SHINee
117. WOWOWOW by SHINee
118. Electric Heart by SHINee
119. A-Yo by SHINee
120. Up and Down by SHINee
121. Ready or not by SHINee
122. Quasimodo by SHINee
123. Your Name by SHINee
124. Life by SHINee
125. Love still goes on by SHINee
126. Love should go on by SHINee(From Replay mini-album)
127. In my room by SHINee
128. Best Place by SHINee
129. Talk to You by SHINee
130. Hit me by SHINee
131. Hot times by S.M the Ballad
132. Miss You by S.M the Ballad

English: Conditional Sentences

Hello visitors of the Revisioning Blog!(Though I call this Learning Blog) I will be posting this 'Conditional Sentences' post, it tells you of the different type of posts.This post is dedicated to my classmate who was unsure of the types of conditional questions, and I could also revise from it when I have no books.
First type of conditional sentences
To talk about something we will do in the future or something that is likely to happen really happened, we use will + verb. Use simple past tense in the 'if' half of the sentence.
Example: If I keep feeding you. I will not be able to feed the poor.

Sometimes 'unless' is used instead of 'If......not'. Do not use not in the 'unless' half of a conditional sentence; use not in the second half of the same sentence.
Example of usage of 'unless': Unless people accept the truth of my story, I will not come out of hiding.
Example of usage of 'If......not': If people do not accept the truth of my story, I will not come out of hiding.


Second type of conditional sentences
To talk about a situation that is not likely to happen or that is unreal, use would + verb. Use the simple past tense in the 'if' half of the sentence.


Examples: If what the children said about their stepmother was true, they would not dare return home.
If I wanted to eat meat, I would choose something other than such bony creatures.


In the second type of conditional sentences, were, weren't, was and wasn't can be used for I, he, she and it.
Example: If I were a cow, I would munch grass all day.
If I was a cow, I would munch grass all day.
When writing, we use 'I were',when speaking, both 'I was' and 'I were' are acceptable.  

Use were after I when we want to tell somebody what we think should be done, or giving opinions.
Example: If I were you, I wouldn't let strange children eat my house!

Third type of conditional sentences
Sometimes we talk about things that happened or did not happen in the past. We think of what would have happened if something did/did not happen.
The 'if' half of the sentence talks about things that have happened. It is too late to change these things. Use had + past participle. The 'would/wouldn't have' half of such sentences is to say what would have happened if things have been different in the 'if' half of the sentence. Use would/wouldn't have + past participle. 

Examples: If I had not made such a delicious house, I would not have been in this mess.

They would have left my house sooner if I had not cooked such delicious food.
To talk about a situation that did/did not happen in the past, use if + verb in past perfect tense in the 'if' half of the sentence. In the other half of the sentence, use would have + past participle of verb.

Use 'if only' to express regret.
Example: If only I had not listened to those wicked children in the first place, I would not be in this situation now.

Maths: Increase in Percentage

There are two methods actually. But I want to post this method because it is faster to solve the question. I will post the other method if you find this one too hard to understand. The question is taken from my workbook. No copyright infringement though.

Question: The temperature of a piece of metal was 32 degrees. It was then lowered into a glass of hot water and the temperature of the piece of metal increased to 36 degrees. Find the percentage increase in temperature of the piece of metal.

Step 1: Find the difference between 36 degrees and 32 degrees.
36 degrees-32 degrees = 4 degrees
Step 2: Put 4 degrees over 32 degrees. Then multiply this fraction by 100%.
4/32 x 100% = 12.5%


The method is easy, right? Only two steps. But it was somehow hard for me to remember in a way when I haven't put this in the blog.

What can affect the brightness of bulb(s) in a circuit?

• The brightness of a bulb in a circuit depends on the:

         -arrangement of batteries
         -number of batteries
         -number of bulbs
         -arrangement of bulbs
Arrangement of Batteries

• The batteries in a circuit may be connected in series not connected or parallel.

Batteries in series

• When the positive pole of a battery is connected to the negative pole of another battery, the batteries are connected in series.

Batteries in Parallel

• When the batteries in a circuit are arranged in parallel:

          - the positive poles of all the batteries are connected together, and then connected to one end of the circuit.    

          - the negative poles of all the batteries are connected together, and then connected to the other end of the circuit.

Science: Electricity: Connections In a Bulb

• When the metal tip and metal casing of the bulb is connected to different poles of the battery, the bulb lights up.
• It is because there is a complete circuit for electric current to flow through.
• The bulb will not light up if:

-the metal tip of metal casing of the bulb is not connected to the battery.
-the bulb blows
            

Chinese: Open-Ended Questions(理解问答)

This is strictly for revision purposes, or rather, making my revision easier. No other intentions of posting this or other homework. This 'Open-Ended Questions' is from my homework. Some of these questions are based on the contents of the P6 textbook. I will post another 'Open-Ended Questions' post, but it comes from a book given by the school for practice. I will write the text first, then put the questions.
第一课: 珍珠项链
          母亲生日那天, 我送给她一串珍珠项链, 并亲自给他戴上. 我们先逛街, 然后去餐馆吃饭, 我特意点了长寿面和母亲最爱吃的螃蟹.
          吃饭时, 服务员不小心把饮料洒在了母亲的衣领上. 母亲就去了一趟洗手间, 去了好久都没有回来. 我赶紧去找她.  在洗手间门口, 我看见母亲在跟一个穿短袖上衣的女孩儿说话,见我来了,女孩儿向母亲弯了弯腰,匆匆地走了. 我觉得有点儿奇怪, 但母亲什么也没说.
          回到家里,我才知道事情的经过.
          母亲在洗手间擦洗衣领时, 把项链摘了下来放在一边. 他擦洗干净后, 才发现项链不见了, 焦急的四处寻找. 当时厕所里只有她的和那个女孩儿, 那女孩儿神色慌张的正要出去, 母亲叫住了她.
            "对不起, 小姑娘, 打扰了."
            "干什么?" 女孩儿的脸色有些发白.
            "我的珍珠项链不见了, 这串项链是女儿送给我的. 虽然很普通, 但那是她省吃俭用, 用储蓄了半年的钱给我买的. 刚才我随手一放, 就不记得放在哪儿了. 要是找不到项链, 女儿一定会很伤心的. 你也帮我找找吧."
             女孩儿看着母亲, 说: "我帮您找找."
             母亲接过项链, 高兴地说: "就是它!谢谢你了!"
              女孩儿连忙说: "不用客气. " 停了一下, 她又说: "谢谢您!"
              就在这时, 我走了进来.
              听到这里,  我问母亲: "她拿了您的东西, 您为什么不叫保安, 反而谢她呢?"
              "她也许是家境贫穷才这么做的." 母亲慈祥地说, "要是我叫保安, 女孩儿就失去了一个改过自新的机会."
               我的心微微一震......

Extra:Another Discovery!

Hello! I found this video that have SHINee's 'Hit Me' and BoA's 'Key of Heart' and 'Waiting' MVs, and Super Junior's Donghae's in 'Key of Heart' MV! And also some videos of Donghae I think? To get the full picture, visit this youtube website:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb4OlYddpGQ&feature=related

A strange video

There is this fan-made video that combines BoA's 'Hurricane Venus' and SHINee's  'Replay' Dance. Check this out in youtube: Link
Go to the link!
There is also some more videos of this sort: BoA's Did Ya + SHINee's Magic Dance
BoA's Obsessed + SHINee's Magic Dance
BoA's Energetic + SHINee's Magic Dance
Super Junior's Sorry Sorry + SHINee's Magic Dance
Taegoon's Superstar + SHINee's Magic Dance
Super Junior's It's You+ SHINee's Magic Dance
LOL. It's the funniest thing that I came across.
P.S: SHINee's 'Magic Dance' is actually the dance of 'Replay', SHINee's debut song. Please do not mistake 'Magic Dance' for a song because of what I put.
P.S.S: I know I'm not supposed to post this. This is just for fun and I wanted to share this with one of my classmates or maybe some others? I will post more Science and Chinese Posts. I will also label posts that have SHINee, BoA or Super Junior(or other K-pop/J-pop artists/singers) as Extra, from the next post of such content.

Science: Electricity: Different types of circuits

Types of Circuits

• Closed and open circuits
• Series and parallel circuits
• Short circuit(s)

Closed circuit

• An electric current can only flow if the circuit is closed or complete.
• When the components of a circuit are joined to form a complete path for electric current to flow through, the circuit is called a closed circuit.
• In a closed circuit, electric current flows from the battery, through the wires to the other electrical component(s) and back into the battery.
• A circuit can only be complete when all the components are properly connected.
• Electricity flows from the negative pole to the positive pole of a battery.

Open circuit

• When the components of a circuit are not properly connected, there may be a break/gap in the circuit.
• When that happens, electric current cannot pass through the gap. The path that the electric current flows through is broken and the circuit is an open circuit.

Series and Parallel circuits

• A series circuit is a circuit with only one path for electricity to flow through.
• If two bulbs are connected in a series and one of the bulbs is removed or is blown, the circuit will not work. This is because the circuit is open.
• A parallel circuit has more than one path for electricity to flow through.
• If two bulbs are connected in parallel, one bulb will work when the other is removed/blown. 
• A bulb will not light up if the metal casing and the metal tip are connected to the same pole of the battery. The bulb will only light up when the metal casing and the metal tip are connected to different poles of the battery.

Short circuit

• (Short circuit is) A low-resistance, unintentional path, that bypasses part of a circuit. This can happen when two bare wires in a circuit touch each other. The part of the circuit bypassed by the short circuit ceases to function, and a large amount of current could start to flow. It could generate a lot of heat in the wires and cause a fire. As a safety measure, fuses and circuit breakers automatically open the circuit when excessive current is detected.

Maths : Percentage: Finding original prices of things(for sale)

This is an additional post. Actually, I am very familiar with this topic(finding original prices of things), except that I posted some things that I don't understand or wanted to post. But I thought that other people who would visit my blog might not understand about this, therefore, I posted this one.
Question: A toy costs $4 after a 20% discount. Find its original price.
Solution:
100%-20%=80%
$4 => 80%
100% => $4/80 x 100 = $5

Maths: Percentage:Continued from the first post of Maths.

I break the Percentage facts into parts. This one is continued from my Maths post.
Question: How many more percent of girls there are to boys.
To find how many more percent of the girls to the percent of the boys:
27(Girls)-23(Boys)= 4
There are 4 more girls than boys.
Express 4 over 23(use the number of boys as denominator), then multiply it by 100%.
4/23 x 100% = 17.4%
There are 17.4% more girls than boys.

Maths: Percentage :Expressing in Percentage

What I have learnt about Percentage. I'll take a question from my E-Learning Day Math Lesson.

Question

There are 27 girls and 23 boys in Person A's class.

a) Find the percentage of girls in Person A's class. 

b) Find the percentage of boys in Person B's class.

Solution(for A)

Find the total number of students.

27+23=50

Then, put the number of girls over the total number of pupils. It will create a fraction: 27/50

Multiply the fraction by 100%. 

27/50  x 100% = 54%

The percentage of girls in Person A's class is 54%

Solution(for B)

There are two methods.

Method 1

100%-54%=46%

Method 2

23/50 x 100% = 46%

Science: Electricity : Components of an electric circuit

Battery(batteries)

• A battery has a negative pole and a positive pole.
• When the two poles of the battery(batteries) are connected in an electric circuit, electricity flows through the circuit. 

Wires

• Electricity flows from one component to another through wires.
• Wires are usually made of copper because it allows electricity to pass through easily.
• Wires are covered with electrical insulators such as plastic or rubber to prevent the electric current from leaking out of the circuit.

Switch

• A switch is used to control the flow of electricity in a circuit.
• A switch either break or completes an electric circuit.
• When the switch is open, there is a gap/break in the electric circuit and electric current cannot flow through the circuit.
• When the switch is closed, electric current can pass through the electric circuit, the circuit is complete.

Bulb

A bulb is an electrical device that is often used in a circuit.

The bulb consist of:

• 1)Glass bulb-it prevents filament from getting damaged.
• 2) Inert gas(Argon). It is a non-reactive gas and does not react with the filament at high temperatures.
• 3) Filament-Made of tungsten, it produces light and heat when electricity pass through.
• 4/5/6/7/8)Wires-connects filament to metal tip and metal casing.

         9/10)Metal casing-Connected to other components of the electric circuit.
         11) Metal tip-Connected to other components of the electric circuit.

Science: Electricity : What is an electrical system?

What is an electrical system?

• Electricity is a form of energy.
• It can be used in electrical equipment to produce other forms of energy like heat and light.
• The path through which electricity flows is the electric circuit.
• Things that use electricity have a number of components inside them.
• These components make up an electrical system.

Components

-energy source

     -batteries(they are convenient sources of electrical energy) (comes in different shapes and sizes)

     -power stations

-wires

-bulb(s)

-switch

Science: Why is the Water Cycle important?

Why is the Water Cycle important?

All living things need water to stay alive.

The water cycle is the only natural way to refresh water, ensures a constant supply of fresh water for living things on the Earth.

Digestive system-water is needed to digest food, to absorb digested food and to pass out waste.

Respiratory system-Water is needed for gaseous exchange between the lungs and the air we inhale.

In lungs- air sacs called alveoli are surrounded by a thin layer of water.

Oxygen dissolves in this layer of water before entering the blood.

Carbon dioxide dissolves in this layer of water before it is released into the alveoli and exhaled.

In the circulatory system, water is needed in the blood to carry oxygen, digested food, nutrients, carbon dioxide and waste materials.

Body system need water to function properly => gives us signals(thirst) => we get thirsty.

Notice

This blog is created for my convenience. I like to surf the Net and I do it everyday. Therefore, to refrain from my father's nagging, I created this blog for quick revision. There are certain rules on how to use it and people of my age will definitely enjoy this blog.

How to use this blog

1. For daily revision, read the daily posts that I post. Go to this website daily for new posts of what I've learnt, mostly facts/things I have learnt from school.
2. If your exams are round the corner, you might want to revise the conclusions for any topic.
3. Lastly, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I would reply as soon as possible as I would have to do daily updates.

Conclusion of 'Water and Its Three States'

This is a conclusion of 'Water and Its Three States'. I will be doing 'Electricity' next. Note that this conclusion is about water, I would not put everything I have posted. I will only put some important facts for the exam.

• Water expands as it freezes to ice.
• Solids(ice) have definite shape and definite volume.
• Liquids(water) have no definite shape but have definite volume.
• Gas(air) have no definite shape and no definite volume.  
• Water loses heat, evaporates(at any temperature, below freezing point) and become water vapour.(water =>air)
• Water loses heat, freezes(at 0 degrees) and become a solid(ice) (water => ice)
• Water gains heat, boils(at 100 degrees) and become steam.
• Ice gains heat and melts, to become water.
• Steam/Water vapour lose heat, condenses and becomes liquid(water).
• Conditions for photosynthesis: Light, Water and Carbon Dioxide.
• The Water Cycle ensures a constant supply of water for all living things of the Earth.
• Water droplets => visible
• Water vapour => invisible
• Water, air and solids occupies space and have mass. They are matter.

Factors that affect rate of evaporation
Low Humidity, High temperature, Area of exposed area and Presence of Wind.
Water cycle
Water cycle in Earth
1. Water evaporates from the ground and water bodies, living things also release water vapour into the air through respiration.
2.Warm air cools as it rises to the sky =>Water vapour in warm air condenses into tiny water droplets => gather to form clouds.
3.Water droplets become big and heavy =>fall as rain, snow or hail. Rain falls onto Earth as fresh water.
4. Back to step 1.( Cycle continues)


You might want to revise my daily posts for one more time.

Science: Conservation of Water

• Although oceans and seas have a lot of water, it is not suitable for drinking.
• As we have a limited supply of usable water, we should be careful on how we use it.
• Water conversation = the careful use of water to avoid its wastage. 
• To ensure that the available supply of water last longer, we conserve them.
• Water conversation can be promoted through campaigns, posters and water rationing exercises.

       Water rationing - the controlled distribution of water to people when there is a shortage of water.

                                - we don't get water from our taps.

                               - we use our buckets to collect water from a water distribution centre.

                               - each person is given a certain amount of water.

  

                            

Science: Pollution of Water

• Water pollution occurs when harmful substances get into water and makes it unfit for use.
• Polluted water bodies can be unsightly and may give off foul-smelling gases.
• Some forms of water pollution can endanger or even kill plants and animals.
• When water is polluted, it is no longer clean or safe to use.
• Polluted water needs to be treated before it can be used. It requires time and money.
•  Littering and dumping of waste, oil spills and deforestation are common causes of water pollutions. 

Science: Why is water a precious resource?

• Water is important, but it is a limited resource on the Earth.
• Although 3/4 of the Earth is covered by water, only 1% of the water is suitable for consumption.
• Most of the water exists in the solid state as icebergs and glaciers, while some is collected underground as groundwater.
• Water also exists in the atmosphere as water vapour and in cold regions as ice and snow. 
• Oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers and wells are sources of water.

Science:Water Cycle

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on Earth.
Heat energy from the Sun causes water on the earth to evaporate, forming water vapour.
Water cycle in Earth
1. Water evaporates from the ground and water bodies, living things also release water vapour into the air through respiration.
2.Warm air cools as it rises to the sky =>Water vapour in warm air condenses into tiny water droplets => gather to form clouds.
3.Water droplets become big and heavy =>fall as rain, snow or hail. Rain falls onto Earth as fresh water.
4. Back to step 1.( Cycle continues)

Clouds
Clouds provide us with rain, snow or hail = fresh water.
Clouds also help to reduce the effect of the Sun's direct rays on the Earth.
Clouds are made up of tiny water droplets, clouds in liquid state. 
Water droplets = visible
Water vapour = invisible
Snow
Snow = made up of snowflakes
Air temperature drops below freezing point(0 degrees) => water droplets in clouds freeze =>snowflakes are formed.
Hail
Hail = frozen rain or hailstones that fall from the sky, usually during summer thunderstorms.
Temperature near top of clouds is low. Water droplets freeze when they are there(near top of clouds) 
Air movements inside the clouds carry the frozen water droplets up and down a lot of times within the clouds. Each time they rise, another layer of ice forms around them. 
Frozen water droplets become too heavy to be carried by air movements => fall as hailstones 


Frost
Temperature of ground is below freezing point => air above ground becomes very cold =>water vapour (in the air) freezes into tiny crystals => crystals form a sparkling white coat of frost on the ground and trees.




The need for water in plants
Water plays an important role in carrying out life processes in plants.
Sufficient water for a seed would activate life processes within the seed and germination occurs
In the plant transport system, water helps in movement of substances within the plant.
Conditions for photosynthesis: Water, Light and Carbon dioxide

Science:Factors that affect Rate of Evaporation

Rate of evaporation indicates how fast or slow evaporation is taking place.

Factors affecting rate of evaporation: temperature, presence of wind, area of exposed surface and humidity(in the air).

Temperature
The temperature of the water and its surroundings affect the rate of evaporation.
The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of evaporation.

Presence of wind
When water evaporates, the water vapour it forms usually collects just above the water surface.
When wind blows, it takes away the water vapour and creates space for more water vapour to form.
The stronger the wind, the faster the rate of evaporation.

Area of Exposed Surface
The area of exposed surface=the area of water that is exposed to air.
Water vapour goes into the air from this surface.
Humidity of The Air
Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapour in the air.
The lower the humidity of the air, the faster the rate of evaporation.

Science: Water and Its Three states.

"Taken from my textbook and PSLE Science Guide(2nd Edition), I complied some facts about 'Water and Its Three states' and decided to put this in this blog. I will be putting more facts from now on to make my revision easier and maybe put in English, Chinese and Maths, or even Korean, just the things I learnt, and upload it here. Note that the facts I upload is according to these 2 books and the facts are random.


Water and Its Three states:
Solids(ice) have definite shape and definite volume.
Liquid(water) have definite volume but no definite shape.
Air, or rather, gas, have no definite shape and no definite volume.
Water, air and solids(besides ice), are matter because it has mass and occupies space.
Water is able to change from one state to another by gaining and losing heat.

Freezing point of water and melting point of ice is 0 degrees.

Heat loss(Condensation):
Condensation = change in state of water from a gas(steam or water vapour) to a liquid(water) due to heat loss. It can occur at any temperature.
Steam is hot water vapour at 100 degrees. Like water vapour at any other temperature, it condenses when it meets a cooler suface.

Heat Gain-Melting(Solid to liquid)
When ice melts, it is gaining heat. However, the heat is used to help the particles in ice to break away from each other. Thus, the temperature of melting ice remains at 0 degrees, until all the ice has turned into water.

Heat Gain-Boiling(Liquid To Gas)

When water gains heat=> temperature rises.

Boiling= change in state of water from a liquid to a gas(steam) due to heat gain.

The boiling point of water is 100 degrees.

Water boils=>water gain heat. heat used=>the particles in water break away from each other. The temperature of boiling water remains at 100 degrees, until all the water has turned into steam.
Steam condenses =>water droplets form=> white clouds are observed

Steam is invisible.

Heat Gain-Evaporation(Liquid to Gas)

Evaporation->change from liquid(water) to a gas(water vapour) due to heat gain.

Evaporation happens all the time at any temperature below boiling point(100 degrees).

Evaporation=>happens all the time below 100 degrees

Boiling=>happens when water is heated up to 100 degrees.

Evaporation produces a cooling effect.

Water evaporates=>gains heat from its surroundings=>surroundings lose heat => produces a cooling effect.