Prompt for Section V – Global Warming

At long last – the prompts you have all been waiting for.  Your response to one of these prompts is due on October 22nd.

(1)    In contrast to the Montreal Protocol which stopped the expansion of the ozone hole over Antarctica, the Kyoto Protocol has not been successful in reducing global carbon dioxide production. Based on what Muller discussed, offer at least two suggestions/amendments to improve the Kyoto Protocol. You may want to review the full content of  Kyoto protocol.

(2)    Research two carbon sequestration techniques which can be used for clean coal. Describe details of the chemistry/physics behind these techniques and offer an analysis of the economics (implementation cost, future costs, future savings, etc.) of these techniques.

Pop science books becoming trendy

The UK Telegraph has a short story detailing the renaissance in popular science books, particularly in physics.  In recent years, evolution was getting most of the shelf space in the science section, but now big bang physics is enjoying a nice run. Where’s the chemistry darn it?!  Actually, I’m in the middle of reading a great pop science book on the elements.

1st Deadline for Responses Pushed Back

The due date for submitted responses for section I and II is now Thursday, September 16th by 4:00 pm.  This will give us a chance to answer any questions you might have regarding the assignment.

Prompt for Section IV – Space

I have to be honest – space exploration just does not do it for me.  With rare exception, I have always thought that trips to the moon and possible manned missions to Mars were overrated.  Sure, the photos from the Hubble telescope are amazing and cosmological physics (black holes, dark matter, etc.) is fascinating and mysterious.  But, when it comes to launching people into space or sticking them in a giant garbage can to orbit the planet (i.e. the international space station), I am completely bored.  So, your task with this response is to make me care about the possibilities of manned space exploration.

This response may be less a task for your research and technical-writing skills and more a job for your ability to write an inspiring argument but it still needs to be accurate and well written.

UPDATE:  Don’t forget, you only have to do one of the prompts from the “Nukes” section or this prompt from the “Space” section.  You do not need to do both.

Prompts for Section III – Nukes

Below are the prompts for section III – Nukes.  You have the option of responding to one of these prompts or one from the next section on Space.  The prompts for the Space section will be posted in a couple of days.

(1)  Muller discusses the linear and threshold hypotheses regarding exposure to radioactivity and describes how the US government continues to derive its laws according to the linear hypothesis.  Muller makes the point that we should appreciate that this is a policy decision, not a scientific one.  Describe the details of another science or technology issue that, because of ambiguity within the data, the US is following a policy that is not necessarily informed by compelling scientific evidence.

(2)  As you may know, there is considerable speculation and concern that Iran is close to possessing a nuclear weapon.  Provide a reasonable account using the most reliable sources you can find for the current state of Iran’s possible emergence as a nuclear power.  Pick two of the following countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Israel and Saudi Arabia, and summarize their likely reaction to Iran becoming a nuclear power.

A couple of “nuke” links

After rereading the section on “Nukes” today in order to create the writing prompts (coming by the end of the week!), I spent some time going through my Google reader account and came across a couple of timely connections.

First, and newer, is this short blog post from science writer John Horgan regarding his ongoing conversion to becoming pro-nuclear.  Second is this short debate between nuclear energy supporter Stewart Brand and nuke opponent Mark Jacobson.  After watching the debate, you should spend some time watching some of the other videos available at TED – great stuff.

Prompts for Section II – Energy

Below are the three prompt choices for the second section on energy.  Review the formatting requirements here before submitting your response.  Again, the information needed to register for the class on turnitin.com is…

Class Name:  Adv Chemistry 2010-2011
Password:  advchem1011
Class ID:  3322208 (I forgot to provide the ID # before and you will need it to enroll)

(1)  According to Muller’s analysis, hydrogen gas provides more energy per pound than gasoline.  After showing the relevant stoichiometric calculations to confirm Muller’s conclusion, detail at least three challenges/limitations that are preventing hydrogen from being more widely used as an energy source.

(2)  Describe the chemistry/physics behind the Fischer-Tropsch process and detail the historical significance, current applications and potential future uses for this process.

(3)  According to Muller, one of the reasons we have been slow in limiting our consumption of oil is the emergence of new technologies that allow us to retrieve more and more oil.  Describe at least two such technologies, along with their pros and cons, developed in the last 20 years that helped lead to increases in oil retrieval.