Applying+Past+Knowledge+to+New+Situations


 * Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations**

It is important to apply past knowledge to new situations as it is the accumulation of what we learn, not broken pieces of information, that allow us to apply that knowledge to real life situations. In science class one of the activities that we did dealt with Isotopes. In this experiment, we were the scientists, and it was up to how we could use what we were taught to figure out the answers.

The question that we were given was how could we fill up the data table (shown above), with only opening one canister. We were told that each canister was labeled with a number, and contains a model of an isotope. Knowing that the canisters were isotopes, I immediately thought, ok that means there are the same number of protons inside each canister.

The first Canister I opened up contained 6 protons, 7 neutrons, and by itself weighed 8.67 grams. At the next station, which was station 1, I weighed the canister and saw that it weighed 20.82 grams. I wouldn't be able to open up the canister so I had to think from different angles to get to the answer. After sitting for a bit contemplating, I figured it out. If i subtract the two weights I can find the mass of all atoms. Knowing that all isotopes have the same amount of protons, I subtracted that number from the mass of all atoms and that gave me the number of neutrons.

Looking back onto it now, figuring out the mass, protons, and neutrons in this experiment wasn't so difficult. But that was because I remembered a very important fact, which was isotopes have the same number of protons and different number of neutrons. Grasping that concept was the key to doing this activity. But there were also other ideas that were needed to solve the lab. I had to know that the atomic mass is a buildup of protons and neutrons, not electrons. I had to remember that protons and neutrons weigh about the same amount. And I also needed to recall how to write the name of the isotope in the correct form, which is atomic mass on top and atomic number on the bottom.

In real life situations, recalling information won't be as easy. The title of this lab was Isotopes, so I knew I would be tested on that information, but in real life experiments, it is up to the scientist to figure out the information he or she needs to know and then apply it. That is why it is important to master the information that is tested right here in the class room, so when we do get to other lab type situations, we will be able to understand what we need to do.