Modern Education Thought Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Modern Education Thought - Essay Example Little (1995), believes that the main aim of â€Å"the autonomy is to equip learners to play an active role in participatory democracy† (p. 176). Benson (2008) agrees with Little when he says, â€Å"because the concept of autonomy in learning draws its meaning from the concept of personal autonomy, it is centrally concerned with the kind of learning that best helps people to lead autonomous lives† (p. 4). Here it confirms that autonomy revolves round individual freedom and human rights to facilitate him/her for making their choices and it is a lifelong process. In the broader sense the learner autonomy enable the person to lead autonomous life. The prominence of autonomy is to create a sense of human dignity. We should be autonomous individuals and autonomy for learning is an essential part of attaining our personal autonomy. An autonomous individual rely on himself/herself while living an independent life which is responsible for his or her own actions rather than blam ing others. To give support to our understanding it is important to know the aims and purpose of education. The main aim of education can be achieved if the person follows the autonomy of learning. According to aim of education envisioned by Piaget, ‘children acquire moral values in the same way they acquire knowledge--by constructing beliefs internally through interaction with the environment.’(Constance, 1982).He pointed out the importance of mutual respect to develop autonomy. The Piaget’s theory postulates as how the cognitive development of an individual focuses on the surroundings and the concepts that are conceived from these factors directly impacts ones learning. It brings in the thought to change... Paul Friere is the famous literacy educationist from Brazil who came up with the principles of critical pedagogy.He referred to the cycle of bringing the issues of the daily life, involving the knowledgeable level of the student and moving to action and then leading to reflection. The students shall know to â€Å"read the world through the word†. The Critical pedagogy is the study of oppression in education based on the issues and questions rose in sexuality, colonialism and how it will shape in nature and the purpose of education. In simple terms critical pedagogy is the way, how teacher asking ‘why’ is simple and the students freely asking the same way as ‘why am I learning this’ has to be executed. â€Å"Revolutionary critical pedagogy operates from an understanding that the basis of education is political and that spaces need to be created where the students can imagine a different world outside of capitalism’s law of value†¦where pat riarchal hierarchies of oppression can be ended†. The idea of autonomy is to understand the responsibility and be judgmental while taking the decision and development of rationality according to the changing situation. Marxism has made a mark on its own all over the world. Marxism was followed by the Brazilian Educator Paulo Freire. In his book of Pedagogy of Oppressed mentioned that â€Å"education makes sense because women and men learn that through learning they can make and remake themselves.

Business ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business ethics - Essay Example Cookson Group plc is a leading multinational company dealing with material science relating to substances as well as chemicals that are required in the production processes of industries such as steel and electronics among others. Moreover, the company is facilitated with enhanced technical services as well as with better R&D facilities. Furthermore, the company performs business activities based on ethical standards as well as quality (Cookson Group plc., 2011). The discussion will emphasize upon critically analysing the code of conduct of Cookson Group plc. Moreover, identification of three major components that demonstrates the values as well as the business ethics of the group will also be portrayed in the discussion. Critical Analysis of Code Code of conduct of different companies signifies that the employees of the companies are required to perform their respective functions complying with the moral standards as well as the values. It has been apparently observed that several c ompanies have given much importance to improve ethical performance within the workplace for encouraging the employees to perform their activities in an ethical manner. Moreover, codes of conduct are viewed to be the statements of values as well as ethical standards of companies. Furthermore, code of conduct provides terms as well as conditions in accordance with the operations of a company that are required to be conducted. It also provides standards for sustaining a better environment as well as in maintaining health as well as safety of products or services that offers by a company. Codes of conduct are formulated on the basis of certain specific sector or issues with the motive of minimising or eliminating those issues as well as to improve performances of those sectors (Mamic, 2004). Code of conduct generally comprises certain major components such as code of ethics and value statements among others. A code of conduct generally signifies a written statement stating the behaviour which is to be adopted by the employees while performing their individual functions within a company. Furthermore, code represents the desire of the management of a company to implement certain specific policies as well as values for conducting business operations in an efficient manner (Venugopalan, 2011). There are varied factors that influence code of conduct which comprise corporate culture prevailing in the working environment of a company as well as standards that are utilised for measuring behaviour of the employees as well as the performances of a company. It has been viewed that code of conduct primarily depends upon the resources that are utilised for monitoring as well as implementing the procedures within a company. Training facilities provided to employees can also be considered to be an influencing factor of code in a company. Furthermore, communication system as well as flow of information in the workplace of a company determines company’s code of conduct (Mam ic, 2004). Code of conduct is required to be developed with an appropriate language. In this similar context, code of conduct of a company is required to be communicated in languages which will be appropriate for the audiences such as customers and investors among others worldwide. Code of conduct represents certain values as well as standa

Change in Pressure and Different Depths in a Static Fluid Lab Essay Example for Free

Change in Pressure and Different Depths in a Static Fluid Lab Essay Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to devise a correlation between that of the data we have collected from our experiment and compare it to that of theory. In this experiment 3 different tests were done in order to test this theory. The first test was to tie a balloon on the end of a manometer and measure the pressure at different depths in a large beaker filled with water. The next test was the same thing, but without the balloon on the end of the manometer. For the final test a pressure gauge was used to measure the pressure at different depths in the water. The data collected from each experiment was the depth of the object and its deflection. To find out the theoretical pressure for the experiment this equation will be used: ∆P=ÃŽ ³H2Oà ·Depth The theoretical results will then be compared to the measured results, determining the correlation between both sets of data in order to prove whether or not this experiment is capable of proving the theory. Procedure: 1) Fill the cylinder with water and adjust the manometer to read zero. 2) For first test tie a balloon to the end of the tube that gives the manometer reading, and fill it with air. 3)Immerse the balloon in the water and measure the deflection at each specific depth (Try to get as close as you can to: 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and 0 inches). 4)When finished with the first test remove the balloon and proceed to second test. 5) For the second test immerse the (balloon free) manometer tube in water, also measuring each specific depth and deflection. 6) For the third test instead of measuring with the manometer use a pressure gauge to measure your deflection (make sure you set the gauge to zero before testing). Calculations: Test #1 Example Depth: 3.5 inches Deflection: 1.7 inches P. Theory: ÃŽ ³H2OÃâ€"3.512=18.2lbft2 P. Measured: 1.712Ãâ€"ÃŽ ³ManometerÃâ€"ÃŽ ³H2O=16.9lbft2 Test #2 Example Depth: 5 inches Deflection: 2.1 inches P. Theory: ÃŽ ³H2OÃâ€"512=26lbft2 P. Measured: 2.112Ãâ€"ÃŽ ³ManometerÃâ€"ÃŽ ³H2O=20.8lbft2 Test #3 Example Depth: 3 inches Deflection: 1.8 ozin2 P. Theory: ÃŽ ³H2OÃâ€"312=15.6lbft2 P. Measured: 1.812Ãâ€"ÃŽ ³Pressure GaugeÃâ€"ÃŽ ³H2O=17.9lbft2 ÃŽ ³H2O=62.4 lbft3 ÃŽ ³Manometer ÃŽ ³Pressure Gauge=1.91 lbft3 Analysis and Conclusion: Overall I think results of this experiment turned out fairly well. From looking at the graph I noticed that as we moved on to the second and third tests there seemed to be less and less error. In general I think that human error had a huge impact on this lab. If we could have done a few trials for each test I think that the outcome of our measured results would be a lot closer to those of the theoretical results. What we were attempting to do with this lab was take the theoretical results of our experiment and get them as close as we could to the measured results with little percent error in order to determine if this test was reliable. By comparing some of the results I can safely say that this test is valid. Some of the data comparisons are far off, but others are within 2 percent error and I know for a fact that better results can be acquired.

Polyisobutylene Applications

Polyisobutylene Applications Fuel and lubricant additive. Polyisobutylene (in the form of polyisobutylene succinimide) has interesting properties when used as an additive in lubricating oils and motor fuels. Polyisobutylene added in small amounts to the lubricating oils used in machining results in a significant reduction in the generation of oil mist and thus reduces the operators inhalation of oil mist.[2] It is also used to clean up waterborne oil spills as part of the commercial product Elastol. When added to crude oil it increases the oils viscoelasticity when pulled, causing the oil to resist breakup when it is vacuumed from the surface of the water. As a fuel additive, polyisobutylene has detergent properties. When added to diesel fuel, it resists fouling of fuel injectors, leading to reduced hydrocarbon and particulate emissions.[3] It is blended with other detergents and additives to make a detergent package that is added to gasoline and diesel fuel to resist buildup of deposits and engine knock.[4] Polyisobutylene is used in some formulations as a thickening agent. [edit]Sporting equipment Butyl rubber is used for the bladders in basketballs, footballs, soccer balls and other inflatable balls to provide a tough, airtight inner compartment. [edit]Roof Repair Butyl rubber sealant is used for rubber roof repair and for maintenance of roof membranes (especially around the edges). It is important to have the roof membrane fixed, as a lot of fixtures (i.e., air conditioner vents, plumbing and other pipes, etc.) can considerably loosen it. Rubber roofing typically refers to a specific type of roofing materials that are made of ethylene propylene diene monomers (EPDM). It is crucial to the integrity of such roofs to avoid using harsh abrasive materials and petroleum-based solvents for their maintenance. Polyester fabric laminated to butyl rubber binder provides a single-sided waterproof tape that can be used on metal, PVC, and cement joints. It is ideal for repairing and waterproofing metal roofs. [edit]Gas masks and chemical agent protection Butyl rubber is one of the most robust elastomers when subjected to chemical warfare agents and decontamination materials. It is a harder and less porous material than other elastomers, such as natural rubber or silicone, but still has enough elasticity to form an airtight seal. While butyl rubber will break down when exposed to agents such as NH3 (ammonia) or certain solvents, it breaks down more slowly than comparable elastomers. It is therefore used to create seals in gas masks and other protective clothing. [edit]Chewing gum Molecular structure: Rubber Chemical Structure Introduction to rubber chemical structure: In the organic chemistry section of chemistry ,we learn about the various polymers , monomers,elastomers etc.Monomer is a single unit and when huge number of monomers are combined or say polymerised then polymers are formed.The process of conversion of monomer to polymer is known as p-olymerisation.Elastomer is an another category of polymers having a specific properties of regaining of its structure even if it is stretched.Rubber comes under the category of elastomer.In general life rubber has variety of uses.the important property of rubber is that it regains its structure even if it is stretched.Stretching can be done up to a certain limit.If it is stretched beyond limit then it can break. Rubber can be found in two forms 1)Natural rubber 2)Synthetic Rubber Natural rubber is a kind of rubber which which is found directly from the nature.And when the natural rubber is processed under some chemical processes then a new kind of rubber is formed ,this rubber is known as synthetic rubber.We can also say that natural rubber are synthesised from the natural rubber.Both this rubber are of great use because of its specific features. Structure of rubber: Main composition of crude rubber is hydrocarbons.It also contains some proteins and materials which are soluble in acetone.The hydrocarbons which possess the properties of rubber are usually high in molecular weight and it ranges from 45000 to 3000000.Isoprene is a monomer of natural rubber.When huge number of isoprene units are polymerised then a polymer is formed . Cis and Trans Configuration of Rubber The cis configuration of the natural rubber is the reason for the rubber properties in it. Cis configuration means that extension of the chain is on the same side of the ethylene bond.If the configuration is trans, it means that the extension of chain is on the both sides of ethylene bond,then it is a hard plastic.In case of trans it does not show the properties of rubber. Synthetic rubber is of great use in the industry.Some of the widely used synthetic rubber are butyl rubber which is formed by the copolymerisation of isobutylene and a little amount isoprene.Another synthetic rubber is Styrene Butadiene Rubber also known as SBR.Buna N and buna S is also a kind of synthetic rubber often use in the industry. Vulcanisation of Rubber In the rubber molecules the cross linking between the chains are very less.This leads to the softness in the rubber .To make the rubber hard some chemicals are added to it.The process is known as vulcanisation.In this process the natural rubber is treated with some chemicals ,more often chemical used is sulphur.When sulphur reacts with the natural rubber then it increases the cross linking between the molecules in the rubber.It also forms many sulphide bonds.Due to formation of many new crosslinkings and many sulphide bonds the natural rubber becomes hard.Natural rubber is a kind of thermoplastic,it means that it becomes soft when it is subjected to heat and it becomes hard when it is subjected to cold. butyl rubber (IIR), also called isobutylene-isoprene rubber, a synthetic rubber produced by copolymerizing isobutylene with small amounts of isoprene. Valued for its chemical inertness, impermeability to gases, and weatherability, butyl rubber is employed in the inner linings of automobile tires and in other specialty applications. Both isobutylene (C[CH3]2=CH2) and isoprene (CH2=C[CH3]-CH=CH2) are usually obtained by the thermal cracking of natural gas or of the lighter fractions of crude oil. At normal temperature and pressure isobutylene is a gas and isoprene is a volatile liquid. For processing into IIR, isobutylene, refrigerated to very low temperatures (approximately à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢100  °C [à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢150  °F]), is diluted with methyl chloride. Low concentrations (1.5 to 4.5 percent) of isoprene are added in the presence of aluminum chloride, which initiates the reaction in which the two compounds copolymerize (i.e., their single-unit molecules link together to form giant, multiple-unit molecules). The polymer repeating units have the following structures: Because the base polymer, polyisobutylene, is stereoregular (i.e., its pendant groups are arranged in a regular order along the polymer chains) and because the chains crystallize rapidly on stretching, IIR containing only a small amount of isoprene is as strong as natural rubber. In addition, because the copolymer contains few unsaturated groups (represented by the carbon-carbon double bond located in each isoprene repeating unit), IIR is relatively resistant to oxidation-a process by which oxygen in the atmosphere reacts with the double bonds and breaks the polymer chains, thereby degrading the material. Butyl rubber also shows an unusually low rate of molecular motion well above the glass transition temperature (the temperature above which the molecules are no longer frozen in a rigid,glassy state). This lack of motion is reflected in the copolymers unusually low permeability to gases as well as in its outstanding resistance to attack by ozone. The copolymer is recovered from the solvent as a crumb, which can be compounded with fillers and other modifiers and then vulcanized into practical rubber products. Owing to its excellent air retention, butyl rubber is the preferred material for inner tubes in all but the largest sizes. It also plays an important part in the inner liners of tubeless tires. (Because of poor tread durability, all-butyl tires have not proved successful.) IIR is also used for many other automobile components, including window strips, because of its resistance to oxidation. Its resistance to heat has made it indispensable in tire manufacture, where it forms the bladders that retain the steam or hot water used to vulcanize tires. Bromine or chlorine can be added to the small isoprene fraction of IIR to make BIIR or CIIR (known as halobutyls). The properties of these polymers are similar to those of IIR, but they can be cured more rapidly and with different and smaller amounts of curative agents. As a result, BIIR and CIIR can be cocured more readily in contact with other elastomers making up a rubber product. Butyl rubber was first produced by American chemists William Sparks and Robert Thomas at the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (nowExxon Corporation) in 1937. Earlier attempts to produce synthetic rubbers had involved the polymerization of dienes (hydrocarbon molecules containing two carbon-carbon double bonds) such as isoprene and butadiene. Sparks and Thomas defied convention by copolymerizing isobutylene, an olefin (hydrocarbon molecules containing only one carbon-carbon double bond) with small amounts-e.g., less than 2 percent-of isoprene. As a diene, isoprene provided the extra double bond required to cross-link the otherwise inert polymer chains, which were essentially polyisobutylene. Before experimental difficulties were resolved, butyl rubber was called futile butyl, but with improvements it enjoyed wide acceptance for its low permeability to gases and its excellent resistance to oxygen and ozone at normal temperatures. During World War IIthe copolymer was called GR-I, for Government Rubber-Isobutylene. LINKS Related Articles Top of Form Polymers 1. Introduction Prior to the early 1920s, chemists doubted the existence of molecules having molecular weights greater than a few thousand. This limiting view was challenged by Hermann Staudinger, a German chemist with experience in studying natural compounds such as rubber and cellulose. In contrast to the prevailing rationalization of these substances as aggregates of small molecules, Staudinger proposed they were made up of macromolecules composed of 10,000 or more atoms. He formulated a polymeric structure for rubber, based on a repeating isoprene unit (referred to as a monomer). For his contributions to chemistry, Staudinger received the 1953 Nobel Prize. The terms polymer and monomer were derived from the Greek roots poly (many), mono (one) and meros (part). Recognition that polymeric macromolecules make up many important natural materials was followed by the creation of synthetic analogs having a variety of properties. Indeed, applications of these materials as fibers, flexible films, adhesives, resistant paints and tough but light solids have transformed modern society. Some important examples of these substances are discussed in the following sections. art 2. Writing Formulas for Polymeric Macromolecules The repeating structural unit of most simple polymers not only reflects the monomer(s) from which the polymers are constructed, but also provides a concise means for drawing structures to represent these macromolecules. For polyethylene, arguably the simplest polymer, this is demonstrated by the following equation. Here ethylene (ethene) is the monomer, and the corresponding linear polymer is called high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is composed of macromolecules in which n ranges from 10,000 to 100,000 (molecular weight 2*105 to 3 *106 ). If Y and Z represent moles of monomer and polymer respectively, Z is approximately 10-5 Y. This polymer is called polyethylene rather than polymethylene, (-CH2-)n, because ethylene is a stable compound (methylene is not), and it also serves as the synthetic precursor of the polymer. The two open bonds remaining at the ends of the long chain of carbons (colored magenta) are normally not specified, because the atoms or groups found there depend on the chemical process used for polymerization. The synthetic methods used to prepare this and other polymers will be described later in this chapter. Unlike simpler pure compounds, most polymers are not composed of identical molecules. The HDPE molecules, for example, are all long carbon chains, but the lengths may vary by thousands of monomer units. Because of this, polymer molecular weights are usually given as averages. Two experimentally determined values are common: Mn , the number average molecular weight, is calculated from the mole fraction distribution of different sized molecules in a sample, and Mw , the weight average molecular weight, is calculated from the weight fraction distribution of different sized molecules. These are defined below. Since larger molecules in a sample weigh more than smaller molecules, the weight average Mw is necessarily skewed to higher values, and is always greater than Mn. As the weight dispersion of molecules in a sample narrows, Mw approaches Mn, and in the unlikely case that all the polymer molecules have identical weights (a pure mono-disperse sample), the ratio Mw / Mn becomes unity. The influence of different mass distributions on Mn and Mw may be examined with the aid of a simple mass calculator. To use this device Click Here. Many polymeric materials having chain-like structures similar to polyethylene are known. Polymers formed by a straightforward linking together of monomer units, with no loss or gain of material, are called addition polymers or chain-growth polymers. A listing of some important addition polymers and their monomer precursors is presented in the following table. Some Common Addition Polymers Name(s) Formula Monomer Properties Uses Polyethylene low density (LDPE) -(CH2-CH2)n- ethylene CH2=CH2 soft, waxy solid film wrap, plastic bags Polyethylene high density (HDPE) -(CH2-CH2)n- ethylene CH2=CH2 rigid, translucent solid electrical insulation bottles, toys Polypropylene (PP) different grades -[CH2-CH(CH3)]n- propylene CH2=CHCH3 atactic: soft, elastic solid isotactic: hard, strong solid similar to LDPE carpet, upholstery Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) -(CH2-CHCl)n- vinyl chloride CH2=CHCl strong rigid solid pipes, siding, flooring Poly(vinylidene chloride) (Saran A) -(CH2-CCl2)n- vinylidene chloride CH2=CCl2 dense, high-melting solid seat covers, films Polystyrene (PS) -[CH2-CH(C6H5)]n- styrene CH2=CHC6H5 hard, rigid, clear solid soluble in organic solvents toys, cabinets packaging (foamed) Polyacrylonitrile (PAN, Orlon, Acrilan) -(CH2-CHCN)n- acrylonitrile CH2=CHCN high-melting solid soluble in organic solvents rugs, blankets clothing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) -(CF2-CF2)n- tetrafluoroethylene CF2=CF2 resistant, smooth solid non-stick surfaces electrical insulation Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglas) -[CH2-C(CH3)CO2CH3]n- methyl methacrylate CH2=C(CH3)CO2CH3 hard, transparent solid lighting covers, signs skylights Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) -(CH2-CHOCOCH3)n- vinyl acetate CH2=CHOCOCH3 soft, sticky solid latex paints, adhesives cis-Polyisoprene natural rubber -[CH2-CH=C(CH3)-CH2]n- isoprene CH2=CH-C(CH3)=CH2 soft, sticky solid requires vulcanization for practical use Polychloroprene (cis + trans) (Neoprene) -[CH2-CH=CCl-CH2]n- chloroprene CH2=CH-CCl=CH2 tough, rubbery solid synthetic rubber oil resistant 3. Properties of Macromolecules A comparison of the properties of polyethylene (both LDPE HDPE) with the natural polymers rubber and cellulose is instructive. As noted above, synthetic HDPE macromolecules have masses ranging from 105 to 106 amu (LDPE molecules are more than a hundred times smaller). Rubber and cellulose molecules have similar mass ranges, but fewer monomer units because of the monomers larger size. The physical properties of these three polymeric substances differ from each other, and of course from their monomers. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ HDPE is a rigid translucent solid which softens on heating above 100 ° C, and can be fashioned into various forms including films. It is not as easily stretched and deformed as is LDPE. HDPE is insoluble in water and most organic solvents, although some swelling may occur on immersion in the latter. HDPE is an excellent electrical insulator. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ LDPE is a soft translucent solid which deforms badly above 75 ° C. Films made from LDPE stretch easily and are commonly used for wrapping. LDPE is insoluble in water, but softens and swells on exposure to hydrocarbon solvents. Both LDPE and HDPE become brittle at very low temperatures (below -80 ° C). Ethylene, the common monomer for these polymers, is a low boiling (-104 ° C) gas. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Natural (latex) rubber is an opaque, soft, easily deformable solid that becomes sticky when heated (above. 60 ° C), and brittle when cooled below -50 ° C. It swells to more than double its size in nonpolar organic solvents like toluene, eventually dissolving, but is impermeable to water. The C5H8 monomer isoprene is a volatile liquid (b.p. 34 ° C). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Pure cellulose, in the form of cotton, is a soft flexible fiber, essentially unchanged by variations in temperature ranging from -70 to 80 ° C. Cotton absorbs water readily, but is unaffected by immersion in toluene or most other organic solvents. Cellulose fibers may be bent and twisted, but do not stretch much before breaking. The monomer of cellulose is the C6H12O6aldohexose D-glucose. Glucose is a water soluble solid melting below 150 ° C. To account for the differences noted here we need to consider the nature of the aggregate macromolecular structure, or morphology, of each substance. Because polymer molecules are so large, they generally pack together in a non-uniform fashion, with ordered or crystalline-like regions mixed together with disordered or amorphous domains. In some cases the entire solid may be amorphous, composed entirely of coiled and tangled macromolecular chains. Crystallinity occurs when linear polymer chains are structurally oriented in a uniform three-dimensional matrix. In the diagram on the right, crystalline domains are colored blue. Increased crystallinity is associated with an increase in rigidity, tensile strength and opacity (due to light scattering). Amorphous polymers are usually less rigid, weaker and more easily deformed. They are often transparent. Three factors that influence the degree of crystallinity are: i) Chain length ii) Chain branching iii) Interchain bonding The importance of the first two factors is nicely illustrated by the differences between LDPE and HDPE. As noted earlier, HDPE is composed of very long unbranched hydrocarbon chains. These pack together easily in crystalline domains that alternate with amorphous segments, and the resulting material, while relatively strong and stiff, retains a degree of flexibility. In contrast, LDPE is composed of smaller and more highly branched chains which do not easily adopt crystalline structures. This material is therefore softer, weaker, less dense and more easily deformed than HDPE. As a rule, mechanical properties such as ductility, tensile strength, and hardness rise and eventually level off with increasing chain length. The nature of cellulose supports the above analysis and demonstrates the importance of the third factor (iii). To begin with, cellulose chains easily adopt a stable rod-like conformation. These molecules align themselves side by side into fibers that are stabilized by inter-chain hydrogen bonding between the three hydroxyl groups on each monomer unit. Consequently, crystallinity is high and the cellulose molecules do not move or slip relative to each other. The high concentration of hydroxyl groups also accounts for the facile absorption of water that is characteristic of cotton. Natural rubber is a completely amorphous polymer. Unfortunately, the potentially useful properties of raw latex rubber are limited by temperature dependence; however, these properties can be modified by chemical change. The cis-double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain provide planar segments that stiffen, but do not straighten the chain. If these rigid segments are completely removed by hydrogenation (H2 Pt catalyst), the chains lose all constrainment, and the product is a low melting paraffin-like semisolid of little value. If instead, the chains of rubber molecules are slightly cross-linked by sulfur atoms, a process called vulcanization which was discovered by Charles Goodyear in 1839, the desirable elastomeric properties of rubber are substantially improved. At 2 to 3% crosslinking a useful soft rubber, that no longer suffers stickiness and brittleness problems on heating and cooling, is obtained. At 25 to 35% crosslinking a rigid hard rubber product is formed. The following illust ration shows a cross-linked section of amorphous rubber. By clicking on the diagram it will change to a display of the corresponding stretched section. The more highly-ordered chains in the stretched conformation are entropically unstable and return to their original coiled state when allowed to relax (click a second time). On heating or cooling most polymers undergo thermal transitions that provide insight into their morphology. These are defined as the melt transition, Tm , and the glass transition, Tg . Tm is the temperature at which crystalline domains lose their structure, or melt. As crystallinity increases, so does Tm. Tg is the temperature below which amorphous domains lose the structural mobility of the polymer chains and become rigid glasses. Tg often depends on the history of the sample, particularly previous heat treatment, mechanical manipulation and annealing. It is sometimes interpreted as the temperature above which significant portions of polymer chains are able to slide past each other in response to an applied force. The introduction of relatively large and stiff substituents (such as benzene rings) will interfere with this chain movement, thus increasing Tg (note polystyrene below). The introduction of small molecular compounds called plasticizers into the polymer matrix increases the interchain spacing, allowing chain movement at lower temperatures. with a resulting decrease in Tg. The outgassing of plasticizers used to modify interior plastic components of automobiles produces the new-car smell to which we are accustomed. Tm and Tg values for some common addition polymers are listed below. Note that cellulose has neither a Tm nor a Tg. Polymer LDPE HDPE PP PVC PS PAN PTFE PMMA Rubber Tm ( °C) 110 130 175 180 175 >200 330 180 30 Tg ( °C) _110 _100 _10 80 90 95 _110 105 _70 Rubber is a member of an important group of polymers called elastomers. Elastomers are amorphous polymers that have the ability to stretch and then return to their original shape at temperatures above Tg. This property is important in applications such as gaskets and O-rings, so the development of synthetic elastomers that can function under harsh or demanding conditions remains a practical goal. At temperatures below Tg elastomers become rigid glassy solids and lose all elasticity. A tragic example of this caused the space shuttle Challenger disaster. The heat and chemical resistant O-rings used to seal sections of the solid booster rockets had an unfortunately high Tg near 0  °C. The unexpectedly low temperatures on the morning of the launch were below this Tg, allowing hot rocket gases to escape the seals. Copolymers The synthesis of macromolecules composed of more than one monomeric repeating unit has been explored as a means of controlling the properties of the resulting material. In this respect, it is useful to distinguish several ways in which different monomeric units might be incorporated in a polymeric molecule. The following examples refer to a two component system, in which one monomer is designated A and the other B. Statistical Copolymers Also called random copolymers. Here the monomeric units are distributed randomly, and sometimes unevenly, in the polymer chain: ~ABBAAABAABBBABAABA~. Alternating Copolymers Here the monomeric units are distributed in a regular alternating fashion, with nearly equimolar amounts of each in the chain: ~ABABABABABABABAB~. Block Copolymers Instead of a mixed distribution of monomeric units, a long sequence or block of one monomer is joined to a block of the second monomer: ~AAAAA-BBBBBBB~AAAAAAA~BBB~. Graft Copolymers As the name suggests, side chains of a given monomer are attached to the main chain of the second monomer: ~AAAAAAA(BBBBBBB~)AAAAAAA(BBBB~)AAA~. 1. Addition Copolymerization Most direct copolymerizations of equimolar mixtures of different monomers give statistical copolymers, or if one monomer is much more reactive a nearly homopolymer of that monomer. The copolymerization of styrene with methyl methacrylate, for example, proceeds differently depending on the mechanism. Radical polymerization gives a statistical copolymer. However, the product of cationic polymerization is largely polystyrene, and anionic polymerization favors formation of poly(methyl methacrylate). In cases where the relative reactivities are different, the copolymer composition can sometimes be controlled by continuous introduction of a biased mixture of monomers into the reaction. Formation of alternating copolymers is favored when the monomers have different polar substituents (e.g. one electron withdrawing and the other electron donating), and both have similar reactivities toward radicals. For example, styrene and acrylonitrile copolymerize in a largely alternating fashion. Some Useful Copolymers Monomer A Monomer B Copolymer Uses H2C=CHCl H2C=CCl2 Saran films fibers H2C=CHC6H5 H2C=C-CH=CH2 SBR styrene butadiene rubber tires H2C=CHCN H2C=C-CH=CH2 Nitrile Rubber adhesives hoses H2C=C(CH3)2 H2C=C-CH=CH2 Butyl Rubber inner tubes F2C=CF(CF3) H2C=CHF Viton gaskets A terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene, called ABS rubber, is used for high-impact containers, pipes and gaskets. For polyisobutylene at a glance, click here! Polyisobutylene is a synthetic rubber, or elastomer. Its special because its the only rubber thats gas impermeable, that is, its the only rubber that can hold air for long periods of time. You may have noticed that balloons will go flat after a few days. This is because they are made of polyisoprene, which is not gas impermeable. Because polyisobutylene will hold air, it is used to make things like the inner liner of tires, and the inner liners of basketballs. Polyisobutylene, sometimes called butyl rubber, and other times PIB, is a vinyl polymer. Its very similar to polyethylene and polypropylene in structure, except that every other carbon is substituted with two methyl groups. It is made from the monomer isobutylene, by cationic vinyl polymerization. And this is that monomer isobutylene: Usually, a small amount of isoprene is added to the isobutylene. The polymerization is carried out at a right frosty -100 oC, or -148 oF for you Americans out there. This is because the reaction is so fast we cant control it unless we freeze it colder than a brass toilet seat in the Yukon. Polyisobutylene was first developed during the early 1940s. At that time, the most widely used rubber was natural rubber, polyisoprene. Polyisoprene was an excellent elastomer, and easy to isolate from the sap of the hevea tree. Huge plantations thrived in Malaysia and grew hevea trees to supply the worlds rubber needs. There was only one slight problem, and that was that Malaysia had just been conquered by the Imperial Japanese Army, and wouldnt you know we just so happened to be fighting the Second World War against them right at that moment. Before the war was over more than sixty million people would be dead. Deprived of natural rubber, the Allied nations did some quick thinking and came up with PIB. It obviously worked, because the Allies won the war. Ok, we didnt actually invent polyisobutylene during the war. It had been invented long before the war by chemists in Germany. Theres irony! But it wasnt very useful until American chemists came up with a way to crosslink it. What they did was to copolymerize isobutylene with a little bit, say, around one percent, isoprene. This is isoprene: When isoprene is polymerized with the isobutylene we get a polymer that looks like this: About one or two out of every hundred repeat units is an isoprene unit, shown in blue. These have double bonds, which means the polymer can be crosslinked byvulcanization just like natural rubber. What is this vulcanization? To find out, click here. Stealing Vulcans Fire There was a time long past when the only rubber we had was natural rubber latex, polyisoprene. Straight out of the tree, natural rubber latex isnt good for much. It gets runny and sticky when it gets warm, and it gets hard and brittle when its cold. Tires made out of it wouldnt be much good unless one lived in some happy land where the temperature was seventy degrees year round. A long time agohow long, you ask? It was about a hundred and sixty years ago, 1839 to be exact. This was before there were any cars to need tires, but the idea of a useable rubber was still attractive. One person trying to make rubber more useful was named Charles Goodyear, a tinkerer and inventor, and by no means a successful one at this point. While goofing around in his kitchen with a piece of fabric coated with a m

Strength of Character in No Rainbows, No Roses :: No Rainbows No Roses Essays

Strength of Character in No Rainbows, No Roses   Ã‚     Every man is born with either a silver spoon in his mouth or a shovel in his hand.   If the former is the case, that individual can look forward to a life of relative ease and privilege.   If it is the latter, however, the person had best prepare himself to dig through the pile of misfortune life is going to heap upon him.   This is the balance of life--that for every man born under a shining sun, there is at least one born under ominous gray thunderclouds.   Those individuals who have a natural inclination towards hard times do have a certain advantage, however, over those who always seem to have it easy.   True adversity gives birth to a strength of character that those who avoid it can never hope to attain, understand, or even recognize. The most beautiful aspect of this strength of character is that it enables the precious few who possess it to look beyond the hazy curtain of their suffering and reach out to those around them, touching them with something that cannot be defined and will not be forgotten.   Perhaps the reason that bad things always seem to happen to good people is that without a foundation of "goodness," this strength of character could not exist and all suffering would be in vain. This stirring strength can be seen in Beverly Dipo's essay, "No Rainbows, No Roses."   Dipo, a nurse, relates her experience of being touched by the strength of a dying woman.   This woman, Mrs. Trane, was at the end of her long battle with cancer.   Dipo had never seen Mrs. Trane before, but when she entered her patient's room, all her previous medical experience told her she was about to witness Mrs. Trane's last night.   Gathering the sterile comfort of this medical knowledge around her, Dipo began her usual ministrations, trying to make her patient as comfortable as possible.   Touched by the weakness and fragility of her patient, Dipo pulled a chair up and sat by Mrs. Trane's side.   She was bothered by the absence of the dying woman's family until Mrs. Trane weakly stated, "I . . . sent . . . my . . . family . . . home . . . tonight . . . didn't want . . . them . . . to .

Civil Litigation Process For Sexual Harassment Essay example -- Sexual

Civil Litigation Process For Sexual Harassment Prompt: You are in charge of the human resources division of a large software development company. One of your responsibilities is to work with the company's retained law firm on suits against the company by present and former employees. A former employee has just filed suit against the company and one of its supervisor's for sexual harassment. The citation has been served upon the authorized agent for the company today. You have also been advised today that you are going to be promoted to senior vice president in charge of software development and that the new human resources director has little experience with matters related to civil litigation. You must orient the new director to the mechanics of how a civil lawsuit works its way through the legal system so that she can integrate her activities with that of the law firm in defense of the newly filed suit Prepare a three (3) to five (5) page memo to the new director generally describing the litigation process. To: Manager, HR department From: Vice President Date: 5/18/14 Subject: Litigation process for recent lawsuit of sexual harassment Over view The following document is a description of sexual harassment litigation process and my proposals to create a manual policy on sexual harassment cases. The Stages of Sexual Harassment Litigation 1. Beginning of Controversy and Attempts to Resolve Conflict "Having an litigation goal'' The goal of the case should be determined as early as possible, by the facts, witnesses, forum and client, because it will dictate how you will manage the litigation. For instance, if the forum, facts and client indicate that (1) summary judgment is ... ...uld establish, distribute to all employees, and enforce a policy prohibiting harassment and setting out a procedure for making complaints. In most cases, the policy and procedure should be in writing. Â · Small businesses may be able to discharge their responsibility to prevent and correct harassment through less formal means. For example, if a business is sufficiently small that the owner maintains regular contact with all employees, the owner can tell the employees at staff meetings that harassment is prohibited, that employees should report such conduct promptly, and that a complaint can be brought "straight to the top." If the business conducts a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of any complaint that arises and undertakes swift and appropriate corrective action, it will have fulfilled its responsibility to "effectively prevent and correct harassment."

Key Functions of Education from a Functionalist Perspective

What are the key functions of education from a Functionalist Perspective? Ever since the education system was invented, there have been a lot of ideas and criticisms of how it should work. The most famous sociological groups, functionalists and Marxists, were part of this and still are today. They both think that their views are best for society. Talcott Parsons believes that the education system has three main functions. Firstly it socializes young people into key cultural values such as equality of opportunity, competition and religious morality.Education is said by functionalists (especially Durkheim) to emphasize moral responsibilities in society that people should have towards each other. If these norms were not passed down through generations then there would be a tendency for individualism (where people believe that they are more important than social groups). Citizenship and religious education were introduced as compulsory subjects in schools to see that young people did thi ngs with thought for the society. The second function is to do with the skills that education teaches children, from literacy and numeracy to more job-specific skills.Occupational jobs are becoming more specialized and this in turn will lead to more years in education. The final function of education, according to functionalists is the allocating of roles of young people in society. Examinations and qualifications are said to allocate people for their most suited job. The equality of opportunity took place and so higher talented people are given the most functionally important jobs for the society. Parsons was criticized as he failed to consider that the values transmitted by the educational system may be those of a ruling minority rather than society as a whole.Like parsons, functionalists Davis and Moore saw education as a means of selecting or shifting people for different levels of the jobs market and ensuring that the most talented and qualified individuals are allocated to the most important jobs with high rewards. Society is therefore meritocracy in which people are rewarded for intelligence, ability and effort. They where criticized because the relationship between academic credentials and occupational reward is not close. Income is only weakly linked to educational attainment. There is doubt about the proposition that the educational system grades people in terms of ability.It has been argued that intelligence is so difficult to pin down that school achievement can never equal ‘intelligence’. While Marxists do share many ideas of functionalists e. g. the fact that education prepares us for out acceptance of the values of society they also see how the education system is alienating children. Functionalists, on the other hand, seem unable to see this and believe that the education system can only do well to children by teaching them norms and values. Functionalists where criticized because as Marxists say, education system is not meritocrat ic as there are the influence of class, ethnicity and gender.