Have you ever thought about the numbers behind NASCAR? We’re not talking about the number of
your favorite driver; we’re talking about the amazing math and science behind
these speedy racers. For example
those super powerful engines race around at incredible speeds. Some have even
been known to go around 200 mph in a straightaway, thus producing a lot of
engine heat. Temperatures have
been recorded at about 140 degrees INSIDE the car. Compound that with the amazing about of heat from the
friction of those wheels constantly rubbing against the track and we’re looking
at some hot, hot, hot numbers!
So, 140 degrees inside the car and the heat of the track
itself, we’re looking at some sweaty drivers! In fact, some NASCAR drivers have been known to lose
anywhere from 5 – 10 lbs simply from perspiration!
Water we talking about?!?!? We're talking about two hydrogen atoms forged together with one oxygen atom. The merging of these two elements has been monumental to life as we know it here on Earth! Every person you know and most every single living thing on this planet needs water. For us humans, we need about 8-12 glasses of delicious fresh water. So, how much fresh water is there on this planet anyway? Well, most of the Earth is covered in water. A beautiful blue liquid carpet coats nearly 70% of the Earth's surface. Despite its abundance, we can't actually use all of that. We humans need fresh water (not salt water that seems to own the monopoly on our oceans). It's pretty amazing to consider that only 2.5% of all the water on our entire planet is useable for drinking. Oh but there's more! That 2.5% fresh water statistic is accurate, but not very useful for us considering that it factors in all the water that's frozen in ice, running below our feet, in the atmosphere, plants, and animals. So, what even smaller amount is useable by us? A little less than 0.4% of the water on this planet is available for all of us to use for drinking! That's right, the seven billion plus global population has to share a little less than 0.4% of the water on this planet,thus making it one of our most precious resources. So, I guess it’s true when we're told to turn off the tap when we're not using it, because that water is a very special part of this Earth and our lives and we certainly should not be wasting it.
Aside from keeping humans hydrated, water serves a few other important tasks. We need fresh water to grow all of our delicious foods! Everything from your morning coffee to your late night ice cream snack requires the use of this awesome substance, water! Also, don't forget, we're not alone...your pets, those birds you hear when you go outside, the animals you see on TV, and most any other critter needs the same thing that keeps us going, yep...you guessed it, water!
How many different brains were involved in making it possible for you to read this blog entry? Whew! That's a tall order to even look into!
Think about all the amazing things the human brain has done, yet it's a pretty small organ. The brain takes up about 2% of your body mass, that's it! Despite its small size it sure does carry out a lot of vital functions that keep you going — such as: breathing, eating, walking, thinking, sleeping, sitting, showering, brushing your teeth, and so on...
The brain also uses up about 20% of the oxygen we take in!
On average a human brain is about 77% water!
The brain also works on about 20 watts of power (the same as a laptop or the bulb in your fridge)!
Need more brains? Here's more info on the brain!!
STILL need more brains?? ...even more info on your brain!!!
So since these things are so important, make sure you keep your brain safe!! Helmets are our friends!!
Did you have any coffee today? A lot of people did. The United States moves about 400 million cups of coffee every day! Everything from intricate gourmet coffee to the basic cup of plain coffee. Even the basic cup of coffee is still very complex, holding over 1500 chemicals! The most familiar is caffeine, of course. It takes caffeine about 30 minutes to be fully absorbed by our bodies. Once in the bloodstream, it actually does enhance thought process and the body's capacity for physical activity.
Also, coffee contains antioxidants. Actually, Americans get more antioxidants from coffee than any other food or beverage!
Several studies have suggested that coffee may even reduce the risk of various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's!
For more coffee info check out this link: COFFEE also, check out some coffee-health-facts here, MORE COFFEE!!!
We're ready to get a little irrational about Pi in hopes to make your knowledge of this tasty number a bit more well rounded.
π = Pi
So, what is Pi? Well, for starters Pi is an irrational number in that it cannot be expressed as a ratio of integers. Pi is an infinite number because it is without end – it keeps going…and going and going….so pi is both an irrational and an infinite number! The most commonly known digits of Pi are 3.14 (hence the March 14th as the celebration of Pi-Day!), but in 2011 the calculated digits of Pi went to ten trillion digits!! I know, you may be saying to yourself "Pi can' believe it!!", but its true. Remember, its an irrational number...it never ends!
So, why Pi? Why fill our March 14th with tons and tons of Pi stuff? What's Pi ever done for us?
Well, Pi is known best for finding Diameter and Circumference of circles, but think about what that really means...
Where would wrist watches be without Pi? Pi helps determine the amount of space between the symbols on your clocks and wrist watches!! Okay okay, we're going digital and time is easily told on your mobile phones, so perhaps the wrist watch has not convinced you on how important Pi is, but would your mobile phones be able to receive a signal without that satellite floating in the right place in orbit around the Earth? No! Pi is a very important portion of getting the info needed to put the satellite in orbit around the Earth. The Earth's curve is a sphere so we do need Pi to calculate the position of our mobile phone satellites. We would not want to send it to a part of the world that is too far for your signals to reach right?
There sure is a lot of cool stuff happening in the world of basketball these days right? Well, again, Pi is a big behind-the-scenes player in the game of basketball. Those hoops, those basketballs, and even the lids to all the beverages people drink at basketball games are all created and manufactured by folks that have to factor in Pi to get their exact shape! A square hoop, an oddly shaped basketball, and a lid that does not match the container of soda would make for a pretty lousy experience. Be sure to thank Pi the next time you're watching the game in person or on TV!
Speaking of TV, if you've ever watched a DVD you should be grateful for Pi. Ever thought about what would be needed to not only manufacture the disc, but also the way that data is put onto the disc in circular form?...yep, you guessed it, Pi!!
For science to explain things like rainbows, ripples in a pond, waves, geometry, the DNA double helix strands, and much more we have to employ our amazing and irrational mathematical friend, Pi.
We hope you guys have an awesome Pi day!
Oh and yes, to create the circular pan that all your tasty pie's are made on, you're going to need π
The human body does some pretty exceptional work, but in order for it to function at optimal capacity it needs to be properly hydrated. Water is essential for all life and it's no wonder that our bodies need it for both physical and mental functions.
Water helps regulate your temperature, lubricates joints and muscles, and digestion! But did you know that the amount of water you drink has a direct impact on your brain?!?!
A properly hydrated body will yield a brain that has a stronger memory capacity, a level temperament, and will increase motivation! A lack of water will cause the brain to get slightly hydrated and reduce the oxygen flow to the cerebral center. Some scientists have also hypothesized that a dehydrated body will also have some temporarily shrunk neurons and receptors!!
So, remember to get in a good amount of water everyday, its good for you!
What's going on in February this year? Why is the month of March one whole day further back than I'm used to??
Well, for the answer to that we'll have to turn to our old friend, Math!
The Earth's orbit around the sun is 365 days, kinda. Though we count it as 365 in reality each year yields a little extra time. The actual time it takes the Earth to orbit the sun is 365.25 days a year (yielding a surplus quarter of a day at the end of the year). So, the Gregorian calendar, the one we use, came up with a very simple but effective solution...everytime we hit the 4th quarter day (every 4 years) we add a 'Leap Day'! 4 quarter days = 1 full day, right?
There's some other pretty amazing math that goes into Leap Day too!
For example:
Years that are divisible by 100 can NOT be leap years, however years divisible by 400 CAN be leap years...So, 2100, 2200, 2300 will not be leap years, however 2400 and 2800 will be leap years!
Also, in the span of 2 millennia we will only have a total of 485 leap years! Which makes this year pretty special.
So, be sure to enjoy the extra day...after all, its the hoppiest day of the year!
