Connections
Maadi STEM High School
R.M.R.
physics
phy: 3.01
first connection:
Physics is one of the fundamental sciences related to almost all aspects of our lives. In physics
L.O.1, we have learned about waves, wave motion, and some of their parameters. A wave, in
general, is a disturbance of a medium that transfers and carries energy without a net
movement of the particles. Waves are classified based on their need for a medium to
propagate into two types: mechanical waves (which require a medium) and electrochemical
waves (which do not require a medium for propagation).
Our project this semester focuses on developing and integrating a multi-sensor system to
monitor conditions associated with our chosen Egypt Grand Challenges. For clarity, it would
be helpful to specify these challenges, such as climate change, recycling pollution, arid areas,
or alternative energy, as they provide important context for our project.
Understanding chemistry helps us select suitable and efficient sensors for our system. For
instance, knowing the type of waves we will be sensing is crucial in selecting the appropriate
sensor. Additionally, Knowing the associated things of the wave lets us know the reading the
sensor refers to. For example, when using a temperature sensor like the DHT11, an increase in
the amplitude (A) indicates an abnormal temperature. In response, the buzzer will sound to
provide immediate feedback. Moreover, increasing the sensor frequency (f) will enhance the
response speed and sensitivity of the sensor, in line with the rule that velocity equals
wavelength times frequency (velocity = wavelength × frequency).
In summary, knowing this information from the chemistry subject area will increase the
accuracy of the selection of the system sensors and we will ensure that this system will
provide the maximum efficiency.
Second connection:
To begin with, the wave is a physical phenomenon characterized by its frequency, wavelength
and amplitude. Waves have some principles for example, waves transfer energy from one
location to another but no matter. There are two types of waves: mechanical waves and
electromagnetic waves. Each one of them has its features. First, the mechanical waves need a
medium to propagate through, it cannot move through space or vacuum, its velocities are low
compared to the electromagnetic waves and lastly, it is classified into transverse such as water
and longitudinal waves such as sound. Second, electromagnetic waves don’t need a medium
to propagate through, can move through space, their velocity is high and finally, it has only
one type which is the transverse one such as light.
After we know the two types of mechanical and longitudinal let’s describe them, transverse: is
a wave composed of crests and troughs and the medium particle propagates perpendicular to
the direction of the wave movement while the longitudinal wave is composed of expansions
and compressions and the medium particle vibrates along the wave direction movement. But
in some conditions, the waves are not purely transverse or longitudinal, but they can show
both under a concept called superposition.
We took equations related to the mechanical transverse waves to calculate the speed of
particle and wave, acceleration, amplitude, position, wavelength and no. of waves. The
position equation: is y= A sin (Kx -/+ wt), the velocity equation of the particle: is V= -Aw cos
( Kx-/+ wt ) and the acceleration equation: is a = -Aw2 sin ( Kx-/+ wt ). The velocity of the
wave = wavelength X frequency and the acceleration of the wave is equal to zero because it
has uniform speed.
As shown electromagnetic waves are better than mechanical in communication and can be
more applicable in the circuits we will use in our project because it has high velocity and can
propagate long distances without a medium.
English:
First connection:
In English, you learned how to compose accurate well-developed essays in different genres.
Write a paragraph to persuade your classmate about your chosen problem for this semester's
Capstone challenge.
Answer:
In English, we learned how to compose accurate well-developed essays in different genres.
There are four types of essays, which are analytical, argumentative, expository, and
persuasive. Each one of them has the characteristics that distinguish it from the others. The
characteristics of a persuasive essay include writing good and specific reasons, detailed
examples, numerous pieces of evidence and a strong conclusion. Here is the paragraph of the
persuasive essay: Water is the driving force of all nature. There is no life without it. All the
organisms depend on the water to complete all their functions. According to statistics, there is
a net loss is more than 70% of the water used every year in the agriculture field. This is a
great per cent that if it is complete in that way, we wouldn’t find enough water for anything in
the next few years. As a result, our group decided to address this problem to solve this critical
challenge. The two design requirements for our project are the high efficiency of the project
and being eco-friendly as being not harmful to the environment. We can test these
requirements by testing the results before and after using our software application and
hardware prototype. We can compare between the amount of water wasted before and after
using our solution. In conclusion, our group would address the challenge of water as it very
critical issue and would affect all of us.
Biology:
First connection :
In Biology you study the parts and functions of the neuron, including the axon, dendrite, and
soma or cell body. Compare the functions of a mobile phone app to these parts and their
functions.
Answer:
In Biology, We have studied the nervous tissue by viewing the structure and function of a
neuron. As we moved through our study, we realized that it is very important for any project
that is supposed to do any function to have an adapted structure that fits with its task. For
neurons, there are three main parts; dendrites, cell body and the axon. For an interneuron
which is found to be multipolar and has many dendrites, it has to collect the signals from
sensory neurons through dendrites as their input. Then, they have to integrate and process
signals in the cell body according to the genes. Finally, they transfer the processed signals to
either motor neurons or another interneuron by the axon and synaptic terminals as their
output. A mobile app has also to collect data from the environment through sensors (input)
like the dendrites. After collecting data, the app has to record them and process them in the
processor according to the code that it is based on which resembles genes in this case. Finally,
the app has to use the processed data to convert them as an output for the user to deal with
through its interface (GUI) like the axon.
Second connection:
BI.3.01 - In Biology you studied the parts and functions of the neuron, including the axon,
dendrite, and soma or cell body. Compare the functions of a mobile phone app to these parts
and their functions. *
Learning Transfer
Neurons are building units of the nervous system. The nervous system can be divided into
the central nervous system CNS and the peripheral nervous system PNS. CNS includes
the brain and spinal cord. PNS includes neurons outside the CNS. Neuron structure is
composed of dendrites, soma or cell body, and axons. Dendrites are responsible for receiving
signals from stimuli. Soma is responsible for neuron processing. Axon is responsible for
transmitting nerve impulses to another neuron. CNS consists of interneurons that have long
dendrites and axons because they are responsible for nervous system integration. PNS
consists mainly of sensory and motor neurons. Sensory neurons have long dendrites because
they sense the signal, and transmit it to interneurons. Motor neurons pick up the nerve
impulses and transmit them to muscles.
The nervous system is similar to our project because of our project(communication). The
communication of neurons is called a synapse. Signals transmitted in synapses can be
chemical or electrical. Signals are transmitted from presynaptic neuron to postsynaptic cell.
Signals transmitted among our software and hardware are electrical and depend mainly on
transmitters and receivers. The hardware is the transmitter of signals to software and we can
call it a presynaptic neuron. The database of the application and the interior processing
connect the mobile application and the hardware. The mobile application is the receiver of the
signals as the postsynaptic cells receive nerve impulses and signals. The project components
work in harmony with the nervous system to solve the blindness problem.
Chemistry:
First connection:
A chemical reaction is a process in which one or more reactants(input) are converted to one or
more products(outputs). There are various types of chemical reactions: acid-base,
precipitation, displacement, synthesis, redox and decomposition reaction.
The law of conservation of mass states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed in a
chemical reaction and the mass of reactants equal the mass of products.
The law of conservation of energy states that there is no overall change in the amount of
energy during the reaction but energy may change its form such as changing from chemical to
heat energy. There are two types of energy in chemical reactions energy absorbed by the
products and energy of breaking a bond is called endothermic ( delta H = positive) or the
energy released by reactants to make a bond which is called exothermic energy ( delta H=
negative).
Uncertainty:
Measurements may be accurate, meaning that the measured value is the same as the true
value; they may be precise, meaning that multiple measurements give nearly identical values.
They may be both accurate and precise, or they may be neither accurate nor precise. The goal
of scientists is to obtain measured values that are both accurate and precise.
Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known value while
precision refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other.
Qualitative analysis is a branch of chemistry that analyses the chemical composition of a
sample as it indicates different elements of a compound and it doesn’t provide any
calculations or numerical values. Such as colour, odour, reactivity and melting point. And it is
classified as organic and inorganic qualitative. On the other hand, the quantitative analysis is a
branch with quantities or values such as volume, concentration and relative abundance. The
methods used in the quantitative are physical which include the chemical reactions and
chemical such as Atomic emission spectroscopy or mass spectroscopy.
The kinetic molecular theory of gases explains the laws that describe the behaviour of gases.
This theory is based on the properties of individual particles as defined for an ideal gas and
the fundamental concepts of chemistry.
Gas molecules collide with one another and with the walls of the container, but these
collisions are perfectly elastic; that is, they do not change the average kinetic energy of the
molecules.
Collision theory: Chemical kinetics is the study of the rates of chemical reactions or how fast
reactions occur.
Second connection:
(CH3.01) Regarding your Capstone project for this semester, state your
hypothesis/hypotheses, experimental design, qualitative data and quantitative data. *
Learning Transfer
The scientific method is similar to the EDP in our capstone project. First, we justify the
problem and predict what will happen next. Prediction in the scientific method is called
hypothesis. A hypothesis can be tested whether it is right or needs to be modified. In our
capstone, we make a hypothesis that the data is transmitted from the temperature sensor to the
mobile application. Experimental design is a series of steps that manipulate many factors. It
consists of a hypothesis, test, and modification. First, we suppose a result according to the
written code then we test it on 10 blind people to make sure of its efficiency. If it works
properly and needs no modification, we will publish the mobile application in the Play Store
to benefit a great number of blind people as much as possible. If it doesn’t work properly and
gives wrong results or no results, we will turn to both codes to modify them. We will check
the Arduino code by the compiler in the Arduino and the data we enter for example if we want
to warn the user at a distance of 30 cm and the warning occurs at 10 cm so the problem here
doesn’t require a compiler it requires only accuracy in writing the code. Regarding the
application, we will check the code that sends the voice instructions depending on the data
transmitted by the Bluetooth module. Qualitative data tell us the presence, colour, or shape of
something and this represents the voice instructions sent to the user. Quantitative data tells
numerical values like 30 cm or the calculation done by the sensor to calculate the distance.
Third connection:
CH.3.01 In Chemistry, you learned about Uncertainty in measurement which can be
influenced by many different factors like the tools of measurement, humans, .…... Mention
one measurement in your Capstone Project for this semester. Identify two factors that may
influence its’ uncertainty. Explain why they might affect your results. *
Learning Transfer
Every experiment we do must contain errors but the factors of the errors are different so they
result in different types of errors. Uncertainty means that when we measure for example a pen
and we have the standard length which is 12 cm and the results of our measurements are 12.3
cm and 11.7 cm there is an error and can be calculated by (max. valu e + min. value)/2 and +/-
the smallest significant figure. (12.3+11.7)/2 =12 cm but we can’t say 12 we say 12+/- 0.3
cm. so uncertainty can be defined as the actual value +/- the least significant figure of the
results (above and below the actual value). We are working with ultrasonic sensors and there
is an equation that gives the distance in front of the sensor. The equation is V=(2D)/T where V
is the velocity of the ultrasonic waves D is the distance covered by the wave and T is the time
taken to cover that distance. Uncertainty may result from 2 types of errors which are
systematic errors and random errors. Systematic errors are errors caused by the used
instrument and they affect the accuracy of the values. The random errors are caused by
environmental and human factors that lead to decreased accuracy and precision. In our
project, the two errors can affect the reading of the ultrasonic sensor so much. For example, if
the ultrasonic sensor has industrial problems, it will result in a systematic error but if we use it
in the wrong way, it is a random error. Both errors can cause a great problem for example if
the distance is 2 cm and the read value is 12 cm, it causes the sensor to collide thus breaking
it.
Geology:
First connection:
In geology, there is also communication between the plates especially the lithospheric plate
with the lower plates of Earth. First, regarding the three ways of movement: 1- convergent 2-
divergent 3- transform. The convergent is the moving of plates towards each other which is
called destructive and results in a mountain range the divergent is the opposite in which the
two plates move away from each other which is called constructive plates and it results in
making volcanoes and rebuilding new plates. The transformation is the moving of plates
horizontally without affecting each other and it results in earthquakes. Also regarding the
divergent movement between two plates as a result of a convection current coming from the
inner of the earth and results in heating and melting the magma chamber below the
lithospheric plate then a stretching occurs as a result of the divergent movement makes the rift
valley which may be broken after a time as the stretching become stronger and results in a
mid-ocean ridge and then then the plate goes to a convergent movement with another plate
beside it and this cycle begins again along the plates. Secondly, regarding the movement of
plates according to their density the lower density floats up as the crust and the higher density
sinks as the inner and outer core because of the high pressure and density as it is composed of
iron (a heavy metal).
Third, The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based system for the accurate
location of points on Earth by using three satellites at least and then detecting the intersection
points to locate an object. Earth consists of 24 satellites which orbit Earth at 20200 km height.
For any communication system, there are basic components that must be found, 1- the
transmitter which transmits the signal 2- a medium or a channel of the signal to move through
3- the receiver in another location to receive the signal. Geologists have set up a network of
targets all over the world to monitor the movement of lithospheric plates.
Computer science:
First Connection:
CS.3.01) In Computer Science you have been studying the requirements to make a mobile
application. Mobile applications can have advantages over desktop or computer applications.
(1) Describe a new mobile application that could be useful for the Grand challenge you are
working on with Communication. Include the aim, the target audience, and the data that is
communicated. (2) Explain why this mobile application would be more useful than a desktop
or computer application.
Mobile applications are widely used around the world. And they have many advantages over
desktop or computer applications. For our capstone project this semester we are working on
developing an integrated multi-sensor system to monitor conditions associated with the
problem we have chosen to address. For our visualization detection, we will make a mobile
application that is used to show real-time monitoring readings. We target all residents of the
city to use our application not only that, but also the companies that are responsible for
protecting the city. That will help both of them to save our community and our atmosphere
from all pollutants.
This mobile application would be more useful than a desktop or computer application because
during this time no one isn’t using mobile phones so, our application can be applicable and
available for all users rather than computers. Also, computer applications can be difficult to
use for some people in contrast mobile application has simple interfaces and will be easy to
use for all ages and all audiences.
