The Disappearing Spoon Chp. 11

The Disappearing Spoon Chapter 11

Summary:

Elements have always been there to continuously confuse and surprise our own understanding of the world around us and we have yet to see the end of that line; such is the topic this chapter will speak of. Normally, these elements are known to be predictable and reliable, however, once these elements take a step into the world of biology, it'll be unpredictable for the predictable to occur. After so, the chapter begins to describe several cases in which the predictable was completely shoved aside and something that scientists wouldn't believe would happen, would happen. In one drastically horrible case, three astronauts by NASA were burnt alive in a practice shuttle due to not knowing the cause and effect of placing pure oxygen in the shuttle instead of normal everyday air. Pure oxygen is much more reactive towards heat and can become much more hotter than normal air when combusting; this was an error of knowledge and, thus, completely unpredictable. Yet another accident is told about how NASA made another mistake and ended up with two more dead lives on their hands. The chapter then goes into full detail describing the background of nitrogen and how it strikes. It's easy to believe that NASA is full of unprepared scientists, even though these are the very first times such mistakes and deaths occurred.

The chapter then goes into speaking about historic figures trying to find a way to replace lost limbs and how scientists tried to find the ideal method to do so: integrating metal or wood into the body. We are then given scientific explanations as to way being able to replace foreign limbs with metal or wood is so difficult. After so, we are then given a brief background on the author and how the author was curious about the science of bodily healing and replacing bad and or lost limbs or parts. After the author finished speaking about this topic, the chapter then moves onto explaining how our sensory equipment work and just how vulnerable we become if not knowledgeable about using these precious equipments. Then, it gives yet another history lesson, this time it is about salt and just how problematic it was in the earlier ages before this. Finally, the chapter ends with it talking about an interesting subject; whether or not it is possible to separate the "soul" we humans have and if it even exists.

Reflection:

This chapter was very interesting. A lot of information was given out in this chapter and most which are subjects I have had yet to learn about. While saying this may make me sound psychotic, I enjoyed reading about the painful mistakes NASA made during testing and how even they of all people found this information to be new to them. Then after moving on from mistakes NASA possibly unavoidably made, I enjoyed reading about how people tried to figure out possible ways to integrate the human body with replacement limbs for those that dearly need them. Yet another part of the chapter that I enjoyed reading about is at the very end, a man questioning whether or not separating the "soul" is possible and or even real. Even though it was relatively short, it hit a topic I was curious about to learn. I didn't find anything dislikeable in this chapter and wish to learn more. Overall, this chapter was good. 

Guiding Questions:

1. Why is nitrogen so important to living things? 

Nitrogen is greatly important towards living being because they contain enzymes and hormones essential for the functioning of all living things.

2. Explain why each of the elements in this chapter is a type of "deceiver."

These elements hid important factors, yet dangerous, factors that we had yet to learn about.

3. Potassium and sodium are both members of the group called the Alkali Metals. Why don't we keep solid samples of these metals in the stockroom at the high school?

These elements are greatly known for how highly reactive they are. One small ignition can cause the entire school to blow up.