Computers and How They Impact Our Lives

Computers and How They Impact Our Lives Have you ever thought about how much computers have been integrated into our lives? Personally speaking there is not a day that goes by that I don't sit down in front of a computer for something. Computers play a large role in the way that businesses are run, the days of type writers and filing cabinets are a thing of the past. We can access information about almost anything on the internet, such as banking records, insurance information, shopping, technical assistance the possibilities are almost limitless.Looking at the history of computers they really haven't been around that long. Frederic Golden writer for Time magazine tells us this on the history of computersIf you look at most history books, they'll tell you ENIAC (for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first true all-purpose electronic computer. Unveiled in 1946 in a blaze of publicity, it was a monstrous 30-ton machine, as big as two semis and filled with enough vacuum tubes (19,000), switches (6,000) and blinking lights to require an army of attendants.IBM Portable Personal Computer :: Retrocomputing o...Capable of adding 5,000 numbers in a second, a then unheard of feat, it could compute the trajectory of an artillery shell well before it landed.This machine was a remarkable achievement for its time but it doses not even begin to compare to the average personal computer that people have in their homes today. In its short 57 year span of history computer technology has increased at an unprecedented rate.Businesses are very dependant on computers, email, printing, data storage, internet access, data analyst are just a few of the thing that people take for granted in everyday business. Email has revolutionized the way we communicate and has become one of the most critical systems in business today. Servers are the back bone of...

Fluorescent Light Science Experiment

Fluorescent Light Science Experiment Learn how to make a fluorescent light glow without plugging it in! These science experiments show how to generate static electricity, which illuminates the phosphor coating, making the bulb light up. Fluorescent Light Experiment Materials fluorescent bulb (tubes work best. Its okay if the light is burnt out.)Any of the following:Saran wrap (plastic wrap)plastic report folderpiece of woolinflated balloondry newspaperanimal fur or fake fur Procedure The fluorescent light needs to be perfectly dry, so you may wish to clean the bulb with a dry paper towel before starting. You will get brighter light in dry weather than in high humidity.All you need to do is rub the fluorescent bulb with the plastic, fabric, fur, or balloon. Do not apply pressure. You need friction to make the project work; you dont need to press the material into the bulb. Dont expect the light to be as bright as it would be plugged into an outlet. It helps to turn off the lights to see the effect.Repeat the experiment with other items on the list. Try other materials found around the home, classroom, or lab. Which works the best? Which materials dont work? How It Works Rubbing the glass tube generates static electricity. Although there is less static electricity than the amount of electricity supplied by wall current, it is enough to energize the atoms inside the tube, changing them from a ground state to an excited state. The excited atoms release photons when they return to the ground state. This is fluorescence. Usually, these photons are in the ultraviolet range, so fluorescent bulbs have an interior coating that absorbs the UV light and releases energy in the visible light spectrum. Safety Fluorescent bulbs are easily broken, producing sharp shards of glass and releasing toxic mercury vapor into the air. Avoid applying a lot of pressure to the bulb. Accidents happen, so if you snap a bulb or drop one, put on a pair of disposable plastic gloves, carefully use damp paper towels to collect all the pieces and dust, and place the gloves and broken glass in a sealable plastic bag. Some places have special collection sites for broken fluorescent tubes, so see if one is available/required before putting the bulb in the trash. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling a broken fluorescent tube.