Chapter 16

The Disappearing Spoon Chapter 16

Summary

     In this Chapter, it mentions the properties of Tin that causes an effect of whitish rust to form in cold temperatures. That effect caused the deaths of Scott and his crew on their journey to the south pole but were disappointed to find out that another team beat them to it a month earlier.  Although the Tin canisters they had made the effect of the whitish rust form and kill their supplies then themselves. The effect was caused by a Beta form changing into Alpha form in cold temperatures. 

     Then there is the discovery of Lasers which also lead to Masers. Lasers emitted a light that was also known as waves or Photons that carried electrons to different energy levels. Then there are Masers that needed a neodymium crystal to make a powerful light that released heat in the process. 

Reflection

     In the chapter I found the discovery of lasers to be impressive but the most interesting part is what lead to Masers which are more powerful than Lasers. Masers made a powerful light that released Heat and required a crystal for the process. That description of Masers sounds very similar to what I know of Light Sabers in the Star wars but I'm pretty sure Goerge Lucas's team got the idea of Light Sabers from the discovery of Masers in the 1900s. 

Guideline Questions

1. It is significant that they form those structures because when Tin gets cold it makes the Beta turn to Alpha, a powdery form. And it makes the other crystal structure with a different density and different properties.

2. It was hard because it required the right reaction, and well-timed bursts of ultraviolet light, all set to bake at a frigid −445°F. But it was a durable crystal and it is the single hardest element humans have forced into a compound.

3. Masers are same as Lasers but produce non-visible light which needs the use crystals of yttrium spiked with neodymium to produce this light that releases heat in the process. Then there are Lasers that shoot light known as waves or photons but work by moving electrons from one energy level to the next. 

4.  Besides making strong lasers, neodymium can help make the world's strongest LASERS.

5.  The condensate is used so that the atoms can somehow not be individual atoms but merge and combine in Cold Temperatures.