University of Leicester Open Journals
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P3 10 An Alkali Metal Water Bomb
Get PDFWhen exposed to water, alkali metals react violently with water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen. Here, we will explore how much energy is released in a typical reaction, and find out how much lithium and water are needed to release the energy equivalent of ‘Gadget’; an atomic bomb dropped in the Nevada Desert in 1945, as part of the ‘Trinity’ project [1]. We find that the total mass of this lithium-water bomb would be around 9.01 ×10^9g
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Career Preparedness of Chemistry Graduates
Get PDFRecent research has established that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a shift in University student expectations of their graduate prospects due to unavoidable changes in their learning experiences during the pandemic, as well as the decrease in number of available jobs because of the economic impact of measures put in place to reduce COVID-19 transmission. This study used a survey to investigate: (a) the impact of the pandemic on student destinations six months after graduation and (b) the variations in perceptions of personal level of career preparedness between pre-pandemic graduates and graduates at different stages of the pandemic (i.e. the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021). 40 University of Leicester chemistry graduates engaged with the survey and analysis of the data revealed a non-statistically significant negative impact on employment six-months after graduation that appears to only affect graduates in 2020. The data also suggests that increased experience of the blended learning approaches adopted at the University of Leicester during the pandemic studies may better prepare graduates for remote working practices (e.g. using remote video conferencing software)
P2_6 Solar Leaf
Get PDFThis paper explores the reality of a gigantic photosynthetic surface with the goal of fulfilling thehuman species energy requirements. We determined that an area of approximately 3000 km2 would suffice in producing enough energy to power the planet for 1 year. Via a comparison to solar panels we suggest that this area or perhaps even smaller covered with modern solar panels could truly power the planet. However further research into this is certainly required
P2_1 Assault and Battery
Get PDFThis paper aims to calculate how many degrees of counter-battery artillery fire are required before there is an equivalent explosive yield to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima being fired every minute. This value is found to decrease exponentially as the number of guns in each artillery battery increases, but remains so high that we suggest that tactical nuclear weapons have no practical application and are excessive in any battlefield scenarios
A3_3 When Roasted Pigs Fly
Get PDFThis paper investigated the excess energy produced when propane is used to lift a hot air balloon by testing if you could roast a pig while the balloon is flying. We found that the balloon would be able to fly as the propane releases 24.0MW, which is more than enough to roast the pig and fly the balloon
P6_8 B-29 Boomer Bomber
Get PDFIn this paper, the feasibility of floating a B-29 bomber crashed at the bottom of Lake Mead with flotation bags (as is done in the game Fallout New Vegas) is discussed, where it is found possible as the buoyant forces overcome the weight. However the mass of nitrogen required to inflate the bags fully is found to be far too high to be realistically carried by one man to the location and sunk to such a depth
Wonder, Empire, Science: The Quagga and Other Extinctions on Display at Naturalis
Get PDFNaturalis, the Dutch national museum of natural history, celebrated its bicentennial in 2020 by launching the special exhibition, Nature’s Treasure Trove, featuring 25 ‘crown jewels’ from the collection – of which five are extinct. As a celebratory look back on the museum’s history of collecting, the exhibition navigates tensions between national culpability and national pride: culpability for colonialism and species loss, and pride in the Dutch tradition of scientific discovery. We argue that the exhibition can be seen as an exercise in repurposing a cultural memory that is essential to Dutch national identity, in a world that can no longer ignore the harm done by humans, including the Dutch
Analysis into potential lifestyle factors that may influence defecation frequency
Get PDFThis paper aims to investigate the potential lifestyle factors that may influence the frequency of defecation and the biological mechanisms behind them. Taking data from a 2022 study into defecation frequency we looked at three common lifestyle factors that may affect defecation frequency. Sleep, Caffeine Consumption and Fruit and Vegetable consumption are all commonly associated with defecation frequency, but their effects are complicated and require further study
What type of levitation works best for levitating a broom from “Harry Potter”?
Get PDFIn this paper, the topic of levitation is discussed in the context of a broom’s flight, and we ascertain which method would be most suitable for flight. Diamagnetism is the best effect to use as the internal field of the atoms and molecules within the diamagnetic material is lined up in opposition with an external field, this causes a repulsive force and if this repulsive force is strong enough then it leads to levitation. This investigation also advocates for active levitation as a method for controlling the magnetic force, and therefore the displacement of the broom
A1_2 Boxing Trees
Get PDFThis paper looks into how a professional boxer could punch a tree down in the style of the videogame Minecraft, calculating forces required to do so and comparing them against the main characterfrom the game, Steve. Data from a range of average professional boxers gives a punch forceof 3450 N and this has been used to determine that it takes 826,000 punches to fell an EnglishOak Tree, compared to Steves punch force of 1.1 GN. The JANKA hardness test has been usedto find the force and volume per punch removed from the tree and how many punches this wouldtake. Overall, it is concluded that a professional boxer would become exhausted before removinga 1m high section of English Oak