Joining Quizlet

I created a set of quizlet flashcards for this week's Evolution Test.
Here is the link!

Evolution Unit Quizlet

The Mystery of Missing Xenon

A space shuttle bathed in xenon lights

Xenon is a Noble Gas on the Periodic Table of Elements. It is a heavy and odorless gas that is found in trace amounts in the Earth's atmosphere. It is used in some very rare ways like for a gas-discharge lamps, an exicplex laser, and in an anestetic because of advances in the recovery and recycling of xenon.


According to Sciencenews.org scientists predictions have in the past said there should be much more of the gas Xenon in the Earth's atomosphere. They thought that this noble gas would be traped and dissolved in the the depths of the earth. After billions of years it should have been released into the atmosphere. There is much less Xenon than expected though, so where did it go?



Xenon gas discharge tube

Many experiments, research and studying have been done on the minerals deeper within the earth by scientists (Shcheka and Keppler). Perovskite is the mineral they had the most focus on. In lab experiments the perovskite has behaved unexpectedly; sometimes replacing a spot that oxegyn usually fills to be filled by a different noble gasses, such as argon, krypton, and xenon. The xenon atoms are significantly larger than the other gasses atoms though, therefore there is less xenon in the perovskite structures. In experiments scientists dissolved the perovskite to see which dissolved the best. Argon and krypton both dissovled fairly well while the xenon did not.

The Scientists believe that when the Earth was forming the perovskite trapped oxegyn, argon, and krypton but very little xenon. They say "we will never find xenon, that it was already lost at the beginning of Earth's evolution."

Homecoming Week!

Homecoming at Sparta is amazing. Each year the week is made up of dress up days that go along with our theme. Some of our past themes have been music genres, Disney movies, continents, and musicals. The classes each pick a color to represent them and seniors always pick black. During the week we collect food for a food drive and money for penny a point. Points for each of these go towards each classes overall score. Game Day! Friday starts off with a formal assembly where each senior court nominee gives a speach. After voting for King and Queen the games begin. Each class competes in relay races that will earn them points towards the Red Apple! The catepiller has the most participation as it requires 60 students from each class, and it is the most entertaining if you ask me. There are many other games and competitions such as float building and mock rock! Points are also rewarded for cheering for other classes. After all the games in the gym we walk with the floats down to the football field in a parade and end the day with a pep assembly! Saturday night is the dance which is always a blast.

The senior class dominated almost every game this year, including the limbo, which we have won all four years at the high school! I enjoyed my experiences cheering for and watching my class, participating in some games and dressing up in the class color. I love going to the football game all decked out in Sparta wear and being part of our huge student section to support our team. The dance this year was a lot of fun as well. The protest to turn the lights off was the most intresting thing that has happend at a dance that I have seen! I had a great time with a bunch of friends.

Sadly this was the last year I get to participate in all the games on Friday because I am a senior this year. I am going to miss Homecoming a lot and all the people I spend it with. So any Freshman, make the most of homecoming because there is none like Sparta's out there.