Abstract
This paper examines how our modern concept of scientific superiority over earlier civilizations is challenged on reading "De Rerum Natura," written by Lucretius (94BC-49BC). The paper explores Lucretius' ideas of atomism, his conceptualization of the world and his perception that freeing the minds of men of superstition is a noble and enduring cause.

From the Paper
"The Epicurean proposition of a world constructed of atoms moving in a void has competed with numerous other explanations of how the world works, especially that of the Church. In fact the church was very hostile to the idea of an atomized world because it does not allow for the existence of a God that is actively involved in the world nor does it encourage the fear that is used to control the masses. But the idea persisted and was vindicated by scientific observation only in this century. The explanation of its longevity must lie in more than its empirical validity. The Epicurean ideas, especially as expressed in Lucretius' poem, have endured because of their coherence. They simply seemed to be a neater explanation of the world."

Tags:superstition, exist, existentialism, epicurius

Abstract
This paper first explains that the plate tectonic theory, which suggests that the Earth is made up of a dozen rigid plates, moving independently of each other, is used to explain the movement of the plates on the Earth's lithosphere. Next, the author relates the history of the development of this theory starting from the work of Alfred Wegener, a German geophysicist and meteorologist, in 1912. The paper examines that the studying ocean floor and earthquake and volcanic activity are commonly used as evidence to support the plate tectonic theory.

From the Paper
"By scanning the ocean floors with magnetometers, they hypothesized that the oceanic crust constantly reformed at the crest of the mid-ocean ridges. The further you move away from that ridge crest, the sediment would become increasingly older. As they had been able to see evidence of seafloor spreading, it was accepted that the tectonic plates had moved. They also endeavored to determine and document the earthquake and volcano activity across the globe, to see how it related to the oceanic trenches and underwater mountain ranges."

Tags:asthenosphere, continental drift theory, paleomagnetic polar changes, magnetic field, subduction zones

Abstract
The paper defines black holes and explains what they are made up of. The paper explores common misconceptions surrounding black holes, as well as other mysteries. Finally the paper examines theories regarding how black holes eventually end.

From the Paper
"Black holes, one of space's greatest phenomenons, appear to be tremendous concentrations of matter, usually at the center of a galaxy; however, smaller back holes are possible. The matter is in the form of neutrons, protons, and electrons, tightly packed together by their mutual gravitational attraction. The beautifully descriptive name comes from the fact that light cannot exit from a Black hole. They are suspected to form in the death and collapse of a star that began with more than10 times the sun's mass (those with less mass become white dwarfs or neutron stars)."

Tags:galaxy, Albert Einstein, radiation

Abstract
This is an informative paper on what exactly a black hole is and what scientists have theorized about black holes. The paper examines the formation of black holes, past research on black holes and pondering questions still unanswered today.

From the Paper
"Ever since you were old enough to know what the sky, moon and stars were, you have always imagined what is actually up there? One of the most fascinating ideas of all is the mysterious and scary thought of a BLACK HOLE! This is perfectly normal because even today scientists are still pondering over that same question - what is a black hole and does it exist? Theories that at one time seemed reasonable are now laughed at, our skies hold an infinite space which we will never be able to explore, as a result, our questions will be infinite as well."

Tags:astronomy, black, holes, science, stars, universe, infinity

Abstract
The paper describes the experiment that attempted to determine whether the motion of an object moving down an inclined plane was uniform motion, uniform acceleration, or nonuniform acceleration. The paper outlines the materials and procedure used and records the data in tables. The paper discusses the results and concludes that the motion experienced by an object traveling down an inclined plane would be uniform acceleration. Tables and formulas are included with the paper.

Outline:
Materials
Procedure
Observations
Calculations
Discussion

From the Paper
"The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether the motion of an object moving down an inclined plane was uniform motion, uniform acceleration, or nonuniform acceleration.
"The type of motion that will be experienced by an object moving down an incline plane will be uniform acceleration. This is thought because the inclined plane has a constant angle, meaning that the object moving down it will have the same velocity increase every second."

Tags:air, track, velocity, angle

Abstract
The following paper examines the history of solid propulsion and black powder and discusses how it was used. It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages of solid propulsion in relation to its liquid counterparts.

From the Paper
"The first solid propulsion engines were invented by the Chinese early in the 13th century in use of fireworks. These homemade rockets were propelled by black powder. The first recorded military use was in 1232 in a military siege where the powder propelled rockets were used to set fire to tents. It wasn't until years later around the early 15th century when they started becoming used in Europe and equipped with a payload. Gunpowder started being used as it burned slower than black powder. The two have same the same ingredients but in different proportions. A large step forward was when the solid propulsion rockets were used to carry rope from distressed ships to shore in stormy conditions. The sailors would use the rope as a lifeline in their rowboats. However this relied on the fact that the shore could only be as far away as the longest rope."

Tags:solid, rocket, oxidizer, Newton, third, law, equal, reaction, space, travel, reliability, ignition

Abstract
This paper examines how, in his letter to the Grand Duchess Christina, Galileo argues that explanations of physical phenomena are not matters of faith. It discusses how he consistently attacks his opponents and counters their arguments on the basis of two flaws, while defending his own work and the place of science in society. By constantly emphasizing the significance of the Bible and his own devout nature, the papers attempts to show how Galileo's clear arguments succeed in proving how the domains of religion and science can be balanced without demeaning one or the other.

From the Paper
"Galileo upholds and supports the significance of his scientific work and of science in general, not by humbling religion but by refuting the beliefs of those associated with it. In turn, he accuses them of wrongdoing in the name of Catholicism. By attributing this as the sole reason for any discrepancy between science and religion, he begins to attack his opponents. He does so in a very direct and precise way. First, he makes it clear that many of his opponents are ignorant of the current scientific developments, even those that are compatible with Catholic doctrine. The fact that Galileo had supporters from the Church proves that even the controversial points could be studied, as long as their legitimacy was not openly acknowledged. This justifies Galileo in accusing his adversaries of a complete lack of knowledge and understanding of science. "

Tags:science, religion

Abstract
This paper covers the following topics: what are supernovae; the history of the supernovae; supernovae in our Galaxy: how they are formed; nomenclature; how they affect us.

From the Paper
" A supernova is the cataclysmic explosion of a big mass star, which releases a huge quantity of light instantaneously, occurring approximately twice per century. Astronomers have been observing supernovae in our skies since the times of Christian Huygens, Simon Marius, Messier, Brache and Kepler. Fritz Zwicky was the first to use the term supernova to describe lights that were much brighter than any other star or planetary body visible in the sky. "

Tags:dwarves, magnetic, remnants, solar, wind

Abstract
This essay explains the basis of Quantum Mechanic Theory of the atom, which describes the behavior of electrons in atoms & molecules. The author examines this theory and provides a detailed analysis of it.

From the Paper
"The Quantum Mechanics Theory describes the behavior of electrons in atoms & molecules. Quantum Mechanics is also referred to as Wave Mechanics. The theory of quantum mechanics tells us that in the atom, electron waves are standing waves. This theory was devised by Max Planck in 1901. He stated that light is emitted by the atoms of a luminous body in separate packets or bundles of energy called quanta or photons. One or more of the electrons revolving about the nucleus of an atom can be made to jump from one orbit to another. As they do so one or more photons are emitted. This energy radiates from the luminous body as electromagnetic waves. The energy content of a photon determines the length and frequency of the wave. Wave mechanics views the probability of finding an electron at a given point in space."

Tags:chemistry, physics

Abstract
This paper is a biography of Marie Curie's life, as well as her work and impact in the fields of physics and chemistry. It also pays particular notice to radioactivity. The paper is based on the strong theme that "nothing in life is to be feared, only understood," a quote attributed to Marie Curie herself.

From the Paper
"Marie's childhood was not a perfect one by any means. She was the fifth child in her family, and soon after she was born, both of her parents lost their jobs as teachers. Despite losing their jobs, Marie's parents still managed to instill into their daughter the value of education, and had taught her to read by age 4. Her parents also instilled in Marie a sense of duty. This, combined with the family's economic circumstances lead Marie to lead "the most Spartan of lives." ["Marie Curie", Minist're des Affaires "trang'res de la R'publique Francaise, 1.] Marie's childhood continued to be harsh, as she had to deal with the deaths of both her mother, and one of her sisters by age 11. This only served to create a sense of "agnosticism that would later bolster her faith in science," ["Marie Curie," Minist're des Affaires "trang'res de la R'publique Francaise, 1.] however. Despite the many setbacks that seemed to litter her childhood, Marie persevered. In spite of the long hours she spent helping cook meals for the boarders that her family had taken in, at age 15, Marie won a medal for excellence at her high school, where the examinations where administered in Russian. She dreamed of someday becoming a scientist, something that was not socially-acceptable for women to do in Poland in the 1880's."

Tags:polonium, radioactivity, radium