Teaching experience

My journey through teacher training has been a transformative odyssey, filled with challenges, growth, and profound insights. As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded of the countless moments that have shaped me into the educator I am today. From the initial excitement of embarking on this path to the moments of doubt and uncertainty, each step has contributed to my professional and personal development.

The journey began with a sense of anticipation and eagerness to make a difference in the lives of students. The prospect of guiding and inspiring young minds filled me with a sense of purpose and responsibility. However, as I delved deeper into the training program, I quickly realized the enormity of the task ahead. The theories and pedagogical approaches presented in lectures seemed distant from the practical realities of the classroom.

One of the early challenges I faced was finding my teaching style and voice. I grappled with imposter syndrome, questioning whether I had what it takes to lead a classroom effectively. However, with the guidance of experienced mentors and supportive peers, I gradually gained confidence in my abilities. Through observation, reflection, and practice, I discovered that authenticity is the cornerstone of effective teaching. Embracing my unique strengths and vulnerabilities allowed me to connect more deeply with my students and create a nurturing learning environment.

Another pivotal aspect of my teacher training journey was learning to adapt to diverse student needs and backgrounds. The classroom is a microcosm of society, encompassing a rich tapestry of cultures, experiences, and learning styles. Recognizing and celebrating this diversity became a central tenet of my teaching philosophy. I learned to scaffold lessons, differentiate instruction, and foster inclusive practices to ensure that every student had the opportunity to thrive.

However, amidst the triumphs and breakthroughs, there were also moments of frustration and self-doubt. I grappled with classroom management issues, struggled to engage disinterested students, and faced the harsh reality of systemic challenges within the education system. Yet, it was during these moments of adversity that I grew the most. I learned to embrace failure as a stepping stone to growth, viewing setbacks as opportunities for reflection and refinement.

One of the most profound lessons I learned during my teacher training experience was the importance of empathy and compassion. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about building meaningful relationships and empowering students to reach their full potential. I learned to listen actively, validate students' experiences, and provide support beyond the confines of the curriculum. Witnessing the impact of a kind word or a listening ear reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of education.

As I navigated through practicum placements and student teaching experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of the teaching profession. Balancing the demands of lesson planning, assessment, and professional development required careful time management and prioritization. I learned to collaborate effectively with colleagues, seek feedback, and engage in continuous learning to refine my practice.

Throughout my teacher training journey, I was fortunate to be surrounded by a community of passionate educators who inspired and challenged me. Whether through collaborative projects, peer observations, or informal discussions, I found strength in the collective wisdom and support of my colleagues. Together, we shared successes, navigated challenges, and celebrated the profound impact we were making in the lives of our students.

As I approach the culmination of my teacher training journey, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and optimism for the road ahead. While the path may be fraught with obstacles and uncertainties, I am confident in my ability to navigate them with resilience and determination. Armed with the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained throughout this transformative journey, I am ready to embark on the noble endeavor of shaping the minds and hearts of future generations.

In conclusion, my teacher training experience has been a deeply enriching and transformative journey, marked by challenges, growth, and profound insights. Through reflection and practice, I have honed my craft, embraced diversity, cultivated empathy, and forged meaningful connections with students and colleagues alike. As I embark on the next chapter of my professional career, I carry with me the invaluable lessons learned and the unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Corrosion of metal

 Abstract 

Corrosion is a  natural processes that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials (usually a metal) by chemical or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engineering is the field dedicated to controlling and preventing corrosion.

Rusting of iron refers to the formation of  rust, a mixture of iron oxides, on the surface of iron objects or structures. This rust is formed from a redox reaction between oxygen and iron in an environment containing water (such as air containing high levels of moisture). The rusting of iron is characterized by the formation of a layer of a red, flaky substance that easily crumbles into a powder. 

Introduction 

Corrosion is one of the most common phenomena that we observe in our daily lives.  You must have noticed that some objects made of iron are covered with an orange or reddish-brown coloured layer at some point in time. The formation of this layer is the result of a chemical process known as rusting, which is a form of corrosion.

                               It is basically defined as a natural process that causes the transformation of pure metals into undesirable substances when they react with substances like water or air. This reaction causes damage and disintegration of the metal, starting from the portion of the metal exposed to the environment and spreading to the entire bulk of the metal.

                          

                             Corrosion is usually an undesirable phenomenon since it negatively affects the desirable properties of the metal. For example, iron is known to have good tensile strength and rigidity (especially alloyed with a few other elements). However, when subjected to rusting, iron objects become brittle, flaky, and structurally unsound. On the other hand, corrosion is a diffusion-controlled process, and it mostly occurs on exposed surfaces. Therefore, in some cases, attempts are made to reduce the activity of the exposed surface and increase a material’s corrosion resistance. Processes such as passivation and chromate conversion are used for this purpose. However, some corrosion mechanisms are not always visible, and they are even less predictable.

On the other hand, corrosion can be classified as an electrochemical process since it usually involves redox reactions between the metal and certain atmospheric agents such as water, oxygen, sulphur dioxide, etc.

Objective 

To understand the factors affecting corrosion using iron nail in different environments and how to overcome corrosion.

Samples

Taking iron nails , test tube, cotton , calcium carbonate, vinegar, salt water

Methods

Taking 4 test tube and label them 1 to 4. Put the iron nails , one each in the four test tube drop a small piece of moist cotton in the first test tube and keep it exposed to atmospheric air. In the second test tube, put some quick lime and kept it closed. In the third test tube pour some sodium chloride solution such that half of the nail immersed in it. In the fourth test tube pour some dilute hydrochloric acid or vinegar to immerse half of the nail.

Observe the changes that occur to the iron nails after one week.

Results and discussion 

The iron nails in the calcium carbonate doesn't undergo rusting. Other three nails in the test tube undergo rusting. The iron nails in the vinegar, moist cotton and sodium chloride solution undergo fast rusting.The exposure of iron (or an alloy of iron) to oxygen in the presence of moisture leads to the formation of rust. This reaction is not instantaneous, it generally proceeds over a considerably large time frame. The oxygen atoms bond with iron atoms, resulting in the formation of iron oxides. This weakens the bonds between the iron atoms in the object/structure.

The reaction of the rusting of iron involves an increase in the oxidation state of iron, accompanied by a loss of electrons. Rust is mostly made up of two different oxides of iron that vary in the oxidation state of the iron atom. 

Conclusion 

Rusting causes iron to become flaky and weak, degrading its strength, appearance and permeability. Rusted iron does not hold the desirable properties of iron. The rusting of iron can lead to damage to automobiles, railings, grills, and many other iron structures.

The collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967 and the Mianus River bridge in 1983 is attributed to the corrosion of the steel/iron components of the bridge. Many buildings made up of reinforced concrete also undergo structural failures over long periods of time due to rusting.

Rusted iron can be a breeding ground for bacteria that cause tetanus. Cuts from these objects that pierce the skin can be dangerous.

Since rusting occurs at an accelerated rate in humid conditions, the insides of water pipes and tanks are susceptible to it. This causes the pipes to carry brown or black water containing an unsafe amount of iron oxides.

                             Many factors speed up the rusting of iron, such as the moisture content in the environment and the pH of the surrounding area. Some of these factors are listed below.

• Moisture: The corrosion of iron is limited to the availability of water in the environment. Exposure to rains is the most common reason for rusting.
• Acid: if the pH of the environment surrounding the metal is low, the rusting process is quickened. The rusting of iron speeds up when it is exposed to acid rain. Higher pH inhibits the corrosion of iron.
• Salt: Iron tends to rust faster in the sea, due to the presence of various salts. Saltwater contains many ions that speed up the rusting process via electrochemical reactions.
• Impurity: Pure iron tends to rust more slowly when compared to iron containing a mixture of metals.

The size of the iron object can also affect the speed of the rusting process. For example, a large iron object is likely to have small deficiencies as a result of the smelting process. These deficiencies are a platform for attacks on the metal from the environment.

                            Galvanization is the process of applying a protective layer of zinc on a metal. It is a very common method of preventing the rusting of iron.Providing the metals with an electric charge can help inhibit the electrochemical reactions that lead to rusting Many types of coatings can be applied to the surface of the exposed metal in order to prevent corrosion. Common examples of coatings that prevent corrosion include paints, wax tapes, and varnish.Smaller objects are coated with water-displacing oils that prevent the rusting of the object. Many industrial machines and tools made of iron are coated with a layer of grease, which lubricates the metal to reduce friction and prevents rusting at the same time.

STATES OF MATTER

Matter

Matter can be classified into different categories based on the physical properties exhibited by them and the states in which they exist; these are called states of matter.

Following are the basic 3 states of matter

• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas

Apart from the above mentioned three, there are 2 more states of matter which we do not see in our everyday life. They are Plasma & Bose-einstein condensate.

It has been observed that matter exists in nature in different forms. Some substances are rigid and have a fixed shape like wood and stone; some substances can flow and take the shape of their container like water, while there are forms of matter that do not have definite shape or size such as air.

SOLID

     In solids, particles are tightly or closely packed.

• The gaps between the particles are tiny and hence it is tough to compress them.
• Solid has a fixed shape and volume.
• Due to its rigid nature, particles in solid can only vibrate about their mean position and cannot move.
• Force of attraction between particles is adamant.
• The rate of diffusion in solids is very low.
• An example of solids: solid ice, sugar, rock, wood, etc. 

Liquid

• In a liquid state of matter, particles are less tightly packed as compared to solids.
• Liquids take the shape of the container in which they are kept.
• Liquids are difficult to compress as particles have less space between them to move.
• Liquids have fixed volume but no fixed shape.
• The rate of diffusion in liquids is higher than that of solids.
• Force of attraction between the particles is weaker than solids.
• Example of a liquid state of matter: water, milk, blood, coffee, etc.

Gas

• In gases, particles are far apart from each other.
• Force of attraction between the particles is negligible, and they can move freely.
• Gases have neither a fixed volume nor a fixed shape.
• The gaseous state has the highest compressibility as compared to solids and liquids.
• The rate is diffusion is higher than solids and liquids.
• The kinetic energy of particles is higher than in solids and liquids.
• An example of gases: air, helium , nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.

PLASMA

• Plasma is a not so generally seen form of matter. Plasma consists of particles with extremely high kinetic energy. Electricity is used to ionize noble gases and make glowing signs, which is essentially plasma.
• Superheated forms of plasma are what stars are.

Plasma is superheated matter – so hot that the electrons are ripped away from the atoms forming an ionized gas. It comprises over 99% of the visible universe. In the night sky, plasma glows in the form of stars, nebulas, and even the auroras that sometimes ripple above the north and south poles. That branch of lightning that cracks the sky is plasma, so are the neon signs along our city streets. And so is our sun, the star that makes life on earth possible.
                               

                                                           Plasma is often called “the fourth state of matter,” along with solid, liquid and gas. Just as a liquid will boil, changing into a gas when energy is added, heating a gas will form a plasma – a soup of positively charged particles (ions) and negatively charged particles (electrons).

                      

                                                                Because so much of the universe is made of plasma, its behavior and properties are of intense interest to scientists in many disciplines. Importantly, at the temperatures required for the goal of practical fusion energy, all matter is in the form of plasma. Researchers have used the properties of plasma as a charged gas to confine it with magnetic fields and to heat it to temperatures hotter than the core of the sun. Other researchers pursue plasmas for making computer chips, rocket propulsion, cleaning the environment, destroying biological hazards, healing wounds and other exciting applications.