Page 57 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Other experiments will look at the basic forces of nature, a field called fundamental physics, where experiments take advantage of weightlessness to study forces that are weak
and difficult to follow when subject to gravity on Earth. Experiments in this field may help explain
how the universe developed. Investigations that use lasers to cool
Atoms to near Absolute zero may help us understand gravity itself. In addition to
investigating basic questions about nature, this research could lead to down-to-earth
developments that may include clocks a thousand times more accurate than today’s atomic clocks, better weather forecasting, and stronger materials.
Environmental awareness
Observations of the Earth from orbit provide basic visual, temperature, humidity, gravity,
and similar information that will help the study of large-scale, long-term changes in the
environment. Studies in this field can increase understanding of the forests, oceans, and mountains.
The effects of volcAnoes, ancient meteorite impacts, and HurricAnes can be looked at. In addition, changes
to the Earth that are caused by people can be observed.
The effects of air pollution (such as smog over cities), of deforestation (the cutting and burning of forests), and of water pollution (such as oil spills) are visible from space and can be captured in images that provide a global perspective unavailable from the ground.
Commercial uses
As part of the commercialization of space research on the station, industries will participate in research by conducting experiments and studies aimed at developing new products and services. The results may benefit those on Earth not only by providing innovative new products as a result but also by creating new jobs to make the products.
Absolute zero The coldest possible temperature, defined as 0 K or –273°C.
AtmospHere The envelope of gases that surrounds the Earth and other bodies in the universe.
Atom The smallest particle of an element.
centrifuge An instrument for spinning small samples very rapidly.
Hubble spAce telescope An orbiting telescope (and so a satellite) that was placed above the Earth’s atmosphere so that it could take images that were far clearer than anything that could be obtained from the surface of the Earth.
HurricAne A very violent cyclone that begins close to the equator, and that contains winds of over 117 km/hr.
mAgnetic field The region of influence of a magnetic body.
meteorite A meteor that reaches the Earth’s surface.
solAr wind The flow of tiny charged particles (called plasma) outward from the Sun.
telecommunicAtions Sending messages by means of telemetry, using signals made into waves such as radio waves.
universe The entirety of everything there is; the cosmos.
vAcuum A space that is entirely empty.
volcAno A mound or mountain that is formed from ash or lava.
57