The Early Human World - Unit 7

Complex Societies were covered in Unit 7 of The Early Human World. Agriculture of the Americas is distinguished from that of Europe, and includes discussion of the ways that agricultural practices influenced lifestyles in different parts of the world. Early complex societies and varied lifestyles of North Americans before European contact is discussed as well.

The Early Human World - Unit 6

In Unit 6, we studied the big ideas of evidence, movement, and adaptation through stories of Otzi and the Amesbury Archer. We also studied rock art of the Sahara as evidence of life there before the climate changed. Stonehenge and Easter Island remain as mysteries yet to be solved. People were on the move on foot through the Alps as well as on raft in the Pacific. They adapted to conditions in different parts of Rapa Nui, developed farming in the Sahara, and produced technology as seen in the Iceman's Bronse Age ax.

Refrigeration

Did you know that there is no such thing as cold? You're just feeling the absence of heat. A refrigerator takes away heat and pumps it out the back and that's why the back of a refrigerator is so hot.

First, the compressor squeezes the refrigerant hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) so they release heat. The molecules release heat because they are losing kinetic energy and making friction. Then the HCFCs go into the External Heat Exchange Coil and the heat dissipates and the gas cools. Then they flow through the expansion valve to the Internal Heat Exchange Coil. Here they have more room to move so they absorb heat energy and turn it into kinetic energy. Then the molecules flow back to the compressor and it starts all over again.

Below is a model of the refrigeration system that I made using Google SketchUp.

The Early Human World - Unit 5

In Unit 5 of The Early Human World we studied about movement, settlement, diversity, and change among early humans. People moved from Asia into the Americas, and settled in places such as Monte Verde, Abu Hureyra, Koster, and Catalhouyuk. There was constant change among peoples during this time, as well as movement from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies.