E-mailed Family Today, Thanks Inmarsat!

Satellites Make Communication Easy

On the boat, communication is crucial. Of course the crew can easily talk to each other, but when we have to communicate information to someone who isn’t on the boat, that’s where important communication technology comes in. The official satellite technology partner of the Volvo Ocean Race is Inmarsat. Inmarsat is responsible for a lot of things. The crew uses their communication centre for transferring weather data, live video feed, contacting emergency services, and even e-mailing their loved ones. On board, there is a media centre where we can use laptops to send data. This is the main post of the media crew member on board Camper. Inmarsat is introducing many innovations into the race every year. The sailors in this year’s race will be the first with the red button safety service. This button is a quick way for the crew to contact the nearest marine rescue centres in case of disaster. Past races didn’t have this, or many other features that are now available. The FleetBroadband 500 terminal on board every ship this year, which provides high speed communication and data transfer, is another example. They even have the FleetBroadband 150 so that we can make voice calls.

This technology has brought in a sense of safety and comfort that is important to us. Getting too stressed, homesick or bored can affect how we all perform. When describing their services, Inmarsat says “No matter how far you sail from shore, you can pick up the phone, send an email or browse the internet - just as you would at home or in the office". That doesn't even begin to describe how useful this technology is aboard Camper, so we thought we'd give a big thank you to Inmarsat, for making our trip safe and interesting!

Some Information on our Tech!

Camper's GPS Troubles

After a near GPS failure, I've really come to appreciate the value of our advanced GPS. Knowing the location of each boat is important for safety purposes, as well as tracking the race. For this reason, each boat in the Volvo Ocean Race is equipped with the best technology for global positioning. Inmarsat is the leader in marine GPS technology, so naturally they are the official GPS sponsorl. The Inmarsat fleet has many different types of satellites in orbit. The Inmarsat-2s were launched as early as 1990. Now, the Inmarsat-5s are under construction with the help of Boeing, and will be launched in 2013-2014.

 
In order to know how a satellite works, it’s important to know what a satellite is. A satellite is an object revolving around a mass in space. In this case, satellite is referring to the devices in Earth’s orbit used to receive and transmit signals. This is the basic idea behind the GPS system of Camper and the other Volvo Ocean Race boats. The boat (called the ‘uplink station’) sends data to a satellite which contains their location. The satellite sends back this data over a wide span of the planet (called the satellite’s ‘footprint’) which will reach other satellite stations on Earth (downlink stations). The accuracy of the position depends on the strength of the signal, and so the satellite’s footprint is limited to an area of only useful signal strength. Using this technology, the Race Tracker can constantly track the position of each boat.

Mirages in the Ocean?

Mirages in the Ocean? 

Last night after dinner the crew suffered a bit of an embarrassing setback. We came up onto the deck and saw an overturned sailing ship a few miles up ahead. The whole crew jumped into action because we knew someone's life could be on the line! As we made our way to this unknown ship, one of the crew members alerted us that there was a chance this ship was Telefonica, which had been sailing incredibly close to us all day. Rushing to aid our fellow racers, we never noticed that we weren't getting any closer to this overturned boat! It took us a while to realize we were following a mirage, a Fata Morgana mirage of a different ship, to be exact.

Mirages: The original trolls.

We fell for the oldest trick in the book. Mirages have been tricking sailors for centuries. Ever heard of the legend of the Flying Dutchman? Before mirages became a well-known phenomenon, legends about a ghost ship in the sky were actually very common. 


Slightly embarrassed, the crew decided to look up mirages at our media centre to make sure this kind of setback never occurred again. There was a lot of confusing information, but we gained some understanding that will definitely help our sailing in the future. You see, mirages are a result of refraction, or the bending of light (light bends by the way). Combine that with a gradient of different air temperatures, and you have a mirage! Yesterday was a hot day, perfect for a Fata Morgana mirage. Here's how a mirage works:

Extremely technical mirage diagram

As you can see, a mirage easily explains the Flying Dutchman myth, as well as our panic last night. Fata Morganas are a type of superior mirage, the type of mirage that occurs when cold air lies beneath warm air, in what is called a temperature inversion. This causes light rays to bend toward the colder air, which makes the object appear elevated and inverted. This happens because our brains process the information as if the light rays were straight, when in fact they have bent downward. So, fellow racers and sailing enthusiasts, next time you see an upside-down boat, go help! But check to make sure it isn't floating in the sky, too.

References:

Heidorn, K.. "The Superior Mirage: Seeing Beyond." Weather doctor. N.p., 1999. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/elements/supmrge.htm>.


Young, A.. "An Introduction to Mirages." An introduction to mirages. N.p., 2011. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/mirages/mirintro.html>.


6. Nave, R.. "Refraction of light." Hyperphysics. Hyperphysics, 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr.html>.

Ocean Currents

There may another explanation for the unusual weather for the regions we are passing through, which would be the disruption of ocean currents.

We have already discussed the need for energy transfer. The transfer of energy throughout the oceans occurs in the cycle of thermohaline circulation (Adam-Carr, 8.8).

The causes and drive behind this circulation process are the distinctions in the density of seawater – distinctions caused by differences in temperature and salinity. Much like an immense conveyor belt, this process transports warm water on the surface of the sea from the southern hemisphere to a gradual path toward the North Pole (“Ocean Circulation”). As the water travels, it acquires greater amounts of salt and becomes denser (Adam-Carr, 8.8). Then, somewhere in between Greenland and Norway, the water’s temperature drops, the water sinks into the depths of the sea, and commences a flow back to the southern hemisphere (Adam-Carr, 8.8). Warm surface water around the Equator then again travels toward the poles to replace it (“Ocean Circulation”).

Thermohaline circulation is comprised of every ocean current driven by variances in temperature and salinity of the seawater. Ocean currents strongly affect the climates of the land in near proximity, as warm ocean currents heat the overlying air and cold ocean currents cool the overlying air (Adam-Carr, 8.8).

This movement of circulation brings a massive amount of heat northward, and has an essential factor in upholding and sustaining the climate in its current, regular state.

                                                                                   

Scientists have proposed that climate change processes could very well be leading to a wane in this transfer of energy throughout the oceans. Higher temperatures driven by global warming could likely result in additional fresh water in the northern North Atlantic. This would be arrived at through the increase of precipitation and the melting of sea ice in close proximity, mountain glaciers, and the Greenland ice sheet (“Ocean Circulation”). This substantial entry of fresh water could diminish the salinity and density on the surface, resulting in the thermohaline circulation shutting down. In the event of the thermohaline circulation shutting down, the southern hemisphere would warm up and the northern hemisphere would turn colder.

An abundance of regions would undergo an abrupt, noteworthy shift in their climates, which one would have difficulty in adjusting to. Camper’s crew has already experienced difficulty in adjusting.

Works Cited

"Ocean Circulation." Center for Ocean Solutions. Center for Ocean Solutions, n.d. Web. 27 May 2012.

Adam-Carr, Christine. "8.8: Energy Transfer within the Climate System: Air and Ocean Circulation." Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2010. Print.

Air Currents

The sailors have noticed unusual weather for the regions they are travelling through on their race across the Atlantic, which may be caused by the disruption of air currents.

Water and land soak up energy from the Sun at speeds that vary from each other, thus, the distribution of heat on Earth is uneven at first. Therefore, it is required for the thermal energy to be circulated in order to mediate the variations in temperature on our planet. The transfer of energy throughout Earth’s atmosphere occurs in a natural process named the convection current. This is when tropical waters of a warm temperature release moisture into the air overhead through evaporation. This air becomes less and less dense while it is being warmed until it is routed north or south (this depends on the hemisphere). As the air, now less dense, rises, it also becomes cooler. Then, at approximately 30 degrees North or South, the air, now cooler, travels downwards towards the surface and gradually moves towards the equator, its original location (Adam-Carr, 8.8).  These air currents originating from the equator are called the trade winds.

Presently, as greater concentrations of greenhouse gases radiate greater amounts of energy back to the surface of the earth in a process called global warming, the patterns of energy transfer within the air are changing (Adam-Carr, 8.8). This is resulting in regional climate alterations.

Trade winds that sweep around half the globe have already been shown to be waning as global warming interrupts the regular circulation of energy in the atmosphere. The deterioration of air currents is one of the steadiest predictions of climate change models. Scientists fear that, along with air currents weakening, the predictability of weather patterns will lessen. Extreme regional climate changes are currently coming into effect globally, like we have witnessed in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Works Cited

Adam-Carr, Christine. "8.8: Energy Transfer within the Climate System: Air and Ocean Circulation." Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2010. Print.

Storm Intensity

During the last several days, Tropical Storm Alberto has been advancing gradually in the direction of east-north-east, in close proximity to Camper’s route along the Atlantic Ocean from Miami to Lisbon. The crew onboard have been tracking the Atlantic hurricane’s development and are taken aback by the atypical intensity of the storm.

According to my expertise and background on climatology:

A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows it is probable that “future tropical cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) will become more intense, with larger peak wind speeds and more heavy precipitation associated with ongoing sea surface temperature increases”. The studies performed indicate that climate change is altering the severity, rate of occurrence, and routes of tropical storms ("Storm Intensity."). This all was conjectured after noticing a global pattern of a rise in the severity of strong storm events in the last few decades.

Why is this, you may ask?

This can all be explained through the process of ocean warming.

The ocean is a natural and constant buffer for the atmosphere, meaning that its concentrations of carbon dioxide and heat are in equilibrium with the concentrations in the atmosphere. Therefore, when the amount of either heat or carbon dioxide rises in the atmosphere, they will also naturally increase in the ocean (Herr and Galland). These increases of heat and carbon dioxide modify the ocean’s physical and chemical makeup and shape a number of processes in the ocean – for instance, storms.

There are several consequences to ocean warming that affect storm intensity, the first of which is sea level rise:

As water heats up, its particles expand, causing the ocean surface to rise. Presently, the majority of the ocean’s surplus heat is located in a layer that is merely several hundred meters in depth. Over a period of time, this heat will disperse to deeper areas of the ocean. This causes greater expansion of the water and thus, prompts additional alterations in sea level. Changes this substantial will result in storms and floods to be of greater danger and have a more frequent occurrence (Herr and Galland).

The second consequence: heat is energy. While tropical cyclones are being formed, warmer ocean temperatures will directly heighten their energy and thus, their potential for destruction. Therefore, with increasing surface temperatures in the tropical ocean, it is probably this will result in (1) lengthier storm seasons, and (2) a greater frequency of storms. This intensification makes people, marine and coastal ecosystems, and our Volvo Ocean Race boat prone to risk.

Works Cited

"Storm Intensity." Center for Ocean Solutions. Web. 27 May 2012. 

Herr, Dorothée, and Grantly R. Galland. "The Ocean and Climate Change." IUCN.      Web.

Use of Acids and Bases on the Boat

A few days into Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, the crew members have been rearranging the items on the ship to best suit the situation. It's been a hassle having to stack all the excess sails, equipment, freeze-dried food supplies and clothing, move them to the bow (front), back to the stern (rear) again and again. 

I had hauled around several large, fluid-filled containers before I stopped to examine their contents. About half of them were common cleaning agents for the boat. Most were either acidic or basic in nature, as acids are corrosive and bases, once they are far up the pH scale, are corrosive as well. For example, phosphoric acid was used to remove rust from iron and steel surfaces by converting iron oxide to ferric (iron III) phosphate: Fe₂ O₃ + 2H₃PO₄ → 2FePO₄ + 3H₂O. The residue material can be scrubbed off to reveal a clean surface, or kept to provide further protection from corrosion. Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, is a base that, when added to water, can be used to clean machinery equipment and storage tanks. The chemical is effective at removing most viruses, bacteria, and other toxins in the water. Sodium hydroxide is used to clean the boat because it costs little, and is easily removed and disposed of after use.

The remaining half of the containers were lubricating fluids used for the Camper’s internal combustion engines. In the engine, lubricant oils and cools the power transmission components to reduce friction and prevent overheating. It removes the impurities from the engine fluids, neutralizes potentially explosive byproducts of combustion, and prevents rust and other forms of corrosion.  A variety of base oils and additives are also included in the lubricants to tailor them to specific applications (e.g. can operate in wet conditions, resist thermal decomposition). It is important that the right lubricating fluid is chosen, as there are many additional expenses if the fluid needs to be replaced. Waiting for the old fluid to drain out and for the new fluid to be added can waste precious time. Using the wrong fluid would also mean increased corrosion of the engine.

Acids, on the other hand, are used in cooling fluids and antifreeze in order to maintain machinery. Antifreeze is a liquid solution that lowers the freezing point of whatever mixture it is added in, acting as a de-icing agent. Properties of an ideal antifreeze include excellent solubility, a high boiling point (to handle high temperatures inside the engine), excellent heat transfer properties, moderate viscosity, and low cost. Ethylene glycol is the most commonly used antifreeze because of its  low instability and water solubility. Most antifreeze liquids also include chemicals that prevent corrosion, to protect the metal surfaces inside the engine. However, once the antifreeze begins to decompose and breakdown, or the substances that prevent corrosion are depleted, the fluids should be replaced. 

References

Reignbough Chase. Iron (III) Phosphate. 2007. Photograph. Ford Muscle Forums. Web. 6 May 2012. <http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/Reignbough_Chase/dswofgr.jpg>.

Anglin, Donald. "Engine Lubrication." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 25 April 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=engine lubricant&id=233400>.

Danny Catucci. Engine Flush. 2010. Graphic. Redwood General Tire Store, Redwood City. Web. 5 May 2012. <http://www.redwoodgeneral.com/img/photos/engine-flush.gif>.

Butterfield, Sharon. "How Does Antifreeze Work." Wise Geek. Conjecture Corporation, n.d. Web. 12 April 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-antifreeze-work.htm>.

George, Kathleen. "Antifreeze Mixture." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 2 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content/Antifreeze mixture/040400>.

Barbara Terry. Cooling System. 2008. Graphic. Family Car Parts. Web. 10 May 2012. <http://www.familycar.com/Classroom/Images/Cooling-System.gif>.

Ph Levels in the Oceans

Today, as we were travelling along the Brazilian coast, we were visited by a pod of playful dolphins.  They reminded me of the delicacy of Earth’s ocean biome, and how small changes can result in large consequences.

Time for a brief chemistry lesson! When carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in the ocean, it forms carbonic acid. However, it quickly breaks down into bicarbonate (HCO₃) and hydrogen ions (H+).

H₂O + CO₂ → HCO₃ + H

Since acidity is the measure of hydrogen ions in a fluid, as the number of ions increases, the acidity of the oceans rises as well.

The pH levels of the oceans are regulated by a process called “buffering”, where hydrogen atoms react with calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide and water. This is the opposite of the process that previously occurred:

HCO₃ + H → H₂O + CO₂

However, there must be enough calcium carbonate in the oceans to increase carbon dioxide levels, and currently, the ocean’s buffering system is not effective enough to counter the rapid increase in the water’s acidity.

 The Earth’s oceans are normally slightly basic, but with an increase in greenhouse gases, the seawater will likely slide down the Ph scale. Since the Ph scale’s intervals are by powers of 10 (each level is to the 10^th power more acidic then the level below), this represents a drastic increase in the water’s acidity.

Dolphins are considered a symbol of protection in many cultures around the world. The health of these dolphins relies on the health of the ocean’s ecosystems, and hopefully we can all make an effort to ensure that these lovely creatures survive.

References

 Adam-Carr, Christine, Douglas Fraser, et al. Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd, 2010. Print.

Findlay, Helen. "Ocean Acidification." Catlin Arctic Survey Blog. Catlin Arctic Survey, 12 Apr 2011. Web. 21 April 2012. <http://www.catlinarcticsurvey.com/2011/04/12/ocean-acidification/>.

Gerad Bandos. Ph Scale. 2007. Graphic. Chemical Education Digital Library. Web. 6 May 2012. <http://chemteacher.chemeddl.org/services/chemteacher/images/stories/pH_Scale.jpg>.

Kim Martineau. Ocean Chemistry. 2009. Photograph. Ocean Acidification. Web. 27 April 2012. <http://theotherco2problem.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/ocean-chemistry.gif>.

The human amygdala, nervous system, and ... dolphins?

This is a beautiful day as dolphins have paid us a visit along the Brazilian coast between Rio and Salvador do Bahia ("Day 3"). Tony Rae is definitely hoping that this will bring good luck to the boat, and he may be right. After all, the dolphin is a good luck symbol for both Native Americans and Christians. Superstitions aside, just what is it that makes people respond so strongly to animals?

Recalling a radio podcast that I've heard a couple of months back, a study revealed that certain cells in a primitive part of the human brain called the amygdala show strong responses towards animals but not towards other people, places, or objects (Hamilton). Since the amygdala is responsible for storing emotion related events (Vecchia-Adams 122), it's no surprise that we have developed such strong responses toward animals. In order for us to gain a deeper insight into the topic we should closely examine the nervous system.

The nervous system is mainly made up of neurons and glial cells. Neurons are responsible for sending information using electrochemical currents while glial cells are responsible for the communication and connection between neurons ("Neuron"455). Receptor neurons are responsible for giving us external information and motor neurons are responsible for instructing muscle contraction with the information given ("Nervous System" 453). Interneurons send signals within the nervous system; an example would be thoughts that are processed in different parts of the brain.

The amygdala is a part of the central nervous system whereas the eye- as a sensory receptor is a part of the peripheral nervous system ("Science Perspectives 10" 104-105). The image is first perceived by the eye- more specifically the retina which is composed of light sensitive nerve cells (Thompson 1568). The signals then travel from the optic nerve to the visual cortex and the visual cortex via interneurons to the amygdala. The amygdala triggers emotion because of its ability to connect to different parts of the body and give them commands for actions; for example, increased heartbeat, stress-hormone release. Without the presence of amygdala, one may feel indifferent to any sort of stimuli and therefore won't gain a strong sense of need to take a particular action.

Researchers say that the reason for emotional response towards animals may be linked to primitive humans' relationships with animals. While we look at gentle animals with awe and adoration, we look at ferocious animals with a sense of fear because they indicate danger.

All in all, if viewing an animal is able to change our physical state, there's more to using adorable animals as good luck charms than we would think. Although these emotional responses that have been programmed in our primitive brain have had greater uses than it does now, the joy of viewing gentle animals will always remain with us.

References

Adam-Carr, Christine, Martin Gabber, Christy Hayhoe, Douglas Hayhoe, Katherine Hayhoe, Barry LeDrew, and Milan Sanader. Science Perspectives 10. 1st ed. 1. Toronto: Nelson Education, 2010. Print.

Limbic System. N.d. Photograph. Shippensburg University.Web. 27 May 2012. <http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/limbicsystem.html>.

"Day 3: CAMPER hoping dolphins will bring good luck." CAMPER WITH EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND IN THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE. CAMPER, 26 Apr 2012. Web. 25 May. 2012.

Hamilton, Jon, dir. "Human Brain Responds To Animals, Cute Or Creepy." National Public Radio: 01 Sep 2011. Radio. <http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=140116969&m=140129072>.

"Neuron." The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. Ed. Bonnie Strickland. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 455. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2012.

"Nervous System." The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. Ed. Bonnie Strickland. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 453-454. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2012.

Panno, Joseph. THE CELL: Nature's First Life-form. Revised ed. Facts On File, 2009. 163-83. Print.

Thompson, Marie L. "Eye." The Gale Encyclopedia of Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. 3rd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 1568-1571. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2012.

VECCHIA-ADAMS, STEPHANIE DALL. "Amygdala." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol & Addictive Behavior. Ed. Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2001. 122. Gale Virtual Reference Library.Web. 27 May 2012.

Muscle Growth and Sailing

Sailing athletes on the Camper boat are being constantly faced with physical challenges every day, but these challenges will keep them in shape. Although it is common knowledge that skeletal muscles grow through exercise, it is not commonly known just exactly how they grow. That is why this blog entry will provide you with an explanation.

Let us start from the beginning. During the stage of embryonic development, primitive muscle cells called myoblasts fuse and form muscle cells that are multinucleated (Panno 154). These muscle cells then join together to form muscle fibres, which then combine to form a muscle.

 Since skeletal muscle cells could last through the life time of a human being, the number of skeletal muscle cells that we have will remain relatively the same throughout our lives. Therefore when skeletal muscles grow in response to exercise, it does not mean that hyperplasia, or the increasing in the number of cells has occurred. What has actually happened is called hypertrophy, the process of increasing the size of existing cells ("Hypertrophy." 1550).

"Compensatory hypertrophy: an increase in the size of a tissue or an organ in response to an increased workload placed upon it ("Hypertrophy." 1550)." The reason that muscle cells grow with increased exercise is that the strength of the cell is directly related to its size. Increased workload stimulates the muscle since it demands more strength and the muscle cells will grow to accommodate this need. The cell may do this by increasing the number of mitochondria and give the cell higher endurance or by growing the size of the muscle contractile machinery (Saadat). The excessive amount of steering that these athletes have to go through definitely contributes to the growth of their biceps and triceps.

Unfortunately, the reverse of hypertrophy- atrophy can also occur when muscles are not being used ("Hypertrophy." 1551), this causes muscle size to shrink and it's always a good reason for motivating yourself to exercise.  

References

"Day 1 into the south china sea." CAMPER WITH EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND IN THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE. CAMPER, 22 Feb 2012. Web. 25 May. 2012. <http://www.camper.com/en/day-1-south-china-sea>.

Espoz, Justine Bayod. "Lifespan of Muscle Cell." eHow Health. Demand Media, 1999. Web. 27 May 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/about_6713884_lifespan-muscle-cell.html>.

"Hypertrophy." Magill's Medical Guide. Ed. Brandon P. Brown, et al. 6th ed. Vol. 3: Fluids and electrolytes - Kidneys. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2011. 1550-1553. Salem Health. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 27 May 2012.

Panno, Joseph. THE CELL: Nature's First Life-form. Revised ed. Facts On File, 2009. 154-58. Print.

Saadat, Victoria. "The Science Behind Exercise." USCience Review. N.p., 2011. Web. 27 May 2012. <http://www-scf.usc.edu/~uscience/exercise_science.html>.

Chemical Reactions Taking Place on the Boat

Today marks the first anniversary since the Camper team was announced. A year ago, the boat was still under construction and all the crew members hadn’t met each other yet, but were just separate people in similar disciplines. Now though, we’re all united: boat skippers, shore managers, and media crew members alike.

Over time, of course, the Camper has sustained much wear and tear. Corrosion of the boat frame has likely occurred over the course of the race. Corrosion occurs when metal or a metal alloy is exposed to oxygen and moisture for long periods of time. A process called oxidation occurs, when oxygen combines with the metal. This forms a new compound (an oxide), and weakening the metal’s atomic bonds. The hydrogen atoms in water combine with other elements to form acids, which further exposes the metal and increases the chances of oxidation.  For example, aluminum alloys that are not coated with a protective layer undergo oxidation. When they are exposed to certain salts (ionic compounds), they also erode.

Recently, sailing has been smooth and mostly uneventful. With a constant wind pressure and wind direction, as well as the engine running at optimum level, we have been travelling at a regular speed.

The engines that provide kinetic energy to power the Camper have to undergo combustion: a chemical reaction. Combustion occurs when a carbon compound (diesel fuel) and oxygen react, producing heat and/or light. If there is enough oxygen, then the combustion will be complete and the maximum amount of energy released. 4C₁₂H₂₃  + 71O₂ à 48CO₂ + 46H₂O
If there is insufficient oxygen supplied, soot and other by-products will be left behind. If the fuel and the oxidant are both gases, then combustion occurs when the reactants are heated beyond a specific (ignition) temperature. If the fuel is liquid, then combustion occurs when the fluid is sprayed in drops, which then vaporize over a flame and burn in a similar fashion to a gas.

Both acid and alkaline-based batteries are used to power the Camper’s engine. Lead-sulphuric acid batteries are rechargeable, lightweight, and can supply large amounts of energy. Consequently, they are used in applications where a steady stream of power is necessary, such as back-up UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) in case of emergencies. In the batteries, sulphuric acid functions as the electrolyte (ionic solution that makes the substance an excellent conductor). Potassium hydroxide and nickel-cadmium (alkaline bases) are usually used for batteries in portable electronics because they are chemically stable. Most are non-rechargeable batteries and capable of withstanding considerable mechanical impact.

The batteries that power the Camper engine produce electricity through a chemical reaction. When the circuit in a battery is completed, it produces electricity through a series of reactions between the anode (where the current flows in), the cathode (where the current flows out), and the electrolyte (liquid conductor). Two or more atoms from the electrolyte combine with the anode, producing a compound and releasing electrons. Then the cathode, ions from the electrolyte, and free electrons also combine to form compounds. The net product of these reactions is electricity. Electrodes can be made of metal or plastic, although the latter is usually used in rechargeable batteries.

References

 Shores, David. "Corrosion." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 30 April 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=corrosion&id=163300>.

Carl R. Nave. Corrosion. 2006. Graphic. Hyperphysics - ChemistryWeb. 6 May 2012. <http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/imgche/corrosion.gif>.

 "What Is Rust?." How Stuff Works. How Stuff Works Inc, 6 Mar 2011. Web. 24 April 2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/question445.htm>.

Adam-Carr, Christine, Douglas Fraser, et al. Science Perspectives 10. Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd, 2010. Print.

Beer, Janos M. "Combustion." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 3 May 2012. <http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=combustion&id=150600>.

Four Stroke Cycle. 2009. Graphic. Online Encyclopedia of BritannicaWeb. 5 May 2012. <http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/72/93572-034-26C16785.jpg>.

Anglin, Donald. "Battery." Access Science. McGraw Hill Companies, 2008. Web. 3 May 2012. <http://accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=battery&id=075200>.

Lead-acid Battery. 2010. Graphic. Renewable Energy UKWeb. 4 May 2012. <http://www.reuk.co.uk/OtherImages/lead-acid-battery.gif>.

David Darling. Battery Diagram. 2005. Graphic. David Darling - The Encyclopedia of ScienceWeb. 4 May 2012. <http://www.daviddarling.info/images/battery_diagram.jpg>.

Seasick- falling prey to the repetitive, vomit-causing motions

Speaking from experience, there's nothing worse than motion sickness: whether you're in the car, on the boat, or at the amusement park. Our Camper media crew member Hamish Hooper seems to agree with me on this one: "I am on a precipice not sure which way I will go- downhill fast into seasick hell, or break through to happy days and feel alright"("Day 3 tricky times ahead"). Seasickness is a good example of how different organ systems interact with each other and demonstrates the power of your nervous system as well as sensory receptors.

 The trouble begins with our sense of equilibrium- what provides us with the sense of balance and position in space. The receptor for this sense is called the vestibular apparatus- a structure located in the inner ear ("Equilibrium Sense." 224). When there's too much movement or when the visual input from the eyes don't match the movements felt by the vestibular nerves, the vestibular apparatus sends a signal to the vomiting centre in the medulla oblongata (lower half of the brain stem that controls involuntary movements). The medulla oblongata then sets off reactions in the gastrointestinal tract, abdominal muscles, and diaphragm to cause vomiting ("Motion Sickness." 1977). In summary, the signal was first received and transferred by the nervous system, and then it triggers the automatic reaction- vomiting, in the gastrointestinal system. Other organ systems affected by this sense of imbalance include the musculoskeletal system and the respiratory system- but that's not all. It is amazing how this little signal which originates from the inner ear is powerful enough to trigger vomiting, sweat, heavy breathing, excessive salivation, and pale skin.

There are ways where seasickness could be prevented or at least the symptoms could be reduced. Keeping your eyes on the horizon is a good way to treat seasickness because the visual input would match the signals that your vestibular apparatus receives, making your body less confused (Marks and Stöppler). With that said, it's also a good idea to avoid reading or focusing your eyes on a fixed point where nothing seems to be moving. You could also treat motion sickness with medications such as promethazine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, buclizine, cyclizine, scopolamine, and diphenhydramine ("Motion Sickness." 1978).

Through the examination of this strange sickness that even experienced sailors fall prey to, we begin to understand the interactions that take place between the different parts of our body. Involuntary responses that we are not aware of take place all the time- although sometimes they can be unnecessary and quite troubling. We do know that Hamish Hooper is not the only one that's feeling sluggish as the rest of the crew don't look that well either.

References

Anatomy of the ear. N.d. Photograph. Virtual Medical CentreWeb. 25 May 2012. <http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/uploads/VMC/TreatmentImages/2191_ear_anatomy_450.jpg>.

"Day 3 tricky times ahead." CAMPER WITH EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND IN THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE. CAMPER, 22 eb 2012. Web. 25 May. 2012. <http://www.camper.com/en/day-3-tricky-times-ahead>.

"Equilibrium Sense." The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. Ed. Bonnie Strickland. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 224. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 25 May 2012.

Marks, Jay, and Melissa Stöppler, eds. "Motion Sickness." MedicineNet. MedicineNet, Inc., n.d. Web. 25 May 2012. <http://www.medicinenet.com/motion_sickness/page3.htm>.

"Motion Sickness." Magill's Medical Guide. Ed. Brandon P. Brown, et al. 6th ed. Vol. 4: Kinesiology - Parasitic diseases. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2011. 1977-1979. Salem Health. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 25 May 2012.

Parker, Steve. Brain: Injury, Illness, and Health. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2003. 18. Print.