Cool Fact of the Day [May 11th]
Hurricane's Power
How powerful are hurricanes?
Hurricanes are the largest, most energetic heat engines on the planet. Formed when the sun's
heat warms the surface layers of tropical seas, they are powered by the heat released when
the rising water vapor condenses.
Most of a hurricane's energy is used to lift the air in the center of the storm. After rising in
powerful updrafts, during which most of the water vapor condenses into rain, the uplifted air
spreads out as a cold, dry wind across the top of the storm. Only a small fraction of that
energy feeds the horizontal motion of the hurricane's winds.
In a typical hurricane, the power expended to lift the air and water is 600,000,000,000,000
Watts, or 200 times the electrical generating capacity of the entire world! Generating the
storm's swirling winds uses only 1,500,000,000,000 Watts, or about 1/400 as much power.
The actual calculation:
aoml.noaa.gov
The anatomy of a hurricane:
srh.noaa.gov
More questions and answers about hurricanes:
aoml.noaa.gov
Why a hurricane has a calm "eye" in the center:
features.learningkingdom.com
Cool Word of the Day
humdrum [adj. HUM-drum]
Humdrum means dull; without variety. Example: "After her exciting trip, Jane found it difficult
to return to her humdrum existence." Near synonyms include ordinary, monotonous,
commonplace, tedious, repetitive, tiresome, unvarying, pedestrian, wearisome, everyday, and
routine.
This word was first seen in English in the 1550s. It probably comes from varied repetition of
the word hum (a continuous sound).
Person of the Day
Mercy Otis Warren, 1728-1814
Early American poet, playwright, historian
One of America's first noted female intellectuals, Mercy Otis Warren established unique
relationships with several political figures, and was a leading poet and historian of the
Revolutionary era.
In 1754, Mercy married James Warren, another American who shared her desire for an end
to British colonial rule. Together they opened their home to such men as Samuel Adams, John
Adams, and John Hancock. Mercy also cultivated relationships with Virginians Thomas
Jefferson and Martha Washington, with whom she maintained a lengthy correspondence.
These relationships provided her with a firsthand perspective of events during this period.
When Mercy's brother and famed political activist, James Otis, fell ill and was unable to
continue his revolutionary writings, she undertook her brother's cause, writing satiric plays and
poetry lampooning those loyal to Britain. After the Revolutionary War, she continued to write,
crafting a history of the war that remains a valuable tool among scholars today.
More about Mercy Otis Warren:
library.thinkquest.org
wfu.edu
warren/mow1.htm
Quotes of the Day
Knowledge; On the value and nature of knowledge:
"To furnish the means of acquiring knowledge is... the greatest benefit that can be conferred
upon mankind. It prolongs life itself and enlarges the sphere of existence."
-- John Quincy Adams, sixth U.S. president
"Knowledge is that which, next to virtue, truly raises one person above another."
-- Joseph Addison, English poet, essayist, and playwright
"All men by nature desire knowledge."
-- Aristotle, Greek writer and philosopher
"Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know -- and yet not wise enough to control
our learning and knowledge, so that we use it to destroy ourselves? Even if that is so,
knowledge remains better than ignorance."
-- Isaac Asimov, American science-fiction/science writer
"There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have
felt its force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the
soul."
-- Arnold Bennett, English novelist
Today in History
May 11th
868: The "Diamond Sutra" was Produced
The first dated printed book was produced in China. Printed by Wang Chieh, the "Diamond
Sutra", as the book was called, was a Buddhist text made up of six sheets pasted together
and made into a roll.
More about the "Diamond Sutra":
portico.bl.uk
1812: British Prime Minister Assassinated
Spencer Perceval went from a successful private law practice to the House of Commons as a
Tory in 1796, and held senior cabinet posts as solicitor general and attorney general starting in
1801. In 1807 he became chancellor of the exchequer, and then in 1809 he succeeded the
Duke of Portland as prime minister. It was a particularly difficult time for Britain. The nation
was in a severe economic depression due to its extended involvement in the Napoleonic
Wars, and the economic woes were compounded by the social upheavals of the Industrial
Revolution. Despite the poor expectations, Perceval's government managed to stay in power.
But Spencer Perceval's term as Prime Minister ended abruptly on May 11, 1812 when he
was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons. The assassin was John Bellingham, an
insurance broker who blamed Perceval for his business losses. Although judged insane,
Bellingham was executed a week after the assassination. Historians have rated Spencer
Perceval as a generally effective, if somewhat inflexible and intolerant political leader. He is the
only prime minister of Britain to have been assassinated.
More about Spencer Perceval:
ds.dial.pipex.com
1862: CSS Virginia Destroyed
Confederate forces destroyed the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia in an effort to prevent
its capture by Union troops. The Virginia was built from the salvaged hull of the USS
Merrimack. Two months prior to its destruction, the Virginia fought several Union ships in
what became known as "The Battle of Hampton Roads."
1910: Glacier National Park was Created
Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress. With over one million
acres, the park is home to many animals, including wolves, grizzly bears, and mountain lions,
and over 1400 plant species.
Glacier National Park is one of the largest and most pristine U.S. parks:
nps.gov
1946: First CARE Packages Arrived in Europe
Five years of World War II left much of Europe in ruins and many Europeans living on the
edge of starvation. Although the American military had been deeply involved in the war, the
fighting was far enough away that American civilians had suffered relatively little. Aware of
their fortunate situation, many Americans sought ways to help the European survivors of the
war. In 1945 a group of 22 American organizations formed the Cooperative for American
Remittances to Europe (CARE) to rush packages of food and essential household supplies to
needy Europeans. On May 11, 1946 the first 20,000 of these "CARE Packages" reached
Europe, arriving at the war-damaged French port of Le Havre.
Originally using surplus American food to feed the hungry, CARE has expanded its activities
to include programs in primary health care, water and sanitation, agriculture, community
development, environmental management, and the development of small-scale local
enterprises. CARE is now an international organization with ten member countries and a staff
of over 10,000. Reflecting the enlarged scope of its activities, the organization's name has
been changed to Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere.
More about the history of CARE:
care.org
A chronology of CARE activities:
care.org
1981: Bob Marley Died
Singer and composer Bob Marley died of cancer at the age of 36. With his group "The
Wailers," Marley became one of the most popular and influential reggae musicians. Reggae is
sometimes associated with Rastafarianism, a politico-religious movement that worships the
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, under his pre-coronation name, Ras (Prince) Tafari.
More information about Bob Marley:
fbnet.net
1997: Deep Blue Defeated Kasparov
IBM's supercomputer Deep Blue made history by defeating Grandmaster Garry Kasparov in
a six-game chess match. It was the first time a reigning world champion had been bested in a
match by a machine using tournament time controls.
Holidays & Events
May 11
Common Prayer Day, Lag B'Omer
DENMARK: COMMON PRAYER DAY
On the fourth Friday following Easter, Denmark celebrates its own religious holiday. Common
Prayer Day was adopted over 300 years ago to replace all the minor days of feasting and
praying with one single day of prayer. This public holiday is known locally as Store Bededag.
In the evening church bells are rung. People dress in new spring clothes and eat a special
warm bread called varme hveder.
More about history and culture in Denmark:
visitdenmark.dt.dk
JUDAISM: LAG B'OMER
Lag B'Omer is marked with music, dancing, and bonfires, especially in the Israeli town of
Meron. On this day, celebrations (and weddings and haircuts!) are allowed after a 33-day
hiatus. Many three-year-old boys are given their first haircut and the cuttings thrown into the
fire.
More about Lag B'Omer:
judaism.about.com
More about Jewish Wedding Customs:
weddingcircle.com
-----------------
Copyright (c) 2001, The Learning Kingdom, Inc.
learningkingdom.com |
