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Category Archives: Blog

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry

There are ten functional areas of chaplaincy, subdivided into more than seventy sub-areas.  Choose one or more areas and sub-areas to describe in terms of the following or like questions: What is the nature of chaplaincy in that area;  what is this area like; what are its demands on its people and what are their needs; what does a chaplain in this area need for preparation; what are some effective ministry methods and best practices in this area?

You should prepare a PowerPoint presentation that can be presented in no more than 10 minutes.  It may have narration, music, film clips, etc., but text and pictures are sufficient.  Every slide should be illustrated in some way.  Encourage discussion by preparing provocative content (!) or discussion questions.  You will lead a discussion time after your presentation.  Your total time of presentation and discussion must be no more than 15 minutes.Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry

Hospital Chaplaincy Ministry

  • What is the nature of chaplaincy in that area?,

  • What is this area like?,

  • What are its demands on its people and what are their needs?,

  • What does a chaplain in this area need for preparation?,

  • What are some effective ministry methods and best practices in this area?


Comprehensive General Answer


1. Nature of Chaplaincy in the Hospital Setting

Hospital chaplaincy is a ministry of presence, compassion, and spiritual care within healthcare institutions. It serves patients, families, and staff of diverse backgrounds facing illness, trauma, recovery, and death. The chaplain’s mission is not limited to religious support but extends to emotional, ethical, and existential concerns.

Core Identity:

  • A bridge between faith and medicine.

  • A listener amid fear and uncertainty.

  • A supporter for staff coping with burnout or moral distress.

Hospital chaplains embody “spiritual first responders”, offering calm and meaning where medical science meets human suffering.


2. The Hospital Environment

Hospitals are high-stress, high-stakes environments marked by urgency, pain, and ethical complexity.

Characteristics:

  • 24/7 operation requiring chaplain availability for crises.

  • Diverse populations (multicultural, multi-faith, nonreligious).

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration with physicians, nurses, and social workers.

  • Emotional intensity—births, deaths, and ethical decisions may occur daily.

The chaplain’s role integrates faith sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and professional ethics in a setting driven by clinical precision and time constraints.


3. Demands on Patients, Families, and Staff

Patients and Families:

  • Struggle with fear, loss, uncertainty, and the search for meaning.

  • Often feel powerless, needing spiritual reassurance or simply human presence.

Healthcare Staff:

  • Face compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral injury.

  • Need opportunities for reflection, spiritual renewal, and emotional care.

The chaplain provides spiritual triage—assessing needs, responding sensitively, and creating a sacred space within a clinical environment.


4. Preparation and Qualifications for Hospital Chaplains

Essential Preparation:

  • Education: Master of Divinity (or equivalent theological degree).

  • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): Supervised, hands-on training in clinical settings emphasizing pastoral skills, self-awareness, and ethics.

  • Board Certification: Through associations such as the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) or National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).

  • Skills Required:

    • Deep empathy and active listening.

    • Cultural and religious literacy.

    • Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

    • Confidentiality and professional ethics.

Personal Formation:
Chaplains must cultivate emotional resilience, prayer discipline, and self-care to sustain ministry in settings of continual suffering and uncertainty.


5. Effective Ministry Methods and Best Practices

Method Description Purpose
Ministry of Presence Simply being with people in their suffering without needing to fix or explain it. Offers comfort and human connection.
Active Listening Engaging patients to express fears, hopes, and beliefs. Helps patients process emotions and find meaning.
Interfaith Competence Respecting and facilitating the patient’s own beliefs. Builds trust and inclusion across diverse faiths.
Staff Support Rounds Offering debriefs and moral support after traumatic cases. Reduces burnout and moral distress among healthcare staff.
Ritual and Prayer Providing sacraments, blessings, or nonreligious rituals of closure. Supports healing and spiritual expression.
Ethical Consultation Participating in ethics committees and end-of-life discussions. Ensures care aligns with patient values and dignity.

Best Practices:

  • Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

  • Be present in both crisis and routine moments.

  • Keep documentation consistent with hospital policy.

  • Model compassion and integrity to all.


6. Provocative Discussion Questions

  • How can chaplains balance professional boundaries with deep empathy?

  • Should chaplains ever challenge medical decisions on moral or spiritual grounds?

  • What does healing look like when cure is no longer possible?

  • How can hospital chaplains sustain their own spiritual well-being amid constant exposure to suffering?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Health Care Economics Problem Set 2

can hire any number of radiology technicians per hour to produce radiographs, which are displayed below. The relationship between the number of technicians hired per hour and the number of radiographs produced per hour is shown in the following table. Show the total and marginal products and indicate at each level of production whether the production function exhibits increasing, constant, or diminishing marginal productivity. Please fill in the blanks of the following table. (6 points)

Radiograph Technician

Radiograph Produced

Total product (TP)

Marginal product (MP)

MP diminishing/constant/ increasing

10 100 20 260 30 500 40 740 50 940 60 1000

Health Care Economics Problem Set 2

Health Care Economics Problem Set 2

2. Determine how each of the following scenario would change the demand curve for

chiropractic visits and explain why: (6 points) (a) Yoga practice becomes popular and therefore a decrease in back problems among the

population (b) Insurance coverage extends to chiropractic visits and such results in a decrease in the

out-of-pocket price of chiropractic visits (c) The out-of-pocket price of back surgery (a substitute for chiropractic services) gets

higher (d) The price of radiographs (a complement of chiropractic services) increases (e) An advertising campaign that makes people more aware of the benefits of

chiropractic care (f) An increase in the screen time after Pandemic

3. Currently, there is a $1.00 copayment on drugs. The HMO has decided to raise this to $1.50 per prescription. The cost of a prescription is $6.00, which means the HMO’s contribution to the total cost will fall from $5.00 to $4.00. Currently, the price elasticity of demand is about –1.5 for prescriptions, and the HMO members use 4.5 prescriptions per capita. How much will be demanded after the new copayment is put into effect, and how much money will this save the HMO? (4 points)

4. The Winter Health Clinic rents a small office in Chicago. Winter pays the building owner a rent of $8,000 a month, which includes all utilities. It has signed a 5-year lease. Winter hires a general practice physician at $200 an hour, a nurse at $100 an hour, and a technician at $50 an hour. Winter assumes that each patient uses $25 in supplies. In September, the clinic was open for 500 hours, during which all personnel were available at all times to staff the clinic. During that time, 250 patients were seen. What were Winter’s total fixed and total variable costs for the month? (4 points)

  • Show the total and marginal products and indicate at each level of production whether the production function exhibits increasing constant or diminishing marginal productivity?,

  • Determine how each of the following scenarios would change the demand curve for chiropractic visits and explain why?,

  • How much will be demanded after the new copayment is put into effect and how much money will this save the HMO?,

  • What were Winter’s total fixed and total variable costs for the month?,

  • Explain why each change affects demand in economic terms?

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Negligence and Health Records

  1. Explain the four elements of negligence that must be present in order for a plaintiff to recover damages?
  2. Discuss the purposes for which the health record is maintained within a healthcare organization.
  3. Explain the concept of e-discovery and discuss the role of health information management professionals in the e-discovery process.
  4. What are the differences between a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare?
  5. The corporate director of risk management is asked to review a patient’s health record in preparation for legal proceedings for a malpractice case. The lawsuit was brought by the patient 72 days after the procedure. Health information contains a summary of two procedures that were dictated 95 days after the procedure. The physician in question has a longstanding history of being non-compliant with the organization’s record completion policies, and previous concerns regarding this physician’s record maintenance practices had been reported to the organization’s credentialing committee.
    1. Apply appropriate legal concepts to demonstrate why this health information may not be admissible in court.
    2. What judgment, if any, regarding negligence could be made against the organization?

Negligence and Health Records

  • Explain the four elements of negligence that must be present in order for a plaintiff to recover damages?,

  • Discuss the purposes for which the health record is maintained within a healthcare organization?,

  • Explain the concept of e-discovery and discuss the role of health information management professionals in the e-discovery process?,

  • What are the differences between a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare?,

  • Apply appropriate legal concepts to demonstrate why this health information may not be admissible in court, What judgment, if any, regarding negligence could be made against the organization?


Comprehensive General Answer

1. Four Elements of Negligence

For a plaintiff to recover damages in a negligence claim, all four legal elements must be proven:

  1. Duty of Care:
    The defendant (e.g., a healthcare provider) must owe a legal duty to the plaintiff (patient). In healthcare, this arises from the provider–patient relationship, obligating the provider to act in accordance with accepted medical standards.

  2. Breach of Duty:
    The provider must have failed to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonable professional in similar circumstances. Breach occurs when the provider’s actions (or inaction) deviate from what a competent provider would do.

  3. Causation:
    There must be a direct link between the provider’s breach and the patient’s injury. The plaintiff must prove both actual cause (“but for” the defendant’s action, harm would not have occurred) and proximate cause (the harm was a foreseeable result of the breach).

  4. Damages:
    The plaintiff must have suffered measurable harm—physical, emotional, or financial—resulting from the breach. Without actual damages, even a proven breach does not result in recovery.

If any of these four elements is missing, a negligence claim will fail.


2. Purposes of the Health Record in Healthcare Organizations

A health record serves multiple critical purposes, including:

  • Patient Care: Provides an accurate, continuous record of diagnosis, treatment, and progress to support ongoing care and coordination among providers.

  • Legal Documentation: Acts as a legal record of the care provided, supporting the defense in malpractice claims and regulatory investigations.

  • Billing and Reimbursement: Supplies necessary data for accurate coding, billing, and insurance claims.

  • Quality Improvement and Risk Management: Enables analysis of outcomes, identification of trends, and development of policies to enhance safety and quality.

  • Research and Education: Offers data for clinical studies and training future healthcare professionals.

A complete, timely, and accurate record is essential for both clinical and legal integrity.


3. Concept of E-Discovery and HIM Role

E-discovery (electronic discovery) refers to the process of identifying, collecting, preserving, reviewing, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) for use in legal proceedings. This includes emails, electronic health records (EHRs), audit logs, and metadata.

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals play a vital role by:

  • Ensuring legal hold is placed on relevant records to prevent deletion or alteration.

  • Maintaining data integrity and authenticity of EHRs and metadata.

  • Coordinating with legal teams and IT to retrieve and produce records in legally compliant formats.

  • Ensuring privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA during the discovery process. Negligence and Health Records

Their expertise ensures that electronic health data is properly preserved, traceable, and admissible in court.


4. Living Will vs. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

Aspect Living Will Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (DPOA-HC)
Purpose States a patient’s wishes about end-of-life or life-sustaining treatments Appoints another person (agent) to make healthcare decisions if the patient becomes incapacitated
Activation Typically becomes effective only when the patient is terminally ill or permanently unconscious Becomes effective when the patient is unable to make decisions, regardless of illness type
Scope Limited to treatment preferences (e.g., resuscitation, ventilation) Broader authority—can make various healthcare decisions not specified in writing
Flexibility Static—cannot adapt to unforeseen circumstances Dynamic—allows the agent to interpret and apply patient values in context

Both are forms of advance directives ensuring that patients’ wishes are respected when they cannot communicate.


5. Legal Concepts and Admissibility of Health Information

In the malpractice case scenario:

  • The procedure summaries were dictated 95 days after the procedures, well beyond normal documentation standards.

  • This delay undermines the authenticity, reliability, and trustworthiness of the health record.

  • Under rules of evidence, medical records must be created in the ordinary course of business and at or near the time of the event to qualify as admissible business records.

  • Since these entries were delayed and the physician had a history of noncompliance, opposing counsel could argue that the records were altered, reconstructed, or unreliable, leading to inadmissibility in court.

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Illegal Organ Trade Chain

As you have learned from this week’s readings, a cause-effect chain argues that one thing leads to another (e.g., “Increasing levels of acidity in sea water are harming the oceans’ coral reefs.”). A causal cause and effect chain links causal claims together as links in a chain. Remember your argument is only as strong as the weakest link in your chain.

Summarize the causal cause and effect chain used by the writer in the article from The New York Times. Was the argument persuasive? Why or why not?

Illegal Organ Trade Chain

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A294748426/WHIC?u=canyonuniv&sid=bookmark-WHIC&xid=406140c2

  • What has caused the growth of the illegal sale of human organs in some countries a concept unthinkable 100 years ago?,
  • What has caused the growth of selling human organs on the black market?,
  • What are the causes you have identified and will write about in your draft?,
  • What are the effects you have identified and will write about in your draft?

Summary of the Causal Cause‐and‐Effect Chain

Since I couldn’t access the full NYT article via the link (internal error), I’m relying on summaries and student responses that reference “Black market for body parts spreads among the poor in Europe” (NYT, 2012). Using that, here is how the causal chain generally works:

  1. Primary Causes:

    • Economic hardship and poverty in some countries. People struggle financially. Studocu+3CliffsNotes+3Course Hero+3

    • Lack of sufficient legal organ donors combined with strict criteria for donation (medical, regulatory, eligibility) which exclude many would-be donors. Studocu+2CliffsNotes+2

    • High demand for organs for transplants (medical need), especially where chronic diseases or organ failure are common and legal donation systems can’t meet demand. Studocu+2Studocu+2

  2. Intermediate Links / Enablers:

    • Weak regulatory or legal enforcement in certain places; corruption or insufficient oversight. nhrc.nic.in+3Studocu+3Studocu+3

    • Brokers or middlemen who organize the illegal trade; people who facilitate the pairing of sellers and buyers in secret or via illicit channels. BBC+2CliffsNotes+2

  3. Effects:

    • Poor or desperate individuals selling their organs as a survival strategy; financial distress pushes people to take risky decisions. CliffsNotes+2Course Hero+2

    • Health risks to donors (medical complications, unsafe surgeries, post-operative problems) and sometimes to recipients. Studocu+1

    • Ethical and social consequences: exploitation of vulnerable populations, inequality (rich exploiting poor), moral outrage, undermining of trust in medical systems. Studocu+2CliffsNotes+2

  4. Overall Chain Flow (simplified):
    Economic hardship + insufficient legal donation supply → High demand for organs not met legally → Brokers/middlemen + lax enforcement → People in need sell organs → Negative health, ethical & social consequences, continued cycle.

Illegal Organ Trade Chain


Was the Argument Persuasive? Why or Why Not

What makes it persuasive:

  • Multiple cause-and-effect links rather than a single oversimplified cause. The article appears to consider both economic, regulatory, medical, and social factors. This makes the chain more robust. Studocu+2Studocu+2

  • Real examples / anecdotes (e.g., families in economic distress, stories of people donating under pressure) help ground abstract causes in human reality. CliffsNotes+1

  • Appeal to moral and social concern: The ethical dimension—exploitation, the desperation of sellers—makes the reader care, which strengthens persuasion. SweetStudy+1

Weaknesses / what weakens the chain:

  • Potential missing data or gaps: Some links depend on assumptions (for example, that increasing poverty always leads to organ selling) without strong empirical data in all contexts. If one link is weak, the whole chain suffers.

  • Generalization vs. specificity: Conditions vary greatly between countries. What works or holds true in Eastern Europe may not in Asia or Africa. If the argument treats all poor countries similarly, that reduces strength.

  • Possible alternative explanations not fully addressed: cultural, religious, or legal nuances; maybe some donors are coerced, or maybe legal systems have different barriers; or maybe demand is inflated by black-market dynamics beyond medical need. If those aren’t addressed, the chain might have weak spots.

Overall, yes, the argument seems reasonably persuasive, provided the reader accepts that the available evidence does support many of the links. But its persuasive power depends on how well each causal link is supported in specific contexts.


Causes I Would Use in My Draft

Here are the causes I would definitely write about:

  • Severe economic inequality & poverty

  • Inadequate legal organ donation systems (insufficient supply, strict eligibility)

  • Weak law enforcement & regulatory oversight

  • Role of brokers / intermediaries who bridge needs of buyers and sellers in clandestine ways


Effects I Would Use in My Draft

Here are effects I would explore:

  • Physical/medical harm to organ sellers (health complications, lack of after care)

  • Psychological and social consequences for donors (regret, family issues, sense of exploitation)

  • Erosion of trust in medical and legal institutions

  • Ethical and moral deterioration: commodification of human body parts; increasing inequality

October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025

Chaplains as Institutional Insiders

Chaplains are “insiders” who belong to a particular institution in which they serve.  This insider service involves many dynamics that are not necessarily in common with congregational ministry, evangelistic ministry, or ministries of meeting human needs.  What are some of these dynamics, in your view, and how should a chaplain manage and leverage those dynamics for productive ministry?  List and address any temptations that you note, as well as positive opportunities.  You may wish to address your presentation to one of the functional areas of chaplain ministry, rather than to chaplaincy in general.

Chaplains as Institutional Insiders

You should prepare a PowerPoint presentation that can be presented in no more than 10 minutes.  It may have narration, music, film clips, etc., but text and pictures are sufficient.  Every slide should be illustrated in some way.  Encourage discussion by preparing provocative content (!) or discussion questions.  You will lead a discussion time after your presentation.  Your total time of presentation and discussion must be no more than 15 minutes.Chaplains as Institutional Insiders

  • What are some dynamics of chaplaincy that differ from congregational or evangelistic ministry?,

  • How should a chaplain manage and leverage those dynamics for productive ministry?,

  • What temptations might chaplains face as institutional insiders?,

  • What positive opportunities arise from serving within an institution?,

  • How can these dynamics be applied to one functional area of chaplain ministry?


Comprehensive General Answer

Chaplains serve as insiders within specific institutions—such as hospitals, prisons, the military, schools, or corporations—providing spiritual care within the organization’s unique culture, rules, and mission. This embedded ministry involves distinct dynamics that separate it from traditional pastoral or evangelistic work.


1. Key Dynamics of Chaplaincy

  • Institutional Loyalty vs. Spiritual Mission:
    Chaplains operate under organizational policies and hierarchies while maintaining a spiritual calling that transcends institutional boundaries. This dual accountability creates tension but also opportunities for credibility and influence.

  • Pluralistic Environment:
    Unlike congregational settings, chaplains serve diverse populations—often with varied or no religious beliefs—requiring sensitivity, inclusivity, and skill in interfaith dialogue.

  • Pastoral Presence in Secular Settings:
    Chaplains represent spiritual care in environments primarily focused on health, discipline, education, or national service. Their influence often arises more from presence and relationship than preaching.

  • Ethical Mediation:
    Chaplains often stand in the gap between institutional demands and personal conscience, helping navigate ethical dilemmas (e.g., end-of-life care, disciplinary actions).

  • Confidentiality and Trust:
    Building and maintaining trust with individuals—while respecting institutional reporting structures—is a key dynamic requiring discernment and integrity.


2. Managing and Leveraging These Dynamics

  • Cultural Literacy:
    Learn the institution’s structure, language, and values to operate effectively and gain trust.

  • Bridge-Building:
    Serve as a liaison between leadership and individuals, fostering understanding and emotional resilience.

  • Relational Ministry:
    Focus on presence, listening, and compassionate engagement rather than overt evangelism.

  • Ethical Advocacy:
    Model moral integrity and speak truth with grace when addressing injustices or ethical issues.

  • Professionalism:
    Uphold high standards of conduct, confidentiality, and competence, which legitimizes the chaplain’s spiritual role.


3. Common Temptations

  • Compromise of Convictions:
    Pressure to conform to institutional expectations at the expense of faith integrity.

  • Isolation or Cynicism:
    Emotional fatigue or detachment from both the spiritual community and the institution.

  • Power and Prestige:
    Over-identifying with leadership roles, losing focus on servant ministry.

  • Proselytizing Pressure:
    Temptation to evangelize aggressively rather than respect diverse beliefs.

 

October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025

Cilantro vs Parsley

Cilantro vs persley There’s often confusion between these two wonderful culinary herbs, for both cooks and gardeners. Cilantro and flat-leaf parsley have similar uses and are practically twins of each other, visually, but they do have distinct di�erences. This article clarifies their individual characteristics, including their growth habits.

It’s a good day on the blog when I get to talk about two of my favorite, most useful, fresh herbs: cilantro and parsley. As a cooking educator, I often get questions about when to use which. And in the garden, there are often assumptions that they grow similarly to each other, which is not quite the case.

A couple of notes before we get started. In the U.S., we refer to the green leaves of cilantro as cilantro, while in Europe and India they’re called

Cilantro vs Parsley

coriander. In the U.S., coriander are the seeds of the cilantro plant.

There are two main types of parsley: flat-leaf (or Italian) and curly. Flat-leaf parsley has a strong, herbal, grassy flavor. Curly parsley, on the other hand, is mild in flavor and papery in texture and is usually used just as a garnish. All references to “parsley” in this article will be referencing flat- leaf parsley.

Now, let’s get to the deets!

Botanical Overview

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) — Cilantro (formerly known as Chinese parsley) is a member of the Apiaceae family, and is actually related to parsley. Not surprisingly, given their appearance.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) — As noted above, parsley is related to cilantro and is also a member of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, fennel, chervil, dill, cumin, lovage, celery, parsnips, Queen Anne’s lace, and more.

Some members of this family — including parsley, dill, carrots, and parsnips — have interesting blooming habits, where the seed-producing flowers are huge, showy, umbrella-like structures, known as umbels, with tiny yellow or white flowers.

Flavor

Cilantro: Also known as coriander in Europe and India, cilantro has a distinct, pungent flavor often described as fresh, citrusy, and slightly peppery. Most people have a love/hate relationship with cilantro because of the presence of aldehydes, which some perceive as a soapy or metallic flavor. But for those of us where cilantro doesn’t taste like soap, it’s a much beloved herb that’s crucial in salsas and guacamole.

Parsley: Flat-leaf parsley has a more robust flavor, described as fresh, slightly bitter, grassy and earthy with pepper undertones, making it suitable for a variety of dishes, especially within Italian cuisine.

 

 

Plant Life Cycle

Cilantro: Cilantro is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle — grows from seed, produces leaves, and then flowers to produce seeds — in one growing season, and does not survive from one year to another.

Cilantro is distinctly a cool-weather plant and will bolt (go to seed) as soon as the weather turns hot. This, of course, is a real bummer for salsa lovers, as cilantro’s growing season does not overlap with onions, tomatoes, and peppers.

Cilantro is easy to grow from seed, and also easily produces seed. When the plant produces flowers, leave it be, and you’ll see seeds appear soon enough. Interestingly, the young, tender, bright green seeds are edible and delicious — pick a few for a treat in your green salads.

Cilantro vs Parsley

 

Mature seeds will dry out to brown, and can be ground into the spice known as coriander, or saved to replant next year.

Parsley: Parsley, like many other species in the Apiaceae family, including carrots, is actually a biennial plant, which means it takes two years to complete its life cycle. It grows delicious, edible leaves in its first year and dies back. Then resprouts in the spring of the second year to produce flowers and seeds. Seeds that drop to the ground can sprout the following year as a first-year plant, beginning the cycle anew.

Most gardeners grow parsley as an annual reseeding fresh every year. My parsley garden, however, contains both first and second-year plants, so I have a yearly supply of fresh parsley without having to reseed each year. Second-year plants do have green foliage, but they’re easy to tell apart from first-year plants, as the leaves are long and spindly and definitely not very flavorful.

Growing Conditions

Cilantro — As mentioned above, cilantro is a cool-weather plant and grows best in the spring. You can plant seeds as soon as the soil warms su�ciently. Or sow them in containers, which is what I normally do.

Unfortunately, cilantro will bolt as soon as the weather gets hot, even if only briefly. Here in the Ohio Valley, we usually have a freak 90ºF hot streak over Memorial Day weekend before cooling back down to normal June temps. That small stretch is enough to send plants into flowering mode.

Like most herbs, cilantro prefers loamy, well-draining soil and even watering throughout its short growing cycle.

Parsley — Parsley is much hardier than its cousin, cilantro, and can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. Sow parsley seeds in late spring, when the threat of frost and snow has passed. Seeds will take a while to germinate, so be patient.

 

 

Parsley grows well in loamy, well-draining soil and thrives in full sun or partial shade. I always plant parsley in its own in-ground bed, because it’s quite prolific and, with enough seeding, can grow into a large, bushy bed.

One really cool thing about flat-leaf parsley is that it can survive cold temperatures surprisingly well. In fact, one winter, as an experiment, I draped a row cover over an entire first-year crop, and the plants lasted well into February, full-flavored and everything. Here’s a photo of the experiment in late December that year:

I do believe the plants would’ve lasted even longer if we hadn’t had a significant snowstorm that tore down the row covers and flattened the

bed with wet, heavy snow.

  • What are cilantro and parsley botanically?,

  • How do cilantro and parsley differ in flavor?,

  • What are the life cycles of cilantro and parsley?,

  • What growing conditions do cilantro and parsley prefer?,

  • How are cilantro and parsley used differently in cooking and gardening?

October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025

Bridge Thermodynamics & Warming

Imagine you’re driving along a road and you approach a bridge. You notice a sign that reads, “Bridge freezes before road.” Why do bridges become covered with ice before roads do? Research this question and respond in depth, writing a full paragraph. Be sure to include examples. At the end of your response, provide at least two authoritative sources that you used in your research.

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Bridge, Thermodynamics & Warming

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics concerned with a system’s energy and work. Scientists became interested in thermodynamics back in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the birth of the Industrial Revolution. Use online or print resources to answer the following questions about the importance of thermodynamics. Cite at least three authoritative resources to support your responses.

Part A

You’ve learned about the laws of thermodynamics. Using examples, explain why the first and second laws are significant for living organisms.

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Part B

Heat engines were first envisioned and built during the Industrial Revolution. Explain the thermodynamics of a heat engine, commenting on its efficiency.

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Part C

Heat pumps and refrigerators are modern conveniences that came from the study of thermodynamics. In a paragraph, explain how they work.

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Global Warming

Scientists are actively studying what amount of the greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere is a result of human activity. Research greenhouse gases and global warming to answer the questions below. Document at least three authoritative sources.

Part A

What evidence is there that the use of fossil fuels, which produce carbon dioxide, is causing climate change?

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Part B

Describe how computer climate models help scientists understand possible future climate changes. How reliable are these computer models in making predictions about global warming? Discuss any limitations in these models.

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Part C

What can you do? Read up on the issue and discover ways you can reduce the human “carbon footprint” on the planet. Include four examples of what can be done in homes and in the community. Cite your sources.

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Part D

Many people believe that if the human race continues to use energy as we are now, without change, we’ll witness a significant worldwide environmental impact in this century. Research this topic and discuss this possibility. Include concrete examples of specific environmental consequences of global warming.

  • Why do bridges become covered with ice before roads do?,

  • Why are the first and second laws of thermodynamics significant for living organisms?,

  • What are the thermodynamics and efficiency of a heat engine?,

  • How do heat pumps and refrigerators work?,

  • What evidence links fossil fuels to climate change?

 

October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025

Comparison of Wave Properties

The three most common types of waves that we encounter in our daily life are water, sound, and light waves. While water and sound waves can only travel through a medium, light waves don’t need one. In this activity, you’ll study the similarities and differences among water, sound, and light waves.

To begin your activity, open this simulation: Wave Interference.

There are three tabs, Water, Sound, and Light. Observe these waves and then draw conclusions from your observations.

Comparison of Wave Properties

Question 1

Water: Start with the Water tab. Note that light areas represent places where the water is high (crests). Dark areas represent low points (troughs).

The water drops should already be dripping from the faucet. You can increase their frequency by using the Frequency slider. You can expand or decrease the size of your “sink space” by clicking the green +/- sign in the upper right corner of the sink. Using the controls on the far right, you can add measuring tools, add a wall, add another faucet, or insert a single-slit or two-slit barrier.

Part A

What kind of wave patterns do you observe in the sink in the top view?

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Part B

Click on the Show Graph button at the bottom of the window. (If you have expanded your sink, you’ll probably need to decrease its size again to see this graph.) The graph shows the moving water level, which is the actual amplitude of the waves.

What general mathematical graph function does this look like? What pattern do you observe in the amplitude of these waves? Provide a hypothesis to explain this pattern in the amplitude.

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Part C

What happens when you increase the frequency of the water drops? What happens to the wavelength of the waves on the surface of water?

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Part D

If you increase the frequency, what happens to the velocity of the wave?

In answering this question, describe how you determined the velocity as well as the result you arrived at. Then, provide a scientific explanation for this result, based on your knowledge of waves.

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Part E

What happens when you add a second drip and space both the drips close together? Describe the pattern they form and explain the cause for this pattern in detail.

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Part F

Turn off the second drip and then add a barrier with one slit. What do you observe on the right side of the wall? What do you observe on the left side of the wall? From a physics perspective, explain your observations of what is happening on both sides of the barrier.

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Question 2

Sound: Now click the Sound tab.

Part A

On the Sound tab, investigate briefly all the phenomena you explored with water waves above and describe any similarities in your results for sound. Specifically, describe

  • wave pattern as seen on the screen
  • shape and amplitude of the graph
  • effect of frequency on wavelength
  • effect of frequency on velocity
  • pattern with two sources
  • wave pattern with a single-slit barrier

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Part B

Sound and water waves obviously have many similarities, but they are not exactly the same. Describe all the differences you can think of between sound waves and water waves.

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Question 3

Light: Now click the Light tab.

Part A

On the Light tab, once again investigate briefly all the phenomena you explored with water and sound above. Describe any similarities in your results for light. Specifically describe

  • wave pattern as seen on the screen
  • shape and amplitude of the graph
  • effect of frequency on wavelength
  • effect of frequency on velocity
  • pattern with two sources
  • wave pattern with a single-slit barrier

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Part B

Light waves have some similarities with water and sound waves, but they are not exactly the same. Describe all the differences you can think of between light waves, sound waves, or water waves.

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In this activity, you will research and discuss the motion of ocean waves. Do online research on both ocean waves and tsunamis, then answer the following questions. Here are two sources to start with:

  1. Ocean Explorer What causes ocean waves? : Ocean Exploration Facts: NOAA Ocean Exploration
  2. Tsunami  Tsunami Facts and Information

Part A

Which factors affect the speed of ocean waves?

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Part B

How do the shape, path, and speed of ocean waves change when they move towards shallow water?

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Part C

What is a tsunami? How is it formed?

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Comparison of Wave Properties

Shock Waves

In this activity, you’ll explore shock waves in air and sonic booms. Conduct online research on shock waves, sonic booms, and breaking the sound barrier. Then answer the following questions. Here are two sources to start with:

  1. Shockwaves  Shock waves, the sonic boom and the sound barrier – from Physclips waves and sound
  2. What is Supersonic Flight  What Is Supersonic Flight? (Grades 5-8) – NASA

Part A

What are shock waves? How are they produced?

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Part B

Explain the meaning of the word supersonic.

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Part C

What is a sonic boom?

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Part D

  • What patterns are observed in water, sound, and light waves?, How do frequency and wavelength relate in wave behavior?, What are the similarities and differences between water, sound, and light waves?, What factors affect ocean waves and tsunamis?, How are shock waves and sonic booms produced?

October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025

Reflection, Refraction & Light Behavior

Discussion – Discuss your experience when standing in front of different types of mirrors in a fun house or even in a clothing store. Why do you look taller or shorter, narrower or wider, or distorted in other ways in these mirrors? Maybe you’ve even seen more than one of yourself in a set of mirrors. Describe your experience. Are these trick mirrors or applications of physics? Explain your answer.

Reflection, Refraction & Light Behavior

Light Spectrum and Efficiency

You may have already used the Blackbody Spectrum simulation to see how the temperature of a substance affects how light is emitted. Many of the light sources you’re familiar with are incandescent light sources. They glow because they have a nonzero temperature. The hotter the source, the more radiant energy it gives off. Now, let’s explore a few different incandescent energy sources and investigate their lighting efficiency. In this simulation, the curve represents the radiation intensity and energy emitted with respect to the wavelength at a given temperature.

To begin, launch the Blackbody Spectrum https://contentstore.ple.platoweb.com/content/sharedmedia/Phet_Sims_upd/blackbody-spectrum/blackbody-spectrum_en.html

Part A

Several different incandescent radiation sources are listed in the table below, along with their respective temperatures. Sunlight is provided as a baseline measurement at the top of the table. You will determine the peak intensity for each source with respect to its visible color spectrum. You also estimate the amount of emitted energy that falls in the visible light spectrum.

To do so Reflection, Refraction & Light Behavior

  • drag the slider to reach the temperature listed in the first column of the table. You can also type in the temperature value in the text box above the temperature slider.
  • use the buttons to zoom in or out on either the vertical or horizontal axis to easily observe the curve (and the peak). The peak should be as high as possible, while still being visible on screen. You should extend the scale far enough to the right to see the curve reach very close to zero emission on the right.
  • estimate the percentage of emitted energy that appears to fall within the visible spectrum and enter that value in the table. You can do this by estimating the area under the energy curve in the visible region as compared to the total area under the curve.

Incandescent Light Sources    Temperature(K)   Color at the Peak of the Curve   Energy in

Visible Spectrum

sunlight                                    5800

photoflood                                3400

100-watt incandescent             2870

40-watt incandescent                2500

candle flame                             1900

electric stovetop coil                  800

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Part B

From the readings above, what can you say about the lighting efficiency of the various incandescent radiation sources? Which are the most efficient in emitting visible light?

Support your answer with suitable reasoning.

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Part C

Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs provide about four times as much visible light for a given amount of energy use. For example, a 14-watt CFL bulb provides about the same amount of visible light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. LED lights are even more efficient at turning electrical energy into visible light. Does that mean they are both a lot hotter? Go online and research how fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs work. Describe how their operations and their spectra differ from those of incandescent light bulbs. Be sure to record your research sources.

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Refraction and Refractive Index

Question 1

In this activity, you will use the video measurement and analysis tool, Tracker, to observe how light is refracted when it travels between air and Acrylite, a transparent plastic material. You will also make observations and quantitative readings about the angle of incidence and angle of refraction to find the refractive index of Acrylite.

To begin your activity, open the Tracker experiment Acrylite to Air  contentstore.ple.platoweb.com/content/sharedmedia/Tracker/applications/acrylite-to-air/acrylite-to-air.html .

Click play Play icon. to watch the video. The other video controls allow you to rewind Rewind icon. the video or step forward Step forward icon. or backward Backward icon. one frame at a time.

Observe the video to proceed with the activity, in which you will collect data to calculate the refractive index of acrylite.

Part A

Describe your observations of light traveling from Acrylite into air in the video. Then, compare the relative refractive properties of Acrylite and air. Provide a rationale for any conclusions you may come to.

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Part B

Do you notice any peculiarity in the way the light ray behaves at large angles? Explain this behavior, based on your knowledge of refraction.

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Part C

Now, grab Tracker’s protractor tool (the green angle in the video frame) and measure the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for the frame numbers specified in the table below. Hints:

  • To advance the video a frame at a time, use the step buttons on the right.
  • Position the vertex of the protractor exactly at the origin of the coordinate axis.
  • Move the arms of the protractor so that one arm is on the vertical axis (above or below, as appropriate) and the other on the light ray.

Frame Number                Angle of Incidence (θi) in Degrees     Angle of Refraction (θr) in Degrees     8

10

12

14

16

18

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Part D

The light ray is traveling from Acrylite into air. The refractive index for air is 1.00. If the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction are known, how could you determine the refractive index of Acrylite?

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Part E

Using the angles of incidence and angles of refraction obtained in question 4, complete the rest of the table below, entering sine values and calculating the refractive index of acrylite for each angle measured. Finally, average these values and enter your calculated average value for the refractive index of acrylite in the space below.

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Part F

Conduct online research to find the refractive index of Acrylite, the material used in the Tracker experiment. (Acrylite is also known as Acrylite glass, or PMMA.) Does the average refractive index you calculated match the accepted refractive index for Acrylite?

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Question 2

Now, open the second Tracker experiment, Air to Acrylite  contentstore.ple.platoweb.com/content/sharedmedia/Tracker/applications/air-to-acrylite/air-to-acrylite.html .

Click play Play icon. to watch the video. The other video controls allow you to rewind Rewind icon. the video or step forward Step forward icon. or backward Backward icon. one frame at a time.

Observe the video to proceed with the activity. In this activity too, you will collect data to calculate the refractive index of acrylite.

Part A

What do you see in this video? Do these observations support your previous findings regarding refractive properties of Acrylite as compared to air? Provide a rationale for your answer.

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Part B

Now, follow the same procedure you did in the earlier Tracker experiment. Find the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for the frame numbers specified in the table below. Then, calculate the refractive index for Acrylite for this new data. Make a calculation for each measurement in the table. Finally, enter the average of these values in the space below the table.

Frame Number       Angle of Incidence (θi) in Degrees       Angle of Refraction (θr) in Degrees

Sine θi                   Sine θr        Refractive Index

15

20

25

30

35

40

43

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Part C

After researching the actual refractive index of Acrylite on the Web, did you find that it matches your calculations?

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Applications of Convex and Concave Lens

In this activity, you will revisit the two videos about how light is refracted when incident on a lens. First, open the convex lens video. Observe how the light rays parallel to the principal axis behave when they hit the convex lens at different points. You can replay the video any time during this activity.

Then, watch the second concave lens video. Observe how the light rays parallel to the principal axis behave when they hit the lens at different points. You can replay the video any time during this activity.

livephoto.sciencetutorials.net//LPVideos/refl-refr/concave_lens.mp4

Part A

Describe what happens to the incoming parallel rays for the two lenses. Compare and contrast the results.

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Part B

Below is a list of some applications of lenses. Determine which lens could be used in each and explain why it would work. You can conduct online research to help you in this activity, if you wish.

Applications                             Lens Used                                                  Reason

peephole in a door

objective lens (front lens) of binoculars

photodiode – In a garage door or burglar alarm, it can sense the light (or the lack of it) from an LED light source positioned some distance away.

magnifying glass

viewfinder of a simple camera

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Part C

A human eye is a convex lens. In normal eyesight, the image of an object in front of our eyes is formed exactly on the retina and is inverted. In farsighted and nearsighted eyesight, where is the image formed? Which lens can be use as a corrective measure in each case? You may use online or other resources to help you answer this question. Be sure to record your research sources in the References section near the end of this document.

Why do you appear distorted in fun house mirrors?, What affects the lighting efficiency of different incandescent light sources?, How do fluorescent and LED lights differ from incandescent bulbs?, What is the refractive index of Acrylite and how does it compare to air?, How do convex and concave lenses behave and what are their applications?

October 8, 2025
October 8, 2025

Electromagnetic Fields and DNA

discussion- An enormous amount of electricity is created at power-generating stations and sent across the country through wires that carry high voltages. Appliances, power lines, airport and military radars, substations, transformers, computers, and other equipment that carries or uses electricity all generate electromagnetic fields.

Many questions have been raised about how electromagnetic fields affect our bodies. Do they pose a public health risk? Perform an Internet search to find information about the effects of electromagnetic fields on public health. Then, discuss the pros and cons of using equipment that produces an electromagnetic field.

Here is one authoritative source to get you started: electromagnetic fields and public health.

Electromagnetic Fields and DNA

Double Helix Structure of DNA

This task connects the physics of electrostatics with molecular biology. Molecular biology is the study of the structure and function of the cell at the molecular level. DNA’s double helix structure consists of two strands held together by electrostatic forces. Do online research on electrostatics and molecular biology, and then answer the following questions. Here are two sources to start with:

Part A

What is DNA and what is its role in life? List DNA’s four nucleotide bases.

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Part B

Explain DNA’s structure, specifically noting the role electric fields and forces play in it.

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Electric Field of Dreams

In this activity, you will explore the relationship between the strength and direction of the electric field lines to the type of charge on a particle and its magnitude. You will also explore the interactions between two or more charged particles and observe their movement. To begin your activity, open the simulation: Electric Field of Dreams.  ‪‪Electric field of dreams‬ 1.0.0-dev.10‬

Directions:
At any time you may

  • click the Reset All button to reset all the settings;
  • click the Play/Pause button to pause or resume the motion; or
  • pause the motion and then click the Step button to observe the motion step-by-step.

Part A Electromagnetic Fields and DNA

To begin, click the Add button to add one object to the system. Observe the electric field around this charged object. You may move the object around the field by dragging it with your cursor. While the arrows indicate the direction of the electric field around the charge, the length of the arrows indicates the field strength. Based on your observations of the field, what is the charge on this object? Give your reasoning.

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Part B

Set the charged object in motion by dragging it and releasing it. What do you observe about the behavior of the field lines in the vicinity of the object?

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Part C

Add another charged object to the electric field by clicking the Add button again. What is the charge of this new object? Give your reasoning. What do you observe about the behavior of both the objects as well as the field lines in the vicinity of both the objects?

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Part D

Click the Remove button to remove one of these objects, and then click the Properties button to set properties for the next object you will add. Just change the sign of the charge to (+), then click Done. Click Add to add this new object to the field. Now what do you observe about the behavior of the two objects and the field lines that surround them?

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Part E

With the two oppositely-charged objects still in the field, apply an external field to the system: In the External Field box, simply drag the dot until it becomes an electric field vector in some direction. Observe, describe, and explain the behavior of the two objects.

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Electric Field Hockey  ‪‪Electric field hockey‬ 1.0.0-dev.10‬

In this activity, you will again explore the relationship between an electric field and charged particles in the field, but this time you’ll have a gaming challenge. To begin, open Electric Field Hockey.

Directions:
On the control bar, make sure that the Puck is Positive and the Field boxes are checked. Also, make sure that the Practice option is selected.

Your aim is to score goals by manipulating the black puck (test charge) into the blue-colored bracket (goal) on the right. Think smart and place positive source charges (red) and negative source charges (blue) in such a way that the black puck moves into the goal.

Note that when you place a red, positive source charge in the hockey field, a red arrow appears on the black puck (test charge) showing the force the positive charge exerts on the puck. Similarly, when you place a blue, negative source charge in the hockey field, a blue arrow appears on the black puck (test charge) showing the force the negative charge exerts on the puck.

Part A

Place a red charge in the hockey field and click Start. In which direction do electric field lines point? In which direction does the black puck move? What conclusion do you draw from this movement?

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Part B

Click Reset and then click Clear. Now, place a blue charge in the hockey field and click Start. In which direction do electric field lines point? In which direction does the black puck move? What conclusion do you draw from this movement?

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Part C

Manipulate the mass of the puck by dragging the Mass bar to the right for increasing the mass and to the left for decreasing it. What changes do you see in the speed of the puck? Which principle works behind this change?

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Part D

In the same situation, what do you observe about the relationship between the speed of the black puck and its distance from the blue charge?

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Part E

You can make the puck travel in complex ways by placing a set of charges around on the field. So, here’s your game challenge: Arrange source charges around to propel the puck from its starting position into the goal. That’s pretty easy for a straight shot; you just put a negative charge behind the goal. But what if there are barriers in the way? That’s a real test of your physics understanding, including Newton’s laws of motion and electrostatic forces. Game’s on!

On the control bar, check the Trace, Field, and Anti-alias boxes. The game has three Difficulty levels. Start with Difficulty level one and arrange source charges to get the puck into the goal. Once you’ve made a score at any level, increase the Difficulty level. Take a screen capture of two of your most difficult goals and paste them here. At least one of these should be at Difficulty level 2 or 3.

(Note: On a Windows computer, you can use the key combination Alt-Print Screen to copy the currently-active window to your clipboard. When you capture an image of this simulation window, paste the image into an image-processing program such as Paint, and save the image as a file. Then use the Insert Image button to insert the file into the response area.)

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What are the pros and cons of using equipment that produces electromagnetic fields?, What is DNA and what are its four nucleotide bases?, How does electrostatics influence DNA’s structure?, What happens to electric field lines and particles in the Electric Field of Dreams simulation?, How do charged particles behave in the Electric Field Hockey simulation?