Elissa Gathman – pd. 1

Honors Physics

Mrs. Leach

March 10, 2008

                                                            Gravity Through Time

            Aristotle was the first respected person to document significant scientific thought on what would later come to be known as gravity. Aristotle lived in Greece in 384 BCE. He speculated that heavier objects fall faster because the more mass an object has, the more it wants to move towards the earth, because it has so many components of nature in it. Aristotle was a reputable man because he came from a line of brilliant thinkers – he was taught by Plato, who was taught by Socrates. Because of this, many people took for granted that what he said was true.

            The next person to contribute significant scientific thought on the subject of gravity was Galileo, in Italy, 1564 AD. Galileo was the first to contradict Aristotle’s thoughts on gravity, claiming that all objects actually fall at the same rate. In other words, Galileo was the first to come up with the idea of free-fall. Knowing this, and also taking the factor of air resistance into account, Galileo found the acceleration due to gravity, or g, using an incline. Galileo found that g equals 9.8 m/s^2. However, Galileo was not able to figure out why g always equals this number, he only knew that it was happened.

            Newton followed Galileo in England, 1684 CE. His first accomplishment was to discover the three laws of motion. The first law of motion, named inertia, stated that objects in motion stay in motion. The second law of motion stated that total force equals mass times acceleration. In other words, both force and mass, and force and acceleration are directly related. For example, if mass stays the same and acceleration increases, force will increase also. The third and final law of motion was the equal and opposite law, stating that every force has an equal and opposite reaction. For example, when you lean on a wall, it “leans” back with the same amount of force, keeping you propped up. Newton’s second big accomplishment was to set the foundation for the universal law of gravitation, stating that force and mass were directly related, while force and distance squared are indirectly related (Fg=mM/d^2 – but this equation was not complete until Cavendish). Newton also explained what Galileo failed to explain – why the force of gravity equals 9.8 m/s^2. The reason, he explained, is because of the second law of motion. In other words, since he knew that force and mass are always directly proportionate, he realized that acceleration must be constant, because F=ma.

            Cavendish came next, using Newton’s thoughts on mass and force and distance to come up with the full equation for the universal law of gravitation. Cavendish performed the famous Cavendish experiment, in which he was able to see the pull of the force of gravity on a very small scale. He did this by hanging a dumbbell from a string, and placing two large lead weights below the dumbbell. Using a mirror, he was able to see a small twist in the string, and from this, he was able to measure the force between the objects, as well as the mass and distance. Once he had all these things, he was able to use them to find the missing constant in the universal law of gravitation: G. Cavendish found G to equal 6.67*10^-11 m^3/kgs^2.

            Next came Einstein in Germany and the USA, 1915.

There is a ring on the right finger of my left hand that I never take off. The thin golden band has a blue sapphire on it, surrounded by six sparkling diamonds on either side. It is not the beauty, however, nor the monetary value that gives this ring its value. I treasure it for the promise that lies behind it, the promise to honor the values I have made for myself.

One of my most essential values is sexual purity. I wish to honor my future husband by saving myself for him, so that I can one day show him how special and important he is to me by giving him something I have never given anyone else. I knew when I made this vow to myself, and to my future husband as well, that it would be a difficult promise to keep; resisting temptation is easy for no one. The ring I wear serves as a constant reminder of this promise. Whenever the heat of passion rises above my logical thought process, the sight or feel of the ring on my finger helps to give me enough self-control to overcome my rash moment.

Another essential value I strive to uphold is to abstain from any illegal use of any kind of substance. Whenever I am mocked by my peers for keeping my promise in regards to this value, I touch my ring and remember all the reasons for which I decided to make this promise. In the same way, whenever I am discouraged, or tired, or just feeling lazy, I am encouraged by the sight of my ring to keep going and always try my best, and whenever I am frustrated with my parents, or have no motivation to listen to them, a flash of blue from my left ring finger will remind me of my promise to honor them as my elders, and as the ones who worked hard to raise me to do so. My ring serves as a tangible symbol of the values that I seek to honor above anything else in my life.

SAY WHO WE PICKED!!

How many electoral votes do each of the candidates bring to the team and why? (Which states, particularly the most populated ones, or regions?)

Michael Huckabee won the Iowa Caucus for the Republicans. This is an encouraging win for Huckabee, as Iowa is not an extremely republican state, but rather split evenly between republicans and democrats. New Hampshire, like Iowa, is also evenly split between republicans and democrats. Yet even here, Huckabee managed to place third. Another promising state for Huckabee is Arkansas. Not only was Huckabee was born and raised in Arkansas, he was also governor there for two consecutive terms, from 1998 through 2006. He is the only republican in Arkansas who has held the governors office for so long. This shows that he is very well liked in this state. According to polls (www.presidentpolls2008.com), Huckabee is also highly popular and both North and South Carolina. The reason for this lies in the fact that both these states are highly republican, and in a much more republican area. Not only this, but they are both in the south-east, near Arkansas. For the same reasons as North and South Carolina, Huckabee is also highly popular in Oklahoma, one of Arkansas neighboring states, and Georgia. All together, these seven states bring 62 electoral votes. Though this is only a fraction of the 270 votes Huckabee needs to win, his popularity in the two caucuses so far will soon attract the attention and favor of republicans in other states.

Rudy Giuliani's most important electoral vote contribution to the team is through New York. Though a democratic state, Giuliani is extremely popular in it, due greatly to his great success as mayor of New York. Giuliani was elected mayor of New York in 1993, and again in 1997, winning the latter by a wide margin, carrying for out of the five boroughs. This alone shows his popularity among the people of New York. Not only this, but New York is also Giuliani's home state, as well as the state in which he went to college and law school. Furthermore, Giuliani served as a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1983. Giuliani's popularity in New York even spilled over into New Jersey and Pennsylvania, at a 38% and 27% (respectively) popularity rate according to polls. (www.presidentpolls2008.com). While the state of Pennsylvania is split between democrats and republicans, New Jersey is another highly democratic state where Giuliani is still extremely popular. Finally, the latest polls show Giuliani's popularity rating at a fairly high 27% (www.presidentpolls2008.com) in both Florida and California. This is likely due to his popularity with the democrats in New York and New Jersey, since California is a highly democratic state, and Florida is not completely republican either. All together, these 5 states bring 149 votes. Winning California would be a huge accomplishment for the team. If it is managed, it is almost certain that Huckabee and Giuliani together can win the election.

Which demographic groups do each of the candidates bring to the team, and which demographics groups are offended by each of the candidates in the team?

Wei's Section.

Which interest groups do each of the candidates bring to the team, and which interest groups are alienated by your team?

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What are their stands of the various you have determined as being most important in this election, and where do they differ on each issue, if at all?

Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee are both Republican candidates and share many of the same views on issues. These views or standpoints on the hot topics in America right now, would help them be a strong Republican ticket for president in 2008. They are both against abortion, but Giuliani believes that ultimately the woman should be able to make the final decision because it is hers. Both are in favor of keeping illegal immigrants out by means such as a fence along the Mexico-America border and increased security. Both candidates want to keep America in the Iraq war and not leave until we have accomplished what we came for. They both believe it would be to late to pull out our troops right now. As far as Health Care goes, they both believe that taxes should not have to take care of everybody. People should be encouraged to get their own private health care and use the money they have earned themselves. They both believe that The US should look for alternative forms of energy. This would help with our national security as well as being beneficial to all of the American people because we wouldn’t have to rely on other countries and the cost would be considerably less. Their ideas on taxes follow the same idea but are not entirely the same. Giuliani wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent as well as terminating the estate tax. Huckabee believes that we should only be taxed on things we buy, not on the money we earn. These are both conservative beliefs on the issues that would be a strong showing for any Republican voter. Both of these candidates have firm ideas that we believe they would follow through on to lead this country to victory in many different aspects. They have a vast amount of conservative ideas that would draw most all Republicans while still having some liberal ideas that would attract the democrats. All put together, Giuliani’s and Huckabee’s stands’ on the issues would make them a great ticket for the 2008 presidential election.

What experience and reputation in government do each bring to the team, and how does their individual experiences and reputations compliment one another?

What is their electability as defined by the media? (Media presence, favorable looks, etc)

Huckabee is a former Baptist preacher, and is deeply conservative.  His religiousness will help get votes from Christians, especially in the south.   He is also a former governor of Arkansas, and has all of the southern values.  This will help him carry the south in the election. Huckabee is younger looking, so you have the Bush/Cheney look with a younger, more attractive candidate and an older, wiser candidate in Huckabee/Giuliani.   He is a walking success story, having lost 110 pounds after being diagnosed with diabetes to go on to run 4 marathons.  He has written 5 books on bettering one's self.   In 2005, TIME magazine named him one of the 5 best governors in the country.  He also wants to stay in Iraq, so that is a uniting ground for Huckabee and Giuliani.

Giuliani is a mild conservative, some people even think of him as a liberal.  Giuliani supports abortion rights, gay unions, and curbs on gun ownership.  This will help appeal to Democrats.  He was a former mayor of New York, and will therefore help bring in votes from the state with the second most electoral votes in the nation.   He is very much for continuing the war in Iraq until he sees it through, and having been there for 9/11 it seems possible that he could convince the US citizens that that is the best course of action.

With the combination of Huckabee's strong Christian values and Giuliani's border-line conservative views, we believe these two make a great combination for the presidency.   As said earlier, Huckabee seems like a kind, gentle, and younger man. Giuliani looks tough and wise, and does not look like he would take disrespect from anyone. This combination worked in 2000 and 2004 for Bush and Cheney, and we believe it can work again. Huckabee can carry the south with his conservative Christian values, especially having been a successful Arkansas governor.   Giuliani should not have too hard of a time getting New Yorkers behind him, even if they are running against Clinton.  He should also be able to get votes from other moderate liberal states in the northeast.   These candidates do not have much to tie them to the mid-west, but these states are already historically conservative, so we do not believe this will be a problem. The far west will be the hardest to get, but with Huckabee and Giuliani's tough stance on immigration, we believe we can also get the south west, and maybe even California.  Overall we believe this is the best combination of candidates to win the presidency, and we look forward to seeing Huckabee in the White House soon.

What skills do each of them bring to the team, and how do their skills compliment one another?

bobby

How much money, or funding, can each bring to the campaign, and from what sources?

bobby

How many electoral votes do each of the candidates bring to the team and why? (Which states, particularly the most populated ones, or regions?)

Michael Huckabee won the Iowa Caucus for the Republicans. This is an encouraging win for Huckabee, as Iowa is not an extremely republican state, but rather split evenly between republicans and democrats. New Hampshire, like Iowa, is also evenly split between republicans and democrats. Yet even here, Huckabee managed to place third. Another promising state for Huckabee is Arkansas. Not only was Huckabee was born and raised in Arkansas, he was also governor there for two consecutive terms, from 1998 through 2006. He is the only republican in Arkansas who has held the governors office for so long. This shows that he is very well liked in this state. According to polls (www.presidentpolls2008.com), Huckabee is also highly popular and both North and South Carolina. The reason for this lies in the fact that both these states are highly republican, and in a much more republican area. Not only this, but they are both in the south-east, near Arkansas. For the same reasons as North and South Carolina, Huckabee is also highly popular in Oklahoma, one of Arkansas neighboring states, and Georgia. All together, these seven states bring 62 electoral votes. Though this is only a fraction of the 270 votes Huckabee needs to win, his popularity in the two caucuses so far will soon attract the attention and favor of republicans in other states.

Rudy Giuliani's most important electoral vote contribution to the team is through New York. Though a democratic state, Giuliani is extremely popular in it, due greatly to his great success as mayor of New York. Giuliani was elected mayor of New York in 1993, and again in 1997, winning the latter by a wide margin, carrying for out of the five boroughs. This alone shows his popularity among the people of New York. Not only this, but New York is also Giuliani's home state, as well as the state in which he went to college and law school. Furthermore, Giuliani served as a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1983. Giuliani's popularity in New York even spilled over into New Jersey and Pennsylvania, at a 38% and 27% (respectively) popularity rate according to polls. (www.presidentpolls2008.com). While the state of Pennsylvania is split between democrats and republicans, New Jersey is another highly democratic state where Giuliani is still extremely popular. Finally, the latest polls show Giuliani's popularity rating at a fairly high 27% (www.presidentpolls2008.com) in both Florida and California. This is likely due to his popularity with the democrats in New York and New Jersey, since California is a highly democratic state, and Florida is not completely republican either. All together, these 5 states bring 149 votes. Winning California would be a huge accomplishment for the team. If it is managed, it is almost certain that Huckabee and Giuliani together can win the election.

Rudy Giuliani

States favorable towards Romney:

New York – provides 31 electoral votes

Why?

-            Home State

-            Went to college and law school here

-            US attorney for Southern district in 1983

-            Mayor in 1993, mayor again in 1997, winning by a wide margin, carrying four out of the five boroughs

-            Extremely popular in New York, extremely excellent mayor, has made many good changes to public schools, welfare, etc., good leadership