Chapters 13 - 14

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 Activity 1

Brian's Improved Shelter

Brian makes improvements on his shelter. Build a new shelter. Compare this one to the one you built after reading Chapters 5 - 6.

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Activity 2

Skunks - Learn about the amazing defense system of the skunk. Add skunk to your survival guide.

     The skunk is an unusual animal. They are 20 to 30 inches long including their tail. They weigh 6 to 10 pounds. This is about the size of a house cat. The striped  skunk is black with two wide, white stripes on its back. These strips meet at its head.

     Seventy percent of the skunk's diet is insects that are harmful to humans.

     Skunks have an unusual defense system, They spray their enemies with a chemical. The chemical is a sulfur compound called N- bulymercaptan. The skunk's body can hold five or six full-powered sprays. This spray can hit a target 15 feet away. The skunk sprays when it is caught by surprise and can not run away.

     Skunk spray can cause temporary blindness to humans, but does not cause permanent damage. If sprayed by a skunk in the eyes flush them out with cold water. If the spray hits your skin you can wash with carbolic soap and water, tomato juice, or vinegar. You may be able to save your clothes if you wash them several times with vinegar. Let them air outside for a month. Then take them to the dry cleaners. However, burning the clothing may be the best solution.

Activity 3

Light Refraction - At first Brian was unable to catch the fish because the water made them appear in a different location than where they really were. This is due to light refraction in the water. Below is a demonstration of how light refraction works.

Refraction of Light Demonstration Source by Phillip Dukes
@ Brigham Young University, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Things To Try

  1. The incident angle can be varied from 0 to 85 degrees. (In 5 degree increments using the +-5 buttons.)
  2. The index of refraction of the first medium is fixed at n=1.00.
  3. The index of refraction of the second medium can be varied from n=1.00 (for vaccuum) to a maximum of n=2.42 (for diamond). (Selectable by pulldown menu.)
  4. The incident wavelength (and color of light) can be varied from a minimum of 475 nm (blue light) to a maximum of 650 nm (red light). (In 15 nm increments using the +-15 buttons.)
  5. Notice that the refracted wavelength is shortened by a factor of 1/n.

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