Reflection

The video was very insightful and interestingly I was able to relate a lot of content from the
video with the text book. In the initial part of the video we are told about a belief as to how the
physical elements of the body are released back to the world. The belief further tells us as to how
these elements are then recycled in the next stage of creation. From the first chapter itself from
the book, we learnt that anything which is available on earth is composed of elements. We are
given the description of the periodic table which comprehensively details all the elements. The
video tells us that the bodies are created and destroyed and when destroyed the elements are
released back to earth. So, the bodies are created from elements and then once the human body is
dead or destroyed, its elements are gain restored back to earth.
In another very interesting part of the video, we are told as to how the Himalaya mountains may
have formed. We are told that it is composed mainly of limestone which could have come from
the depths of ocean. From the text book we can relate this with the composition of limestone. In
the chapter 18 of the book we come to know that the Coral reefs are in effect the limestone
deposits built-up by gradual action of plants and animals. As the Himalayas composition is
mainly also of limestone, then we are clear that these rocks may have been sourced from the
depths of ocean. Limestone material found from the depths of ocean has itself been sourced from
animals. So it was very interesting to note, as pointed in the video that these Himalayas were not
always as mountains. As their composition is similar to the one which comes from dead sea
creatures - coral and polyps. As these creatures die, they are subjected to tremendous pressures
and squashed to form limestone.
There is also very fascinating part in this video where we are told as to how the peak of
mountains have in effect been sourced from the material coming from the bed of oceans. Major
part of this material was present earlier in the living animals or plants, and we can even find
fossils at the peak of mountains. Thus, it is an example of endless recycle. The material always
recycles and the process of this transformation from one thing to other goes on endlessly. This
recycle relates to the content in chapter 10 of the text book which tells us as about our material
world. There are people who would recycle much of their waste. For instance, plastic, glass,
aluminum, news-papers, etc. can be recycled and turned to new material. The book tells us that
much of the wastes discarded by the communities ends up in landfills, as it is expected that this
discarded waste would gradually decompose in soil. Then we have another part in the same
chapter which points to us the importance of recycling responsibly. For example, we are told
about the manufacture of batteries and how it has been made from different material. When it
approaches the end of life, it must be disposed-off responsibly. The idea is that we should
support the endless recycling process in nature. As we know that the nature decomposes the
material so we should be aware that eventually the lead in the batteries will be decomposed and
may end-up into streams of water. However, this can create a very big problem as lead in water
is a big cause of worry.
Another highlight from the video is about individual elements and their combined forms. It is
highlighted here that elements cannot exist independently. There are elements which are highly
reactive and the element like sodium is so reactive that if even put in water it creates an
explosion. When combined with chlorine it produces the common salt. There is another highlight
about the most common elements calcium, carbon and oxygen. Calcium for instance, is an
element which is present in our bones and teeth. This we can relate with Chapter 18 where we
are told as to how Calcium is so important for our bones. We are highlighted as to how the
gradual loss of calcium in bones can be a big cause of concern, especially for older people. This
is so as calcium atoms tend to be get replace, and so one must be careful to have enough
replenishment of calcium to ensure that one does not get affected by diseases like Osteoporosis.
This is a disease which can weaken bones by making them brittle, where there is an increased
tendency of loss of calcium atoms. In another para from the same chapter we are also told as to
how heavy elements like lead, if they enter the body, cannot be removed, unlike calcium. While
removal of calcium is not desirable, but, removal of these heavy elements like lead is highly
desirable. A careful re-cycle is therefore extremely necessary.

Reference
Trefil, J. S., Hazen, R. M., Gaudin, A. J., & Steehler, G. A. (2000). The sciences: An integrated approach.
New York: John Wiley.