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Caloplaca cinnabarina

There are more than 500 species of Caloplaca lichen described thus far in the world. To put that into perspective for you, there are approximately 174 species of ducks, geese and swans (Anatidae) worldwide. So when I say that the name C. cinnabarina has been grossly misused for Caloplaca ID, I think you can understand both the scope of the error, as well as how impossible it is to know and tell the difference between all the species of Caloplaca and give lichen IDers a break. I even deleted a picture I was gonna use for this post from a prominent lichenologist because the picture just didn't really match the description I was seeing. No shade because this shit is hard! C. cinnabarina has an areolate (tile-like) thallus made up of angular areoles (tile-like subsections) and short marginal lobes (only in larger, older specimens) growing in rounded patches on siliceous rock. It has a distinctly deep orange to red orange thallus, and immersed apothecia with darker orange discs.

images: source

info: source | source | source

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some tiny little guys have established themselves on my car mirrors- first noticed them as little specks this summer, they’re getting to be a respectable size

I love that some lichens are like, highly sensitive habitat specialists that only survive in idyllic, pristine conditions, and other lichens are just like, fuck it. Car mirror.

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GEN CHEM I: WEEK ONE

first week of spring in the books! besides regular syllabus review, it was a lot of basic math and units review, as well as some basics like what elements vs compounds are, the definitions of mass, density, volume, etc., and significant figures (new concept to me). first lab is tomorrow... but I'm already kinda behind on just my lecture homework and study material for this class so we'll see if I can keep up with the lab too LOL

hoping to post my concept map(s) from chapter one at some point today or tomorrow, and maybe my notes dump at some point this week.

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@edwardspoonhands i am humbly requesting that you hyperfixate on tumblr to the point of dropping twitter again so i can think about redeleting elon's gross little app. set me free king 🙏

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“Pitcher Plant”

I dislike the term “pitcher plant”. It reeks of outdated ignorance and describes a vast number of species from around the world, many of which are not closely related to each other.

As a botanist, and an evil one at that, I prefer to be precise with my language. You too can become an educated scientist and terrific snob by using the correct terms for each variety of “pitcher plant”. If you require education on the matter, allow me to inform you.

There are three families of “pitcher plant”: Sarraceniaceae, Nepenthaceae, and Cephalotaceae. Sarraceniaceae has 3 genera — namely Sarracenia, Heliamphora, and Darlingtonia. Nepenthaceae has a single genus (Nepenthes), and Cephalotaceae has a single species. An entire family with only one species. Ugh.

Now, they look quite distinct from each other, so here are some photos and facts.

This species belongs to Sarracenia, the North American or trumpet pitcher plants. Note the height and slender shape.

This is also a Sarracenia. Note the lack of height and squat shape. Most Sarracenia species look like one of these two — they are quite easy to identify. They are found in boggy, temperate areas around North America and reach a height of up to 4 feet tall.

This is a stunning example of a Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plants) species. These are what you likely think of when someone mentions “pitcher plants”. Beautiful, found in warm, humid regions of the world. They are climbing vines and pitchers can reach over a foot tall (this is species-dependent).

This is an example of Heliamphora, the sun pitchers. They can be found in South America. While still belonging to the family Sarraceniaceae, they are not as tall as Sarracenia, but still quite graceful. If you have a mind for Greek, you may wonder if the “heli” in Heliamphora is for sun (from “helios”). It is not. The name Heliamphora instead comes from “helos”, meaning marsh. The name “sun pitcher” is misleading and comes from a misunderstanding — these plants would be more accurately called “marsh pitchers”.

I have a passionate love-hate relationship with Cephalotus follicularis. Cephalotus is a monotypic genus (a genus with only one species) and of course it is Australian. They look similar to Nepenthes but are unrelated and much smaller — the plants reach just shy of 8 inches tall.

There are also the cobra lilies, Darlingtonia, which belong to Sarraceniaceae. Those are arguably similar enough to Sarracenia that they do not need to be discussed here. Darlingtonia is another monotypic genus within Sarraceniaceae.

Now you have absolutely no excuse. You have been informed on the major genera of “pitcher plants” and should weaponize this knowledge as you see fit.

The brilliant and brave may also wish to weaponize the plants themselves. Kindly send me updates if you do. I am ever so curious…

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the hardest part of coming back to tumblr for school is missing my glory days (70 followers and 10 moots who religiously followed my lafayette x reader x thomas jefferson modern!au fanfic series)

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girl sees lichen on her feed. girl whispers “hell yeah” to herself. rinse, reblog, repeat

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i love him i love him i love him i love him i love him

Round 2.5 - Tardigrada - Eutardigrada

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

One of two classes of tardigrades, Eutardigrada (“Smooth-bodied Tardigrades”) consists of the orders Apochela and Parachela.

When you picture a tardigrade, it is probably a eutardigrade. Eutardigrada contains the most species of the two tardigrade classes. Most of them are terrestrial, though some are adapted to a freshwater or marine habitat. As opposed to heterotardigrades, eutardigrades are smooth and sausage-shaped, and lack external sensory organs. Their claws are combined into double claws or aligned in two rows.

Most of the scientific study on the survivability of tardigrades has been done on eutardigrades. They are known for their extreme resilience, being able to survive extreme temperatures and pressures, air deprivation, radiation, dehydration, starvation, and even exposure to outer space. However, they prefer to just live in mosses, lichens, and sediments, munching away on plant cells, algae, bacteria, or small invertebrates (including smaller tardigrade species; that’s not cannibalism btw, plenty of chordates eat other chordate species!) They are not considered extremophiles though, as they are not adapted to exploit extreme environments, only to endure them. They do this by going dormant in harsh environments, for up to 30 years, only to rehydrate and continue living when conditions are safer!

Members of Eutardigrada have been around since at least the Middle Cretaceous. The oldest known living species are Beorn leggi and Aerobius dactylus, which have existed since the Late Cretaceous!

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What are the Key Mechanical Properties of Solids? 

Mechanical properties of solids refer to the characteristics that define how a material responds to external forces, such as stress, strain, and deformation. These properties include elasticity, plasticity, hardness, toughness, strength, and ductility, among others. They are fundamental in determining a material’s suitability for various applications, influencing its behaviour under different conditions. 

The significance of mechanical properties spans numerous fields. In engineering, these properties ensure the safety and durability of structures like bridges, buildings, and dams. In construction, they guide the selection of materials for specific purposes, such as load-bearing or flexibility. Material science relies heavily on these properties to develop innovative materials that meet evolving industrial demands. 

This article aims to delve into the science behind mechanical properties, their key characteristics, real-world applications, and their indispensable role in innovation and progress. 

The Science Behind Mechanical Properties 

Stress and Strain: Fundamentals 

Stress is the force per unit area exerted on a material. It can be mathematically expressed as: 

where is the applied force and is the cross-sectional area of the material. Strain, on the other hand, measures the deformation caused by stress. It is defined as the ratio of the change in length to the original length: where is the change in length and is the original length. 

Types of Stress and Strain 

Tensile Stress and Strain: Occurs when forces act to stretch a material. Examples include the stretching of rubber bands and cables. 

Compressive Stress and Strain: Results from forces that compress or squeeze a material. Concrete in buildings often experiences compressive stress. 

Shear Stress and Strain: Arises when forces are applied parallel to a surface. Scissors cutting paper is an example of shear stress in action. 

Hooke’s Law and Elasticity 

Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape and size after the removal of stress. Hooke’s Law describes this behaviour: 

where is the Young’s modulus, a measure of a material’s stiffness. Elasticity is crucial for applications requiring temporary deformation, such as springs. 

Plasticity and Permanent Deformation 

When stress exceeds a material’s elastic limit, it undergoes plastic deformation, leading to permanent changes in shape or size. Metals like aluminium and copper exhibit plasticity, making them ideal for moulding and shaping processes. 

Key Mechanical Properties 

1. Young’s Modulus (Stiffness) 

Represents a material’s resistance to deformation under tensile stress. 

Example: Steel has a high Young’s modulus, making it ideal for construction. 

2. Shear Modulus and Bulk Modulus 

Shear Modulus measures resistance to shape changes under shear stress. 

Bulk Modulus evaluates a material’s response to uniform compression. 

Applications include hydraulic systems and pressure vessels. 

3. Poisson’s Ratio 

Describes the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain. Materials with low Poisson ratios, like cork, are used for sealing applications. 

4. Strength 

Includes tensile, compressive, and shear strength. Determines how much load a material can bear without failure. 

Example: Carbon fiber composites are used in aerospace for their high strength-to-weight ratio. 

5. Ductility and Malleability 

Ductility is the ability to be stretched into a wire. Copper’s ductility makes it suitable for electrical wiring. 

Malleability is the ability to be hammered into sheets. Gold’s malleability is utilized in jewellery making. 

6. Brittleness and Toughness 

Brittleness: Materials like glass break without significant deformation. 

Toughness: Measures a material’s ability to absorb energy before fracturing. Rubber is an example of a tough material. 

7. Hardness 

Resistance to indentation or scratching. Hardness tests include the Mohs scale and the Brinell test. 

Example: Diamond, the hardest known material, is used in cutting tools. 

Applications in Engineering and Design 

Civil Engineering 

Bridges: Steel and reinforced concrete combine high strength and ductility to withstand loads. 

Buildings: Materials like concrete and glass are chosen based on compressive strength and aesthetic appeal. 

Aerospace and Automotive Industries 

Lightweight yet strong materials like titanium alloys ensure efficiency and safety in aircraft. 

Automotive components use materials with high impact resistance, such as advanced polymers. 

Manufacturing Tools and Machinery 

Machine tools rely on hard materials like tungsten carbide for durability and precision. 

Conveyor belts require toughness and flexibility to handle wear and tear. 

Product Design and Safety Analysis 

Consumer goods, such as smartphones, use materials that balance hardness and toughness. 

Safety-critical systems, like helmets and airbags, are designed with energy-absorbing materials. 

Material Science and Advancements 

Developing New Materials 

Nanomaterials and composites offer superior strength and lightweight properties. 

Innovations like graphene enhance conductivity and mechanical strength. 

Sustainability and Recycling 

Recyclable materials, such as aluminium, reduce environmental impact. 

Bio-based polymers provide eco-friendly alternatives for packaging and construction. 

Future Trends 

Smart materials, such as shape-memory alloys, adapt to environmental changes. 

Research focuses on enhancing the durability of materials under extreme conditions. 

The mechanical properties of solids are the backbone of modern engineering, construction, and material science. They ensure the safety, functionality, and efficiency of structures and products. By understanding and leveraging these properties, we can drive innovation, create sustainable solutions, and meet the challenges of an ever-evolving world. 

As we continue to explore new materials and techniques, the importance of mechanical properties will remain at the forefront of progress, shaping a future of resilience and ingenuity. 

For more simplified explanations like the one above, visit the physics blogs on the Tutoroot website. Elevate your learning with Tutoroot’s personalised Physics online tuition. Begin your journey with a FREE DEMO session and discover the advantages of online tuitions. 

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hell yeah

Here's a big project I've been working on for a few weeks: a phylogenetic tree of everything in Minecraft! It would take ages to explain everything here, so if you want an explaination of any inclusions, exclusions, categorisations or Latin names PLEASE PLEASE PUHLEASE ask me I would love to answer any questions :3

Here's the slides I used to make it since i'm aware the text on the image there is pretty much unreadable.

Reblogs appreciated!

Edit: there are some problems with the image on here aside from the quality, so please check the slides for a slightly more accurate version! Also, if you have a question check the notes first! Odds are someone else has asked already.