Physics of Pool :: Sport Sports Billiard Billiards

When most of us go out to play pool we do not realize how much physics effects our game. If we took the time to understand at least the basic physics of pool it might be amazing to what degree we could improve our skills. Most of us already know at least somewhat the general idea of how to play pool well. Below I will give a brief description of how physics plays a part in improving you game of pool. So read on if you care to impress your fellow pool players! -Basic Momentum & Kinetic Energy For the purpose of billiards we will not go into great detail as to what momentum is. Basically though it can be thought of using the following equation; p = mv where p = momentum m = mass of object v = velocity of object Kinetic energy is energy associated with the motion of an object. For basic purposes we can just look at the following equation which relates kinetic energy with mass and velocity of an object. K =  ½mv2 where K = kinetic energy When you strike another ball with the cue ball it is almost a perfect elastic collision. An elastic collision is one in which total kinetic energy as well as total momentum are conserved within the system. This can be shown by the two basic equations; Conservation of Kinetic Energy:  ½m1v1i2 +  ½m2v2i2 =  ½m1v1f2 +  ½m2v2f2 Conservation of Momentum: m1v1i + m2v2i = m1v1f + m2v2f where m = mass of object v = velocity Since the cue ball has virtually the same mass as the other balls and the velocity of our second ball will always be zero, since we are striking a static ball with the cue ball. In addition this is considered a two- dimensional collision. From this we know that momentum is saved within the y component and within the x component. Therefore in the case of pool we can rewrite these two equations as: Conservation of Kinetic Energy:  ½m1v1i2 =  ½m1v1f2 +  ½m2v2f2 Conservation of Momentum: m1v1i = m1v1f cosà ¸+ m2v2f cosØ 0 = m1v1f sinà ¸ - m2v2f sinØ In this last equation the minus sign comes from the fact after the collision ball two has a y component of velocity in the downward direction from the x-axis. This can be seen in the following diagram. The above diagrams show the initial velocity (both x and y directions) of both balls (Vxi &Vyi) as well as the final velocities (Vxf & Vyf). As we can see Vxi = Vxf (total of red and blue balls) as well as Vyi = Vyf.

A Raisin in the Sun and Brown versus Board of Education :: Race Racial Segregation Lorraine Hansberry

The American Dream Langston Hughes wrote a poem, in 1951, called â€Å"Harlem†. It sums up the play A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry: â€Å"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore- and the run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?† Lorraine Hansberry uses this poem to open A Raisin in the Sun. This dialogue suggests what happens to the African American’s dream during the Brown v. Board of Education trials. While critiquing this play I was a little disappointed that Brown v. Board of Education was not discussed directly. However, I did find the plot of the play, and the people who were attending it to be very interesting. The plot of A Raisin in the Sun does not directly talk about the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Actually, very little of the play, until the end, deals with any kind of racial segregation. The play revolves around four main characters; Walter, a defiant husband who desperately wants to become rich; Ruth, Walter’s devoted wife; Beneatha, Walters intellectual younger sister, who is much better educated than the others and wants to become a doctor; and Mama, the head of the household, and also Walter and Beneatha’s mother. Mama inherits some money from her dead husbands insurance. With this money she buys a house in an all white community, and gives the rest to Walter. He is instructed to put some money away for Beneatha’s medical school, and the rest into a checking account for himself. Walter, however, desperate to become rich foolishly gives the money to his friend to invest in a liquor store. His so called friend runs off with all of the money Walter gave him. In order to get some money back for Beneatha to go to school, Walter wants to sell the house back to the white community. The community offered the Younger family a lot of money for the house, because they did not want Negroes living next to them. In the end however, Walter, realizes that it is this house that unifies the family and is what truly will make them happy, instead of being rich.

Things I Dont Want to be When I Grow Up :: Personal Narrative, Personal Experience

As a youthful teen, I have many dreams and ambitions yet to be achieved. I have always daydreamed of my future with childhood fantasy. But, what are the things I do not want to do when I grow up? A myriad of thoughts cross my mind. Firstly, I definitely would not want to have a lowly position in life. I would like to run the extra mile, to strive harder and to gain the highest education that I can achieve . I do not want to be underestimated and believe that nothing is impossible. I am resolute in achieving what I want and I know what I have to do to get there. The transition to adulthood is filled with many temptations that determine our lifestyle and choices for the rest of our lives. Drugs lead to an unhealthy economic and social position, besides extensively damaging our health. Greed ends up dominating the more prominent matters in life, such as taking time out for family, whilst jealousy is a sin that propels us towards superficiality. All these immoral acts and wrongdoings not only places others in grief but also shows a personality which is unhealthy in mind, soul and heart. Therefore, I do not plan on becoming one when I grow up, but rather be discipline and firm in doing the right thing. I do not want to be all blue and gloom. â€Å" Laughter is the best medicine.† It is very important that we always look on the bright side, to think half full, instead of half empty. Positive instead of negative. Optimistic rather than pessimistic. Furthermore, studies show that smiling releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and that it takes 43 muscles to frown but only 16 muscles to smile! So, why frown? Smile a mile wide and share a cheery, bright personality with everyone. I do not want to experience the serious problem of unpaid debts and bankruptcy when I am grown up. We should not have excuses to spending lavishly. Prudent spending is always wise. After all, it is better to save that money for a rainy day than to spend it foolishly. I definitely do not desire to be ignorant of our environment of which we are depending on so wholly, especially when I am grown up. I want to go green and participate in preserving the environment, Our planet can continue to be a beautiful planet if we care for our environment and stop it from being destroyed.

Professional Athletes are not overpaid Essay

In my short life, if there is one thing I have noticed about the sports industry, it’s that money talks. Drew Brees just recently signed a $100 million dollar contract with the New Orleans Saints to play for five more years. Kobe Bryant of the Lakers made $25 million last year alone, while Alex Rodriguez made $32 million. This sure seems like a lot on money for men to be making just to play sports, or is it? Professional Athletes are very good at what they do and deserve every penny they get for the hard work and dedication they put in to just make it to the big leagues. It has become a tradition in this industry to have salary disputes and lockouts. However, what is really at the root of these negotiations? Maybe the players are being greedy and want more money and perks just to play. I used to think this way, but now I am not so sure that the players don’t truly deserve every penny they get. I don’t think there is one person who could argue that professional athletes are very good at what they do. These athletes have tremendous dedication to the games they play. Getting to the professional level is not as easy as it seems. Many high school basketball players dream of being the next Kobe Bryant or Lebron James, but the truth is that according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), there’s only a . 03% chance that they will make it from high school to the NBA, with a slightly higher chance of going from the NCAA to the NBA being 1. 2%. Professional Athletes are in an elite league. The amount of time and effort they put into their training to maintain their bodies’ is extraordinary. Many people argue that especially in today’s economy where people are barely making their mortgage payments or deciding between utilities and groceries, it is hard to hear about a professional athletes quarrel over the millions in salary they should earn just to play a game. Many people spend the majority of their lives working hard to only earn a small fraction of what a professional athlete makes in one year. Are the athletes the only ones at fault for these gargantuan salaries? I don’t think so. There are many rofessionals out there that make more than these athletes and no one complains about them. Consider the owner of Starbucks, Howard Shults, who made $98 million in 2008 for selling coffee products. That’s more than Brees, Bryant and James put together. Athlete’s become larger than life figures in person and with their salaries because of their fans. Everyone at some point in their lives has purchased tickets or merchandise relating to one of their favorite athletes. We are the ones that continue to perpetuate the ability for them to earn more and more each year. We constantly buy into the sports mania of official licensed merchandise, tickets, food and beverages at every venue. We as a society spend our hard earned money to see and be entertained by these athletes year after year. If people have a problem with the amount of the salaries they make, maybe they should stop going to games or refrain from buying their kid a jersey with their favorite players number on it. If society doesn’t buy into the sport then there is no money to be made. If there is no money to be made then there is no interest in bring the events to the fans. Let’s face it the sports industry is just that, an industry and business. Businesses are out to make money. To do that they need to have a product people want and in sports the athletes are the product. These athletes are just employees of the business they are in trying to get the most out of what they put in. Many of us get inspired when we see the achievements of some athletes. They sometimes help us see our own potential if we work as hard as they do. One of the most important reasons professional athletes deserve their pay is the beatings they take on their bodies’ season after season. Every time a player runs onto the field or court they run the risk of a season and sometimes life threatening injury. For example, according to Health Day newsletter the percentage for concussions in the NFL rose 21% in 2010. In 2010 the league reported 154 concussions in just the first half of the season. Many of us will recall the devastating injury of Buffalo Bills player Kevin Everett in 2007. Everett suffered a fracture vertebra and it was questionable whether he would ever be able to walk again. Many occupations don’t require that you intentionally put yourself in harm’s way for the sake of entertaining an audience. I realize professional athletes love what they do and would change their occupations for anything, but as a society we should recognize that their lives are not always as glamorous as it seems. After years of battle wounds their bodies are full of aches and pains. Many injured players find it hard to get health insurance because of the high cost to insure them and the fact that many insurance companies refuse to cover pro athletes. Professional athletes in general have a short career life. The average person will retire between the ages of 65-75. However, Drew Brees’ career will most likely be over in 5 years at the young age of 38. Although many players go on to have alternate careers after their professional athletic career, many are too beat up or don’t have the skills to perform any other type of career. Bottom line is we as fans create the demand for these professional athletes to continue to raise the bar for our own entertainment. It’s all about supply and demand. The sports industry is willing to supply us with the extraordinary talents these athletes bring to the fields and courts and we as a society continue to demand more out of them. The more we demand the more they supply, the more they supply they more we pay and the more the athletes will be paid. Athletes are not paid for what they do; they are paid because people want to watch what they do. So again I must state professional athletes are very good at what they do and deserve every penny they get for the hard work and dedication they put in to just make it to the big leagues and entertain fans.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” Literary Analys Essay

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† was written in 1963; during the time African Americans were fighting for equality among races. We can tell this by the vocabulary used in his writing such as â€Å"Negro,† which was used at one time, and is no longer considered, â€Å"politically correct. â€Å" The purpose for the letter is that Martin Luther King Jr. was trying to convince the white clergymen that him and his â€Å"People’s† actions were completely unnecessary for the situation. When doing this, he uses critical and persuasive tones to try to influence the reader to agree with him. Martin Luther King Jr. provides a valid argument using logos, pathos, and ethos throughout his letter. The use of comparison in Dr. King’s letter makes the African American’s trouble of segregation seems, just about holy. He compares being arrested for his peaceful but illegal actions to the crucifixion of Jesus for his â€Å"unique God-consciousness and never-ceasing devotion.† Martin Luther King, Jr. ties himself to God by suggesting that above constitutional rights and legal laws are God-given rights, and these rights are the ones that he and his followers are supporting. He says that just laws, are laws that â€Å"Square with moral law or the law of God.† King resumes this religious association in his last paragraph, where he mentions blacks who conduct sit-ins as â€Å"children of God† who stand up for â€Å"the most scare Values in our Judeo-Christian heritage.† These similarities make Dr. King and his men seem to be fighting an almost heavenly cause, one that has the support of God and of history. King also uses his voice through writing to educe emotion. Aside from his associations to God and Socrates, which may help religious readers better connect to his message, Martin Luther King Jr., writes about the emotional suffering that blacks went through due to segregation and prejudice. He replies to whites telling blacks to â€Å"wait† for desegregation by bringing up several murders committed by whites on blacks, including lynching, drowning, and police cruelty. He continues on these emotional out looks by expressing how children begin to become disturbed by segregation when they realize that they are considered lesser to whites. King uses definite examples, such as a daughter who finds out that she can’t visit an amusement park because it is closed to colored children, and a son who asks, â€Å"Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?† He shows how the build-up of these thoughts in black children eventually turn into hatred for whites when he says, â€Å"There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair.† All of these statements help the reader see just how blacks were disturbed beyond decency and rightfulness. King’s use of emotional writing helps readers develop sympathy for the segregated. Martin Luther King Jr., is trying to tell the white clergymen what he feels they are doing wrong. He uses so many different emotional pulls at the attempt to grab their attention. He does a great job of doing this through referring to the bible and about children. Through the use of rhetorical strategies, Martin Luther King Jr. countered the clergymen’s argument. He also got their attention due to his unique strategy of directly addressing his readers, the clergymen, to create the base of his argument. From there, King is able to shatter his opponent’s claims. This way of arguing allowed King to present his argument with more authority to achieve his goal: justify the reasons for nonviolent demonstrations against segregation. I feel as if Martin Luther King’s â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail† had a great impact on the rights of black people during his time. The fact that is still read today proves it’s a great piece of writing. From my point of view he was in the right with every opinion he expressed; I honestly don’t see how you couldn’t agree with him. His writing is not only changing the world, but is entertainment to read. In the closing of his letter he says â€Å"I hope this letter finds you strong in the faith. I also hope that the circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as integrationist or a civil-rights leader but as a fellow clergymen and a Christian brother.† This is the hope of many people; we are getting closer each day to having his hope become a reality. I believe this letter had a huge impact on many people’s lives, and will continue to change the world.

Elements of Energy Efficient House

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY Elements of an Energy-Efficient House You have much to consider when designing and building a new energy-efficient house, and it can be a challenge. However, recent technological improvements in building elements and construction techniques also allow most modern energysaving ideas to be seamlessly integrated into house designs while improving comfort, health, or aesthetics. And even though some energy-efficient features are expensive, there are others that many home buyers can afford. While design costs, options, and styles vary, most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: a wellconstructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly DOE/GO-10200-1070 FS-207 July 2000 This house in Illinois has many energy-efficient features, including advanced framing techniques, insulated sheathing, and an advanced ductwork system. It was built by Town and Country Homes as part of DOE's Building America Program. DEP A NT OF ME EN RT ST A AT E S OF M ER This document was produced for the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a DOE national laboratory. The document was produced by the Information Services Program, under the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) is operated by NCI Information Systems, Inc. , for NREL / DOE. The statements contained herein are based on information known to EREC and NREL at the time of printing. No recommendation or endorsement of any product or service is implied if mentioned by EREC. Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste ICA Photo by Sara Farrar, NREL/PIX07134 CLEARINGHOUSE GY ER sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances. Thermal Envelope A thermal envelope is everything about the house that serves to shield the living space from the outdoors. It includes the wall and roof assemblies, insulation, air/vapor retarders, windows, and weatherstripping and caulking. Wall and Roof Assemblies Most builders use traditional wood frame construction. Wood framing is a â€Å"tried and true† construction technique that uses a potentially renewable resource—wood— U N IT ED to provide a structurally sound, long-lasting house. With proper construction and attention to details, the conventional wood-framed home can be very energyefficient. It is now even possible to purchase a sustainably harvested wood. Foundation walls and slabs should be as well insulated as the living space walls. Some of the available and popular energyefficient construction methods include the following: Optimum Value Engineering (OVE). This method uses wood only where it is most effective, thus reducing costly wood use and saving space for insulation. The amount of lumber has been determined to be structurally sound through both laboratory and field tests. However, the builder must be familiar with this type of construction to ensure a structurally sound house. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). These sheets are generally made of plywood or oriented-strand board (OSB) that is laminated to foam board. The foam may be 4 to 8 inches thick. Because the SIP acts as both the framing and the insulation, construction is much faster than OVE or stick framing. The quality of construction is often superior because there are fewer places for workers to make mistakes. Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF). Houses constructed in this manner consist of two layers of extruded foam board (one inside the house and one outside the house) that act as the form for a steel-reinforced concrete center. It’s the fastest technique and least likely to have construction mistakes. Such buildings are also very strong and easily exceed code requirements for areas prone to tornadoes or hurricanes. Insulation An energy-efficient house has much higher insulation R-values than required by most local building codes. An R-value is the ability of a material to resist heat transfer, and the lower the value, the faster the heat loss. For example, a typical house in New York might have insulation of R-11 in the exterior walls and R-19 in the ceiling, while the floors and foundation walls may not be insulated. A similar, but welldesigned and constructed house will have insulation levels that range from R-20 to R-30 in the walls and from R-50 to R-70 in the ceilings. Carefully applied fiberglass batt or rolls, wet-spray cellulose, or foam insulation will fill wall cavities completely. Foundation walls and slabs should be as well insulated as the living space walls. Poorly insulated foundations have a negative impact on home energy use and comfort, especially if the family uses the lower parts of the house as a living space. Also, appliances—such as domestic hot water heaters, washers, dryers, and freezers— that supply heat as a byproduct are often located in the basement. By carefully insulating the foundation walls and floor of the basement, these appliances can assist in heating the house. While most new houses have good insulation levels, it is often poorly installed. In general, gaps and compaction of insulation reduce its effectiveness. Photo by Craig Miller Productions, NREL/PIX02452 Air/Vapor Retarders Water vapor condensation is a major threat to the structure of a house, no matter what the climate. In cold climates, pressure differences can drive warm, moist indoor air into exterior walls and Workers install a structural insulated panel. 2 This house in Arizona features a passive solar design with overhangs above the south facing windows. The best windows are awning and casement styles because these styles often close tighter than sliding types. ttics. The air condenses as it cools. The same can be said for southern climates, just in reverse. As the humid outdoor air enters the walls and encounters cooler wall cavities, it condenses into liquid water. This is the main reason why some buildings in the South have problems with mold and rotten wood after they’re retrofitted with air conditioners. A vapor retarder is a material or structu ral element that can be used to inhibit the movement of water vapor, while an air retarder can inhibit airflow, into and out of a house’s envelope. How to design and install vapor retarders depends a great deal on the climate and on the chosen construction method. However, any water vapor that does manage to get into the walls or attics must be allowed to escape. Regardless of climate, water vapor migration should be minimized by using a carefully designed thermal envelope and sound construction practices. Systems that control air and water vapor movement in homes rely on the nearly airtight installation of sheet materials on the interior as the main barrier. The Airtight Drywall Approach (ADA) uses the drywall already being installed along with gaskets and caulking to create a 3 ontinuous air retarder. In addition, seams where foundation, sill plate, floor joist header, and subfloor meet are also carefully sealed with appropriate caulk or gasket material. Consult your local building codes official on the best vapor retarder method to use in your area. Windows The typical home loses more than 25 percent of its heat through windo ws. Even modern windows insulate less than a wall. Therefore, an energy-efficient house in a heating-dominated climate should, in general, have few windows on its northern, eastern, and western sides. Total window area should also not exceed 8 to 9 percent of the floor area for those rooms, unless the designer is experienced in passive solar techniques. If this is the case, then increasing window area on the southern side of the house to about 12 percent of the floor area is recommended. This is often called solar tempering. A properly designed roof overhang for south-facing windows will help prevent overheating in the summer. North, east, Photo by Sara Farrar, NREL/PIX08155 and west windows should have low Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC). South windows with properly sized overhangs should have a high SHGC to allow winter sun (and heat) to enter the house. The overhang blocks the high summer sun (and heat). If properly sized overhangs are not possible, a low SHGC glass should be selected for the south windows. At the very least, you should use windows (and doors) with an Energy Star ® label, which are twice as energy efficient as those produced 10 years ago, according to regional, climatic guidelines (note: houses with any kind of solar tempering have other guidelines). The best windows are awning and casement styles because these often close tighter than sliding types. In all climates, window glass facing south without overhangs can cause a problem on the cooling side that far exceeds the benefit from the winter solar gains. when compared to other houses of the same type and age. You can accomplish most air sealing by using two materials: caulking and weatherstripping. Caulking can be used to seal areas of potential air leakage into or out of a house. And weatherstripping can be used to seal gaps around windows and exterior doors. Controlled Ventilation Good air sealing alone may reduce utility costs by as much as 50 percent. Since an energy-efficient house is tightly sealed, it needs to be ventilated in a controlled manner. Controlled, mechanical ventilation prevents health risks from indoor air pollution, promotes a more comfortable atmosphere, and reduces air moisture infiltration, thus reducing the likelihood of structural damage. Furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers, and bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans expel air from the house, making it easier to depressurize an airtight house if all else is ignored. But natural-draft appliances may be back-drafted by exhaust fans, which can lead to a lethal buildup of toxic Weatherstripping and Caulking You should seal air leaks everywhere in a home’s thermal envelope to reduce energy loss. Good air sealing alone may reduce utility costs by as much as 50 percent Ceiling light fixture Electrical wires penetrating vapor barrier Joints at attic hatch Vents from bathroom and kitchen Joints at interior partitions Joints between wall and ceiling Joints at windows Electric meter Electrical service entrance Electrical panel Electrical outlets and switches Plumbing stack penetration Chimney penetration of ceiling Holes through air-vapor barrier Joint between bottom plate and floor Cracks around doors Joint between joists and basement wall Service entrance for cable TV, telephone, fuel, etc. Air leakage can occur in many places throughout a home. 4 Heating and Cooling Systems Stale room air return Specifying the correct sizes for heating and cooling systems in airtight, energy-efficient homes can be tricky. Rule-of-thumb sizing is often inaccurate, resulting in wasteful operation. Conscientious builders and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning contractors size heating and cooling equipment based on careful consideration of the thermal envelope characteristics. Outside air inlet Fresh air supply Air-to-air heat exchanger Exhaust air Heat recovery ventilation. Generally, energy-efficient homes require relatively small heating systems, typically less than 50,000 Btu/hour even for very cold climates. Some require nothing more than sunshine as the primary source of heat along with auxiliary heat from radiant in-floor heating, a standard gas-fired water heater, a small boiler, a furnace, or electric heat pump. Any common appliance that gives off â€Å"waste† heat can also contribute significantly to the heating requirements for such houses. If an air conditioner is required, it’s often a small unit and sufficient for all but the warmest climates. Sometimes only a large fan and the cooler evening air are needed to make the house comfortable. The house is closed up in the morning and stays cool until the next evening. Smaller-capacity heating and cooling systems are usually less expensive to buy and operate. This helps recover the costs of purchasing more insulation, and other energy-efficient products, such as windows and appliances. Always look for the EnergyGuide label on heating and cooling equipment. The label will rate how efficient it is as compared to others available on the market. In climates where summer cooling requirements dominate, light-colored materials and coatings (paint) on the exterior siding and roof can help reduce cooling requirements by up to 15 percent. Carefully selected and placed vegetation in any climate also contributes to reduced cooling and heating loads. ases in the house. For this reason, sealedcombustion heating appliances, which use only outside air for combustion and vent combustion gases directly to the outdoors, are very important for ventilation energy efficiency and safety. Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) or energy recovery ventilators (ERV) are growing in use for controlled ventilation in airtight homes. These ventilators can salvage about 70 per cent of the energy from the stale exhaust air and transfer that energy to the fresh air entering by way of a heat exchanger inside the device. They can be attached to the central forced air system or may have their own duct system. Other ventilation devices, such as through-the-wall or â€Å"trickle† vents, may be used in conjunction with an exhaust fan. They are, however, more expensive to operate and possibly more uncomfortable to use because they have no energy recovery features to precondition the incoming air. Uncomfortable incoming air can be a serious problem in northern climates and can create moisture problems in humid climates. Therefore, this ventilation strategy is only for arid climates. Other systems pull outside air in with a small outside duct on the return side of the furnace. Generally, energyefficient homes require relatively small heating systems. 5 Energy-Efficient Appliances Higher efficiency appliances provide a measure of insurance against energy prices and emit less air pollution. Appliances with relatively high operating efficiencies are usually more expensive to purchase. However, higher efficiency appliances provide a measure of insurance against increases in energy prices, emit less air pollution, and are attractive selling points when the home is resold. Home buyers should invest in high-efficiency appliances—such as water heaters, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators—especially if these appliances will be used a great deal. Because all major appliances must have an EnergyGuide label, read the label carefully to make sure you buy the most efficient appliance. To help you choose wisely, major appliances with an Energy Star ® label exceed the federal government’s minimum efficiency standards by a large percentage. Energy-efficient lighting helps keep energy bills down by producing less heat and reducing cooling requirements. Fluorescent lighting, both conventional tube and compact, is generally the most energyefficient for most home applications. always done before. They may need more training if they have no experience with these systems. Building and Buying Before you start a home-building project, the building site and its climate should be carefully evaluated to determine the optimum design and orientation for the house. There are energy-related computer software programs that can help with these evaluations. The design should accommodate appropriate insulation levels, moisture dynamics, and aesthetics. Decisions regarding appropriate windows, doors, and heating, cooling and ventilating appliances are central to an efficient design. Also the cost, ease of construction, the builder’s limitations, and local building code compliance should be competently evaluated. Some plans are relatively simple and inexpensive to construct, while others can be extremely complex and, thus, expensive. An increasing number of builders are participating in the federal government’s Building America and Energy Star ® Homes programs, as well as local home energy rating programs, all of which promote the construction of energy-efficient houses. Many of these builders construct energy-efficient homes to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Construction costs can vary significantly depending on the materials, construction techniques, contractor profit margin, experience, and the type of heating, cooling, and ventilation system chosen. Because energy-efficient homes require less money to operate, many lenders now offer energy-efficient mortgages (EEMs). EEMs typically have lower points and allow for the stretching of debt-to-income ratios. State and local government energy offices can be contacted for information on region-specific financing. In the end, your energy-efficient house will provide you with superior comfort and lower operating costs, not to mention a higher real estate market value. The building site and its climate should be carefully evaluated to determine the optimum design. Advantages and Disadvantages Houses that incorporate all of the above elements of energy efficiency have many advantages. They feel more comfortable because the additional insulation keeps the interior wall at a more comfortable and stable temperature. The indoor humidity is also better controlled, and drafts are reduced. A tightly sealed air/vapor retarder reduces the likelihood of moisture and air seeping through the walls. They are also very quiet because the extra insulation and tight construction helps to keep exterior noise out better. But these houses also have some potential disadvantages. They may cost more and take longer to build than a conventional home if there’s a lack of builder familiarity with new construction techniques and products available on the market. Even though the house’s structure may differ only slightly from conventional homes, the builder and contractors may be unwilling to deviate from what they’ve 6 Resources The following are sources of additional information on energy-efficient houses: The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) P. O. Box 3048 Merrifield, VA 22116 1-800-DOE-EREC (1-800-363-3732) E-mail: doe. [email  protected] om Web site: http://www. eren. doe. gov/consumerinfo/ EREC provides free general and technical information to the public on many topics and technologies pertaining to energy efficiency and renewable energy. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Building Technologies Department MS 90-3111 Berkeley, CA 94720 USA Phone: (510) 486-6845; Fax: (510) 486-4089 Web site: http://eetd. lb l. gov/btp/btp. html Provides information on past and current research in buildings energy efficiency. National Renewable Energy Laboratory The Center for Buildings and Thermal Systems 1617 Cole Blvd. Golden, CO 80401 Web site: http://www. nrel. gov/buildings_thermal Provides information on energy-efficient buildings. Organizations American Solar Energy Society, Inc. (ASES) 2400 Central Avenue, G-1 Boulder, CO 80301 Phone: (303) 443-3130; Fax: (303) 443-3212 E-mail: [email  protected] org Web site: http://www. ases. org A national advocacy organization dedicated to the use of solar energy in buildings. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Buildings Technology Center P. O. Box 2008, MS-6070 Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6070 Phone: (865) 574-5206; Fax Number: (865) 574-5227 Web site: http://www. ornl. ov/ORNL/BTC/ Provides information on research in buildings energy efficiency. Building America U. S. Department of Energy Office of Building Systems, EE-41 1000 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D. C. 20585-0121 Web site: http://www. eren. doe. gov/buildings/ building_america/ Works with the home building industry to produce quality homes that use up to 50 percent less energy without costing more to build. Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005-4706 Phone: (202) 628-7400; Fax: (202) 393-5043 E-mail: [email  protected] org Web site: http://www. bicouncil. org Promotes the use of energy-efficient and passive solar building design and construction. Web Sites Building Energy Software Tools U. S. Department of Energy Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs Web site: http://www. eren. doe. gov/buildings/tools_ directory/ Describes many energy-related software tools for buildings, with an emphasis on renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Efficient Windows Collaborative Alliance to Save Energy 1200 18th Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, D. C. 20036 Phone: (202) 857-0666; Fax: (202) 331-9588 E-mail: [email  protected] rg Web site: http:/ /www. efficientwindows. org/ Provides unbiased information on the benefits of energy-efficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and recommendatio ns for their selection and use. Cool Roof Materials Database Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Web site: http://eetd. lbl. gov/coolroof/ Assists with the selection of roofing materials that reflect instead of absorb the sun’s radiant energy. Energy Star ® U. S. Department of Energy and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Phone: (888) STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937) E-mail: [email  protected] gov Web site: http:/ /www. nergystar. gov/ Provides lists of Energy Star ®-qualified products, including appliances and windows, as well as information on its energyefficient homes program. Green Buildings Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development Web site: http://www. sustainable. doe. gov/buildings/ gbintro. htm Provides information and links on energy-efficient buildings. (Continued on page 8) 7 Continued from page 7 The Residential Energy Efficiency Database Web site: http://www. its-canada. com/reed/ Provides a wide-range of information on energy-efficient houses, includ ing house plans. The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, M. Crosbie (ed), J. Wiley, 1997. Available for purchase from ASES (see Resources). Residential Windows: A Guide to New Technology and Energy Performance, J. Carmody, S. Selkowitz, and L. Herschong, Norton Professional Books, 1996. Phone: 1-800-233-4830; http://www. wwnorton. com/npb/. Insulation Fact Sheet, U. S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 1997. Available from ORNL in PDF and HTML at http://www. ornl. gov/roofs+walls/insulation/. Print version is available from EREC (see Resources). Zip Code Insulation Database Oak Ridge National Laboratory Web site: http://www. ornl. gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome. html Provides information by zip code on the most economic insulation levels for new or existing homes. Reading List The following publications provide further information about energy-efficient home elements. The list is not exhaustive, nor does the mention of any publication constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Periodicals Energy Design Update. Published by Cutter Information Corporation, 37 Broadway, Arlington, MA 02474-5552; Phone: (800) 964-5118 or (781) 648-8700; Web site: http:// www. utter. com. This monthly newsletter contains information for professionals interested in energyefficient building technologies. Product reviews appear regularly. Environmental Building News. 28 Birge Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301; Phone: (802) 257-7300; Web site: http://www. BuildingGreen. com. This bimonthly newsletter covers a wide variety of topics. The Journal of Light Constru ction. Published by Builderburg Partners, Ltd. , 932 West Main Street, Richmond, VT 05477; Phone: (800) 375-5981. This monthly journal often features articles on energy conservation techniques for the home builder. Home Energy Magazine. 2124 Kittredge Street, #95, Berkeley, CA 94704; Phone: (510) 524-5405; E-mail: [email  protected] org,; Web site: http://www. homeenergy. org/. It’s a source of information on reducing energy consumption in the home. Solpan Review. Published by Drawing-Room Graphic Services, Ltd. , P. O. Box 86627, North Vancouver, BC V71 412 , Canada; Phone (604) 689-1841. This bimonthly newsletter features articles on energy conservation for the building industry, including information on new products and energy-efficient practices in residential construction. Books, Pamphlets, and Reports Buildings for a Sustainable America Case Studies, B. Miller, ASES, 1997. Available from ASES or SBIC (see Resources). Building Green in a Black & White World, D. Johnston, Home Builder Press, 2000; Phone: (800) 223-2665; http://www. builderbooks. com. Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, A. Wilson and J. Morrill, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2000; Phone: (510) 549-9914; http://aceee. org/. The Efficient House Sourcebook, R. Sardinsky, Rocky Mountain Institute. Available from SBIC (see Resources). Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home, U. S. Department of Energy. Available in PDF and HTML at http://www. eren. doe. gov/consumerinfo/energy_ savers/ or print version from EREC (see Resources). Fine Homebuilding: Energy-Efficient Houses, Fine Homebuilding magazine. Available from SBIC (see Resources). Moisture Control Handbook: Principals and Practices for Residential and Small Commercial Buildings, J. Lstiburek and J. Carmody, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. , 1993. Available from the Building Science Corporation at (978) 589-5100 (phone); (978) 589-5103 (fax); or http://www. buildingscience. com. 8

Pozzo & Lucky’s Relationship

During the two character’s appearance in act 1 we learn a lot about both characters through the relationship they have with each other. While Lucky’s lack of speech under Pozzo’s domain makes it difficult to identify his personality, we can still infer a lot about him. ‘Pig’, ‘hog’ and ‘swine’. All abusive vocatives thrown at Lucky by Pozzo. An instant indication that the relationship between these two characters is far from friendly, and makes the relationship between Vladimir and Estragon seem certainly pleasant. It is clear that Lucky acts as a type of servant to Pozzo and this is clarified when he attempts to describe their relationship in the quote â€Å"He wants to mollify me, so that I'll give up the idea of parting with him†. It is instantly clear that Pozzo’s character is extremely arrogant. He lords over the others, and he is decisive, powerful, and confident. When his character is introduced he refers to the other two as human, but as inferior beings; then he condescendingly acknowledges that there is a human likeness, even though the â€Å"likeness is an imperfect one.† This image reinforces his authoritarian god-like stance. Pozzo's superiority is also seen in the manner in which he eats the chicken, and then casts the bones to Lucky with an air of complete omnipotence. Yet there are several quotes after he becomes acquainted with Vladamir and Estragon for example â€Å"I'd very much like to sit down† and referring to them as ‘gentlemen’ which suggest that, due to his long and lonely journey, he seeks the approval of them both and to be, as he quotes ‘old friends’. This provides the audience with a hint that despite has vast knowledge he is lacking somet hing which he cannot gain from Lucky which is a companion. Together the two characters represent the antithesis of each other. From one man who seems to be incapable of not contributing his input to someone who barely speaks a word. An inexhaustible amount of polarities can be applied to their relationship. However, Beckett has left a lot of information unsaid; Pozzo tells us that his profound knowledge was taught to him through none other than Lucky himself, whether this is simply a metaphorical term is undetermined however this does hint to the audience that perhaps the two characters were once not so dissimilar. Further enigma is created through pozzo exclamation that Lucky has become insufferable: â€Å"I can't bear it . . . any longer . . . the way he goes on . . . you've no idea†. This leaves the audience alienated in terms of context, we are unaware of Lucky even speaking let alone driving someone to such an extent. This could also be seen as a malicious side to Pozzo’s character as he could potentially be lying as he sees Estragon and Vladimir warming to Lucky and is envious of that. Read also Intro to Public Relations Notes Similarities can be seen between Pozzo ; Lucky’s relationship in comparison to Vladimir ; Estragon’s, in a sense that, the two relationships have an element of irascibility. Vladimir and Estragon fail to agree on things and often find themselves in disputes, yet they are still bound by each other and depend on one another. This is, in many ways mirrored in Pozzo and Lucky’s relationship, although there is a much bigger gap in terms of authority. Despite this, the two still depend on each other and are even bound by a rope which could be representative of an umbilical cord which brings about references to religion, life and other common themes within the play. To conclude, the relationship that Pozzo and Lucky have is very significant in the play and when the tables are turned in act 2 with Pozzo losing his sight we learn a lot more about the two characters than in their introduction in act 1. The master and the servant have little in common but are bound to each other much like our main characters Vladimir and Estragon.