Case study,I will have to attach a copy of the case.the name of the Study

,I will have to attach a copy of the .the name of the file will be - Case Study Example A tort occurs as a result of a person’s duty to others which is created by one or more laws. A person who perpetrates a tort is referred to as a wrongdoer or a tortfeaser. A wrongdoing act of tort is referred to as a tortuous act (Stuhmcke 56). The principle goal of the law of tort is compensation of victims or their dependants. The generic pattern of tort comprises of an act or omission by the defendant which causes damage to the plaintiff. The damage has to be caused by the fault of the defendant, and the fault must be a form of harm acknowledged as attracting legal liability. The model of determining whether a tort occurred follows the act or omission leads to causation and faults a person’s protected interests, which results in personal damage and injury (Stuhmcke 60). By suing Dangerfield, continental and Sandman Corporation on basis of negligence, Hartman has to prove several things in a court of law. One, Hartman must prove that the three defendants owed her a du ty of care. This concept is grounded in the ruling of the Donologhue v Stevenson case (1932) where the House of Lords turned down a previous law in which liability for careless behavior existed only in a number of separate, specified circumstances. The House of Lords asserted that general duty entails taking reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which one can reasonably foresee would likely injure your neighbor. A Neighbor in this context refers to persons who are so closely and directly affected by a another’s act that they ought to have them in contemplation as being so affected when another is directing his/her mind to the acts or omissions which are called into question (McLaughlin 63). In addition to establishing a duty of care, Hartman must further prove that the damage she suffered was foreseeable. This concept was advanced in Caparo v. Dickman (1990) case where it must be established that there was proximity between herself and the three companies. Contributory n egligence defense In this case, Dangerfield, continental and Sandman Corporations have a defense in that they did owe a duty of care to Hartman. However, Hartman was not responsible for her own safety as she was negligent by walking in front of her car knowingly. As such, the three corporations can establish that Hartman was negligent and it is for that reason that she suffered the accident. Moreover, the defendants have a defense that Hartman did not read the contents of the receipt that indicated that the management was not responsible for damages incurred by valet parking customers. This concept is generally referred to as the plaintiff’s default or contributory negligence. For this defense to be relied, the defendants have to show that Hartman is to blame for her suffering. Dangerfield, continental and Sandman Corporations must prove that; Hartman exposed herself to the danger of being hit by walking in front of her car Hartman was negligent Hartman’s negligence/fa ult contributed to her suffering. These conditions have been met as explained above. Although contributory negligence is a popular defense in tort, the defense does not free the defendants from liability. It acts to reduce the amount of damages payable y the defendant to the extent of the plaintiff’s contribution. Once Hartman establishes that the three companies owed her a duty of care, she has to prove that the defendants were at fault. That means that Dangerfield, cont

Qualitative Assessment of Text Difficulty Essay Example for Free

Qualitative Assessment of Text Difficulty Essay Chapter 5 aims at finding the answer whether all textbooks have to be we-written to fit the grade level of the student or they are intended only for teacher. It is argued in the chapter that many factors are important when it goes about reading of the material. Furthermore, the author suggests that sometimes material isn’t easily understood by students. Therefore the factors involved have to determine the readability of the textbook and to help student to understand it better. The factors are listed: load of concept, abstractness, format, length, sentence structure, sentence length, vocabulary and inclusiveness. The author admits that the specific materials have to be presented in proper format and style and, furthermore, they have to be easily read by students. For example, sometimes the font is too little and it is very difficult to read the text. It is suggested that sentence structure should be simple enough, though it should be concise as well to outline the main points. (Allen 2004) The teacher must also take into consideration the level of understands when reading materials. There are three levels listed: independent reading, instructional and frustrational levels. The chapter advises the Qualitative Assessment of Text Difficulty as it aims at determining difficulty rate of the specific materials. The test is qualitative and is able to assess the grade level of the material provided within the text. The chapter outlines that teachers should consider student’s interest. Nevertheless, the conclusion claims that textbooks are just created to help teachers rather than students. (Allen 2004) Chapter 6 provides detailed description of assessment process and defines the terms and definitions used in assessment. The author mentions that assessment must be used in schools, because it can used â€Å"to place more emphasis on investigation where students are in the process of learning, not just the products of their learning†. (Allen 2004, 197) Furthermore, the chapter discusses the importance of the triangular paradigm and strategies used to improve the learning process of students. The triangular paradigm pays special attention to standardizing available information. The triangle assessment involves assessment of student portfolios and informal assessment in content areas. The author admits that equity along with fairness have to be center points, because they aim at protecting students from biasness and harm. Quick standardized screening tools are used as well with the purpose to assess students in situations when information isn’t available. The chapter operates provides the following definitions and terms used to be introduced to students. Four types of assessment are involved in the method. Authentic assessment is flexible for cultural diversity and provides reading in â€Å"real† situations. Formative assessment aims at providing the constructive feedback â€Å"feedback to student prior to handing in projects†, whereas performance-based assessment is setting criteria for passing the requirements. (Allen 2004, 198) Rubrics are used to describe the set criteria. The next assessment is norm-performance assessment and its goal is to test systems used to indicate the specific ranking. Finally, aggregating and disaggregating data is known to be collection of the data available from large groups of children. Nevertheless, the weakness of this type of assessment is that it may create indifference among students. (Allen 2004) It is possible to say that the information provided in chapters 5 and 6 is of great importance as the question of textbook difficulty is a matter of concern not only in the USA, but also in the most countries of Europe. Furthermore, the chapters touch not only problems, but also provide relevant solutions of the current issue. It is impossible to agree that the textbooks are intended only to help teachers, because teachers have to consider student’s interest in the studying process. Moreover, the triangle paradigm will significantly contribute problem solving. It is necessary to outline that findings presented in the chapters significantly contribute the evidence that some textbooks are hardly readable because of small font, difficult vocabulary or sentences structure. The book chapters read lead through abundant data presented to show that the problem can be resolved. It seems that improvements in this area will lead to improvements in students’ abilities to study better. References Allen, J. (2004). Tools for teaching content literacy. Portland, Me. : Stenhouse Publishers. Wolpow, R. , Tonjes, M. (2006). Integrated content literacy (5 ed. ). Dubuque, IO: Kendall/Hunt.

Environmental Impacts of Batteries

Environmental Impacts of Batteries Introduction: In this report we plan to research, compare and analyse the different types, manufacturers and environmental impacts of batteries so as to determine whether or not there is one battery that is superior to the rest and if so, how it is superior. In order to do this, however, we must first understand more about batteries. Therefore, we will first investigate how a battery works, as well as primary and secondary cells and recharge and discharge cycles. Research must also be done into the different manufactures of batteries within South Africa. Once we have a fuller understanding of the basics, we will be able to analyse in more detail the characteristics of different types of batteries, in this case focusing on the most popular ones. We will also look into how these batteries impact the environment whether it is in a positive or negative way and how we can properly dispose of these batteries so as to reduce any harm they may inflict, both on the environment and humankind. What is a Battery? A battery consists of a multiple number of electrochemical cells linked together, which converts chemical energy to electrical energy by means of self-sustaining spontaneous electrode reactions in order to produce an electrical current when connected to a closed circuit. Each electrochemical cell comprises of two half cells which contain an electrode and an electrolyte. The two half cells are connected by a salt bridge in order to create ionic contact for the two electrolytes for the free movement of ions and to prevent the electrolytes from mixing in the case of two different solutions being used, which would cause unwanted side reactions. An example of a salt bridge would be a strip of filter paper which has been soaked in a solution of potassium nitrate. Other means of separation of electrolytes include the use of gel solutions and porous pots. In the majority of modern, commercial batteries, a different electrolyte is used in each half cell, and to prevent mixing, a porous separator is used which only allows the passing through of ions. The electrolyte of the two half cells is a solution which is capable of conduction of electricity due to the presence of free negatively and positively charged ions. In one of the half cells, positively charged ions (cations) are attracted to the cathode (positive electrode); while in the other half cell, negatively charged ions (anions) are attracted to the anode (negative electrode). In the redox reactions which cause the conversion from chemical energy to electrical energy, oxidation (loss of electrons) occurs at the anode to the negatively charged electrons; and reduction (gain of electrons) occurs at the cathode to the positively charged electrons. Illustration of a Redox reaction The electrochemical cell produces an electromotive force (emf) and is the difference in voltage between the two electrodes. For example, if the one electrodes voltage is 3V and the other electrodes voltage is 1V, the net emf of the cell is 2V. Primary and Secondary Cells: Batteries are classified into two main groups: Primary batteries irreversibly convert chemical energy to electrical energy (once the initial supply of reactants has been used up, the electrochemical reaction cannot be reversed by inducing an electrical current and thus the energy cannot be restored to the cell). Secondary batteries can be recharged by reversing the electrochemical reaction by inducing an electrical current. Primary Cell: A primary cell is any type of battery of which the chemical reactions are irreversible the chemical reactants cannot be restored and thus a primary cell has to be discarded once it is depleted. Primary batteries come into use for when long periods of time in storage are needed as a primary batteries are constructed to have lower self-discharge rates than secondary batteries, so all of the capacity is available when in need for useful purposes. Devices that require a small amount of current for a long period of time also use primary batteries as the self-discharge current of secondary batteries would exceed the load current and cut down service time to a few days or weeks (eg, a torch must work when needed, even if it has been on a shelf for a considerably long period of time. Primary cells are also more cost-efficient in such a case, since secondary batteries would use only a small percentage of available recharge cycles. Reserve batteries are capable of achieving a very long storage time (ten years or more) without the loss of capacity, by physically separating the components of the battery and only assembling them again at times of use. However, such batteries are expensive. When in use, primary batteries become polarized (hydrogen builds up at the cathode and in turn reduces the effectiveness of the battery. In order to remove the hydrogen, a depolarizer is used. Depolarizers can be mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical. Although previous attempts have been made to create self-depolarizing cells by roughening the surface area of the copper plate to encourage the hydrogen bubbles to detach, they have had a large failure rate. Examples of primary cells: Alkaline cell Aluminium cell Lithium cell Mercury cell Zinc-carbon cell Secondary batteries: A secondary battery is cell of which the chemical reactions can be reversed and therefore energy can be restored to the cell. This is done by connecting the cell to an electrical current. The electricity initiates non-spontaneous redox reactions in order to restore the chemical reactants. Secondary cells, when purchased, could not be used immediately and would have to be recharged before use. Although today, most secondary cells are created with lower self-discharge rates, allowing the purchaser to use the battery immediately as the battery already holds about 70% of the stated capacity. The energy used in charging secondary batteries mainly comes from AC current using an adapter unit. Many battery chargers take several hours to recharge a battery. Most batteries are capable of being recharged in a much smaller amount of time than what most commercial, simple battery chargers are capable of. Although a few companies are producing chargers that are able to recharge AA and AAA size NiMH batteries in just 15 minutes, high rates of charging (15 minutes to 1 hour) will cause long term damage to NiMH and most other rechargeable batteries. Secondary batteries are susceptible to damage by means of reverse charging if they are fully discharged. Also, attempting to recharge primary batteries possesses a small chance of causing an explosion of the battery. Flow batteries, which are not commonly used by consumers, are recharged by replacing the electrolyte liquid of the cell(s). The technical notes of battery companies often refer to VPC. VPC means volts per cell, and refers to the individual secondary cells making up the battery (eg, to charge a 12V battery which contains six cells of 2V each at 2.3 VPC, needs a voltage of 13.8V across the terminals of the battery). Most NiMH AA and AAA batteries rate their cells at 1.2V. However, this is not a relatively large problem in most devices as alkaline batteries voltage drops as the energy is expended. Most devices are constructed to continue to operate at a reduced voltage between 0.9V and 1.1V. Industrial secondary cells are used in grid energy storage applications for load leveling, where electrical energy is stored and is used for the duration of peak load periods, as well as for renewable energy purposes such as the storage of electrical energy which has been generated from photovoltaic arrays (solar panels) during the day to be used in the evening. By recharging cells or batteries during periods when demand for power is low and then returning the energy to the system (or grid) during periods when the demand for power is high, load-leveling aids to eliminate needs for extremely expensive power plants and also eases the cost of generators over a greater period of operation. Discharge and Recharge Cycles in Batteries: Recharge and discharge cycles The purpose of a cell is to store energy and release it at the given time in a contained manner; however, only secondary cells can be recharged. The electrochemical reaction that occurs in the fluid electrolyte of a wet (secondary) cell is reversible, unlike dry or primary cells; this allows the charge to be restored. The three most popular types of rechargeable batteries that are found today are nickel-based (NiCd NiMH), lithium-ion and lead-based cells. C-rate C-rate is the measurement of the charge and discharge current of a cell. Almost all transportable cells are rated at 1 Coulomb (1C). This means that a 1000mAh battery, if discharged at 1C, would give 1000mA for one hour. The same applies if the discharge was halved (0.5C) this would provide half the amount of current (500mA) for twice the duration (2 hours). A 1C cell is referred to as an hour discharge, the most common portable cell we have is the 20-hour Lead-based discharge cells (0.05C) found in cars. Lead-Acid Cells The C-rate of a lead-acid cell is not set to a constant like other cells, as achieving 100% capacitance at any discharge rate is difficult. The offset is done in order to compensate for the varying measurements at the differing currents; automatically adjusting the capacity of the cell is discharged at a higher/lower C-rate than originally thought. Portable lead-based cells are rated at 0.05C given a 20-hour discharge. The offset is represented in Peukerts law. Peukerts law: represents the capacitance of a lead-acid cell in terms of C-rate. As the rate of discharge increases, the batterys available capacity decreases and vice-versa. Fast and slow discharging/recharging of a lead-acid cell At the beginning of when a lead-acid cell is charged or discharged, the chemicals present in the acid electrolyte at the point between the positive and negative electrodes (the interface) are affected. The change in these chemicals, results in a charge that is formed at the interface. This interface charge eventually spreads throughout the active material in the volume. Fast charging a completely discharged cell for a couple of minutes causes the charge to develop near the interface of the battery, when left for duration of time (Â ± a couple of hours) the charge spreads throughout the volume of the cell, meaning the interface charge of the cell is too low for the cell to actually function. Likewise, if the cell is discharged quickly it will appear to be dead but it has only lost its interface charge. Meaning after a few minutes wait, it should be able to function. If the battery is charged slowly, over a long duration of time, then it will become more fully charged (than that of a fast charge). This is as a result of the interface charge having more time to redistribute itself into the volume of the electrodes and acid electrolyte, as well as itself (the interface charge) being recharged. In addition, if the cell is being discharged slowly, then when the battery appears to be has died it most likely has been fully discharged. Depth of discharge of Lead-acid batteries The depth of discharge (DOD) of a cell is the percentage of the batterys current that it is discharged per hour. The optimum temperature a battery should be charged/discharged is around 25Â °C (77Â °F), anything higher and up until 50Â °C (122Â °F), is tolerable. The cycle life of lead-acid batteries is exactly proportional to the depth of its discharges. Â ±200 cycles after battery discharged fully (100% DOD) Â ±500 cycles after battery partial discharge (50% DOD) 1000+ cycles after battery shallowly discharged (DOD) Lead-acid batteries are charged not be discharged over 1.75V/cell, nor should it be stored in a discharged state. The cells of a discharged lead-acid sulfate, a condition that renders the battery useless if left in that state for a few days. Always keep the open terminal voltage at 2.10V and higher. Charge and discharging of lithium- ion cells Discharging Lithium-ion batteries only works within the temperature limit of -20Â °C to 60Â °C (-4Â °F to 140Â °F). The chemical reaction is reversed within the battery and the current flow is carried from the negative to the positive electrode by the movement of Li+ ions, through the non-aqueous electrolyte. The cycle life of lithium-ion batteries is directly related to the batterys depth of discharge, the higher the capacity of discharge, the less number of cycles it can go through. Charging Lithium-ion cells requires an external electrical power source (charger) that applies a higher voltage but of equal difference (normally 4.05V/cell) to that developed by the batterys own chemistry. This causes the current to flow in the opposite direction, meaning the lithium ions migrate from the cathode to the anode, and they become intercalated in the porous electrode material of the cell, thereby replenishing its charge. Charge and discharge cycles in nickel- based batteries (NiCd NiMH) The reliability as well as longevity of Nickel-based batteries hinges, predominantly, on the quality of the charger. Nickel- based cells should always remained cool when being charged as elevated temperatures shortens battery life. A rise in temperature cannot be avoided due to the chemical reaction in the nickel-based cells, yet in order to be charged properly the spike in temperature has to be as short as possible. If the temperature of the battery remains higher than room temperature for an ample amount of time, the battery should be removed, as it is not being charged correctly Nickel-based batteries can be charged at several different rates using a variety of chargers: Slow charger of nickel- based cells take between 14-16 hours at a fixed charge of 0.1C (1/10 of nickel cells 1C capacity) this however causes crystalline formation within the cell, this causes the subsequent drop in voltage at that point in its charge cycle where recharging began, as if the cell is being discharged Rapid Charger of nickel-based cells takes between 3-6 hours to fully charge, this charger switches the cell to trickle charge (charging with a very small current) when it is ready. Fast charger of nickel-based cells takes approximately one hour to charge the battery; this is the preferred way to charge nickel-based cells as it reduces crystalline formation or memory within the battery however, the battery is at a higher risk of overcharging, which can damage the battery. However all new Nickel-based batteries should be trickle-charged for a day before being used as this ensures that all cells are equally charged within the battery. Nickel Metal-hydride batter The charging voltage of NiMH ranges between 1.4-1.6 V/cell fully charged and 1.25 V/cell during discharge, down to about 1.0-1.1 V/cell Nickel cadmium battery The charging voltage of NiCd is between 1.3 -1.4V per cell when fully charged and about 0.8-1 V when discharged If the nickel-based batteries are discharged at a rate higher than 1c, the end of discharge point is lower than 0.9V a cell. This compensates for the voltage drop at higher temperatures induced by the internal resistance of the cell also other factor which contribute to the drop (iring, contact etc) the lower point produces better capacity readings for the nickel-based cells when discharging at lower temperatures. South African companies that manufacture batteries The Willard Battery Company is a fully owned South African company that manufactures motor vehicle batteries and is located in Roodepoort, Port Elizabeth. The main types of cell they manufacture are SLI lead-acid batteries for use in powering the starter motor, lights, and the ignition system of a cars engine. First National battery is a battery manufacturer that came about after the merger of four smaller battery-manufacturing companies (First national battery, Raylight, Oldham and Chloride). Their main products are SLI lead-acid batteries used in vehicles (passenger and commercial), mono-block lead-alloy batteries used in railways, lead-alloy cells (deep-cycle, RR, tubular and Solar) used for as standby reserve batteries in marine vehicles and as well solar batteries. Deltec Power Distributors is a South African distributor of a wide variety local and internationally produced high quality Lead-calcium car batteries and standalones, since 1979. SABAT Batteries is part of Powertech Batteries, a branch of the Altron Group South Africa. SABATSs main operations include the manufacture and distribution of lead-acid cells, low-maintenance hybrid lead-calcium cells, and maintenance-free calcium and normal calcium batteries Dixon Premium batteries is South African company founded in 1953 and is based in Vereeninging Johannesburg. Their main product is a 12-volt SMF lead-acid cell for use in motor (and/or other) vehicles. Free Start Power is a Local company that manufactures SLI lead-acid batteries for the use in vehicles (commercial, passenger and aquatic) The Most Popular Types of Battery: The three most common and more popularly used types of batteries are the lithium-ion battery (examples are in notebook computers and medical devices), nickel-based batteries (such as in two way-radios and power-tools in the nickel-cadmium battery and laptop computers and mobile phones in the nickel-metal-hydride battery), and of course the lead-acid battery (mostly found in wheelchairs, emergency lighting system and cars). Nickel-cadmium Battery: The nickel-cadmium battery consists of a nickel (III) oxide- hydroxide (Ni(OH)3) plate as the positive electrode (the cathode), a cadmium plate as the negative electrode (the anode) and an alkaline electrolyte usually made from potassium hydroxide (KOH). There is also a separator that isolates the two electrode plates. These are all rolled into a spiral shape and enclosed in a casing using a metal, self-sealing plate (known as the jelly-roll design). This original cell design is what differentiates the nickel-cadmium battery from the older, more traditional alkaline cell. The structure of the nickel-cadmium cell allows more of the electrode to be in contact with the electrolyte, thus lowering the internal resistance of the battery and increasing the maximum current that can be delivered, whereas in the alkaline cell a graphite rod is placed in a casing filled with the electrolyte, resulting in a much smaller area of the electrode being in contact with the electrolyte. In a nickel-cadmium battery, the chemical reactions are as follows: Nickel electrode (cathode): 2NiO(OH) + 2H2O + 2e? 2Ni(OH)2 + 2OH? Cadmium electrode (anode): Cd + 2OH? Cd(OH)2 + 2e? Therefore, the net reaction in the cells of a nickel-cadmium battery is: 2NiO(OH) + Cd + 2H2O 2Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2 When a nickel-cadmium cell is tested on a device such as a cell phone, it typically produces a very low internal resistance: about 155 milli-Ohms (m?). This resistance is largely affected by the state of charge the battery is in. The resistance is highest during two stages: when there is a low charge and immediately after charging. Therefore, the maximum possible current is actually achieved after a period of rest after the battery has been charged, with the internal resistance varying between 100 to 200 milli-Ohms, with the cell emf ranging from 0.0 to 1.3V. Both the maximum current and the capacity of this cell are influenced by the internal resistance. As previously stated, the low resistance means that the nickel-cadmium cell can produce quite a high maximum current. The secondary cells that make up the nickel-cadmium battery each have a capacity of about 1.2 Volts; therefore a standard battery with a 7.2V capacity (6 cell pack) should produce around a 900 mA current without diminishing for a long period of time. This ability of the battery to provide a high current for extended periods makes it one of the most popular battery types. Nickel-metal-hydride Battery: The main (and possibly most distinguishing) difference between the nickel-metal-hydride battery and the nickel-cadmium battery is that the nickel-metal-hydride doesnt use any toxic metals. Where the nickel-cadmium battery uses cadmium to form the hydrogen-absorbing anode, this battery uses an electrode made from a metal-hydride, typically an alloy mixture of Lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium and possible other rare-earth elements, as well as a metal that is usually cobalt, nickel, manganese and/or aluminium. This makes the metal-hydride anode an intermetallic compound. Lithium-ion Battery: The lithium-ion battery is one of the newest and fastest developing technologies in the battery world. As this cell was introduced to the public shortly after the nickel-metal-hydride battery, some believe that the nickel-metal-hydride cell was a crucial step in the development of the lithium-ion cell. In a lithium-ion cell, the electrodes (anode and cathode) are made from compounds which lithium can move through. When lithium is moved into the electrode it is called migration; when it moves out it is called extraction. The movement of the lithium, via the electrolyte, between the anode and the cathode depends on whether the cell is charging or discharging. The reason lithium-ion is used instead of lithium metal is that lithium metal is highly unstable when used in the batteries discharge and recharge cycles, making it very unsafe for conventional use. Therefore, this battery is a non-metallic battery. Lead-acid Battery: As the name suggests, this type of battery consists of two substances: Lead and an acid. There are two types of solid lead in the battery which form the two electrodes. The negative electrode (anode) is made from pure lead (Pb) while the positive electrode (cathode) is made from lead dioxide (PbO2). It is important to remember that lead has an oxidation number of 0, while lead dioxide is +4, as it is the change in these numbers due to the reaction in the cells that will cause a flow of electricity. The acid in the battery forms the electrolyte. This acid is the compound Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4), which is also mixed with water (H2O). This acid remains in the ionised form of two H+ protons and an SO42- ion. This is due to the fact that Sulfuric Acid will only lose one of its protons when it comes into contact with the water, saving the other for reaction with the lead on either electrode. When the two electrodes are placed into the electrolyte and the circuit is completed, both electrodes will begin to form a coating of lead sulfate (PbSO4) around the original compound. Therefore, we can draw up the half reactions that define the chemical process in a lead-acid battery. A typical, conventional lead-acid battery consists of a 6V pack, i.e. the battery has 6 cells in it, with each cell having a capacity of 2 Volts (emf is equal to approximately 2.041 V in each cell). The internal resistance depends on the maximum voltage that is currently flowing through the battery. In a fully charged 12.6 Volt lead-acid battery, the internal resistance is about 10 milliohms. This very low resistance results in the high maximum current that the battery can produce. However, unlike the nickel-cadmium battery, it can only produce this current for a very limited amount of time (200 to 300 cycles), after which the current will begin to diminish and internal resistance will begin to increase. The resistance is also affected by the number of cells in the battery, i.e. the more cells, the higher the joint internal resistance. The most common application of the lead-acid battery is the motorcar battery, also known as a lead-acid accumulator. This type of battery (usually 6V or 12V) uses a dynamo to recharge the battery and store energy while the car is turned off, so that it doesnt run flat. The Recycling and Disposal of Battery Components: Chelsey Moubray An electrical battery is a combination of one or more electrochemical cells, used to convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Where do you use batteries? Batteries form an essential part of everyday life. As consumers, we make regular use of these electrical units to perform a variety of different things. When speaking about small electronic items, batteries are the most common systems that are used to power things such as cameras, cellular phones, watches, laptops, remotes, most flashlights and many other household items. Every car is powered by an electrical car battery that enables mobility and these batteries are considered one of the most important purposes of batteries. Alkaline batteries are used to power these massive car batteries as well as radios, carbon-zinc batteries for childrens play toys and torches. Lithium is mainly used in batteries for things such as your camera, a calculator or your watch but sometimes mercury is also used for these various items. Mercury is also used for hearing aids, which are also powered by silver and zinc batteries. Batteries are a very important component in our day to day lives. To put it simply, they make everything a lot easier for us. Introducing a whole new spectrum of electronic appliances and equipment, we have easier ways to listen to music, know the time, travel faster and even listen without too much difficulty. To execute these functions we need to choose between two types of batteries that are used today; Primary Batteries and Secondary Batteries. A Primary battery is more commonly known as a disposable battery and can be used for portable devices that demand an immediate and direct current when switched on. The advantage for homes is that these batteries are easily accessed but can only be used once and must be thrown away after. The other battery is not only a better option for households but is also a healthier option for the environment*. These Secondary batteries are also know as rechargeable batteries, and must be charged before use. These batteries can be used many times, as they are rechargeable and perform the same job as a Primary battery. In conclusion, we use batteries in many different areas but mainly to power items that are a major part of everyday life. Like we are dependent on our cars and our watches for the time, we are therefore dependent on batteries. They form a large purpose in our lives and must use safely. In order to verify this safety we must learn to dispose of our batteries correctly. How do you dispose of batteries? To begin with, there are few standard procedures that should be followed when dealing with batteries. Never dispose of batteries in a fire source because it is likely that they will explode. Make sure never to place batteries in a group because if they contain even a small amount of power, when banged together they may release a charge that could result in them catching fire which can have devastating results. When it is apparent that a battery can no longer power its appliance, it must be removed immediately because it may leak. And lastly, never place a battery in a pocket because it may burst and cause another leakage. The first step to the adequate disposal of a battery is to place a powerless battery in some sort of container until you can correctly recycle it. Every battery is now considered to be hazardous waste. Because they contain very toxic metals such as Mercury, they have been classified as unsuitable to be thrown away as standard municipal solid waste. Batteries are not to be placed in communal dumps because there is a chance that these toxic metals can have a serious and perpetual effect on the surrounding environment.* Some of the batteries that are required to be accurately disposed of are batteries that can be found in; power tools, mobiles, various monitors, portable lamps, investigative electronic gear, flashlights etc. The new disposal requirement applies to all types and all sizes of batteries, including but not limited to: Alkaline, Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), Silver button (Ag), Mercury (Hg), sealed lead acid (Pb), Wet lead acid, Carbon-zinc, and Lithium Ion. There are a number of standard alkaline batteries that are not classified as harmful and can be thrown away as regular household waste but it is recommended for the batteries containing lithium, mercuric, oxide, nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride and silver oxide to be recycled. Most recycling areas contain a department for electrical batteries but it is best to contact your municipality to find out where most suitable to go. As the renowned Duracell battery company stated, Proven cost-effective and environmentally safe recycling processes are not yet universally available for alkaline batteries. Some communities offer recycling or collections of alkaline batteries- contact your local government for disposal practices in your area. Impact of Batteries: What is the impact of batteries on humankind? Clearly there is both an adamant negative and positive impact of batteries on humankind. The basic positive impact is that everything is a lot easier for humans. There are numerous activities that have been made possible for us through the creation of batteries. For example: Car Batteries: Car batteries have made mobility possible. Without this invention we would never be able to depend on such a reliable, easily accessible and quick form of transport. The introduction of automobiles has made a hugely positive impact on human kind. Monitors: There are various types of monitors that are used today, one of the most common being the standard hospital heart monitor. These monitors are responsible for keeping people alive. As a source of education and examination, these have formed an incredibly vital part of the medical world. Watches: Without batteries we would never have portable clocks that can be used to easily access the time. Although not a compulsory essential, watches have been said to be one of the most important concepts on a small scale. As mentioned in the previous section, there are hundreds of other manufactured electronic creations that have been made possible by the introduction of batteries. These creations have formed a vital part in humankind development over the last few decades. Without the establishment of batteries, the mechanical world would never have progressed and reached the critical level that it has reached. Enabling huge scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, batteries have formed the foundation blocks of our society and continue to enable extensive studies and research. Although batteries have facilitated a large range of discoveries and activities, they also have a negative impact on humankind. One of the most prominent negative impacts is the dependency on electronic appliances. As a embryonic world we have developed over many centuries, beginning with a very rural state and growing into a mechanical industrial world highly dependent of technology. Included in this technology is the battery. As said before, as one of the foundation blocks of society, communities have become largely dependent on batteries for necessities such as transportation and work, but also less essential activities including entertainment and leisure. As a global community we have survived in circumstances far more extreme than today without the help of batteries and futuristic technology, so it is evident that although accommodating, batteries can be considered un

Erics perfect society :: essays research papers

ERIC’S VERY GOOD CITIZENSHIP ESSAY I have learned that I have the freedom to be who I am. I know that everyone else has freedoms and rights. I have the right to make decisions along with the rest of the world. We all have opinions that matter. We all can benefit society and ourselves. Everything else I have learned can help benefit myself. I personally have benefited from this course by learning that I can make a difference to every endeavour and challenge I pursue for the rest of my life. Civics is really a course on everyday life that I believe to be very important to society and myself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have learned how to use my legal privileges with regard to rights during my everyday life. It gives me a sense of freedom and even though I am a teenager I know I have an opinion and an important position in society. There were times when I went places when there where adults and really was quiet because I didn’t think what I had to say was important. I feel comfortable meeting with people who may be more knowledgeable and more experienced than I am. I have much more self-confidence than before I took this course because I know my rights. I am much more comfortable even with teachers thanks to you Mr. Harris.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I know that when I am old enough and able to vote that my vote will be important. I know that my vote will mean something. I know that my vote will count. I can get involved in politics and assist with the important issues in life. I have confidence that I can make a difference and help others with their issues and concerns. I listen to others opinions with more interest. I also give my opinion with much more confidence and enthusiasm. For example, when my family is making a decision on something I am much more confidant putting my two cents in the conversation. I know that no matter how old or young we are we all have opinions that count. Freedom is a wonderful thing. We really are interesting individuals and all should be heard. When we where young and in public school we felt intimidated and sometimes suppressed when forming our opinions. I wish they taught civics and the rights of freedoms in public school. It really is important to know you have an opinion.

The Analysis †Amazing Grace

The Analysis – Amazing Grace Kiel Carino ENG 125 Professor Olabisi Adenekan October 29, 2012 The Analysis – Amazing Grace The poetry â€Å"Amazing Grace† by John Newton is one of the most famous poems ever written and composed. â€Å"Amazing Grace† has been particularly influential and has affected lives since it was written. The reasons why â€Å"Amazing Grace† is influential are for the same reasons why I found this poem very interesting and engaging. The literary elements that attributed to the poem’s quality and importance are its form, content, and tone.These elements are what make â€Å"Amazing Grace† such an important and significant piece of poetry in history. The form of the poem â€Å"Amazing Grace† is different from other literature readings from the book. â€Å"Amazing Grace† is a special type of literature; a poem in a form of a song. â€Å"A hymn is a lyric poem or sacred song which is written in praise to a deity or spirit† (Wheeler, 2012). This type of literary form is appealing to read and hear. The poem comes to life as it is being played.This type of literary form has an advantage over other types due to the poem is being composed specifically to be heard, not read. The contents of â€Å"Amazing Grace† are overwhelmingly powerful. In the first paragraph, John Newton used words to describe who he was and how a certain sound changed his life. â€Å"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, / That saved a wretch like me! / I once was lost but now am found, / Was blind, but now I see. † (cited in Clugston, 2010). In this paragraph, Newton used words such a wretch to describe himself.He also stated that he was lost, but the sweet sound helped him and guided him to see, which to me meant that he began to differentiate between right and wrong. In the fourth paragraph, John Newton once again used strong words to captivate its audience by letting the readers know where he st ands with his faith. â€Å"The lord has promised good to me; / His word hope secures; / He will my shield and portion be, / As long as life endures† (cited in Clugston, 2010). Newton stated in this paragraph that he will maintain his faith with the Lord.The Lord promised him good things and he will be eternally grateful. I believe that this poem is a short autobiography of John Newton and how his life was changed forever. The contents of this poem are very strong and as a person of faith, reading a poem of this caliber strengthened by beliefs. The contents kept me attached and encouraged me to keep reading in order to find out more about John Newton’s life and how he was spiritually saved. The tone of â€Å"Amazing Grace† was very slow and methodical. As stated earlier, I believe this poem is a short autobiography of the author and it came from the heart.The author seemed as if he was pouring his heart out as he wrote this poem. â€Å"Through many dangers, toil s, and snares / I have already come; / ‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, / and grace will lead me home† (cited in Clugston, 2010). In this passage, he stated that he has been through many trials in his life, but he has overcome all of this through his faith and this faith of his will assist in overcoming what trials lie ahead. After reading this poem, I listed to the audio version and the audio version enhanced its meaning.The slow and sad tone of this poem graciously depicted John Newton’s struggles, prior to being saved spiritually. The poem â€Å"Amazing Grace† by John Newton is one of the most famous poems ever written and composed. â€Å"Amazing Grace† has been particularly influential and has affected lives since it was written. The reasons why â€Å"Amazing Grace† is influential are for the same reasons why I found this poem very interesting and engaging. The literary elements that attributed to the poem’s quality and imp ortance are its form, content, and tone.These elements are what make â€Å"Amazing Grace† such an important and significant piece of poetry in history. By combining the form, contents, and the tone, John Newton beautifully created a masterpiece that will continuously affect people for years to come. Reference: Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Wheeler, D. L. K. (2012). Literary terms and definition. Retrieved on October 25, 2012 from http://web. cn. edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_H. html

Spirit Bound Chapter Twenty-Six

MAYBE IT WAS SOMEONE'S SICK sense of humor, but I ended up in Dimitri's now-vacated cell. I had come quietly after that guardian laid the charges before me. In fact, I'd become comatose because too much of what he'd said was impossible to process. I couldn't even really get to the part about me. I couldn't feel outrage or indignation over the accusation because I was still stuck on the part about Tatiana being dead. Not just dead. Murdered. Murdered? How had that happened? How had that happened around here? This Court was one of the most secure places in the world, and Tatiana in particular was always guarded–by the same group that had descended on Dimitri and me so quickly. Unless she'd left Court–and I was pretty sure she hadn't–no Strigoi could have killed her. With the constant threats we faced, murder among dhampirs and Moroi was almost unheard of. Sure, it happened. It was inevitable in any society, but with the way ours was hunted, we rarely had time to turn on each other (shouting in Council meetings aside). That was part of why Victor had been so condemned. His crimes were about as bad as things got. Until now. Once I got past the impossible idea of Tatiana being dead, I was able to ask the real question: Why me? Why were they accusing me? I was no lawyer, but I was pretty sure calling someone a sanctimonious bitch was not hard evidence in a trial. I tried getting more details from the guards outside my cell, but they remained hard-faced and silent. After making my voice hoarse from shouting, I slumped onto the bed and went to Lissa's mind, where I was certain I'd get more information. Lissa was frantic, trying to get answers from anyone she could. Christian was still with her, and they stood inside the foyer of one of the administrative buildings, which was filled with a flurry of activity. Dhampirs and Moroi alike ran everywhere, some frightened of this new government instability and others hoping to take advantage of it. Lissa and Christian stood in the midst of it all, like leaves swept along in a storm's fury. While Lissa was now technically an adult, she had still always been under the wing of some older person at Court–usually Priscilla Voda, and occasionally even Tatiana. Neither of them was available now, for obvious reasons. While many royals respected her, Lissa had no real source to turn to. Seeing her agitation, Christian clasped her hand. â€Å"Aunt Tasha will know what's going on,† he said. â€Å"She'll turn up sooner or later. You know she won't let anything happen to Rose.† Lissa knew there was a bit of uncertainty in that statement but didn't mention it. Tasha might not want anything to happen to me, but she certainly wasn't all-powerful. â€Å"Lissa!† Adrian's voice caused both Lissa and Christian to turn around. Adrian had just entered, along with his mother. Adrian looked as though he had literally gone straight from my bedroom to here. He wore yesterday's clothes, slightly rumpled, and his hair was styled with none of his usual care. By comparison, Daniella looked polished and put together, the perfect picture of a businesswoman who hadn't lost her femininity. At last! Here were people who might have answers. Lissa rushed over to them gratefully. â€Å"Thank God,† Lissa said. â€Å"No one will tell us what's happened†¦ except that the queen is dead and Rose is locked up.† Lissa looked up at Daniella's face pleadingly. â€Å"Tell me there's been some kind of mistake.† Daniella patted Lissa's shoulder and gave as comforting a look as she could manage, given the circumstances. â€Å"I'm afraid not. Tatiana was killed last night, and Rose is their main suspect.† â€Å"But she would never have done that!† exclaimed Lissa. Christian joined her in righteous fury. â€Å"Her yelling at the Council that day isn't enough to convict her for murder.† Ah, Christian and I had the same line of reasoning. It was almost scary. â€Å"Neither is crashing the Death Watch.† â€Å"You're right. It's not enough,† agreed Daniella. â€Å"But it doesn't make her look good either. And apparently, they have other evidence they say proves her guilt.† â€Å"What kind of evidence?† Lissa demanded. Daniella turned apologetic. â€Å"I don't know. That's still part of the investigation. They'll have a hearing to present the evidence and question her whereabouts, possible motives†¦ that kind of thing.† She glanced around at the people rushing by. â€Å"If they even get that far. This kind of thing†¦ it hasn't happened in ages. The Council gains absolute control until a new monarch is elected, but there's still going to be chaos. People are afraid. I won't be surprised if the Court goes under martial law.† Christian turned to Lissa, hope on his face. â€Å"Did you see Rose last night? Was she with you?† Lissa frowned. â€Å"No. I think she was in her room. The last time I saw her was the day before yesterday.† Daniella didn't look happy about that. â€Å"That's not going to help. If she was alone, then she has no alibi.† â€Å"She wasn't alone.† Three sets of eyes turned in Adrian's direction. It was the first time he'd spoken since first calling to Lissa. Lissa hadn't focused on him too much yet, meaning I hadn't either. She'd only observed his superficial appearance when he arrived, but now she could see the little details. Worry and distress had left their marks, making him look older than he was. When she tuned in to his aura, she saw the usual gold of a spirit user, but it and its other colors were muddied and tinged with darkness. There was a flickering there too, a warning of spirit's instability taking hold. This had all come about too quickly for him to react, but I suspected he'd hit the cigarettes and liquor as soon as he had a free moment. It was how Adrian coped with this sort of thing. â€Å"What are you saying?† Daniella asked sharply. Adrian shrugged. â€Å"She wasn't alone. I was with her all night.† Lissa and Christian did a good job of maintaining neutral expressions, but Daniella's face registered the shock that any parent would have upon hearing about her child's sex life. Adrian noticed her reaction as well. â€Å"Save it,† he warned. â€Å"Your morals, your opinions†¦ none of it matters right now.† He gestured toward a group of panicked people running by, screaming about how Victor Dashkov must have surely come to Court to kill them all. Adrian shook his head and turned back to his mother. â€Å"I was with Rose. That proves she didn't do it. We'll deal with your motherly disapproval about my love life later.† â€Å"That's not what worries me! If they do have hard evidence and you get mixed up in this, you could be under suspicion too.† The composure Daniella had entered with was beginning to crack. â€Å"She was my aunt,† cried Adrian incredulously. â€Å"Why on earth would Rose and I kill her?† â€Å"Because she disapproved of you dating. And because Rose was upset over the age ruling.† This came from Christian. Lissa glared, but he merely shrugged. â€Å"What? I'm just stating the obvious. Someone else would if I didn't. And we all heard the stories–people have been making up things that are extreme even for Rose.† A strong comment indeed. â€Å"When?† asked Daniella, clutching Adrian's sleeve. â€Å"When were you with Rose? When did you get there?† â€Å"I don't know. I don't remember,† he said. She tightened her grip. â€Å"Adrian! Take this seriously. This is going to make a huge difference on how things proceed. If you got there before Tatiana was killed, then you won't be tied to it. If you were with Rose afterward–â€Å" â€Å"Then she has an alibi,† he interrupted. â€Å"And there's no problem.† â€Å"I hope that's true,† murmured Daniella. Her eyes didn't seem focused on my friends anymore. The wheels in her head were spinning, her thoughts jumping ahead as she tried to think how best to protect her son. I had been an unfortunate case for her. He was, understandably, a red-alert emergency for her. â€Å"We're still going to have to get you a lawyer. I'll talk to Damon. I have to find him before the hearing tonight. And Rufus will have to know about this too. Damn.† Adrian arched an eyebrow at that. I had the impression Lady Ivashkov didn't swear very often. â€Å"We have to find out what time you were there.† Adrian still wore his distress around him like a cloak and looked as though he might fall over if he didn't get nicotine or alcohol soon. I hated to see him like that, particularly over me. There was strength within him, no question, but his nature–and the sketchy effects of spirit–made coping with this hard. Yet, through his agitation, he managed to pull up a memory to help his frantic mother. â€Å"There was someone in the building lobby when I came in†¦ a janitor or something, I think. No one at the front desk, though.† Most buildings usually kept a staff member around for emergencies or concierge services. Daniella's face lit up. â€Å"That's it. That's what we'll need. Damon will find out the time you were there so that we can get you free and clear of this.† â€Å"And so he can defend me if things turn bad?† â€Å"Of course,† she answered swiftly. â€Å"What about Rose?† â€Å"What about her?† Adrian still looked ready to fall apart, but there was seriousness and focus in his green eyes. â€Å"If you find out Aunt Tatiana was killed before I was there, and Rose is thrown to the wolves alone, will Damon be her lawyer?† His mother faltered. â€Å"Oh, well, darling†¦ Damon doesn't really do that sort of thing†¦.† â€Å"He will if you ask him to,† said Adrian sternly. â€Å"Adrian,† she said wearily, â€Å"you don't know what you're talking about. They say the evidence against her is bad. If our family's shown supporting–â€Å" â€Å"It's not like we're supporting murder! You met Rose. You liked her. Can you look me in the eye and say it's okay for her to go in with whatever half-assed defense they dredge up for her? Can you?† Daniella blanched, and I swear, she actually cringed away. I don't think she was used to such fierce resoluteness from her devil-may-care son. And though his words were perfectly sane, there was kind of a crazy desperation in his voice and attitude that was a little scary. Whether that was caused by spirit or just his own emotion, I couldn't say. â€Å"I†¦ I'll speak to Damon,† Daniella said at last. She'd had to swallow a few times before actually getting the words out. Adrian let out a deep breath and some of that fury went with it. â€Å"Thank you.† She scurried away, melting into the crowd and leaving Adrian alone with Christian and Lissa. The two of them looked only a little less stunned than Daniella had. â€Å"Damon Tarus?† Lissa guessed. Adrian nodded. â€Å"Who's that?† asked Christian. â€Å"My mom's cousin,† said Adrian. â€Å"The family lawyer. A real shark. Kind of sleazy too, but he can pretty much get anyone out of anything.† â€Å"That's something, I suppose,† mused Christian. â€Å"But is he good enough to fight this so-called hard evidence?† â€Å"I don't know. I really don't know.† Adrian absentmindedly reached for his pocket, the usual cigarette spot, but he had none today. He sighed. â€Å"I don't know what their evidence is or how Aunt Tatiana even died. All I heard was that they found her dead this morning.† Lissa and Christian exchanged grimaces. Christian shrugged, and Lissa turned back to Adrian, taking on the role of messenger. â€Å"A stake,† said Lissa. â€Å"They found her in bed with a silver stake through her heart.† Adrian said nothing, and his expression didn't really change. It occurred to Lissa that in all this talk about innocence, evidence, and lawyers, everyone had kind of overlooked the fact that Tatiana had been Adrian's great-aunt. He hadn't approved of some of her decisions and had made plenty of jokes about her behind her back. But she was still his family, someone he'd known his entire life. He had to be feeling the pain of her death on top of everything else. Even I felt a little conflicted. I hated her for what she'd done to me, but I'd never wanted her dead. And I couldn't help but remember that she'd occasionally spoken to me like I was a real person. Maybe it had been faked, but I was pretty sure she'd been sincere the night she'd stopped by the Ivashkovs'. She'd been weary and thoughtful, mostly just concerned about bringing peace to her people. Lissa watched Adrian go, sympathy and sorrow flooding through her. Christian gently tapped her arm. â€Å"Come on,† he said. â€Å"We've found out what we needed to know. We're just in the way here.† Feeling helpless, Lissa let him lead her outside, dodging more panicked crowds. The orange of a low sun gave every leaf and tree a golden, warm feel. There had been a lot of people out when we returned from the warehouse with Dimitri, but it was nothing compared to this. People were buzzing with fear, hurrying to pass the news. Some were already in mourning, clad in black, with tears on their faces. I wondered how much of that was real. Even in the midst of tragedy and crime, royals would be scrambling for power. And each time she heard my name, Lissa would grow more and more angry. It was the bad anger too, the kind that felt like black smoke in our bond and often made her lash out. It was spirit's curse. â€Å"I can't believe this!† she exclaimed to Christian. I noticed, even if she didn't, that he was hurriedly taking her somewhere where there weren't people. â€Å"How could anyone think that about Rose? It's a set up. It has to be.† â€Å"I know, I know,† he said. He knew spirit's danger signs too and was trying to calm her down. They'd reached a small, grassy area in the shade of a large hazelnut tree and settled onto the ground. â€Å"We know she didn't do it. That's all there is to it. We'll prove it. She can't be punished for something she didn't do.† â€Å"You don't know this group,† grumbled Lissa. â€Å"If someone's out to get her, they can make all sorts of things possible.† With only the faintest awareness, I drew a little of that darkness from her into me, trying to calm her down. Unfortunately, it just made me angrier. Christian laughed. â€Å"You forget. I grew up around this group. I went to school with this group's kids. I know them–but we're not panicking until we know more, okay?† Lissa exhaled, feeling much better. I was going to take too much darkness if I wasn't careful. She gave Christian a small, tentative smile. â€Å"I don't remember you being this reasonable before.† â€Å"It's because everyone has different definitions of ‘reasonable. ‘ Mine's just misunderstood, that's all.† His voice was lofty. â€Å"I think you must be misunderstood a lot,† she laughed. His eyes held hers, and the smile on his face transformed into something warmer and softer. â€Å"Well, I hope this isn't misunderstood. Otherwise, I might get punched.† Leaning over, he brought his lips to hers. Lissa responded with no hesitation or thought whatsoever, losing herself in the sweetness of the kiss. Unfortunately, I was swept along with it. When they pulled away, Lissa felt her heart rate increase and her cheeks flush. â€Å"What exactly was that the definition of?† she asked, reliving how his mouth had felt. â€Å"It means ‘I'm sorry,'† he said. She looked away and nervously plucked at some of the grass. Finally, with a sigh, she looked back up. â€Å"Christian†¦ was there ever†¦ was there ever anything between you and Jill? Or Mia?† He stared in surprise. â€Å"What? How could you think that?† â€Å"You spent so much time with them.† â€Å"There is only one person I have ever wanted,† he said. The steadiness of his gaze, of those crystal blue eyes, left no question as to who that person was. â€Å"No one else has ever come close. In spite of everything, even with Avery–â€Å" â€Å"Christian, I'm so sorry for that–â€Å" â€Å"You don't have to–â€Å" â€Å"I do–â€Å" â€Å"Damn it,† he said. â€Å"Will you let me finish a sent–â€Å" â€Å"No,† Lissa interrupted. And she leaned over and kissed him, a hard and powerful kiss that burned through her body, one that told her there was no one else in the world for her either. Well. Apparently Tasha had been right: I was the only one who could bring them back together. I just somehow hadn't expected my arrest to play a role. I pulled away from her head to give them some privacy and save myself from watching them make out. I didn't begrudge them their moment. There was nothing either could do for me right now, and they deserved their reunion. Their only course of action was to wait for more information, and really, their method of passing time was a lot healthier than whatever Adrian was probably doing. I lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. There was nothing but plain metal and neutral colors around me. It drove me crazy. I had nothing to watch, nothing to read. I felt like an animal trapped in a cage. The room seemed to grow smaller and smaller. All I could do was replay what I'd learned via Lissa, analyzing every word of what had been said. I had questions about everything, of course, but the one thing that stuck with me was Daniella mentioning a hearing. I needed to know more about that. I got my answer–hours later. I'd fallen into sort of a numb haze by then and almost didn't recognize Mikhail standing in front of my cell door. I leapt from my bed to the bars and saw that he was unlocking the door. Hope surged through me. â€Å"What's going on?† I asked. â€Å"Are they letting me go?† â€Å"I'm afraid not,† he said. His point was proven when, after opening the door, he promptly put my hands in cuffs. I didn't fight it. â€Å"I'm here to take you to your hearing.† Stepping into the hall, I saw other guardians gathered. My own security detail. A mirror of Dimitri's. Lovely. Mikhail and I walked together, and mercifully, he spoke along the way instead of maintaining that awful silence that seemed to be common treatment for prisoners. â€Å"What's the hearing exactly? A trial?† â€Å"No, no. Too soon for a trial. A hearing decides whether you're going to trial.† â€Å"That sounds kind of like a waste of time,† I pointed out. We emerged from the guardians' building, and that fresh, damp air was the sweetest thing I'd ever tasted. â€Å"It's a bigger waste of time if you go to a full-fledged trial, and they realize there was no case to stand on. At the hearing, they'll lay out all the evidence they have, and a judge–or, well, someone acting as a judge–will decide if you should have a trial. The trial makes it official. That's where they pass the verdict and dole out the punishment.† â€Å"Why'd they take so long for the hearing? Why'd they make me wait in that cell all day?† He laughed, but not because he thought it was funny. â€Å"This is fast, Rose. Very fast. It can take days or weeks to get a hearing, and if you do go to trial, you'll stay locked up until then.† I swallowed. â€Å"Will they move fast on that too?† â€Å"I don't know. No monarch's been murdered in almost a hundred years. People are running wild, and the Council wants to establish order. They're already making huge plans for the queen's funeral–a giant spectacle that'll distract everyone. Your hearing is also an attempt to establish order.† â€Å"What? How?† â€Å"The sooner they convict the murderer, the safer everyone will feel. They think this case against you is so solid, they want to rush it through. They want you to be guilty. They want to bury her knowing her killer is moving toward justice, so that everyone can sleep easy when the new king or queen is elected.† â€Å"But I didn't–† I let my denial go. There was no point. Ahead of us, the building that housed the courtroom loomed. It had seemed forbidding the first time I'd been here for Victor's trial, but that had been owing to fear of the memories he sparked in me. Now†¦ now it was my own future on the line. And apparently not just my own future–the Moroi world was watching and waiting, hoping I was a villain who could be safely put away forever. Swallowing, I gave Mikhail a nervous look. â€Å"Do you think†¦ do you think they'll send me to trial?† He didn't answer. One of the guards held the door open for us. â€Å"Mikhail?† I urged. â€Å"Will they really put me on trial for murder?† â€Å"Yes,† he said sympathetically. â€Å"I'm pretty sure they will.†

Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 8~9

Chapter 8 October 4, 1864 As a human, I'd thought it was my mother's death that had shaped the men Damon and I would become. I'd called myself a half-orphan in the initial days after she died, locking myself away in my room, feeling as though my life had ended at the young age of ten. Father believed grieving was weak and unmanly, so Damon had been the one to comfort me. He'd go riding with me, let me join the older boys in their games, and beat up the Giffin brothers when they made fun of me for crying about Mother during a baseball game. Damon had always been the strong one, my protector. But I was wrong. It is my own death that has shaped me. Now the tables have turned. I am the strong one, and I have been trying to be Damon's protector. But while I have always been grateful to Damon, he despises me and blames me for what he has become. I had forced him to feed from Alice, a bartender at the local tavern, which had completed his transformation. But does that make me a villain? I think not, especially as the act had saved his life. Finally, I see Damon the way Father had seen him: too imperious, too willful, too quick to make up his mind, and too slow to change it. And as I had also realized earlier this evening as I stood just outside the dim glare of the gas lamp, the body of the dead nurse at my feet: I am alone. A full orphan. Just as Katherine had presented herself when she came to Mystic Falls and stayed in our guesthouse. So that's how vampires do it, then. They exploit vulnerability, get humans to trust them, and then, when all the emotions are firmly in place, they attack. So that is what I will do. I know not how or who my next victim will be, but I know, more than ever, that the only person I can look out for and protect is myself. Damon is on his own, and so am I. I heard Damon steal through the city, moving at vampire speed down the streets and alleys. At one point, he paused, whispering Katherines name over and over again, like a mantra or a prayer. Then, nothing Was he dead? Had he drowned himself? Or was he simply too far away for me to hear him? Either way, the result was the same. I was alone–Id lost my only connection to the man Id once been: Stefan Salvatore, the dutiful son, the lover of poetry, the man who stood up for what was right. I wondered if that meant that Stefan Salvatore, with no one to remember him, was really, truly dead, leaving me to be anyone. I could move to a different city every year, see the whole world. I could assume as many identities as Id like. I could be a Union soldier. I could be an Italian businessman. I could even be Damon. The sun plunged past the horizon like a cannonball falling to earth, dipping the city into darkness. I turned from one gaslit street to the next, the soles of my boots rasping over the gravelly cobblestones. A loose newspaper blew toward me. I stomped on the broadsheet, examining an etched photo of a girl with long, dark hair and pale eyes. She looked vaguely familiar. I wondered if she was a relative of one of the Mystic Falls girls. Or perhaps a nameless cousin whod attended barbecues at Veritas. But then I saw the headline:BRUTAL MURDER ABOARD THE ATLANTIC EXPRESS. Lavinia. Of course. Id already forgotten her. I reached down and crumpled the paper, hurling it as far as I could into the Mississippi. The surface of the water was muddy and turbulent, dappled with moonlight. I couldnt see my reflection–couldnt see anything but an abyss of blackness as deep and dark as my new future. Could I go for eternity, feeding, killing, forgetting, then repeating the cycle? Yes. Every instinct and impulse I had screamedyes. The triumph of closing in on my prey, touching my canines to the paper-thin skin that covered their necks, hearing their hearts slow to a dull thud and feeling a body go limp in my arms. Hunting and feeding made me feel alive, whole; they gave me a purpose in the world. It was, after all, the natural order of things. Animals killed weaker animals. Humans killed animals. I killed humans. Every species had their foe. I shuddered to think what monster was powerful enough to hunt me. The salty breeze wafting from the water was laced with the odor of unwashed bodies and rotting food–a far cry from the aroma across town, where scents of floral perfume and talcum powder hung heavy in the air of the wide streets. Here shadows hugged every corner, whispers rose and fell with the flowing of the river, and drunken hiccups pierced the air. It was dark, here. Dangerous. I quite liked it. I turned a corner, following my nose like a bloodhound on the trail of a doe. I flexed my arms, ready for a hunt–a gin-soaked drunk, a soldier, a lady out after dark. The victim didnt matter. I turned again, and the iron-scent of blood came closer. The smell was sweet and smoky. I focused on it, on the anticipation of sinking my fangs into a neck, of wondering whose blood Id be drinking, whose life Id be stealing. I continued to walk, picking up my pace as I traced the scent to an anonymous back street lined with an apothecary, a general store, and a tailor. The street was a replica of our own Main Street back in Mystic Falls. But while wed only had one, New Orleans must have had dozens, if not hundreds, of these corridors of commerce. The rusty smell of iron was stronger now. I followed twists and turns, my hunger building, burning, searing my very skin until finally, finally I came to a squat, peach-colored building. But when I saw the painted sign above the door, I stopped short. Sausages in their casings hung in the buildings grimy window; slabs of cured meat dangled from the ceiling like a grotesque childs mobile; carved ribs were nestled in ice beneath a counter, and in the far back, whole carcasses were strung up, draining blood into large vats. This was a butcher shop? I sighed in frustration but my hunger forced me to push the door open anyway. The iron chain snapped easily, as if it were no sturdier than thread. Once inside, I gazed at the bloodied carcasses, momentarily mesmerized by the blood falling into the vats, one drip at a time. Over the sound of the raining blood, I heard the slightestping, no louder than the twitch of a mouses whiskers. Then came the light shuffle of toes passing over concrete. I reared back, my eyes darting from corner to corner. Mice scuttled beneath the floorboards, and someones watch ticked in the building next door. All else was quiet. But the air around me suddenly felt thicker, and the ceiling lower somehow, and I became acutely aware that there was no back exit in this room of death. â€Å"Who goes there?† I called into the darkness, whirling around, my fangs bared. And then came movement. Fangs, eyes, the thud of footsteps closed in around me from all corners. A low, guttural growl echoed off the bloodstained walls of the shop, and I realized with a sickening jolt that I was surrounded by vampires who looked all too ready to pounce. Chapter 9 I crouched low, my fangs elongated. The heady scent of blood permeated every corner of the room, making my head spin. It was impossible to know where to attack first. The vampires growled again, and I emitted a low snarl in response. The circle closed in tighter around me. There were three of them, and I was caught, like a fish in a net, a deer surrounded by wolves. â€Å"What do you think youre doing?† one of the vampires asked. He looked to be in his mid-twenties and had a scar that ran the length of his face, from his left eye to the corner of his lip. â€Å"Im one of you,† I said, standing at my full height, fangs on display. â€Å"Oh, hes one of us!† an older vampire said in a sing-songy voice. He wore glasses and a tweed vest over a white-collared shirt. But for the fangs and red-rimmed eyes, he could have been an accountant or a friend of my fathers. I kept my face impassive. â€Å"I have no ill business with you, brothers.† â€Å"We are not your brothers,† said another with tawny hair. He looked not a day over fifteen. His face was smooth, but his green eyes were hard. The older one stepped forward, poking his bony finger against my chest as if it were a wooden stake. â€Å"So, brother, nice evening to dine or die. What do you think?† The young vampire kneeled next to me, gazing into my eyes. â€Å"Looks like hell do both tonight. Lucky boy,† he said, ruffling my hair. I tried to kick him, but my foot simply flopped harmlessly against air. â€Å"No, no, no.† While the scarred vampire watched wordlessly, the boy grabbed my arms and wrenched them so sharply and abruptly behind my back that I gasped. â€Å"Dont be disrespectful. Were your elders. And youve already done quite enough disrespecting already, if Miss Mollys house is any indication.† He drawled her name as if he were a benign, genteel Southern gentleman. Only the steel grip on my limbs betrayed that he wasnt anything of the sort. â€Å"I didnt do anything,† I said, kicking again. If I were to die, then Id die in a fight. â€Å"Are you sure?† he asked, looking down at me in disgust. I attempted to twist away, but still I couldnt budge. The elder vampire chuckled. â€Å"Cant control his urges. Impulsive, this one. Lets give him a taste of his own medicine.† With a flourish, he released me from his grasp, pushing me forward with strength Id never before felt. I hit the plaster wall with a crash and fell on my shoulder, my head cracking against the wooden floorboards. I cowered beneath my attackers, the realization sinking in that if I were to survive this encounter, it would not be by might. â€Å"I didnt mean to do anything. Im sorry,† I said, my voice breaking on the word. â€Å"Do you mean it?† the young vampire asked, a glint in his eye. The sound of wood breaking assaulted my ears. I flinched. Would one vampire stake another? This was not a question I wanted answered the hard way. â€Å"Yes. Yes! I didnt mean to come in here. I didnt know anyone was here. I only just arrived in New Orleans,† I said, scrambling for an excuse. â€Å"Silence!† he commanded, advancing toward me, a jagged piece of wood in his hand. I pressed my spine into the damaged wall. So this is how it would end. With me dying on a makeshift stake, killed by my own kind. Two hands crushed my arms, while another two pinned my ankles together so forcefully that it felt as though I were stuck under boulders. I closed my eyes. An image of Father lying prone on his study floor swam to the forefront of my mind, and I shook my head in agony, remembering his sweating, terrified face. Of course, Id been trying to save him, but he hadnt known that. If he was watching, as an angel or a demon or a mere specter condemned to haunt the world, hed be thrilled to see this scene unfold. I squeezed my eyes tighter, trying to evoke some other memory to the fore of my mind, one that would take me to another place, another time. But all I could think of were my victims, of the moment when my fangs sliced into their skin, their plaintive wails descending into silence, the blood dripping down my fangs and onto my chin. Soon, all the blood Id taken would be released, seeping out of my own body and back into the Earth, as I was left to die, for real this time, forever, on this wooden floor. â€Å"Enough!† A female voice sliced through the montage in my mind. Immediately, the vampires let go of my hands and feet. My eyes sprang open, and I saw a woman gliding through a narrow wooden door in the back. Her long blond hair descended in a single plait down her back, and she wore mens black pants and suspenders. She was tall, though slight as a child, and all the other vampires shrank away from her in fear. â€Å"You,† she said, kneeling next to me. â€Å"Who are you?† Her amber eyes gazed into mine. They were clear and curious, but there was something about them–the darkness of the pupils, perhaps–that seemed ancient and knowing, which stood in sharp contrast to her rosy-cheeked, unlined face. â€Å"Stefan Salvatore,† I answered her. â€Å"Stefan Salvatore,† she repeated in a perfect Italian accent. Although teasing, her voice didnt seem unkind. She ran a finger gently along my jaw, then placed her palm against my chest and she pressed me against the wall, hard. The suddenness of the movement stunned me, but as I sat, pinned and helpless, she brought her other wrist to her mouth, using her fang to puncture the vein. She dragged her wrist along her teeth, creating a small stream of blood. â€Å"Drink,† she commanded, bringing her wrist to my lips. I did as I was told, managing to get a few drops of the liquid down my throat before she yanked her hand away. â€Å"Thats enough. That should fix your wounds at any rate.† â€Å"He and his brother have been wreaking havoc all over town,† the large vampire said, his makeshift stake pointed at me like a rifle. â€Å"Just me,† I said quickly. â€Å"My brother had no part in it.† Damon would never survive the wrath of these demons. Not in his weakened state. The blond vampire wrinkled her nose as she leaned even closer toward me. â€Å"Youre what, a week old?† she asked, leaning back on her heels. â€Å"Almost two weeks,† I said defiantly, lifting my chin. She nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips, and stood, surveying the shop. The plaster wall was partially caved in, and blood smeared the floor and speckled the walls, as though a child had stood in the center of the room and twirled around with a wet paintbrush. She tsked, and the three male vampires simultaneously took a step back. I shivered. â€Å"Percy, come here, and bring that knife,† she said. With a sigh, the youngest vampire produced a long carving knife from behind his back. â€Å"He wasnt following the rules,† he said petulantly, reminding me of the Giffin boys back home. They were both bullies, always ready to kick a kid in the schoolyard and then turn around and tell a teacher they had nothing to do with it. She took the knife and stared at it, running the pad of her index finger over the gleaming blade. Then she held it back out to Percy. He hesitated a moment, but finally stepped forward to take it. Just then the girls canines elongated and her eyes flushed bloodred. With a growl, she stabbed Percy right in the chest. He fell to his knees, doubled over in silent agony. â€Å"You hunt this vampire for making a scene in town,† she seethed, stabbing the knife in farther, â€Å"and yet you attempt to destroy him in this public space, in this shop? Youre just as foolish as he is.† The young vampire staggered to his feet. Blood streamed down the front of his shirt, as though hed spilled coffee on himself. He grimaced as he pulled the knife out with a sucking sound. â€Å"Im sorry,† he gasped. â€Å"Thank you.† The woman held her wrist toward Percys mouth. Despite her youthful look and apparently violent temper, she also had a mothering quality that the other vampires seemed to accept, as if her stabbings were as normal to them as a light swat would be to a high-spirited child. She turned toward me. â€Å"Im sorry for your troubles, Stefan. Now, can I help you be on your way?† she asked. I looked around wildly. Id thought no further ahead than escaping this room. â€Å"I â€Å" â€Å". . . dont have anywhere to go,† she said with a sigh, finishing my thought. She glanced toward the other vampires, who were now huddled in the corner of the room, heads bent in conversation. â€Å"Ill just be going,† I said, struggling to my feet. My leg was fine, but my arms shook, and my breath came erratically. With local vampires watching my every move, where would I go? How would I feed? â€Å"Nonsense, youre coming with us,† she said, turning on her heel and walking out the door. She pointed to the young vampire and the one who wore glasses. â€Å"Percy and Hugo, stay and clean this place up.† I had to practically run to keep up with her and the tall, scarred vampire whod watched my torture. â€Å"Youll need someone to show you around,† she explained, pausing only slightly. â€Å"This is Buxton,† she said, grabbing the elbow of the vampire with the long scar. We walked down street after street until we neared a church with a tall spire. â€Å"Were here,† she said, turning sharply to enter a wrought-iron gate. Her boots echoed against a slate path that led to the rear of a house. She opened the door, and a musty scent greeted me. Buxton immediately walked through the parlor and up a set of stairs, leaving me and the young female vampire alone in the darkness. â€Å"Welcome home,† she said, spreading her hands wide. â€Å"There are plenty of spare rooms upstairs. Find one that suits you.† â€Å"Thank you.† As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I took in my surroundings. Black velvet curtains fastened with golden rope blocked every window. Dust motes floated in the air, and gilt-framed paintings covered the walls. The furniture was threadbare, and I could just make out two sweeping staircases with what looked like oriental runners and, in the next room, a piano. Though at one point this must have been a grand house, now the soiled walls were cracked and peeling, and cobwebs draped over the gold-and-crystal chandelier above us. â€Å"Always enter through the back. Never draw back the curtains. Dont ever bring anyone here. Do you understand, Stefan?† She looked at me pointedly. â€Å"Yes,† I said, running a finger along the marble fireplace, cutting a path in the inch-thick dust. â€Å"Then I think you will like it here,† she said. I turned to face her, nodding in agreement. My panic had subsided, and my arms no longer trembled. â€Å"Im Lexi,† she said, holding out her hand, allowing me to raise it to my lips and kiss it. â€Å"I have a feeling that you and I will be friends for a long time.†