I, Robot - Chaper Two: Runaround

"I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Lessons by E.S. LaRosa

http://www.middleschoolscience.com

All entries belong in your Robot Journal

Chapter Two - Runaround

Characters:

Susan Calvin - She is being interviewed after working for US Robot and Mechanical Men for 50 years

Gregory Powell - sent to Mercury to reopen the Sunside Mining Station after a failed first attempt

Mike Donovan -also sent to Mercury to reopen the Sunside Mining Station after a failed first attempt

Speedy - talking robot SPD-13 nicknamed "Speedy"

Part 1 - Vocabulary: (Required - 25 points)

Write a complete definition for each word. Be sure to provide the parts of speech and to use the word in a complete sentence. You may use http://www.dictionary.com .

crystalline
monotonous
albedo
syllogism
mahout
aplomb
Centigrade

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Keep in mind that when the story was written in the 1940's, humans did not venture out into space or set foot on the moon! Asimov had to envision what it would be like with very little data to support his descriptions. This story takes place in the year 2015, which technically is still the future! Will we reach Mercury by then, or will we still be trying to land on Mars?!

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Part 2 - The Space Suit - (20 points)

Asimov called it an "Insosuit" - Describe what it looks like and how it functions. Compare The "Insosuit" to a Space Suit (5-8 sentences with quotes from reading)

Info - http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Rockets/spacesuits.asp

Picture - http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/puzzles/coloring/suit.html

Part 3 - Selenium (40 points)

Periodic Table of the Elements : http://pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/

Visual Periodic Table of the Elements: http://www.chemsoc.org/viselements/

Selenium Photoelectric cells: http://www.megatron.co.uk/selenium/index.html

Powell and Donovan needed to get the selenium for their photo cells to work. What is the Selenium Photo Cell used for in the story? What do we use it for in the 21st century? 5-8 sentences
What are some other uses for selenium today? Give 2-3 examples.

Part 4 - Elements - (40 points)

Page 40 in reading

Periodic Table of the Elements : http://pearl1.lanl.gov/periodic/

Visual Periodic Table of the Elements: http://www.chemsoc.org/viselements/

Using the periodic table, look up the following elements and name at least one way that they are used on Earth in our present society.

Element Atomic Number Solid, Liquid or Gas? Found on Mercury? Uses on Earth

Iodine -

Mercury -

Gallium -

Potassium
0.5% in Atmosphere

Bismuth
-

Part 5 - Mercury (60 points)

Compare Asimov's version of Mercury to the Current info we have about it. Be sure to list the page number of the novel to support your answer.

Links:

Mercury - http://spacekids.hq.nasa.gov/osskids/animate/mercury.html

Space Scale : http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Puzzles/Weight.asp

Welcome to the planets: http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome/mercury.htm

Nine Planets: http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/mercury.html

Solar System Exploration: http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/features/planets/mercury/mercury.html

Asimov (with page #)	Mercury	Current Info
_____ Centigrade / (Kelvin - 273 = C )	Surface Temperature - Sunny side	_____ Centigrade / (Kelvin - 273 = C )
not specified	Surface Temperature - Shady side	_____ Centigrade / (Kelvin - 273 = C )
	The atmosphere
	Describe the Surface of Mercury
	Volcanic Activity?
	How much would you weigh on Mercury? What does that tell you about its gravity?

Part 6 - Art Work (40 points)

Draw the scene where Powell and Donovan are on the surface of Mercury in their insosuits while on the 12 foot tall robots and Speedy is running around shouting "Hot dog, lets play games. You catch me, and I catch you..." (pg 42) Must be in Full Color.

Part 7 Short Essay: (35 points)

Choose one and write 7-10 sentences.

1. The second and third laws: Why is Speedy running around in circles? Why are the second and third laws preventing him from returning from his mission. Use quotes from the text to support your answer.

2. While on the surface of Mercury, Powell and Donovan could only speak to each other and to the robots using a radio frequency. Give at least 2-3 reasons why they could not talk to each other without them.

Grading Scale:

160 points = A

135 points = A-

115 points = B+

90 points = B

65 points = B-

40 points = C+

26 points = C

Less than 25 points = D

Created with help from T. Trimpe and S. Baker

Permission granted for educational use in the classroom.

Element	Atomic Number	Solid, Liquid or Gas?	Found on Mercury?	Uses on Earth
Iodine			-
Mercury			-
Gallium			-
Potassium			0.5% in Atmosphere
Bismuth			-