Periodic and families relationship of typical element Lab Report

Periodic and families relationship of typical element - Lab Report Example The report focus on demonstrating that most element within the same family or group exhibit similarity in their chemical reactions. Across the period, however, they show very different chemical behavior. These similarities and differences helps in grouping, and classifying the elements on the periodic table . (GreenWood) Materials involved in the experiment are standard laboratory equipment, samples of Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Carbon(C), Sulfur(S), and water (H2O). Each element is then burnt in oxygen, and later further adding water and acid test their resulting oxides. The data and observations are as follows If a little quantity sodium is burnt in air, it often burns with an orange glow. A larger quantity of sodium burns with a strong orange flame in oxygen. The result is usually a white solid mixture of sodium oxide and in some instances, sodium peroxide is produced. (van Spronsen) Sodium and Cesium are metals from group 1 elements on the periodic table. Cesium is more reactive than Sodium. These elements burn in oxygen to produce metal dioxides. Potassium is also an element in this group. Magnesium belongs to group 2 in the periodic table; it is reacted with Oxygen to form Magnesium Oxide. The chemical properties of elements in this group are marked by the high reducing power of these metals. It is worth to note that these elements are more electropositive down the Group. Metals of this group react vigorously with oxygen. (Mazurs) Group 1 and group 2 elements are metallic by nature; they burn in Oxygen to produce Metal Oxide. When these metals are put in water, they form basic substances. Aluminum is also classified as a metal, although and it belongs to group 3 called transitional metals in the periodic table. Aluminum Oxide though form amphoteric substance since it reacts as both the basic and acid. In the reactivity series, Aluminum metal is less reactive with Oxygen compared to both Sodium and Magnesium. As with all

High Budget Deficits and the Growth of the Economy in the Future Term Paper

High Budget Deficits and the Growth of the Economy in the Future - Term Paper Example High budget deficits are usually needed when the economy needs a boost or it may have been in a recession. In my opinion, this is a vital move as a recession can damage an economy if it lasts for several quarters. 2 Firstly due to the budget deficit, government spending will increase. Government spending is a component of aggregate demand. Aggregate demand is defined as the total demand for all goods and services within the economy.3 It consists of Consumer spending, investment, government spending and exports, and imports. Therefore when demand aggregate increases as shown in the diagram, the price rises from r0 to r1. Therefore in the short run, we will be internationally uncompetitive in regards to prices. Therefore other countries will benefit and take our buyers. In addition to this, we will become more dependent on other countries for certain goods and services.4 This is because when we become uncompetitive on a certain good or service, we will eventually stop making it. Conseq uently, we will worsen our current account by increasing our imports. Imports are defined as goods and services that are made outside the country while exports are sold outside our country from us. As a result, our economy will not grow to as much as it can as it will lose a large amount of its export market. However, the multiplier should be taken into consideration as it will affect the magnitude of the increase in aggregate demand. Overall this is known as demand-pull inflation. Increasing government spending may cause a budget deficit but it also has some benefits. For example, the government may choose to create jobs in certain areas. Therefore these people may no longer be relying on the government for money. This seems to reduce government spending in the form of benefits. As a result, that type of money can be put to better use such as children’s education or investments. Furthermore, jobs are created so people have more consumer spending. Consumer spending is defined as the amount of spending spent by each household. Consumer spending is the largest portion of aggregate demand. Also if taxes are lowered then people have more money to spend. When people spend money the shops make the profit. Profit can either be given to shareholders or it can be invested. Now in the short run prices will rise. However if firms invest carefully and on the right things, then prices can be reduced. Firms can spend money on new machinery or training programmes for workers.5 By doing this it will reduce their production costs and lowers the prices of goods and services. As a result, we will be more internationally competitive and will be able to export a lot more goods and services. As the diagram shows that investment shifts the aggregate supply curve to the right, cause the prices levels to fall from Pt to Po. In addition output increases. High Budget deficits entail the characteristics of the fiscal policy. High government spending and lowering taxes causes budge t deficits.

IMPROVING BUSINESS Performance 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

IMPROVING BUSINESS Performance 2 - Essay Example Each division is independent of the others and does have its own profit and loss account besides their own balance sheets. Each division’s balance sheet and profit and loss and account are then merged with the others to form a single balance sheet and profit and loss account for the group’s final accounts. Due to the problems brought about by some internal factors in each division, the most recent final records for the company show a turnover of 700 million pounds and a pre-tax profit of 35 million pounds. This compares dismally to the previous years when the amalgamated records were better than this (Dresner, 2008, p. 78). Pipework Plc has great potential as far as its business model is concerned compared to what the market and its competitors. Its diversity in both the drainage and boilers businesses give it an edge on the competition where most of the companies competing with it. There are several areas that this company can improve to gain even a greater edge in the three business divisions it focuses on. These improvements all aim at ensuring that the business outdoes the rest while improving its operations in the pipes and boilers businesses. Some of the areas to be improved include; The Stores Function – the stores function is one of the main areas to focus on for Pipework Plc. The fact that it has an excellent employee by the name of Wise does not make it indomitable since there are many problems associated with the division. There is the case of its budget for further training of its personnel always being rejected in favor of other divisions. There is also the stock turn on materials that is poor. If the correct methods are used, this area will have less problems and more contribution to the firm’s well being (Baxter and MacLeod, 2007, p. 74). Transport – this department has great potential if only the correct procedures are followed and the United Kingdom and European Law are followed. Drivers would be more transpar ent as to the number of hours worked and thus their correct remuneration. Engineering – this department is quite fine in its operation save for the lengthy period required to churn out a new product. If this time is reduced by half, it would match that of Pipework Plc’s main competitor and generally improve the business. Sales and Marketing – this department of the company does quite well since it has ensured a great market presence for the company though its personnel and the department’s head. It should be known though that there is need to reduce the number of days and the general amount of time used to process orders from customers. Finance and Administration – this department needs to follow the required accounting procedures and reduce the number of days taken to clear invoices to ensure a more transparent department (Andersen, 2007, p. 100). Personnel – the fact that Lynette promotes those under her division based on personal observat ions raises questions as to the validity of these promotions. Payments and rewards for staff should also be normalized to eliminate unnecessary disparities. The widespread favoritism should also be eliminated to allow for a harmonious motivation of the department and the company as a whole. PIPEWORK PLC With the correct methods in place, Pipework Plc is poised to make the most of its market presence and get better returns on its investments. As identified above, there are several

An Expatriate Tour in El Salvador Essay Example for Free

An Expatriate Tour in El Salvador Essay The case provides that John Lafferty has accepted an opportunity to be a Program Officer of the United Nations based in El Salvador. John has previously worked as development economist in different parts of Latin America and his experience and passion for helping refugees make his adjustment to this new environment easy. However, John has recently been married to Joanna, a Human Resource Management consultant based in Toronto, Canada. Although, the couple both agreed to move together to El Salvador, the challenge of the case lies on how Joanna would be able to adjust to a new environment. In preparation for her departure, Joanna studied Spanish and studied Salvadoran history and politics as much as she could. She also contacted a friend, Joan, an expatriate in Guatamela for two years to get feedback about the conditions of living abroad. In a study of Luthans in 2002, he emphasized the importance of cultural learning to avoid premature return by an expatriate. In this case, Joanna should have undergone cultural learning that is specifically tailored for Salvadoran expatriates. This could have prepared her in understanding and accepting the culture and values of Salvadorans. She could have expected living with a housemaid who would serve her and do all the house chores for her. Joanna could have been more comfortable understanding that â€Å"barrios marginales† are generally accepted in their neighborhood and receives only $6 a day. Joanna can mend her situation by learning more about the culture of El Salvador to make her feel more comfortable in her new environment. Upon adjustment, she could find a career opportunity in the UN that is also based in El Salvador where she could practice her HR skills. Joanna’s experience can be valuable in developing a cultural learning program that will help other expatriates. The new employment for John is a great opportunity for him to advance in his career. John’s skills in relating with refugees and his passion to protect them are valid arguments why he should accept the position in El Salvador. John and Joanna may be newly married but their career fulfillment should not be sacrificed. They have to discern well and balance the advantages and disadvantages of moving to El Salvador together or separately. Joanna can decide to stay in Canada and pursue her career as HR consultant. However, the opportunity to experience a different culture and the prospect of gaining a new knowledge in the field of training expatriates are both promising. Joanna should embrace this chance to advance her learning in Human Resource Management. In an article written by Varner and Palmer in 2002, they have identified three factors that can make expatriation successful. These are: 1) integration of expatriation with international operations to attain the organization’s strategic objectives, 2) the training and development of expatriates integrated with organizational goals and 3) the management of the international knowledge expatriates acquired. In this case, the organization that employed John should have provided training to him and to his spouse, Joanna. The training should explain carefully to John and Joanna the situations they may encounter within the organization and its surrounding environment. Further, the organization should have a program for spouses like Joanna that can track her adjustment and assist her in finding a career in a foreign land. It is the responsibility of the organization to ensure that the employee’s spouse and children are comfortable and well adjusted in their new environment. If the employees would have a problem in their families, there is a great possibility that they will discontinue their service with the employer and go back to their home country. Gravenkemper and LaPla (2008) suggested several measures for successful expatriation of the employee’s families: 1. The family of the employee should be interviewed and examined for overseas assignments. 2. Prior to settlement, the family of the employee should be given the chance to visit the foreign land. 3. The organization must select only those employees whose spouse and children are willing to relocate. List of References Gravenkemper, S. and LaPla, L. (2008) Expatriate Assessments. Universal Advisor Issue No. 2. Available from http://www. plantemoran. com/Services/Consulting/OrganizationalDevelopmentPersonnelAssessment/Resources/Articles/Expatriate+Assessments. htm 9 April 2009 Luthans, K. W. (2002) Expatriate development: the use of 360 degrees feedback. Journal of Management Development 21, 10 Varner, I. and Palmer, T. (2002) Successful expatriation and organizational strategies. Entrepreneur. Available from http://www. entrepreneur. com/tradejournals/article/87211787. html 9 April 2009

New Testament Essay Example for Free

New Testament Essay For all readers of the New Testament, the theme of the redemption of man through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is fascinating reading; in the case of the believer in the word of God, it is something else entirely. Believers and scholars alike agree that Paul’s letters to the Romans embody the theme of justification, or God’s gift of grace by which the truly repentant are forgiven of sins and accepted by God because of the price that Christ paid by dying on the cross. Implicit in the concept of justification is the identification of Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Cullmann). In this essay, the concept of justification will be more closely examined; within two specific chapters of Romans, 4 and 5, justification will be discussed and examined in order to better understand the concept as well as these pivotal chapters of the New Testament itself. In order to better understand the significance of Romans, one must first consider the historical context in which its ideas were shared by the faithful. Most people governed their actions, and defined their worth, through the laws of the day, which ruled all aspects of life. Within Romans, however, the concept of justification by faith alone, not the law (Perrin Duling) set the conventional order askew. This concept alone undoubtedly opened the eyes of many people to the refreshing possibility of redemption through the one true God. Those who read these words were introduced to the writings of the apostle Paul, who presented himself in the New Testament as â€Å"a slave of the Messiah, Jesus Christ† (Bryan), the word slave being used not Order#311114061 Justification Pg. 2 in the conventional sense of bondage and harsh servitude, but rather in a way that allowed those who sought God to come to Him without fear of punishment. The concept of coming to God for justification is personified in Romans through 2 specific verses, as follows: Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. ROMANS 4-4 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness ROMANS 4-5 What these verses tell the reader is that their submission to God, while it will benefit them, is not something that He considers to be optional; moreover, belief in God will lead to redemption because of justification. Beyond the explicit text of justification within Romans, there are also some key themes of justification within it that reinforce the overall concept. Specifically, when Romans calls the people to â€Å"lift up their hearts†, this is an outright plea for people to embrace justification (Knox). The bottom line in justification is peace with God and salvation through the Holy Spirit, and by the lifting up of the heart, one can attain inner peace and security in the warmth of God’s love. This peace and security is described as being â€Å"clothed in the righteousness of Christ† (Harink), and is further clarified by this passage: â€Å"therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God† ROMANS 5-1. While this brief essay can hardly scratch the surface of the promise of the New Testament and the gift of justification from God to the Pg. 3 human race because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, one thing is for certain. For the faithful, the redemption from sin by God is a priceless gift, and the New Testament is a rock upon which the hopes of Christians can be bolstered today, tomorrow, and forever. As long as humans walk the face of the earth and beyond, God will be there for them and His words are eternal. Works Cited Bryan, C. (2000). A Preface to Romans: Notes on the Epistle in Its Literary and Cultural Setting. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=96373444 Cullmann, O. (1963). The Christology of the New Testament (Guthrie, S. C. Hall, C. A. , Trans. ) (Revised ed. ). Philadelphia: Westminster Press. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=95085143 Harink, D. (2005, June 14). Setting It Right: Doing Justice to Justification. The Christian Century, 122, 20+. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from Questia database: http://www.questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5009653212 Knox, J. (1961). Life in Christ Jesus: Reflections on Romans, 5-8. Greenwich, CT: Seabury Press. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=13880819 Perrin, N. , Duling, D. C. (1982). The New Testament, an Introduction: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History (2nd ed. ). San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Retrieved June 22, 2006, from Questia database: http://www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=59589847

The Importance Of Environmental Risk Assessments Environmental Sciences Essay

The Importance Of Environmental Risk Assessments Environmental Sciences Essay Environmental risk assessment is an integral part of a project. It is important that a project attributes due weight and consideration to the assessments conclusions, although it is just as imperative that an assessment identifies the assessment endpoints in order to determine the application and usefulness of the assessment. Depending on the specific project, an environmental risk assessment can be utilised to assist a project to assess strategic and or tactical uncertainties, as well as assisting in making the best informed decision given the circumstances. (Beer Ziolkowski, 1995, p. 6) Environmental risk assessment is the process (Joint Technical Committee OB/7 Risk Management, 1999) that analyses, considers and then places into a criterion framework the risks to human health, welfare and ecosystems that are the result of adverse developmental impacts on the natural environment. (Beer Ziolkowski, 1995) The placement of the foreseeable risks into a specified criteria, level and/or predetermined standard enables a project to consider, in comparison to the same, what environmental hazards have the greatest potential of occurring, as a result of a specific project, to the selected endpoints and what action (if any) is required. (Joint Technical Committee OB/7 Risk Management, 1999), (Beer Ziolkowski, 1995). The usefulness of environmental risk assessment can depend on what criteria, pre-determined standard and/or level is being utilised as an acceptable comparison. What may be important to one specific environment may not be important to another, therefore, it is important, prior to the commencement of the environmental assessment, that the environmental values to be protected (Stoklosa), the endpoints are agreed. The importance of environmental risk assessment as a necessary component of a project is evidenced in a recent predictive case study commissioned by Alcoa, the worlds largest producer of aluminium (Alcoa Inc.), with respect to an aspect of the construction of its proposed aluminium smelter in East Iceland. (Booth, et al., 2009) (referred to as The Aluminium Smelter Study). The Aluminium Smelter Study is an example of predictive risk assessment. The study was conducted to determine whether there would be a consequential difference in the level of risk to human and ecological receptors from constituents in air emissions from the aluminium smelter (prior to construction), either with or without wet scrubbers. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 423) Gaseous emissions from the aluminium smelting process are minimized by existing controls, although not all emissions are captured by these basic controls. Prior to the commencement of the study, there was no certainty regarding whether the addition of wet scrubbers to the basic controls would provide any additional benefit as these also introduce an environmental cost. It is necessary for Icelands Permitting Authority, if they are to approve the Smelter without the need for the wet scrubbers, that an environmental risk assessment is conducted with the harm for both scenarios, with and without the wet scrubbers, explored in advance, in order that the authorities can make an informed decision. Although wet scrubbers can in some circumstances control gaseous emissions, the contaminants removed by the scrubbing are transferred into the smelters surrounding water ways, potentially causing harm to the surrounding ecology and humans alike. For the purpose of the assessment, the selection of the emissions/contaminants present in the smelter region, which may be emitted with or without wet scrubbers, were determined on the basis of what the principal constituents of gaseous emissions from primary aluminium production are. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 429) These include, fluorides, particulates, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, perfluorocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The design of the smelter and the operational controls already in place were considered prior to identifying the contaminants that may pose a potential risk to the pre-determined endpoints. Whether or not the wet scrubber process will cause substantial harm to the environment requires a risk assessment of weighing the environmental risks of exposure to humans and the environment to the emissions and waste generated with and without the wet scrubbers. . The environmental endpoints for the purpose of this environmental risk assessment were selected on the basis of a number of criteria, including, amongst others, the ecosystems and species that are present in the Hraun industrial tract and surrounding areas in Ewyarfjorour, Fjardabyggd, on the east coast of Iceland (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 425) in close proximity to the aluminium smelter site. In addition, further endpoints were selected by considering terrestrial and marine site studies (which) were conducted (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 425) in the early planning phase and using the information obtained to determine what plants and animals in the surrounding area could be at risk from the wet scrubber emissions. The human environment endpoints were also assessed, utilising studies completed in the planning stage of the smelter site and its surrounding Fjord area. The Aluminium Smelters location in East Iceland presents a unique environment, where there is little development and, due to both the weather and terrain, a relatively stable population level, see Figure 1 of Appendix A . The studies assessed the population of the surrounding area, noting that the terrain restricts much human population, the potential exposure pathways (i.e the drinking water for the residents in the villages is the river Delta and those outside the villages use bore water, neither of which there is any indication the smelter will affect.) and whether the populations source of food will be affected and, in turn, could indirectly expose the human population to harm. The Aluminium Smelter Study measured the harm to both human health and the ecology by developing a number of different conceptual models to assist in identify(ing) the controlling variables that affect exposure and risk, and to focus the risk assessment process on the most important pathways of potential exposure. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 430) Figure 2, at page 431, is an illustration of a conceptual site model, which assists to identify the exposure pathways from the source, its transport, the media, (i.e air, soil, water) and then the effect on humans and the ecology. In particular, attention is directed when electing the endpoints to those plants, animals and humans that are potentially sensitive, or will be at greater risk of exposure, to the emission contaminants as identified as potentially being present. Further consideration must also be directed to ecologically important species and those species having special regulatory status (if appropriate) or social importance. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 430) If, after having conducted all of the above and considered all the contributing factors of the models, a pathway was identified as having a potential to be complete, that factor was then assessed as posing a potential risk to the end point Alcoa engaged Earth Tech to conduct the air dispersion modelling, which was required to assess both the human and ecological risk assessments. Air dispersion modelling was chosen as the best method, considering the difficult Fjord landscape and complex wind conditions, to determine the effects on the receptors from the wet scrubber and no wet scrubber smelting scenarios. A copy of Earth Techs report is annexed at Appendix B. A copy of Earth Techs report is annexed at Appendix B.A number of air modelling scenarios were simulated in order to assess exposure to provide the relevant basis for comparison to standards that are protective of human health and the environment (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 434). These scenarios are illustrated in Table 2 and the time frames were chosen in order that the results could be compared to the corresponding regulatory limits that are protective of human health. The different environmental values to be protected require different measures of assessment. For example, in order to measure the harm of the risk to plant species in the Fjord, the model requires modelling for annual mean sulphur dioxide (SO2) (one of the identified emissions) exposure as toxicology-based screening values for plants are expressed as annual averages. The results of the dispersion models were exhibited on a geographic grid. For a more detailed explanation of the grid and a copy of the same, see page 437 (Booth, et al., 2009). (Katie, what does this add?) In order to assess the risk of the estimated air concentrations and deposition rates, with or without the effect of seawater scrubbers, the two scenarios were compared on a point-specific basis or were examined statistically or probabilistically to describe the nature of exposure to each constituent by sensitive receptors. The study not only conducted air modelling exposure modelling, the risk assessment process also utilised previously conducted marine dispersion modelling, which assessed the harm to the Fjord marine ecology, including modelling sediment and the concentration in water of elements such as fluoride, another of the identified end point contaminants. The marine dispersion models were then assessed using data from further previous studies, as well as data collected from other Alcoa facilities, such as those in Canada and Norway as a means of verifying the reasonableness of the predictions at Fjord. (Booth, et al., 2009) In addition to the air dispersion modelling and marine dispersion modelling, the risk assessment also assessed the potential adverse effects from sediment bound substance and dissolved substances (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 438) from the discharge of water into the Fjord in the situation of the seawater scrubber. The constituents, in particular PAHs (emission of which is usually associated with effluent sediment from the wet scrubber), that were hypothesised to be released into the Fjord, were selected to be assessed. The harm of these constituents (see page 438) was measured by comparing modelled concentrations in sediment and water to available toxicity thresholds and screening benchmarks. (Booth, et al., 2009) Similar modelling was utilised to assess the effect of the scrubber discharge to wildlife, including food web modelling for species that forage on items that could potentially accumulate PAHs. (Booth, et al., 2009). Similarly, the harm to plants was measured by comparing the mo delled air emission concentrations of SO2 and fluoride to conservative toxicity thresholds for sensitive plant communities. Further, the risk to vertebrates was determined on the basis of predicted concentrations of fluoride and PAHs (sic) in the diet of herbivorous mammals and birds, based on the EarthTech air modelling results and plant uptake models, and comparing those dietary concentrations to toxicity thresholds developed from the scientific literature. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 438) There were some limitations in the study on the effect of emissions from the two alternate scrubber scenarios, which are discussed in further detail at page 439. The quantitative results to the identified receptors and the concentration estimates of emission constituents in the air from inhalation exposure were measured to be considered in comparison with all relevant standards, and PAHs (sic) were compared with health-protective screening values for air and soil. In addition to the human risk of inhalation of the emissions, the study also assessed the harm from dermal (skin) contact to humans, one of the identified endpoint pathways. The soil concentrations, in accordance with the model (see page 439), were then compared to well-accepted health-protective soil preliminary remediation goals for BaP and HF developed by USEPA. The potential harm on human health from the discharge of constituents in the air and soil were measured by comparison to elected, accepted benchmarks. Each of the different models required different types of methods to measure the predicted harm. In order that the risk assessment provides the most accurate conclusions that can be relied on for decision making, the different end points required different benchmarks for assessment. For a more detailed assessment of the effect of the identified emission contaminants on the endpoints, see page 439. The results of the modelling predictions on the level of risk to human and ecological receptors indicated that both scenarios produce results that are lower that the identified risk thresholds and, by and large, the risk to all end points was lower for a smelter without wet scrubbers. Alcoa submitted the results of the environmental risk assessment to the Government of Icelands Permitting Authority and, in turn, the Authority approved an operating permit for the facility without the need to install seawater scrubbers. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 440) It must be noted that some caution must be attributed to the risk assessments findings as it was financed by Alcoa, however a disclaimer appears on page 1 of this study, the opinions expressed are the independent scientific views of the authors (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 423) and it would appear that the Iceland Permitting Authority agrees. The benefit for Alcoa was threefold. Firstly, by successfully obtaining the Iceland Governments permit, they were not required to expend the additional cost of constructing the seawater scrubber. Further, the results of the environmental risk assessment were able to be distributed to the local community, assisting Alcoa in continuing to uphold its duties to the people of the area faithfully. (Alcoa Inc.) Finally, Alcoa have utilised the environmental risk assessment to demonstrate the long-term sustainability of operations, as well as environmental protectiveness. (Booth, et al., 2009, p. 440). The information obtained from the environmental risk assessment process was a necessary component of Alcoas aluminium smelter Iceland project.

alcatraz Essay -- essays research papers

An icon of power and strength, Alcatraz has become the single most recognizable symbol of American society. Situated in the San Francisco Bay, one can’t help but be drawn to the rocky shore, the dark walls, and the lone light tower sanding cold against a picturesque sunset imagining what it would have been like to be incarcerated in one of the world’s most infamous prisons. Discovered in 1775 by the Spanish explorer Juan Miguel de Ayala, La Isla de los Alcatraces was little more than a rock inhabited by a group of pelicans from which the island bears its name (Alcatraces meaning pelicans in Spanish). However, in 1847 the US government began to look at it as much more. Strategically placed at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay it was the perfect site for a military fort. By 1853 a state of the art military fortress was protecting the Western United States against foreign infiltration. In 1861, with outbreak of the Civil War, Alcatraz began receiving its first military prisoners. However, it wasn’t until 1898 and the Spanish- American War that the isolation of the island that made it an impregnable military installation also made it an inescapable prison. During this war the prisoner population jumped from 26 to 450. That number spiked again as civil prisoners were transferred from city jails after the famous 1906 earthquake. With the island becoming more and more a prison and less and less a military fort, a cell house was built in 1912. This is generally felt to be the p...