Taxi Driver by Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips Essay

Taxi Driver by Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips - Essay Example However, mise-en-scene techniques and slow moving camera shots soon reveal Travis’s point of view, positioning a subjective view of Travis’s world. The film uses camera movement and cinematography together with mise-en-scene at the outset to establish the tensions that build up to the violence. The film opens with the credits in the foreground of a taxi coming out of the steam of a street at night. A montage reveals rain beating against the taxi’s windshield. In the meantime, the yellow taxi is accented by rain and neon lights that bring it into sharp focus. Travis’s eyes can be seen moving from one image outside of the taxi to another as he travels Times Square and 42nd Street. The viewer sees what Travis sees: prostitutes, couples, and pornographic theatres visited by men. The camera alternates from the inside of the Taxi where Travis’s watchful eyes are moving and observing, to outside of the taxi to show the audience what Travis sees. These scen es are juxtaposed against a more tranquil, ordinary and inescapably artificial world. The camera takes the viewers to a campaign headquarters with red and white colours and signs and slogans that appear to be inconsistent with the world that Travis observes from his taxi. Travis sees the world as inherently diseased and is on a mission to root out violence, disease and decadence. He becomes infatuated with Betsy, a campaign worker played by Cybill Shepherd. Point of view via mise-en-scene is displayed through scenes in which Travis’s point of view and his disconnect and social isolation comes across. For example, in an attempt to connect with Betsy, Travis gets it right the first time when he has coffee with her. On his next date with Betsy, he takes her to a seedy, sexual film. Betsy is no doubt offended by this effort at connection. By taking this approach, the viewer is drawn into and observes the distorted mind of Travis at work. Camera movements and mise-en-scene functio n to highlight Travis’s distorted mind and subjective point of view. For example, the camera picks up views of New York City that demonstrate just how Travis sees the world around him. A camera shot from inside Travis’s taxi picks up drug addicts and prostitutes. This is the world that Travis sees and is distracted by. He does not see beyond these images and forms his opinion of the outside world accordingly. The camera, by showing a view outside the taxi that selects drug addicts and prostitutes takes the viewer into the disturbed mind of Travis. This is world that Travis sees and is fixated on. A world diseased and decaying and in need of cleansing. Mise-en-scene is also used to demonstrate contradictions. The camera depicts a seemingly ordinary man, dressed neatly and appearing to be respectful and naive. Yet, the camera follows and depicts Travis visiting seedy theatres and writing letters to his parents that reveal that Travis would like to live an ordinary life, but is trapped by his perceptions of a diseased world. In his letters to his parents, Travis unrealistically himself as a working man on the verge of marrying a respectable woman (Betsy) when it is well known by the time of writing, that Travis has been rejected by Betsy. Therefore, the underlying message is that there are contradictions between that which occurs in Travis’s mind and the world in which he actually lives. The contradictions are reaching a fever pitch and this is

Benefits Of Family-Friendly Policies Essay Example for Free

Benefits Of Family-Friendly Policies Essay The past few decades, families in Hong Kong faced in undergone major changes, intense pace of life and hard work always affected families’ features. How to balance family life and work have become a social policy, in order to establish a family-friendly community, have implemented various measures to help employees balance their work and family lives, promote family relationship. In this essay, first I will explain these policies how to help with all aspects of employee, and then analysis of these measures on the employment benefit. Finally, pointed out that Hong Kong Government and the enterprises on how to implement these policies. Family-friendly employment may implement different policies to meet the needs of employees. Including the introduction of given family leave benefits, such as marriage leave, paternity leave, parental leave, compassionate leave, special casual leave and special long leave, etc (GovHK, n.d.). This measure will be through the height of the working environment and working arrangements to facilitate employees in taking care of family needs, such as the five-day working week, flexible work time and family-based work, and so on. The other hand will provide support to families, including child care services, counselling services, child custody etc. A Research Report prepared by the Department of Applied Social Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is named â€Å"Family-Friendly Workplace† noted that Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed with implementing â€Å"family-friendly† policies. (Poly U, 2002) Family-friendly policies can also bring much benefits to company. In a supportive working environment, staffs will feel they are valued and employer will gain the benefit. Firstly, employer can reduce staff turnover and retain potential employee. On the other hand, many people were convinced that employees working flexible hours were more productive than those working traditional hours. This measure in addition to motivate employees, increase productivity, but also improved reputation and corporate image, therefore there are many large enterprises are involved in the implementation of these measures. In view of this, government and enterprises were organized a variety of measures and activities promoting family-friendly policies. The booklet prepared by the Labour Departments album â€Å"Good people management Family-Friendly Employment Practices† (labour.gov.hk, n.d.). Through a variety of good measures taken by the employer, may learn to provide for all instances. Research on Family-friendly Employment Policies and Practices in Hong Kong from The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and the Womens Commission (WoC) (EOC 2006). They hope that through this survey, a better understanding in Hong Kong, companies or institutions can help employees balance their work and family roles provides programme needs. A Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme 2011 was organised by the Family Council. The award scheme aims to give recognition to employers who attach importance to the spirit of family-friendliness (gov.hk, 2011). Through these activities, to undertake a study, to understand the profile of Hong Kong families, and building partnerships with Government, business and professional sectors, actively promote the industry cares family In this essay, I Have attempted to present suggest to implementation of family-friendly policies on families, or employers both have many favorable factors, together with the Hong Kong Government and the enterprises efforts, this measure would allow employers and employees there will be a win-win situation.

Cheating in School Versus Cheating in the Real World :: Business

Cheating in School Versus Cheating in the Real World Cheating has been a major concern for institutions of higher learning. Institutions fear cheating because of the reputation dishonest people will establish for that institution. After a student has learned several successful ways to cheat and not be caught, is he or she more likely to employ the same tactics in his or her workplace? The student will use those tactics, but in the real world, such acts are not called â€Å"cheating tactics,† but â€Å"business strategy.† Several years ago, Clemson University was approached by a perspective employer. A business man visited the school and announced that the company wanted to hire some new staff members. In order to be more selective of the persons to get called in for interviews, the man announced an online exam that the students must take. Depending on the results, the company would then get in touch with the individuals. One student that is very interested considers his options. He could choose to take the exam using his real name and receive a performance grade based on his knowledge of the tough material the exam would ask. Or, his second option: use a false identity, get the questions, go out to reliable sources and ask for answers, and then post answers to the exam under his real name. The student opted for the second option. He got the test questions, went to professors, searched online, and found as many of the answers as he could. He posted his answers. Within a week, the company representative called the student in for an interview. The first statement out of the interviewer’s mouth: â€Å"No one has ever scored that high on our online test.† The next: â€Å"How did you do it?† The student’s response began with â€Å"honestly† and he unveiled his unique plan to succeed on the test. The interviewer was shocked – no one had ever admitted to cheating on the online test before. A job was offered.

Vonnegut social commentary in cats cradle Essays -- essays research pa

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Social Commentary in Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kurt Vonnegut’s science fiction novel, Cat’s Cradle, is chocked full of social commentary, satirical humor, and an overall pessimistic view on American Society. Through the fictional religion Bokononism Vonnegut introduces us to John, a young man who is writing a book about the day the atomic bomb was dropped. His research led him to the late Dr. Felix Hoenikker, a brilliant scientist who was deemed the â€Å"father of the atomic bomb.† Anxious to learn more about Hoenikker from his surviving children, John followed them to the impecunious island of San Lorenzo. In San Lorenzo John was introduced to Bokononism, the dominant (yet illegal) religion of the island; which among its many bizarre features, openly proclaimed that it was a total lie. While on the island, John also learned more about Ice Nine, the final project that Hoenikker created. Ice Nine ( a simple rearrangement of water molecules) had the ability to freeze instantly any body of w ater, due to a complex crystalline formation. Although the ice was to be Hoenikker’s great gift to the military to freeze swamps during battle, so they could move troops more efficiently; it ended up being a creation more fatal than the atomic bomb itself. Subsequently John's adventures came to a harsh, if strangely appropriate end caused by the selfishness of human nature. The moral of the story, laced with deception, ignorance, self-indulgence, and control is that life is entirely worthless and fails to serve a purpose. Yet, the comic relief and vivacity of the novel gives it power and charm, curiously contrasted with its depressing meaning.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to the deceased Felix Hoenikker, a man who was full of curiosity and had an uncanny regard for everything scientific. Not only was he the father of the atomic bomb, but shortly before his death he created the destructive Ice Nine. With the ability to freeze anything liquid it was essentially the end of the world, should it get into the wrong hands. Although the original intention of the water derived destructor was to help soldiers solidify swampy muck when fighting wars, so they could easily get through was... ...uous activities he took part in at Jack’s Hobby Shop. Throughout the book, Frank is described as a quiet loner, someone who was out of the social realms of normal teenage life. Frank said â€Å"...but they didn’t know what really went on there. They would have been really surprised, especially the girls-- in they’d found out what really went on. The girls didn’t think I knew anything about girls.† (201, Vonnegut). When John asked him what he really was doing there, Frank simply said, â€Å"I was screwing Jack’s wife all day.† (Vonnegut, 201). This was Vonnegut’s way of using satire and irony to show that people make skewed judgments on others based on nothing more than what they want to believe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, Cat’s Cradle is a fabulously constructed book, filled with sarcasm, wit, irony, and satire to express Vonnegut’s personal views on Human Society. Although it ends with the destruction of the world from the lethal Ice Nine, the book is somewhat redeemed by its humorous anecdotes, and clever allusions. Vonnegut successfully portrayed his pessimistic views of our society, and opened the reader up to a completely new way of thinking in terms of human nature.

Analysis of Client/Consultant Interaction in the Case of Healix Consultancy Essay

Healix Risk Rating, the innovator of Healix Travel Black box – an anvanced tool in assessment of medical risk in travel insurance, is planning to launch the product into new market. As one of their appointed marketing consultancy team, we carried out the maket research and formulated a marketing plan for this project. During the implementation of the project, there are two main types of interaction involved that affects outcome of the project: intra-group interaction and client/consultant interaction, in which the later will be more focused. Based on my experience in this assignment, this reflective report is aimed to express my understanding of the applicability of learnt models and theories in client/consultant relationship as well as the limitations of the marketing consultancy service that we involves in. Key factors that determine a good consultancy project are not only the capability of consultants; financial capacity and readiness of clients; but also a strong collaboration from both sides and great emphasis on actual results instead of heavy focus on scope of work. Company description The Healix Travel Black Box offers the means for sellers of travel insurance to accurately and efficiently underwrite the increased risk associated to travellers with pre-existing medical conditions. The service is designed to be fully incorporated into the online sales processes and integrated into call centre sales processes, which allow customers to declare health conditions on the phone or online without making separate assessment with underwriters or waiting for doctors’ report. In other words, The Healix Travel Black Box provides a fully automated assessment and rating of medical risk which can be done in a couple of minutes. The Healix Travel Black Box has come as a global solution to travel insurance industry. The package is available to all regions where the public can directly buy travel incurance. The adoption of this technology is quickly spread across the globe, such as Australia, New Zealand , Canada, Denmark. And Healix Risk Rating in still on the way to seek new market for this advanced product. Summary of client/consultant process The situation in which our marketing consultancy came is when the company wants to efficiently market and launch the new product Black box into new travel insurance markets. This stage can be defined as Development stage – when client needs help at early stage of a new program. Early intervention of consultant show signs of consultee’s insightfulness and openness (Dewayne J. Kurpius, Dale A. Fuqua and Thaddeus Rozecki, 1993). Prior to the marketing plan, our team had to agree on a country of choice to market and sell the Black box. And then, we have to make a market research on that target market based on the following topics: (1) market value, (2) existing channels of distribution, (3) consumer buying behaviours, (4) average policy medical benefits and (5) how the handling of pre-existing medical conditions is currently dealt with. After obtaining the understanding of the target market, we worked out on problem identification, particularly the feasibility of the Black box launch in the country. Based on the market research, a outlined marketing plan was made prior to any detailed ones that were done later. As a marketing consultancy project done by a marketing consulting team, there are two main interaction factors during the implementation that influence the success of the project: intra-group interaction and client/consultant interaction. Intra-group interaction During the implementation, although our team had experienced many difficulties in order to obtain the relevant marketing information related to the topic, most team member is patient and very participative. We did have a clear plan to make the report in order to allocate the work to each member fairly. In order to make the job more efficiently, each member is encouraged to pick the piece(s) of work of his/her favour. Though the work of the some members is not as expected, however it is controlled promptly, thanks to regular meetings and good communication between team members. Client/Consultant interaction One of the shortcomings for us during the making of marketing plan for Healix is a lack of our understanding regarding the business situation, product development and financial capacity of the client. It is suggested that insuf? ient understanding of the client is key problem of most poor client-consulting relationships (Ford, 1985). Our limited knowledge regarding the product and business condition of Healix Risk Rating may expose us to risk of mis-identification of the real problem and consequently leading to an inapprorpiate marketing plan. On the other hand, ther is a lack of interaction from the client. The reflective practitioner model (Schon 1983) argues problems have to b e identified and solutions must be formulated in collaboration between client and consultant. During the knowledge transfer, the situation of the client should be clearly understood by the consultant, then the consultant will help the client reflect and understand the rationale for the client’s actions (Schon 1983 as cited in Nikolova, 2007). Clients then must work as reflective practitioners themselves. This reflective communication must be exchanged between client and consultant to facilitate expertise sharing. (Ibid p. 301). Schon views that Knowing-in-action implies that consultants would apply their knowledge gained from actiivities they have undertaken or situations they have experienced before. But for new and extremely sophisticated problems, the reflection-in-action is proper practice that consultant and clients need for the formulation of innovative solutions. In reflective practitioner model, the interaction between client and consultant is seen as a reflective communication. Schon views both consultants and clients as interdependent. Consequently, the relationship between client and consultant improves when expertise sharing and mutual understanding are focused. Client and consultant should closely collaborate during problem solving process to work the best out of their knowledge and experience. The relationship becomes equilibrated as knowledge and help are fairly exchanged. (Schon,1983) Furthermore, several models have been developed to gain valuable knowledge regarding how to improve cooperation between client and consultant. For example, the interpretive model established by Nikolova is to help clients and consultants to gain a better understanding of their interaction (Nikolova, 2007). Nikolova suggests that this model would be useful to explain the complexity of client-consultant relationship. This model emphasizes that clients have to be aware of the changing roles that consultants would play during the different phases of the project. This model was built based on prior generally accepted models: Expert model (O’Farrell and Moffat 1991 cited in Nikolova, 2007), critical model and reflective practitioner. It should make consultants and clients highly aware of undiscovered problems through their interactions during consultancy process. According to interpretative model, it is too simplistic to consider consultants as experts (expert model), impression managers (critical model), and reflective practitioners (reflective practitioner model). The play role of consultants depends on which context the they are in and which problems needed to be solved. For this matter of client/consultant relationship, McLachlin (1999) has several suggestions on some aspects that are necessary for a successful consulting project. Consultants must have strict discipline towards integrity in working for the best interest of clients . Besides, clients must also participate in the project and prepare a readiness to change. It is key that there are specific project requirements and expectations to be met. However, the Healix consulting project is more task-focused rather than based on expectations of the client. Schaffer (2002) also describes the â€Å"implementation gap†, which is the discrepancy between the client’s needed solution and the capability of the consultant to create that solution. He suggests that ? ve factors that most likely lead to â€Å"implementation gap† during consulting process: (1) consulting projects are de? ned and priced ased on the scope of work to be done by the consultants or the â€Å"product† delivered by the consultant, not in terms of speci? c results to be achieved; (2) project scope is focused mainly on the problem identification and solution recommendation with little consideration for the client’s capability and readiness to change; (3) the cons ultation aims for a radical solution rather than incremental value (4) The cooperation is more of a sharp division of responsibility between consultant and client rather than a solid collaboration from both sides; (5) instead of leveraged use, the consultancy make labor-intensive use of consultants. Conclusion As generally accepted, the way we as marketing consultants formulate the consulting process will affect the interaction and relationship between the consultant and client and consequently the outcome of the project. Based on multiple generally accepted empirical studies and models, it is suggested that consulting will produce good results if possessing the following success factors: Highly capable consultants; Great emphasis on client results/ satisfaction; Willingness from both sides for strong collaboration; Visible executive support; A solution adaptation that fits client capability and readiness; A full understanding of the client’s business environment. I understand that consulting approaches have to be customized based on out marketing expertise, thorough understanding of the client’s situation, intensive market research on the target market as well as an highly applicable marketing plan . Besides, the costs and benefits of client and consultant should be aligned by defining critical results with clear and measurable short-term goals. Therefore, we admit that our proposed marketing plan to Healix Risk Rating is very preminlinary and subjective due to the simplification of the scope of work and lack of interaction from the client.

Regional Differences in Spanish

Regional Differences in Spanish Spanish varies significantly from country to country - but the differences arent so extreme that if youre learning a Mexican variety of Spanish you need to worry about communicating in, for example, Spain or Argentina. Questions about the regional varieties of Spanish come up frequently from Spanish students. Many have heard so much about how the Spanish of Spain (or Argentina or Cuba or fill-in-the-blank) is different than what they learned  that theyre worried their months of study wont do them much good. While the comparison isnt completely accurate, the differences between the Spanish of Spain and the Spanish of Latin America are something like the differences between British English and American English. With a few exceptions - some local accents can be difficult for outsiders - people in Spain watch movies and TV shows from Latin America without subtitles, and vice versa. There are regional differences, more so in the spoken language than in writing, but they arent so extreme that you cant learn the differences as you need them. Also, while its easy to think of Latin American Spanish as one entity, as textbooks and lessons often treat treat it, you should note there are differences in the Spanish of various countries in the Western Hemisphere. Guatemalan Spanish isnt Chilean Spanish - but residents of those two countries and many others communicate all the time with little difficulty. If your pronunciation is reasonably good, whether your accent is Castilian or Mexican or Bolivian, you will be understood. You might want to avoid slang or extreme colloquialisms, but standard educated Spanish is understood anywhere in the Spanish-speaking world. Here, however, are some of the differences you may notice: Pronunciation Differences in Spanish One of the pronunciation differences most often mentioned is that many Spaniards often pronounce the z and the c before i or e like the th in thin, while many Latin Americans pronounce it the same as the s. Also, speakers in some areas (Argentina in particular) often pronounce the ll and y like the s in measure (this is sometimes called the zh sound). In some areas, you will hear speakers drop s sounds, so est sounds like et. In some areas, the j sounds like the ch in the Scottish loch (difficult for many native English speakers to master), while in others it sounds like the English h. In some areas, the l and the r at the end of a word sound alike. If you listen to a variety of spoken Spanish, youll notice other differences as well, particularly in the rhythm in which it is spoken. Regional Differences in Spanish Grammar Two of the biggest differences from country to country in grammar are the leà ­smo of Spain and the use of the pronoun vos in some areas instead of tà º (meaning you). Another major difference is that vosotros is usually used as the plural of tà º in Spain, while in Latin American ustedes is usually used. There are also numerous small differences, many involving colloquial usage. Although it may sound unusual to Spaniards to hear ustedes used where they are expecting vosotros, you not need fear not being understood. The Latin American form will be familiar to the Spaniard even though it may seem a bit foreign. Regional Differences in Spanish Vocabulary Other than slang, probably the biggest class of vocabulary differences youll come across is in the use of suffixes. A lpiz is a pencil or crayon everywhere, but a lapicero is a pencil holder in some areas, a mechanical pencil in others, and a ball-point pen in still others. There are also a fair number of blatant differences, such as a computer being un ordenador in Spain but una computadora in Latin America, but they are probably no more common than the British-American differences. Names of foods can also vary, and it isnt unusual in Latin America for the indigenous names of vegetables and fruits to have been adopted. Travelers should be aware that there are at least a dozen words, some of them of local usage only, for a bus. But the formal word autobà ºs is understood everywhere. Of course, every area also has its quirky words. For example, a Chinese restaurant in Chile or Peru is a chifa, but you wont run across that word in many other places. Regional Differences in Spanish Just as the English of Great Britain or South Africa isnt the English of the United States, so too is the Spanish of Spain different than the Spanish of Argentina or Cuba. While the differences in Spanish from country to country arent so great as to block communication, knowing them will make life easier in your travels. Key Takeaways: Regional Differences in Spanish The most significant regional differences in Spanish usage are those between Spain and Latin America.Within  Latin America, the most significant differences can be found in Argentina and some areas nearby, which use  vos instead of tà º.Although the names of some everyday objects vary  with region, the strongest differences can be found in names of foods and in slang. In general, the biggest divisions in Spanish are those between Spain and Latin America. But even within Spain or within the Americas youll find differences, especially if you go to more remote areas such as the Canary Islands or the Andean highlands. Here are the most significant differences you should be aware of: Ustedes vs. Vosotros The pronoun vosotros as the plural form of you is standard in Spain but is nearly nonexistent in Latin America. In other words, while you might use ustedes to speak with strangers in Spain and vosotros with close friends, in Latin America you would use ustedes in either situation. Latin Americans also do not use the corresponding conjugated verb forms such as the hacà ©is and hicistes forms of hacer. Tà º vs.  Vos The singular formal pronoun for you is usted everywhere, but the informal you can be tà º or vos. Tà º can be considered standard and is universally used in Spain and understood throughout Latin America. Vos replaces tà º in Argentina (also Paraguay and Uruguay) and can also be heard elsewhere in South America and in Central America. Outside of Argentina, its use is sometimes restricted to certain types of relationships (such as especially close friends) or to certain social classes. Preterite vs. Present Perfect Tenses Both the preterite and present perfect tenses are used to talk about past events. In most Latin American Spanish it is usual, as in English, to use the preterite to discuss something that happened recently: Esta tarde fuimos al hospital. (This afternoon we went to the hospital.) But in Spain the present perfect is often used: Esta tarde hemos ido al hospital. Pronunciation of Z and C The most noticeable difference in pronunciation of European Spanish and that of the Americas involves that of the z and that of the c when it comes before an e or i. In most of Spain it has the sound of the th in thin, while elsewhere it has the sound of the English s. Spains sound is sometimes incorrectly called a lisp. Pronunciation of Y and LL Traditionally, the y and ll represented different sounds, the y being much like the y of yellow and the ll being the zh sound, something the s of measure. However, today, most Spanish speakers, in a phenomenon known as yeà ­smo, make no distinction between y and ll. This occurs in Mexico, Central America, parts of Spain, and most of South America outside the northern Andes. (The opposite phenomenon, where the distinction remains, is known as lleà ­smo.) Where yeà ­smo occurs, the sound varies from the English y sound to the j of jack to the zh sound. In parts of Argentina it can also take on the sh sound. Pronunciation of S In standard Spanish, the s is pronounced much like that of English. However, in some areas, especially the Caribbean, through a process known as debucalizacià ³n, it often becomes so soft that is disappears or becomes similar to the English h sound. This is especially common at the end of syllables, so that  ¿Cà ³mo ests? sounds something like  ¿Cà ³mo et? Leà ­smo The standard pronoun for him as a direct object is lo. Thus the usual way to say I know him is Lo conozco. But in Spain it is very common, even sometimes preferred, to use le instead: Le conozco. Such use of le is known as leà ­smo. Spelling Differences The spelling of Spanish is remarkably standardized compared with that of English. One of very few words with acceptable regional variations is the word for Mexico, for which Mà ©xico is usually preferred. But in Spain it is often spelled Mà ©jico. It also isnt unusual for Spaniards to spell the U.S. state of Texas as Tejas rather than the standard Texas. Names of Fruits and Vegetables Names of fruits and vegetables can vary considerably with region, in some cases because of the use of indigenous words. Among those with multiple names are strawberries (fresas, frutillas), blueberries (arndanos, moras azules), cucumbers (pepinos, cohombros), potatoes (papas, patatas), and peas (guisantes, chà ­charos, arvejas). Juice can be  jugo or zumo. Other Vocabulary Differences Among the everyday objects that go by regional names are cars (coches, autos), computers (ordenadores, computadores, computadoras), buses (buses, camionetas, pullmans, colectivos, autobuses, and others), and jeans (jeans, vaqueros, bluyines, mahones). Common verbs that vary with region include those for driving (manejar, conducir) and parking (parquear, estacionar). Slang and Colloquialisms Every region has its own collection of slang words that are seldom heard elsewhere. For example, in some areas you might greet someone with  ¿Quà © onda? (similar in meaning to Whats happening?), while in other areas that might sound foreign or old-fashioned. There are also words that can have unexpected meanings in some areas; a notorious example is coger, a verb that is used routinely to refer to grabbing or taking in some areas but that in other areas has a strongly sexualized meaning.

Chemical Equilibrium in Chemical Reactions

Chemical Equilibrium in Chemical Reactions Chemical equilibrium is the condition which occurs when the concentration of reactants and products participating in a chemical reaction exhibit no net change over time. Chemical equilibrium may also be called a steady state reaction. This does not mean the chemical reaction has necessarily stopped occurring, but that the consumption and formation of substances have reached a balanced condition. The quantities of reactants and products have achieved a constant ratio, but they are almost never equal. There may be much more product or much more reactant. Dynamic Equilibrium Dynamic equilibrium occurs when the chemical reaction continues to proceed, but a number of products and reactants remain constant. This is one type of chemical equilibrium. Writing the Equilibrium Expression The equilibrium expression for a chemical reaction may be expressed in terms of the concentration of the products and reactants. Only chemical species in the aqueous and gaseous phases are included in the equilibrium expression because the concentrations of liquids and solids does not change. For the chemical reaction: jA kB → lC mD The equilibrium expression is K ([C]l[D]m) / ([A]j[B]k) K is the equilibrium constant[A], [B], [C], [D] etc. are the molar concentrations of A, B, C, D etc.j, k, l, m, etc. are coefficients in a balanced chemical equation Factors That Affect Chemical Equilibrium First, consider a factor that does not affect equilibrium: pure substances. If a pure liquid or solid is involved in equilibrium, it is considered to have an equilibrium constant of 1 and is excluded from the equilibrium constant. For example, except in highly concentrated solutions, pure water is considered to have an activity of 1. Another example is solid carbon, which may be form by the reaction of two carbom monoxide molecules to form carbon dioxide and carbon. Factors that do affect equilibrium include: Adding reactant or product or a change in concentration affects equilibrium. Adding reactant can drive equilibrium to the right in a chemical equation, where more product forms. Adding product can drive equilibrium to the left, as more reactant forms.Changing the temperature alters equilibrium. Increasing temperature always shifts chemical equilibrium in the direction of the endothermic reaction. Decreasing temperature always shifts equilibrium in the direction of the exothermic reaction.Changing the pressure affects equilibrium. For example, decreasing the volume of a gas system increases its pressure, which increases the concentration of both reactants and products. The net reaction will see to lower the concentration of gas molecules. Le Chateliers principle may be used to predict the shift in equilibrium resulting from applying a stress to the system. Le Chateliers principle states that a change to a system in equilibrium will cause a predictable shift in equilibrium to counteract the change.  For example, adding heat to a system favors the direction of the endothermic reaction because this will act to reduce the amount of heat.