Electric Cars

(www.howstuffworks.com)

Electric cars are something that show up in the news all the time. There are several reasons for the continuing interest in these vehicles. They create less pollution than gasoline-powered cars, so they are an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles (especially in cities).

Vehicles powered by fuel cells are electric cars, and fuel cells are getting a lot of attention right now in the news.

An electric car is a car powered by an electric motor rather than a gasoline engine.

From the outside, you would probably have no idea that a car is electric. In most cases, electric cars are created by converting a gasoline-powered car, and in that case it is impossible to tell. Under the hood, there are a lot of differences between gasoline and electric cars: the gasoline engine is replaced by an electric motor, the electric motor gets its power from a controller, the controller gets its power from an array of rechargeable batteries.

A gasoline engine, with its fuel lines, exhaust pipes, coolant hoses and intake manifold, tends to look like a plumbing project. An electric car is definitely a wiring project.

The electric vehicle began its life as a normal, gasoline-powered 1994 Geo Prism. The gasoline engine, along with the muffler, catalytic converter, tailpipe and gas tank, were all removed.

A new AC electric motor was bolted to the transmission with an adapter plate.

An electric controller was added to control the AC motor.

A battery tray was installed in the floor of the car.

Fifty 12-volt batteries were placed in the battery tray (two sets of 25 to create 300 volts DC).

Electric motors were added to power things that used to get their power from the engine: the water pump, power steering pump, air conditioner.

The range of this car is about 50 miles (80 km).

The 0-to-60 mph time is about 15 seconds.

It takes about 12 kilowatt-hours of electricity to charge the car after a 50-mile trip.

The batteries weigh about 1,100 pounds (500 kg) and last three to four years.

1) Por que carros elétricos são opções interessantes?

2) Quais as principais características de um carro elétrico?

3) Quais os indicadores de desempenho dos carros elétricos?

18 de abril

Traduza para o português:

1. This part of the book describes the basic process for developing an application.

2. You cannot work on a drawing that is larger than the window.

3. You can change the name of the subdirectory if you like.

4. These files are copied to subdirectories.

5. Send the text as soon as it's typed.

6. It's not necessary to fill in all the fields.

7. I am looking for the problems that may have caused the failure.

8. You can use global groups as well as local groups.

9. Use this function as many times as needed.

10. The system asks whether you want to open a new file.

11. If your application doesn't behave as you expect ...

12. Read those books so as to get the information you need.

Parte 2

1. The operations you can perform depend on which protocol you're using.

2. If you want the information to remain on the screen ...

3. To deal with cases that are too complicated

4. You can share the files with others.

5. These topics can be of use to the experienced programmer.

6. When you add a file to a project ...

7. . .. without any further work on your part.

8. To name only a few of its many features

9. The search is performed as the string is typed.

10. You're not used to using this program.

12. This may come in useful if you want to prevent another application from using that port.

General Electric wades into row over immigrants

Engineering giant General Electric has hit out at the government over alleged recruitment problems caused by its immigration policy.

General Electric, which makes jet engines, gas turbines and other heavy industrial equipment, said it had been unable to hire a stem cell research executive from India and turbine engineers from outside the European Union because of the government cap.

Ministers introduced the temporary cap on non-EU immigration after the general election with a view to agreeing a permanent limit later this year.

But the move has faced criticism from business leaders who have branded it a blunt instrument, while others said the cap is too tight because it was based on immigration during the economic downturn, when demand for overseas workers was lower.

GE’s national executive for north Europe, Mark Elborne, told a Sunday newspaper that the group had only been given a small quota of people it could recruit from outside the EU.

Elborne said the move could damage Britain’s competitiveness and make it a less attractive place in which to invest.

hit out

a) to deal a blow aimlessly: a child hitting out in anger and frustration.

b)to make a violent verbal attack: Critics hit out at the administration's new energy policy.

livros de inglês para informática

http://www.4shared.com/document/8atTECxg/Basic_English_for_Computing.htm

http://www.4shared.com/document/Jg3F8o1P/Oxford_English_for_Computing_S.htm

Ordem de palavras - 11 de abril

PC is a general purpose tool built around a microprocessor. It has lots of different parts -- memory, a hard disk, a modem, etc. -- that work together. "General purpose" means that you can do many different things with a PC. You can use it to type documents, send e-mail, browse the Internet and play games.

In this article, we will talk about PCs in the general sense and all the different parts that go into them. You will learn about the various components and how they work together in a basic operating session. You'll also find out what the future may hold for these machines.

Main components of a typical desktop computer:

Central processing unit (CPU) - The microprocessor "brain" of the computer system is called the central processing unit. Everything that a computer does is overseen by the CPU.

Memory - This is very fast storage used to hold data. It has to be fast because it connects directly to the microprocessor. There are several specific types of memory in a computer.

Referência textual - 11 de abril

Sites com exercícios de inglês

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/ (vimos em classe)

http://www.agendaweb.org/ (com exercicios de áudio também)

Achieving the impossible

Candido Rondon (1865-1958) is a great Brazilian hero famous for his role in building a telegraph network through the vast expanse of western Brazil in the late nineteenth century, which required traversing the deepest recesses of the Amazon rainforest. He was a champion of humanism, a person who dedicated his life to the happiness and prosperity of the people. The Federal University of Rondonia is named in his honour.

[Candido Rondon was a military officer, engineer and explorer who did important work mapping and opening up the Mato Grosso region of western Brazil. He was also a staunch advocate of the rights of indigenous peoples.]

Extending telegraph lines through the unexplored reaches of the Amazon presented such a daunting undertaking that everyone thought it was impossible. Why was Rondon able to make the impossible possible? Three keys to his success can be cited.

First, he followed the lessons of those he looked up to as his mentors. The greater the challenges he faced, the more he turned for guidance and inspiration to the teachings and examples of such people as Benjamin Constant (1836-1891), a military officer and educator who was a leading figure in the establishment of the Brazilian Republic. And he strove tirelessly, never retreating a single step, for the sake of society, the people and the future, doing his utmost to realise his predecessors' dreams for the development of the young republic of Brazil. That's what made him strong and undefeatable.

The second key to success was staying wisely committed to the course of unity. Rondon was supported by many colleagues who stuck by him through thick and thin. They called the Rondon Commission, in which they worked alongside him, `the school of duty', and had immense respect and admiration for their leader. In the task of establishing the telegraph network, Rondon showed himself to be indefatigable and uncomplaining. Heartily encouraging his colleagues in this proud undertaking, he inspired them to work with amazing dedication and unite together solidly.

Unity will lead to victory in any struggle. Rondon's message of what can be achieved through a united effort resonates with me powerfully. Let's follow his example! Let's forge ahead in unity to a new summit of victory!

The third key to success was tenaciously pursuing the course of dialogue. Rondon respected the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. He made sincere efforts to engage them in dialogue and promote communication, and through these bold initiatives fostered firm friendships.