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Posts tagged ‘Science’

Understanding How Frost Forms and Its Types

Frost is a lovely white layer of ice that appears on surfaces, looking like a soft, powdery covering. It forms when water vapor in the air changes directly into ice on cold surfaces, usually when the temperature drops below freezing.

  1. Frost forms pretty patterns of ice crystals.
  2. Frost can develop fractal patterns.
  3. If frost comes too early or too late in the season, it can damage plants and reduce the number of crops that are grown.

How Frost Forms

Frost forms when a solid surface gets colder than the air around it. This surface also needs to be colder than the freezing point of water. If the air is humid (has lots of water vapor), ice will start to form on the cold surface.

Imagine this: the air contains tiny bits of water vapor. When that vapor hits a very cold surface, it skips turning into liquid water and goes straight to forming ice crystals. This is called desublimation. For it to occur, the surface needs to be colder than the air’s “frost point,” which is the temperature where water vapor becomes ice.

The size of ice crystals depends on a few factors, like the temperature, the amount of water vapor in the air, and how long they’ve been growing undisturbed.

Frost often forms when a surface is colder than the surrounding air. For instance, you might notice it near cracks in chilly sidewalks, where warm, moist air from the ground escapes and meets the cold surface. Things that lose heat quickly, like rusty nails, are also common spots for frost to appear.

Sometimes frost forms in one spot but not in another nearby. This can happen due to small differences in elevation, as lower areas tend to get colder on calm nights. The type of ground also plays a role in how cold the air above it becomes.

Types of Frost

There are many different kinds of frost. Here is a list of them

  • Hoar Frost
    • Hoar frost is made up of white ice crystals that appear on the ground or on surfaces like wires and leaves. It typically forms on cold, clear nights when heat escapes into the sky faster than it can be replaced, causing objects to cool below the freezing point of water.
    • Sometimes, hoar frost forms in “frost pockets.” These are low areas like valleys where cold air settles. Hoar frost can even form in these pockets when the air a few feet above the ground is warmer.
    • The word “hoar” comes from an old English word meaning “showing signs of old age.” It describes how the frost makes trees and bushes look like they have white hair.
    • Hoar frost has different names depending on where it grows:
      • Air hoar forms on things above the ground, like tree branches or plant stems.
      • Surface hoar forms directly on snow, ice, or already frozen surfaces.
      • Crevasse hoar grows inside cracks in glaciers where water vapor collects.
      • Depth hoar forms as large crystals deep within dry snowbanks. These crystals grow bigger by taking water from smaller nearby crystals.
  • Advection Frost
    • Advection frost, also known as wind frost, forms as tiny ice spikes when a very cold wind sweeps over objects like tree branches or poles. It often appears as a delicate rim of ice along the edges of flowers and leaves. This frost typically develops facing into the wind and can occur at any time, day or night.
  • Window Frost
    • Window frost, also called fern frost or ice flowers, appears on window panes when it’s freezing outside and warmer, slightly humid inside. If the window isn’t well insulated, the water vapor condenses and freezes into beautiful frost patterns on the glass.
  • White Frost
    • White frost is a thin, solid coating of ice that forms when water vapor in the air freezes directly onto surfaces.
  • Rime
    • Rime is a type of ice that forms quickly, often when the air is moist and windy. It’s different from frost because it usually involves supercooled water droplets—water that stays liquid even below freezing. Ships in Arctic waters can end up with thick layers of rime on their ropes and gear. Unlike the delicate, feathery look of hoar frost, rime tends to appear solid and icy.
  • Black Frost
    • Black frost isn’t really frost at all! It happens when the air is too dry for frost to form, but temperatures drop so low that plants freeze and die. The frozen plant tissues turn black, giving it the name “black frost.” It’s often called a “killing frost” because it’s usually much colder than white frost. Interestingly, white frost can actually help keep things slightly warmer due to the heat released when water freezes.

Source: Frost facts for kids

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Facts about Cold Water Springs for Kids

Cold springs are created by cool water that flows from underground.

Facts about cold springs:

  1. Some springs flow year-round; other springs only flow at certain times of the year.
    • Some springs have a steady flow, while others may fluctuate depending on rainfall and underground water levels.
  2. Some spring water may be healthy because the water has dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.
    • Making them popular destinations for therapeutic bathing and wellness retreats.
  3. Some springs produce stunning geological formations.
    • Over time, the mineral-rich water can create breathtaking terraces, caves, and interesting rock formations.
    • Over time, water erosion from springs can create intricate cave networks, attracting explorers and cave enthusiasts.
  4. Spring water under pressure may flow quickly from under the ground, making cold springs appear to boil, even though the spring water is cold.
  5. Humans use cold springs for many things, including for drinking water, swimming, fishing, and watering pastures and crops.
  6. Spring water undergoes natural filtration.
    • As the water travels through rocks and earth layers, it becomes naturally filtered, resulting in cleaner water.
  7. The temperature of springs remains relatively constant.
    • Due to the underground water sources, springs often have a consistent temperature throughout the year.
  8. Springs are found all over the world.
    • From lush valleys to arid deserts, springs can be discovered in various geographic locations.
  9. Some springs are famous for their vibrant colors.
    • Due to the presence of specific algae or minerals, certain springs showcase stunning hues of blue, green, or red.

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Facts About Hot Springs for Kids

A boiling spring (hot spring) is ‘a spring of naturally hot water, typically heated by underground volcanic activity.

Facts about hot springs:

  1. The water is warmed by heat from under the Earth.
  2. Some are pleasantly warm and used by people for bathing and relaxing.
    • Hot springs have been used by people for thousands of years for relaxation and enjoyment. Ancient civilizations often built bathhouses around hot springs.
  3. Some are so hot, going into them would hurt or kill a person.
    • Hot springs can vary in temperature from just a few degrees above the average air temperature to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
    • Hot springs can be so hot that they can actually cook food! People have been known to boil eggs in certain hot springs.
  4. The water in hot springs can be rich in minerals such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and silica.
    • The minerals in hot springs can create colorful rock formations and terraces, making them look like otherworldly landscapes.
  5. The term “hot spring” is often used interchangeably with “thermal spring” or “thermal water.”
  6. Hot springs are formed when water is heated by volcanic activity or by geothermal heat from deep within the Earth’s crust.
  7. Hot springs have been used for geothermal energy production to generate electricity in some areas.
  8. Some hot springs have vibrant colors, like the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, which looks like a giant rainbow!
    • The colors seen in some hot springs are caused by the presence of thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria and algae.
  9. Did you know that some animals, like monkeys and snow monkeys in Japan, love to take baths in hot springs too? They use them to keep warm during cold weather.
  10. Some hot springs have unique names, like “Devil’s Bathtub” or “Fairy Hot Spring,” which make them sound even more exciting to visit.
  11. Hot springs are not just found on land! There are also underwater hot springs called hydrothermal vents, where hot water and minerals are released from the ocean floor.

Did you know the center of the Earth is blazingly hot? The deeper under the Earth’s surface, the hotter it gets. The center of the Earth is a solid ball of hot metal, surrounded by a liquid sea of melted metal (see the picture below). This energy is what warms the water of boiling springs.

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Science Facts Pages for Kids

Scientists are people who study the universe and/or apply scientific knowledge to solve problems. You might decide to be a scientist when you grow up.

Common science subjects include:

  1. Biology – the study of life.
  2. Chemistry – the study of matter.
  3. Physics – the study of matter, energy, forces, and motion.
  4. Oceanography – the study of the ocean.
  5. Geology – the study of the Earth.
  6. Meteorology – the study of weather.
  7. Astronomy – the study of the universe, stars, and planets.
  8. Computer science – the study of computers.

Here are some links to various pages with information about various scientific topics. More links are coming soon.

Biology is the study of life. This includes plants, animals (including mammal, insects, reptiles, fish), and humans.

Chemistry is the study of matter. Physics is the study of matter, energy, forces, and motion.

Earth Science

Science Projects

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Fun Plant Facts: Explore Roots, Leaves, and Flowers

A plant is a living organism, typically with roots, stems, and leaves. Examples include trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses.

External anatomy of plants:

  1. Plant roots are the tough, sometimes woody shoots that grow into the ground. Roots take in water and nutrients from the soil.
  2. Leaves are often the flat, green growths on the upper part of the plant. Leaves are green because of a substance called chlorophyll.
  3. Stems are the main stalk of the plant. They are usually above ground, but sometime also go underground.
  4. Flowers are the seed-bearing part of the plant and often have brightly colored petals.
  5. Plants grow seeds. Seeds are small plants in a protective covering. A seed is capable of growing into another plant.

Here is a list of links about various plants for children.

  • Pumpkin Facts for kids
  • Facts about Trees for Kids: Trees are perennial plants with a central trunk, branches, and leaves. They generate oxygen, support diverse ecosystems, reproduce through seeds, and come in numerous species. There are over three trillion trees globally. Click on the link for more facts.
  • Burdock Facts for Kids: Burdock, a two-year plant from the Asteraceae family, thrives worldwide and aids bee survival with its blooms, while its sticky seeds facilitate dispersal.
  • Pictures of Vegetables: Vegetables grow on plants

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Facts about Gravity for Kids

Gravity is a force which pulls us back toward the Earth as we jump.

If you trip and fall and scrape your knees, you can blame gravity!

  1. If there was no gravity and you didn’t encounter any forces (friction, resistance of the air), you could jump and move upward forever.
  2. Astronauts on the space station in outer space can float through the air. There is less gravity because the astronauts are far away from the Earth.
  3. The more matter something has, the greater the force of its gravity.
  4. Who discovered gravity?
    • For a long time, scientists knew that there was some mysterious force that keeps us on the surface of the Earth.
      • In 1666, Isaac Newton mathematically described the force of gravity, laying the foundation for his laws of universal gravitation. Legend has it that his inspiration came from watching an apple fall from a tree. He began to wonder what force caused the apple to fall downward instead of floating away.
      • Another renowned scientist, Albert Einstein, expanded on Newton’s ideas about gravity with his groundbreaking theory of relativity.
  5. Weight depends on gravity, as it measures the force of gravity acting on an object. For instance, your weight on Earth represents how strongly gravity pulls you toward the planet’s surface.
  6. Facts about Gravity
    • In outer space, there is no gravity, which means you would experience weightlessness while floating around!
    • In physics, weight is defined as a force and is measured in Newtons. And do you know who this unit is named after? That’s correct—Isaac Newton, the brilliant scientist who uncovered the laws of gravity.
    • Objects are slightly heavier at sea level compared to the top of a mountain.
    • According to Scientists, earth’s gravity holds in the mixture of gasses we call air forming the atmosphere.

Source: Cool Facts

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Chemistry and Physics, Education, Science Facts

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Understanding Mammals: Key Features Explained

Facts about mammals:

  1. They are warm-blooded. They stay warm even when their surroundings are cold.
  2. They have a backbone (unlike worms).
  3. They breathe with lungs (not with gills like a fish or through skin like worms).
  4. They have hair or fur (not feathers like birds or scales like snakes).
  5. Females usually give birth to live babies (not born from eggs like turtles).
  6. Females feed babies their milk (unlike birds that feed babies food such as insects, worms, berries, and seeds).

Did you know humans are mammals? Feel your forehead. Unless it is an extremely hot day outside, your forehead is warmer than the air around you, because you are warm-blooded. Feel your back and find your backbone. Feel the hair on your head. When human babies are born, they are born alive and often crying and wiggling. Many human mothers nurse their babies with their milk.

Links to more facts about various mammals (animals).

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Burdock Facts for Kids

Arctium, better known as burdock, is a group of plants that live for two years and are part of the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies. Originally native to Europe and Asia, burdock has spread across the globe and can now be found in various regions worldwide.

One fascinating thing about burdock is how its seeds cling to surfaces. This impressive sticking ability helps the plant disperse its seeds and even inspired the creation of hook-and-loop fasteners, like Velcro!

About Burdock Plants

Burdock plants have dark green leaves that can grow up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) long. The leaves are usually big, rough, and oval-shaped. The ones closer to the ground are often heart-shaped and feel fuzzy on the underside. The stems that hold the leaves are usually hollow.

Burdock plants typically bloom from July to October. Their flowers are very important for honeybees. In August, when other flowers like clover start to fade, burdock flowers provide lots of pollen and nectar for bees. This helps bees get ready for winter before other plants like goldenrod start to bloom.

Burdock’s sticky burrs are great for spreading its seeds. They easily attach to animal fur or people’s clothes, helping the seeds travel to new places.

Arctium lappa (greater burdock)
A man holding a Burdock
Close up of burdock burrs
A very close picture of a bur, showing its sharp hooks

source: Burdock facts for kids Kids Encyclopedia Facts

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Facts about Squirrels for Kids

Squirrels are tree-dwelling rodents with bushy tails that typically eat nuts and seeds.

Facts about squirrels:

  1. Squirrels are animals, mammals, and vertebrates (they have backbones).
  2. Whether you live in the country or in a downtown apartment, you probably have squirrels living near you. Squirrels can live almost anywhere. There are 200 species of squirrels worldwide. They live in almost every country but Australia.
  3. Squirrels are ‘omnivorous’ which means they eat both plants and animals. They eat plants such as nuts, seeds, and fruits. Some squirrels also eat insects, eggs, small birds, snakes, and small rodents.
  4. Squirrels gather food year-round and bury food for winter.
  5. Some squirrels hibernate (sleep during winter), waking every few weeks to feed. Other squirrels, such as gray squirrels, stay awake all winter.
  6. Squirrels have litters of three to nine babies. The babies are born blind. They stay in a burrow or nest until they are three months old.
  7. Squirrels are in the rodent family.

Types of squirrels in the US include gray squirrels, red squirrels, fox squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels.

  1. Gray squirrels bury nuts all over the place and sometimes forget where they buried them. This helps new trees grow.
    • These squirrels are not gray in color; they are actually a mixture of black, browns and whites. They are actually banded with whitish ends, due to which they assume a grayish look.
  2. Red squirrels store a big pile of nuts in one place.
    • The American Red Squirrel is the smallest tree squirrel in North America, known for its feisty nature, bright reddish coat, and impressive ability to thrive in coniferous forests. Unlike the bigger Eastern Gray Squirrel, Western Gray Squirrel, or Fox Squirrel, Red Squirrels are fiercely territorial and have adapted perfectly to life in the tough northern forests and mountain regions of Canada and the northern United States.
    • Most people call this species the “American red squirrel.” 
    • The other red squirrels are small, tree-climbing rodents native to Eurasia. These squirrels have long bushy tails and pointed tufts of fur over their ears.
  3. Fox Squirrels are the largest tree squirrel found in North America, admired for its reddish-gray fur and bushy tail. 
    • Native to North America, fox squirrels are commonly found in the eastern and central United States, extending into Canada and parts of Mexico. They prefer open woodlands and forests but have adapted well to suburban and urban areas, often spotted in parks and neighborhoods.
  4. Flying squirrels
    • Did you know that flying squirrels don’t actually fly? Instead, they soar from tree to tree with the help of a built-in parachute. Their ‘parachute’ is a thin flap of skin stretching between their wrists and ankles.
  5. Ground squirrels
    • Have you ever noticed those busy little critters scurrying along hiking trails or popping out of burrows in open grasslands? Ground squirrels are a fascinating example of nature’s brilliance in adapting to life underground, though they’re often mistaken for their tree-dwelling relatives or written off as mere “prairie dogs.”

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Education, Facts about Mammals, Science Facts

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Facts about Trees for Kids

Trees are plants. Trees often have a central wood trunk supporting branches and leaves

Facts about trees:

  1. Trees are some of the oldest living things on Earth.
    • God made plants on day third day. This was before animals and after the creation of light and the atmosphere. (Click here to read more about the week of Creation)
  2. All sorts of living things thrive in trees, including insects, lichens, birds, and squirrels.
  3. Trees are a Perennial plant (that means it is a plant that persists for several years, usually with new herbaceous growth from a part that survives from growing season to growing season)
  4. There are several parts that make up a tree.
    • The main parts of a tree include roots, trunk, branches and leaves.
    • The roots of a tree are underground. They help support the tree and feed it nutrients, like water.
    • The trunk of the tree starts at the ground and rises upward. The trunk transport nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree. It also helps the branches and leaves overtop other plants and get as much sunlight as possible.
    • The branches extend out from the trunk in all directions. Leaves and stems grow from the branches covering as much area as possible that contains sunlight.
      • The leaves are used to create energy from sunlight, a process known as photosynthesis.
  5. How trees reproduce (make a new tree).
    • Trees reproduce by pollination, which can occur through insects, wind, or animals.
    • Trees produce seeds that can grow into a separate adult tree if the conditions are right.
    • Trees have various ways to spread their seeds. Wind carries winged and plumed seeds, while animals help disperse seeds found in edible fruits. Some seeds rely on gravity, simply dropping to the ground.
  6. Trees are useful in many ways.
    • Trees generate oxygen, a vital resource for the survival of humans and animals. Take a moment to breathe deeply and be thankful for the oxygen produced by trees.
    • Trees are the primary source of lumber used by humans to build things, like a home or wooden boat. Trees are also used to create decorative art and furniture, like a table or statue.
    • The wood for trees can also be used as fuel for a fire, both for warmth and cooking.
    • Trees are also the source of food, like fruit and nuts. The sap from some trees is used to create syrups.
  7. Trees don’t belong to any official taxonomic group. The term “tree” is simply used to describe various plant species that share certain physical traits.
  8. Several popular species of trees include the red maple tree, the oak tree, the magnolia tree, the sugar maple tree, the sweetgum tree, the cherry blossom tree, the palm tree, the sequoia tree, the dogwood tree and the pine tree.
  9. Total Species: Between 60,000 and 100,000
  10. There are 3+ trillion trees in the world.
  11. Trees are found Worldwide (except Antartica).

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