Do mermaids exist? Mermaids are half-human and half-fish. But they exist only in folklore. The sirens who tempt sailors to their deaths in ancient Greek mythology are mermaids. Germans call them Rhine maidens who live in a castle at the bottom of the river. The...
What is condensation? Condensation is the process by which a gas or vapour turns into liquid or solid form. This occurs when it is cooled or compressed. Condensation is the opposite of evaporation. During condensation, heat is given off and the volume of the gas...
How is butter made? Butter is usually made from sweet cream. A starter usually lactic acid-producing bacteria mixed with other organisms—is added to the cream. The starter makes the cream ripen. Then it is churned by a revolving drum that shakes the cream back and...
Why do boy’s voices change? A small boy has a small larynx or voice box with short vocal chords. The vibration of the vocal chords produces short air waves resulting in a high-pitched voice. During puberty, the larynx grows and the vocal chords lengthen. This...
What is pollination? The transfer of pollen grains from the stamens to the pistils of a plant is called pollination. Pollination is essential for the production of seeds. It is caused in different ways. Wind and insects play a helpful role in pollination. In grasses,...
What is quicksand? Quicksand has inspired fear in many people as they believed that it had the mysterious power to suck in victims until they disappeared. Quicksand is actually a light, loose sand mixed with water. A key difference from other sands is that quicksand...
How does a caterpillar spin a cocoon? Caterpillars are the larvae of certain butterflies or moths. Caterpillars undergo several changes before they become butterflies or moths. This is called metamorphosis. The first stage is the cocoon which is spun with threads of sticky fluid that...
What is the smallest dinosaur skeleton? The skeleton of a Mussaurus (mouse-lizard) was found in Argentin It was so small that it could fit into the palm of one’s hand. The skeleton belonged to a baby dinosaur with a big head, eyes and feet. As...
What are maglev trains? Maglev trains were first introduced in Japan. Unlike other trains which run on tracks, these trains run just above them. This is because both the train’s bottom and the tracks are magnetized. The magnets repel each other so the train hovers...
What is oceanography? Oceanography is the study of the ocean and all that is connected to it. It helps us to understand how the ocean was formed and the changes it has undergone. This includes the study of the tides, storms, temperature and salt content,...
