You have in all probability seen or skilled most of those frequent science phenomena earlier than, however chances are you’ll not have thought of why they occur. From sticking a magnet onto your fridge to vibrant lights within the sky, we clarify ten fascinating phenomena and supply concepts for studying extra about every one.
Get able to delve into the science that makes our world wonderful!
1. Rainbows
What’s a rainbow?
A rainbow is a multicoloured arc made when mild from the solar passes by drops of rain or mist. To see a rainbow, you might want to stand between the solar and the rain with the solar behind you.
How do rainbows type?
Rainbows occur when daylight is refracted and dispersed in drops of rain or mist. Water is denser than air, so daylight slows down because it strikes from the air right into a raindrop. Mild displays off the within of the water droplet and is break up up into its element colors due to their totally different wavelengths.
The colors of the rainbow, ordered from longest to shortest wavelength, are:
Rainbow science actions
Make a rainbow with a prism. If it is not a sunny day, you are able to do this with a torch and a prism.
Search for a rainbow in bubbles.
Study one other scientific phenomenon, the moonbow!
2. Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis ( Northern Lights ) is a show of vibrant lights within the sky, seen in very northern elements of the world, reminiscent of Scandinavia, Alaska and Greenland. It is brought on by charged particles from the solar interacting with the Earth’s ambiance.
Discover out extra in regards to the Northern Lights.
Watch a time-lapse of Northern Lights in Alaska.
3. Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the method by which algae, crops and a few micro organism use carbon dioxide, water and lightweight to create oxygen and glucose. In crops, photosynthesis happens within the chloroplasts.
Vegetation have a number of diversifications that assist them make as a lot vitality as attainable by photosynthesis. Their leaves are skinny with a big floor space, which helps them soak up as a lot carbon dioxide and lightweight as attainable, and roots that unfold by the soil permit them to soak up as a lot water as wanted.
Photosynthesis science actions
Study chloroplasts and different organelles with a jelly plant cell mannequin.
Discover out why leaves are inexperienced.
Be taught in regards to the totally different elements of a plant with a plant dissection exercise.
4. Lightning
Lightning is a big spark of electrical energy within the ambiance. It occurs when electrical energy is discharged between clouds, from a cloud to the air or from a cloud to the bottom.
You’ll be able to display lightning by making a tiny spark of static electrical energy with a balloon and a metallic spoon.
5. Diffusion
Diffusion is the motion of a substance from an space of excessive focus to an space of low focus. The motion continues till the substance is evenly distributed all through the out there area.
Be taught extra about diffusion
Diffusion could be demonstrated simply by including a bit of meals colouring to a glass of water. Initially, the meals colouring is concentrated in a single spot after which spreads with out stirring by the water.
You can even display diffusion with a tea bag in water.
6. Magnetism
Magnetism is a drive that causes sure supplies to be attracted to one another. Magnets produce a magnetic discipline, the place different magnets and magnetic supplies expertise a drive. Magnets have two poles – north and south.
The drive between two magnets could be enticing or repulsive. Two poles which might be the identical repel, and two which might be not like appeal to.
Be taught extra about magnetism
Use magnets to race toy vehicles.
Make a mini magnet maze.
Create a compass with a magnet.
7. Cloud Formations
Clouds are droplets of water and ice particles floating at totally different heights.
Warmth from the solar turns water on the floor of the Earth into water vapour, which rises, cools, and turns again into water once more, forming a cloud. Clouds float as a result of the droplets of water are very mild, and there is a fixed move of hotter air rising underneath the cloud, retaining it afloat.
Clouds develop when extra water droplets stick collectively. When a cloud is heavy sufficient, it begins to rain!
Clouds are categorized relying on their altitude and look.
In Snackable Science, we used egg white to display totally different shapes of clouds!
8. Fossils
Fossils are the preserved stays of animals and crops that lived way back.
Not all stays develop into fossilised, and it is definitely fairly uncommon. Most animal and plant stays decompose after they die ( or are eaten by scavengers), but when they’re coated by sediment ( often sand, mud, or lava ), they could develop into fossils.
Be taught extra about fossils
Arrange a dinosaur dig exercise.
Study several types of rocks with my Rock Lab!
9. Bubbles
Have you ever ever questioned why bubbles all the time type a spherical form? The forces appearing between the bubble molecules trigger them to type a sphere, which encloses essentially the most quantity with the least floor space.
Be taught extra about bubbles
Use a little bit of science trickery to make a sq. bubble.
10. Shadows
A shadow is a darkish form fashioned when an opaque object blocks a supply of sunshine. Shadows could be seen exterior on sunny days. They alter form in the course of the day because the solar’s place adjustments within the sky.
Be taught extra about shadows
Make vibrant shadow puppets.
Watch time go by with a DIY backyard sundial.
Are there any extra science phenomena you’d wish to know extra about?
Final Up to date on March 31, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
