Science Facts for Kids
Mind-blowing science facts
Semiconductors are materials that conduct electricity only partially, making them perfect switches for electronics. Silicon, the most commonly used semiconductor, forms the basis of nearly every computer chip ever made.
Teflon — the non-stick coating used in pans — was discovered accidentally in 1938 when a chemist at DuPont found that a container of refrigerant gas had mysteriously coated itself with a slippery white powder.
Humans produce three different types of tears: basal tears that constantly lubricate the eye, reflex tears that flush out irritants, and emotional tears triggered by feelings. Only emotional tears contain extra stress hormones.
Hydrogen was the first element to form after the Big Bang, appearing just minutes into the universe's existence. To this day, hydrogen makes up about 75 percent of all normal matter in the universe.
Electric eels can generate electric shocks of up to 860 volts — enough to stun a horse. They use electricity to hunt, navigate murky water, and communicate with each other.
Black holes have such intense gravity that even light cannot escape once it crosses the 'event horizon.' But just outside this boundary, their gravity bends light from stars behind them into spectacular rings called Einstein rings.
Scientists believe yawning helps cool down the brain. When you take a big yawn, the rush of air cools the blood flowing to the brain — which is why you yawn more when you are tired or overheated.
The distinctive earthy smell of rain on dry ground is called petrichor. It comes from a mixture of plant oils, bacteria compounds, and ozone, all released when raindrops hit the soil.
Your stomach lining is entirely replaced about every three to five days to protect it from being dissolved by digestive acid. Without this constant renewal, your stomach would eventually digest itself.
Cats have a 'righting reflex' — an ability to twist their bodies in mid-air and land on their feet. This works down to surprisingly small heights, and scientists discovered that cats actually survive falls better at greater heights.