Mercury
28 April 2020
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I am Mercury
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Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and becomes the smallest in our Solar System. Its diameter just over 3,032 miles or 4,880 Km. This planet is one of the terestrial planets that consists of three main layers: core, mantle and crust with no tectonic plates. 85% of Mercury is made of enormous core and the rest 15% are the mantle and crust.
Why this planet becomes the smallest among 8 major planets?
This is due to the exceptional size of its hot iron core that has slowly cooled down and contracted, pulling the surface inward and causing it to shrink. In 4,5 billion years, the size of Mercury gets smaller radially by more than 4 miles (7 Km).
As its the nearest planet to the star of the Solar System, it has the fastest revolution comparing to other planets on average distance 36,000,000 miles.
Unlike the Earth with 6 layers of the atmosphere (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere), Mercury is only protected by exosphere, the most out layer of the atmosphere, which made of oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium and potassium that all whipped up by solar winds from the surface.
This planet is also called as an extreme planet due to the changing temperature. In the day time, its temperature could climb up to 800 F (427 C) and fall to -290 F (-179 C) in the night time. This explains that its day is extremely hot and its night is frozen.
The orbit of Mercury is elliptical, slowing down when it's further away from the Sun and accelerating as it gets closer. It completes one full orbit with 88 days based on Earth Calculation. 1 Year in Mercury equals 88 Days on Earth which means its time is faster than other planets.
Read Also : Neptune and the Jupiter
Read Also : Neptune and the Jupiter
Even if this planet is difficult to observe from the Earth, Scientists can have adequate information about Mercury due to the successful landed of two spacecraft: NASA’s Mariner 10 and Messenger.
You may watch the following video for more information:
You may watch the following video for more information:
To conclude :
- The smallest planet in the Solar System
- Mercury is made of rocky material with the solid surface without rings and moons as the satellite.
- It has the shortest orbit in the Solar System at about three Earth months or 88 days.
- Its grey similar to the Moon with rough surface caused by the asteroids hit.
- It takes 59 days to complete one rotation, resulting in the extreme changes of temperature.
- It's only protected by Exosphere, the most out layer of the atmosphere.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Learn Also :
The Solar System
27 April 2020
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The Sun is the center of the Solar System
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When you look at the sky in the evening, you can see many sparkling objects. They are burning ball of fire known as stars and visible during the night with naked eyes. The Sun is one of the stars, why cant you see it during the night?. Using telescope, you will be able to spot few planets and other space objects. Why these objects are hard to detect during the day? Lets read through to find the answer !
Read Also : Mercury and Neptune
Read Also : Mercury and Neptune
In 24 hours, we experience sunrise and sunset, days and nights, the Sun apparent movement throughout the day. Without us knowing that its happening due to the Earth spinning on its axis. So, everyday, the Sun rises in the East in the morning, then it appears to move gradually across the sky before setting down in the West in the evening because of the Earth rotation.
What are the causes of the Earth spins/rotates on its axis?
We might wonder why the Sun rises in the East in the morning and appears to move across the sky before setting down in the West in the evening?. This is because the first part of the Earth that exposes with the sunlight is the East and West becomes the last part of the Earth that reaches the sunlight. So, if you’re asking : Does the Sun moves across the sky? Well, the Sun doesnt go anywhere, it is the Earth that rotates on its axis, causing day and night, sunrise and sunset withing 24 hours. While spinning on its axis, it also revolves around the Sun. One complete revolution takes 1 year or 365 days, resulting different season in every part of the Earth.
while the Earth rotates on its axis, it constantly revolves around the Sun
Common Misconception(s):
- The Sun rises at exactly the same position in the East and sets at exactly the same position in the West every day.
- The Sun moves around the Earth because it appears to move across the sky in the day.
- The Earth’s revolution around the Sun causes the cycle of day and night.
- The Sun moving around the Earth causes the cycle of day and night.
What objects that make up the Solar System?
As the Sun becomes the centre of the Solar System, there are 8 main planets revolve around it. These planets are divided into two categories, terrestrial (inner) planets and Jovian (outer) planets. They are divided by an asteroid belt that lies between them. Terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. While Jovian planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. These planets are not the only objects that orbit the Sun, other space objects such as comets and asteroids also orbit the Sun. Together, they make up the Solar System.
What instruments and machines can be used to explore the space?
- The telescope can be used to see space objects that are far away.
- Rocket. It is used to launch artificial satellites, space probes or humans into space.
- Space probe. It can carry instruments to explore faraway places in space.
- Rover, it can be used to explore the surface of a planet.
- Space station. It provides a place or base for astronauts and scientists to live and work in space.
To conclude, the Solar System consists of the Sun, which is a star made up of hot gases, and the objects that orbit it. These objects are asteroids which are rocky objects found mostly in the asteroid belt, comets which are icy balls of dust and rocks develop dust tails when they approach the Sun, and the 8 planets.
To understand more about the characteristics of each planet, you may watch this video:
So that's the explanation of the solar system, I hope that it can help you understand about it.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Sounds
22 April 2020
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Kids in a choir
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Have you ever been to a concert or a choir? In a concert, you will hear the musical instruments played loudly and the singer sings resoundingly. However, how did the music travel from the stage to you? What did the performers do to make loud and soft sounds, high-pitched and low-pitched sounds using their instruments or their own voice? To answer this, we must first know what is sound.
Sounds are made when things or air vibrate. In other words, vibration is something that produces sound.
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Flicking a ruler
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When you flick a ruler on the table, you will observe the ruler vibrating. Once the vibration stops, the sound will also disappear. The harder you flick the ruler, the louder the sound. When you place a longer ruler over the edge of the table, the sound will be lower in pitched (low in frequency wave). This is because the vibration becomes slower, decreasing the pitch of the sound. So, what if you put a shorter ruler over the edge of the table? Well, you know the answer, it's high-pitched sound (high in frequency wave). Therefore, slow vibration produces low-pitched sounds while fast vibration produces high-pitched sounds.
So, can we make sound using different things and materials? If your answer is YES, then you’re certainly correct. There are some ways to make things vibrate and produce sounds such as plucking, hitting, blowing and shaking. These ways are used particularly when you play musical instruments like guitar, drum, recorder and angklung.
Accordingly, can human produce sound?
We, humans, have a vocal cord inside our larynx. This cords will vibrate when we speak or scream, resulting in us to produce sound. Imagine, if this cords stop vibrating, no matter how hard we scream we still don't make a sound.
When you whisper someone, your vocal cords will have small vibration, producing soft sounds. Conversely, when you scream, large vibration produces loud sounds. These sound levels can be measured using the sound level meter in the unit decibel (dB). Normally, a human can hear up to 140 dB, above this number can result in permanent hearing loss. Wearing ear defenders and closing doors and windows can help us protect our hearing.
How do sounds travel?
Sounds can travel in three different matters like solids, liquids and gases.
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How sounds travel in three different matters
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The picture above shows how sounds can pass through solid, liquid and gas. We can hear different sounds in anywhere we are due to these matters are all around us.
Sounds can be bent and absorbed depending on the type of the materials. Hard materials such as wall, stone and wood can bend sound. Soft materials such as carpets and sponges can absorb sound.
To understand more about sounds, you may watch this video:
So that's the explanation of sounds, I hope that it can help you understand about it.
Now, let's try this!
These sounds have sound levels in 10 dB, 60 dB, 85 dB, 120 dB and 130 dB. Match these sound levels with the type of sounds below.
- Hairdryer blowing = …… dB
- Human breathing = ……..dB
- Aeroplane taking off = ……….dB
- Background music playing = ……….dB
- Siren sounding = ……….. dB
Please submit your answer in the following comment box!.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Learn Also:
Shadows
21 April 2020
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I am a tree and I have a shadow
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In the morning or afternoon, you will have longer shadow due to the Sun is lower in the sky. At noon or midday where the Sun is high in the sky, your shadow will be shorter. But why do we have a shadow? To answer this we must first know what is a shadow?
Shadow is an area of darkness where light cannot reach. That means shadow can only be formed when an object of materials blocks the light.
There are three types of materials around us. They are opaque, translucent and transparent. Will all these materials form shadow? Let's find out!
Opaque, Translucent and Transparent materials
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Opaque, Translucent and Transparent boards
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The picture above shows us that we are unable to see the first kid face because his board is opaque. This type of material doesn't allow any light to pass through it. In other words, it blocks all the light that falls on it. Therefore, it can produce the darkest shadow.
You can see the second kid’s face yet unclear due to her board is translucent. This material allows some light to pass through and reflect the rest that is why we cannot see through it. Translucent materials form a light shadow.
The last kid’s face can be seen clearly as his board is transparent. Most light can pass through transparent materials that is why we can see through it. This material will not form shadow.
So, why our body can form a shadow? You guessed it, our body can block the light.
The last kid’s face can be seen clearly as his board is transparent. Most light can pass through transparent materials that is why we can see through it. This material will not form shadow.
So, why our body can form a shadow? You guessed it, our body can block the light.
What do you think the uses of opaque, translucent and transparent materials?
Without us knowing these three materials have an important function in our daily life. Take bathroom door, for example, its made of opaque material which blocks all light from passing through so it gives us privacy from the inside. Imagine if it's made of transparent material? Well, you know the answer.
Move to translucent, have you ever gone to the beach where the Sunlight is so bright? In this situation, you need sunglasses to protect your eyes which are made of translucent material. Glasses made of opaque and transparent material will not help you. In contrary, glasses made of transparent material is needed for reading so that you can see through it clearly.
But remember :
Not all types of glass and plastic are transparent.
Does the position of objects affect the size of the shadow?
The answer is YES, the closer the object to the light source, the bigger the shadow. This is because a larger area of light will be blocked, increasing its size.
From morning to evening, our shadow changes from longer to shorter and then back to longer. This happens because the Earth is spinning on its axis and the Sun appears to move throughout the day. So, it is not the Sun that is moving, it is us. Wow, interesting right?
In conclusion, a shadow is an area of darkness formed when light is totally or partially blocked because light travels in straight lines and it can change its shape, length, position and size when the position of the light source or object changes.
To understand more about shadow, you may watch this video:
So that's the explanation of shadow, I hope that it can help you understand about it.
Now, let's try this!
Now you understand what is shadow and how it formed. Can you identify 3 objects in your home that is made of opaque, translucent and transparent material and explain the reason why. Please submit your answer in the following comment box!.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Learn Also :
Electricity
20 April 2020
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I am a simple circuit
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Hi guys, have you ever noticed the city where you live in the evening? If yes, you will see so many bright buildings. They are all lit by electrical lightings.
Do you still remember how the man-made light source such as bulb or LED (Light Emitting Diode) produces light? Well, to produce light, it needs to be set up in a circuit where all components are connected.
So what are the electrical components in the circuit?
Electrical components are the components that formed a closed circuit. A simple circuit must at least have battery, lamp or bulb, wire and or switch as its components so that the electric current can flow.
The functions of the components are vary:
- Battery/cell provides electric charges for the bulb to light up. It has positive and negative ends. The electric charges will flow from the positive end to the negative end.
- Lamp/bulb produces light once the electric charges flow through it. There are five parts in a bulb such as metal tip, metal casing, metal wires, metal filament and glass cover. For a bulb to light up, the metal casing and the metal tip must be connected to both ends of a battery using wire. You may take a look at the following picture for the details:
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I am a bulb and here are my parts
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- The Wire connects all the electrical components to complete a circuit.
- The Switch is used to open and close the circuit. Once it closes the circuit, the bulb lights up and vice versa.
How do you think a battery can make a bulb light up?
The answer for this is by providing energy to push the electric current around the electric circuit and make the filament in the bulb becomes very hot. Wow, it's awesome, right? So the bulb doesn't give off light but becomes very hot that causes the glass cover glow.
What are closed and open circuit?
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We are a closed and open circuit
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Well, a closed-circuit means there is no gap/space between in the circuit which by definition all components are connected by wires. Therefore, the electric current flows in it and causes the bulb light up. What about an open circuit? You guessed it, it's just the opposite.
Please be informed that :
- electric current flows from the battery only and not from the other parts of the electric circuit when the electric circuit is closed.
- The electric current in the part of the electric circuit after a bulb is lower than that before the bulb because the electric current has been ‘used up’ by the bulb.
- In an open circuit, electric current flows to the part where there is a gap and returns to the battery when it cannot flow through the gap.
So, what safety precautions can we take while using electricity?
- Never touch the bulb switch with wet hands.
- Stop using damage wires.
- Do not poke into the electric sockets.
- Avoid the overload socket.
To understand more about circuit, you may watch this video:
So that's the explanation of circuit, I hope that it can help you understand about it.
Now, let's try this!
Now you understand that for a bulb to light up the metal casing and the metal tip must be connected to both ends of a battery. Can you identify which bulb light up and not light up from the picture above? Please submit your answer in the following comment box!.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Learn Also :
Light
16 April 2020
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I am a bulb
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Can you imagine how dark this world will be without light? Well, we certainly can't see anything around us without light.
Do you still remember a fish named cavefish? A type of fish that lives in the dark cave in the bottom of the ocean? This type of fish doesn't have eyes because its habitat is very dark and no light at all. So, if this world has no light we might not need our eyes either.
So what is light?
Light is a form of energy that made of photons that enables us to see around. Light has two types of sources which are natural and man-made. The Sun, lightning and the stars are our natural light sources while luminous objects such as candle, lantern, bulb are man-made.
What about the moon? Is it a light source or not?
The answer is NOT, because the moon only reflects light from the Sun that's why we can see it from the Earth.
So, we can see things around us due to the reflection of light. Light travels in a straight line from the light sources then reflected into our eyes. Why then, we can see different colours of objects? The answer to this because light contains all the spectrum of colours (known as rainbow) and once they hit on the object they will absorb all the colours but only reflect the colour of the object. Therefore, we can see it in a certain colour.
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| The reason we see colors |
Take this blue box as an example, it looks blue because it is absorbing every colour except blue, which reflecting off and entering our eyes. That's why we see it in blue.
But how does light travel?
As you know that light comes from light sources. In order to reach objects and enter our eyes, it produces light rays which always travels in straight lines. When it hits an opaque object, some light is absorbed and the rest reflects off. This is the reason why we are unable to see through an opaque object.
If the object is transparent, light rays pass through it easily. That is why you can see through your window because its made of glass which is transparent.
However, if the object is translucent, some light can pass through and the rest will be reflected. For instance, when you wear sunglasses at noon, you will be able to see around yet not as clear as when you take off your glasses. Wow, amazing right? Now you understand why we can or can't see through objects. It's all about light.
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| I'm looking gorgeous today, source |
Here is the interesting part,
Have you ever wondered why are you able too see yourself in front of the mirror but not in other objects? Well, this is because of the surface. The smoother the surface, the clearer you see your reflection. Therefore, you cannot see yourself clearly over a wooden table, paper etc as they have different materials which are actually rough under a microscope.
Despite that, can we measure the light intensity?
In order to know how bright something is, you can measure the light intensity using a light meter and a light sensor with a data logger in the unit of lux. The bigger the number in lux, the brighter it is.
To understand more about light, you may watch this video:
So that's the explanation of light, I hope that it can help you understand about it.
Now, let's try this!
Now you understand that not all objects can produce light or called as light sources. Can you identify 3 light sources and 3 non-light sources in your home?. Please submit your answer in the following comment box!.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Learn Also :
Magnets
15 April 2020
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I am a horseshoe magnet
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A lot of legends tell us about the discovery of magnets. The most popular one comes from an elderly shepherd named Magnets, who was herding his sheep in an area called Magnesia (Northern Greece), about 4,000 years ago.
According to the story, it is said that both nails in his shoes and the metal tip of his staff became firmly stuck to the large, black rock on which he was standing. Later after that, people named that type of rock magnetite, after either Magnesia or Magnets (himself).
However, after years of research, the scientist finally able to identify that type of large black rock was a lodestone, also known as a natural magnet. Through the development of science and technology, man-made magnets are eventually created.
Therefore, the magnets such as bar, u-shape, horseshoe, ring and button are all man-made magnets. So, what is a magnet?
Magnet is a stone or a piece of metal that attracts some other metals. Magnets create an area of the magnetic field around them.
What is the use of magnets?
Magnets are mostly found in electronic devices. Anything that has a motor uses a magnet. Televisions, computers and microwaves ovens all operate with magnets. Magnets can also be used to slow down roller coasters and subways. Another use of magnets is to keep refrigerator doors closed and many more.
What are the characteristics of magnets?
Well, they are usually made of iron, able to repel and attract. It has two poles that are known as the south pole (S-pole) and north pole (N-pole).
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A pair of bar magnet
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The blue end of a magnet is usually the south pole. The red end of a magnet is usually the north pole.
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These magnets are attracting (S-pole and N-pole)
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If you put two magnets together with different poles pointing towards one another, the magnets will pull towards each other. We say they attract each other.
When two magnets are close, they create pushing or pulling forces on one another. These forces are strongest at the ends of the magnets. When the poles are different, they create a force of attraction while if the poles are like, they create a force of repulsion.
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These two magnets are repelling (N-pole and N-pole). They are like poles (S-pole and S-pole will also repel)
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If you try to put two magnets together with the same poles pointing towards one another, the magnets will push away from each other. We say they repel each other.
PS :
Attract: to pull towards each other
Repel: to push away from each other
Magnetic and non-magnetic materials
Magnets can attract magnetic materials that are made of metals. Yet not all metals are magnetic. Metals that are magnetic such as iron and steel, while other metals like gold, copper, aluminium and others are not magnetic.
To understand more about magnets, you may watch this video:
So that's the explanation of magnets, I hope that it can help you understand about it.
Now, let's try this!
Now you understand that not all objects are magnetic. Can you identify magnetic and non-magnetic objects in your home? Please submit your answer in the following comment box!.
Your loyal Cap. Idaa
Ciao
Learn also :
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