Objects will appear reversed in a mirror because what you are seeing in a reflection and not a reproduction of the image. If you stand in front of a mirror with your right eyes closed the image in the mirror will appear to show your left eye closed, because the image is facing the opposite direction. In all reflection images …
Read More »Why do not Birds on a wire get a shock?
Now how is that possible? The fact is, for a living creature to get a ‘shock’ there has to be a substantial flow of current through the body. However, there is barely any current running through the bird’s body for two reasons. Firstly, the bird not only forms a circuit with the wire, but it also offers a high resistance …
Read More »Why do newspapers print a combination of four dots – blue, pink, yellow, black – at the bottom of each page?
The four dots – blue (cyan), pink (magenta), yellow and black are registration marks used during printing to help ensure the print is aligned properly. In offset printing technology, which newspapers use, the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. These primary colours go into printing a multi-coloured image and have …
Read More »Why do muscles ache after exercise?
Whatever you do, you are using your muscles. Not all of them move at once you have 639 muscles in all but you would be surprised to know how many of your muscles you use doing something as simple as walking. When your muscles are working they produce an acid called lactic acid, which makes the muscles feel tired. When …
Read More »Why do most birds jump on land instead of walking?
Smaller birds hop, while larger ones walk by alternating legs. Smaller birds won’t get very far with each baby step, However, there are plenty of exceptions, even within the same taxonomic groups, and some species (ravens, robins and blackbirds) move by both methods.
Read More »Why do laurel and holy trees have shiny waxy leaves?
Laurel and holy trees have developed special kinds of leaves to seal the water inside themLaurel and holy trees have developed special kinds of leaves to seal the water inside them during the winter months. Both trees are evergreen, inside of dropping all their leaves in autumn; they shed old ones and grow new ones through out the year. In …
Read More »Why do food packages carry Kcal when they actually specify calories and not kilo-calories?
Kilocalories are commonly known as calories and abbreviated as kcal. One calorie (Kcal) has the same energy value as 4.186 kilojoules (kJ), while one kilojoule is equivalent to 0.24 calories. One calorie contains the amount of energy that raises the temperature of one litre of water by 1 degree Celsius.
Read More »Why do flowers have sepals?
The sepals of a flowers protect it while it is in bud. The flower is really a kind of shoot, in which the leaves have been altered so that they can take on the task of producing seeds. In a simple flower these leaves are arranged in circles, called whorls. The outermost are five green, leaf-shaped sepals. Inside these are …
Read More »Why do flowers have different smells and colours?
The smell in flowers comes form the special oils that are produced in the petals, as the plant grows. When this oil evaporates, which it does very easily, it gives off a fragrance which we can smell. Various combinations of chemicals in the oil of different flowers result in a variety of fragrances. Some are pleasant sweet smells, like those …
Read More »Why do Ears Pop?
Recently I went to the top of a skyscraper in a lift. After I had gone up a few stories, I felt a funny sensation in my ears. My eardrums seemed like they were growing and were about to burst. As I went a little higher, the sensation was worse. My fellow passengers in the lift told me to swallow …
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