What would we do without the sun? The sun is an enormous celestial body in outer space that warms our entire solar system! The surface of the sun is around 10,000°F (5537°C) while the core is more than 18 million°F (9999982°C)! The sun is a giant ball of hydrogen and helium gas that is burning to produce this immense heat!
Nuclear fusion is the process that creates the sun’s heat. When the nuclei of two hydrogen atoms fuse together, they create one heavier helium atom. Every second, our sun turns 600 million tons of hydrogen into helium! Nuclear fusion produces huge amounts to energy, this energy can be classified into two types of: thermal energy and radiant energy. Without nuclear fusion, there would be no life on Earth!
Radiant energy is sent out from the sun in rays, most of this energy goes out into space. Earth receives a very small fraction of the sun’s rays, but it’s enough to warm our entire planet! Some of these rays bounce off of our atmosphere, reflecting them back into space, though most of this radiant energy reaches earth’s surface.
Thermal energy is heat. Nuclear fusion creates thermal energy, making the sun is millions of degrees hot! When energy from the sun hits an object, the atoms of the object begin to wiggle and move faster creating more thermal energy! If you’ve ever touched a sidewalk on a hot day, you’re feeling thermal energy in action!
Temperature is a measure of heat, which determines the degree of heat intensity of a substance. Temperature measures the amount of thermal energy of a substance. Heat makes molecules move more quickly. Your microwave heats your food by making the molecules move more quickly, making your food hotter!
Today’s experiment of the day is called Solar Oven S’mores! We use the sun’s rays to make yummy smores! See the experiment by visiting: https://sciencemadefun.net/downloads/solar_oven_smores.pdf
Chlorophyll is for Smarty Plants!
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 31, 2020 @ 6:00 am
What’s Chlorophyll? It is a natural chemical that makes plants green! Chlorophyll is found not only in plants but also in algae and some bacteria. Chlorophyll has a molecular structure in which Magnesium is located at the center, and plants that contain chlorophyll are autotrophs, meaning that they are able to create the nutrients that […]
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Sundials: Our First Clocks
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 30, 2020 @ 6:00 am
Long before the day of the smart watch, humans told time using the sundial, the very earliest timekeeping device! Sundials use the sun’s position in the sky to cast a shadow onto the dial which is marked with numbers indicating the time. The first sundial was created more than 5,500 years ago in the year […]
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Igloos
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 29, 2020 @ 6:00 am
The Arctic is one of the coldest environments on Earth. Winters are long with few hours of daylight. The Inuit people must adapt to this extreme climate. They need thick, warm clothing made from animal skins and furs. They make boots, hats and warm jackets called anoraks. The Inuit people build sturdy shelters to protect […]
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Experiment of the Day: Bird Migration
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 28, 2020 @ 6:00 am
During the cold winter months, you may wear a big winter coat, play inside more often, or even eat different foods. We change our habits and adapt to the changes of weather, and animals do the same! There are different species of birds that travel from cold northern locations to warmer locations further south during […]
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Bee Pollination Game
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 27, 2020 @ 6:00 am
Did you know that there are over 20,000 different kinds of bees? Bees are pollinators and live off the nectar from plants. These insects are attracted to the bright colors and sweet smell of flowers and vegetables. While pollinating, each bee will collect pollen from up to one hundred flowers! The concept of cross-pollination is […]
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Experiment of the Day: Chromatography Flowers
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 26, 2020 @ 6:00 am
What is chromatography? Chromatography is a technique that scientists use to help separate and identify the components of mixtures (solvents), such as those used in making commercial inks and dyes. Many types of ink, like many materials, are made up of two or more different substances. By passing a mixture through a liquid, most often […]
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Understanding Compost
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 25, 2020 @ 6:00 am
Have you ever wondered how plants continue to sprout, grow, and bloom year after year? How can they continue to receive the nutrients that they need to continue growing in the same soil? This is because the soil naturally renews itself with the nutrients from other plants, and with the help of a few other […]
Tags: compost, decompostition, HTHT, STEM, STEMAtHome
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Microbes and Alexander Fleming: Germ Game
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 24, 2020 @ 6:00 am
Who was Alexander Fleming? Alexander Fleming was a scientist that lived from 1881 to 1955, and he was a physician, microbiologist, and pharmacologist. He was interested in the study of microorganisms, the tiny little creatures you can’t see that can cause you to become sick! Microorganisms are often called germs! There are 6 types of […]
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The Fungus Among Us
Written by: Science Made Fun! on March 23, 2020 @ 6:00 am
What do you think of when someone talks about fungi? Often, mushrooms are the first image to come to mind, or maybe even a corny joke about being a fun-guy. While mushrooms are commonly recognized as fungi, the classification is much larger than you may think! Fungi are distinct due to their wide variations of […]
Tags: biology, Fungi, HTHT, ScienceForKids, STEM, STEMAtHome
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