Category

Energy

Earth's AtmosphereEnergyGeologyPhysics

How do colors affect temperature absorption?

We've all heard the fashion sayings . . . "never wear white after Labor Day" . . . "pastel colors should be worn at Easter" . . . etc. You know the traditions, but did you know they are actually based on science? The color of the clothing you wear can affect how hot or cold you feel when standing outside during the day. The light reaching us from the Sun is known as "white…
Cheryl Taylor
August 25, 2014
EnergyPhysics

Teaching Kids about Consumerism and Conservation

Let's face it, the advertising world targets your kids every day. What child hasn't been disappointed after saving for months for a toy, only to find it doesn't measure up to what the commercial promised? In my science classes I teach my students how science can be used to objectively test claims made by advertisers . . . in other words, how to be wise consumers. Here's a fun idea that actually came from one…
Cheryl Taylor
June 1, 2014
EnergyPhysics

Outdoor Activity Explains Energy and Work

Energy is defined as the "ability to do work." Energy and work are really different forms of the same thing, but to a child, they are very different. Try this simple outdoor summer activity to demonstrate the relationship between gravitational potential energy and work. First, children need to understand gravitational potential energy. Explain to your child that a ball on the floor has no potential energy because it won't move by itself. But, a ball…
Cheryl Taylor
April 7, 2014