Science

The National Weather Service has the authority to issue a hurricane watch when the agency deems that one of these gigantic storms is a potential threat to land. The hurricane watch differs from...

Magnet wire is a specialized type of wire designed to be wound as tightly as possible to create a strong magnetic field. It's used in most electrical, electronic and electromechanical devices to...

Hydrogen is a combustible gas that combines with oxygen to form water. Hydrogen generator cells pull hydrogen out of water using a process known as electrolysis, which involves running a small...

A material is absorbent when it is able to absorb, or "suck up," the matter or energy of another material. Typical instances of matter absorption involve solids absorbing liquids and liquids...

Latitudes are imaginary lines that run horizontally around the Earth and are used to determine north and south measurements. Because latitude runs east and west, the lines are always the same...

Laundry detergents are not at all similar to soaps and other products that we may use on our bodies or surfaces to clean them. The working principle behind detergents lies instead with the...

Latitude is the angular distance north or south of the Equator, the imaginary horizontal line at the Earth's center that divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Horizontal lines on globes...

A digital voltmeter is an instrument used to measure the voltage of electrical devices and circuits. They come with two openings for probes, where the black one is negative and the red one is...

The U.S. customary system of measurement uses several units not commonly used in other industrialized countries--for example, gallons and cups to measure volume, feet and miles to measure distance...

Mercury, a silvery liquid, is one of the most familiar of elements. As a metal that forms compounds easily when combined with other elements, mercury is used in scientific instruments like...

Making a windsock is a great activity project for children and adults. See the pleasure on your child's face as she watches her windsock stretched out in the breeze. This fun and educational...

Liquid gas, silicate of soda, soluble glass and water glass -- these are alternate names for the compound, sodium silicate. Because this grey-white powder is soluble in water, it offers many...

Joining two pieces of metal together allows us to build larger and more complicated items. Soldering and brazing create a more permanent bond than bolts or rivets.

The most popular household battery is a dry cell. Dry cells are found in various electronics such as remote controls, radios and portable televisions. Dry cells come in various voltages, with 1.5...

Whether the light shining on your plants is coming from the sun or from an artificial source, that light source is emitting photons. The sun emits these bits of electromagnetic radiation in a much...

Ionic water-soluble substances consist of very small particles that become evenly distributed when combined with polar solvents such as water. Colloidal substances are also finely divided, but are...

Dividing fractions is an aspect of arithmetic that gives many students trouble. Although the procedure of multiplying the dividend by the reciprocal of the divisor to obtain the quotient seems...

A photovoltaic solar cell made up of a semiconductor material that has one positive and one negative side. It has an antireflective coating on the top side of the wafer and non-conductive...

An NPN transistor is a type of bipolar transistor. They have a PN junction made from n- and p-type semiconductors. An NPN has a p-type placed between two n-types. These layers are called the base,...

The flashlight is one of the most ubiquitous items around. Do you know anyone who owns just one? Just as flashlights come in an incredible number of designs and sizes, they have uses far beyond...

Transistors are semiconductor devices with at least three terminals. Bipolars are formed from a combination of a PN junction with another layer. PN junctions are made from n- and p-type...

Due to their size and abundance, plants and animals are the most recognizable living organisms on Earth. However, each is made of an organized network of cells that conduct the processes necessary...

A subduction zone occurs where two tectonic plates (massive moving segments of the Earth's crust) collide and one plate sinks (is subducted) under the other. Seduction occurs only under oceans and...

The ideal gas law illustrates the simplest expression of the parameters determining gas behavior, namely pressure, volume and temperature. It is called ideal because it doesn't fit any real gas...

Capacitors are often the unsung heroes of electrical circuits, storing potential voltage to be released on demand, much like a battery. They are often overlooked until one goes bad, causing an...

Some would say that temperature is a relative term. Actually, hot and cold are relative terms, but temperature readings are pretty accurate given today's advances in meteorology. During the 16th...

Kelp is found off the eastern and western coasts of the United States and in coastal areas all over the world. It is a popular additive to food and cosmetics and is even used for supplements....

Capture the energy of the sun and install solar panels to the grid. This will not only make you a more environmentally-friendly energy consumer, it can also make you some green money. When you...

So you're thinking of living off the grid? You have a whole life planned that will set you free from the expensive shackles of your local electricity company. Now all you have to do is build a...

A compass rose indicates the cardinal directions on a map. These directions are aligned with map north and are used to orient the map with actual surroundings. Most compass roses indicate at least...

If you need to find out how much current is being used by a three-phase motor, know the motor winding resistance of the three-phase motor and the voltage the three phase motor is operating at....

The eight half-winds on a compass rose are the intermediate markings that bisect the eight winds. The half-winds correspond to the directions north-northeast (NNE), east-northeast (ENE),...

A compass rose is an elegant navigational tool drawn on nautical charts. The elaborate, yet practical display resembled a rose and was originally named a wind rose since it marked the direction...

The compass rose is a symbol or icon that was developed as a navigational aid on charts dating back to the 14th century, and originally marked the direction of the winds (giving it its original...

A refractometer is a laboratory device used to measure the index of refraction of light as it passes through a solution. This measurement allows the concentration of a solution to be calculated;...

Building your own island isn't an impossibility, provided you are willing to work the steps necessary to ensure that your project has the proper sanction from government and the right engineering....

Trends come and go faster in the technological world than almost any other sector. Products are outdated in a matter of months in some cases. So where does this mountain of used electronics end...

A refractometer is a laboratory device used to measure the index of refraction of light passing through a solution. From this measurement, the concentration of a solution can be calculated and...

A potentiometer is a resistor used to read and regulate electricity in volts. Using the same theory as the rheostat, a potentiometer included in an electrical current circuit allows electricity to...

Alkaline batteries are the most prevalent type sold on the market. Unfortunately, they can only be used once and are harmful to the earth. Environmentally savvy consumers may opt instead for...

The use of open flames, with the proximity of flammable and reactive materials, underscores the need for fire safety in the science lab. Poor supervision, sloppy techniques, disregard for proper...

The DNA molecule comes in a twisted ladder shape called a double helix. DNA is made up of subunits known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide is made up of a sugar, a phosphate, and a base. Four...

Aqueducts are some of the best known Roman architectural works. They were used to carry water around the Roman Empire, and some remain in use in the modern world.

Litmus is a mixture of several different dyes extracted from the Roccella tinctoria or Lecanora tartarea, which are special types of organisms known as "lichens." These dyes (most notably...

Generators are usually used during power outages, saving food and drinks from spoiling and giving much-needed electricity during storms. With solar generators, you don't have to worry about losing...

Beef is aged to increase tenderness and to improve flavor. While the preferred flavor of beef is a personal preference, most consumers prefer aged beef over non-aged beef. Aging beef is used to...