165 questions and answers in this section

Natural Sciences » Physics

Explain why some mirrors produce a distorted image?

Explain why some mirrors produce a distorted image?

The way a mirror distorts an image essentially depends on its shape and its curvature. A normal mirror, the one you use every day, is...

Read full answer

Explain why an ice cube melts more slowly in soda than in water?

Explain why an ice cube melts more slowly in soda than in water?

Water is simply composed of pure water molecules (H₂O), while soda is a much more complex liquid: it mainly contains water, but also sugars, carbon...

Read full answer

Explain why an inflated balloon can burst if it stays in direct sunlight?

Explain why an inflated balloon can burst if it stays in direct sunlight?

When you leave your balloon inflated in direct sunlight, the air trapped inside heats up. When a gas like air receives heat, its molecules move...

Read full answer

Explain why we are sometimes dazzled when coming out of a dark room?

Explain why we are sometimes dazzled when coming out of a dark room?

The human eye constantly reacts to variations in light to achieve the best possible vision depending on the situation. As soon as a bright light...

Read full answer

Explain why oil causes water to sizzle when cooking?

Explain why oil causes water to sizzle when cooking?

Water and oil are two liquids with very different physical properties, which explains why they don't really get along well together in cooking. Water is...

Read full answer

Explain why sand sticks to wet feet at the beach?

Explain why sand sticks to wet feet at the beach?

Water has special properties due to the way its molecules are composed. Each water molecule acts like a tiny magnet, with one side positively charged...

Read full answer

Explain why we blow on hot soup to cool it down?

Explain why we blow on hot soup to cool it down?

Heat spontaneously flows from a hot medium to a colder one: this is the basic rule of heat transfer. In your hot soup, the fast...

Read full answer

Explain why are reflections on the surface of water inverted compared to reality?

Explain why are reflections on the surface of water inverted compared to reality?

When you observe a reflection on the water, what you see is the light bouncing off the surface. The principle is simple: each ray of...

Read full answer

Explain why a vacuum-sealed jar resists opening even when twisting the lid?

Explain why a vacuum-sealed jar resists opening even when twisting the lid?

In a vacuum jar, a large part of the air inside was removed just before sealing it. Air is made up of many small molecules...

Read full answer

Explain why a rubber band loses its tension if it remains stretched for too long?

Explain why a rubber band loses its tension if it remains stretched for too long?

An elastic band is typically made of a material called an elastomer polymer. A polymer is a long chain formed of small repeated chemical units...

Read full answer