BUTT.gif (5943 bytes)

mys.jpg (13046 bytes) 
       by per ola and emily d'aulaire

mys1.gif (11092 bytes)

1: Looking out the window oneday after a snow shower, Larry asked his father how the birds could sit on the wet high voltage power lines without being electrocuted. His dad correctly explained that:

a: All high -voltage lines have an insulated cover that prevents electric shocks.

b: An enzyme in the birds claws blocks shocks.

c: The birds donot touch anything directly connected to the ground.

Answer: c.

An electric current won't flow until a circuit is completed. A bird on high voltage line is safe unless, for example, it spreads its wings and brushes against a nearby tree, which would creat a path for the electric current to flow through the bird to the ground, completing the circuit and killing the bird. An insulator, prevents the current from passing through the pole tothe ground.

2:  Benjamin's surervisor at a canning company asked him to sort larger blueberries from the smaller ones. Benjamin exparimented by gentlyshaking a crate of berries.He discovered that the larger berries would:

a: Rise to the top

b: Sink to the bottom

c: Stay where they were

Answer: a.

Shaking the crate creates small spacesbetween and beneath the blueberries that act like a screen. Since only small berries fit into the smalll openings, they filter down, pushing thelarger berries to the top. The same principle explains why gardners are often frustrated by the rocks that seem to appear from nowhere. Mild movements in the changes, create openings that dirt and small stones drop into, gradually pushing larger rocks to the surface.

3: The  Andersons were finishing a picnic lunch when a thunderstorm struck. Mr. Anderson hurried his family into the car because he knew that:

a: Lightning is less likely to hit a moving target.

b: The rubber tires effectively insulate the car.

c: The auto's steel body leads any charge safely away from the vehicle's occupants.

Answer: c.

The steel body of the car acts as a protective cage. the electric charge travels over the surface of the vehicle, arcking the short distance from frame to ground, leaving the passengers inside safe.