Everyday Science Hacks
This kitchen appliance uses microwaves to heat food.
Microwave oven
The powerhouse of the cell.
Mitochondria
The acid in your stomach that helps digest food.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
In Frozen, Elsa builds her ice castle. Which physical change is involved in freezing?
Liquid → Solid or Solidification
The type of energy Christmas lights use.
Electrical energy
Why do your ears “pop” when riding an airplane?
Air pressure changes; Eustachian tube equalizes pressure
The green pigment in plants that captures sunlight.
Chlorophyll
Why does garlic make your breath smell bad?
It releases sulfur compounds
In Iron Man, Tony Stark’s suit is powered by this type of energy source.
Arc reactor / nuclear fusion (fictional, but fusion-based)
LEDs are more energy efficient than old Christmas bulbs. What does LED stand for?
Light Emitting Diode
Why does ice float on water?
Ice is less dense than liquid water
The process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere.
Transpiration
What causes the “rotten egg” smell in some science labs?
Hydrogen sulfide gas
In Avengers: Endgame, Ant-Man shrinks. Which atomic particle spacing explains shrinking?
Atoms have empty space; reducing it would shrink size
Why do we see different colors in Christmas lights?
Different wavelengths of light
Why is wearing black clothes hotter than white clothes under the sun?
Black absorbs more heat radiation; white reflects it
What macromolecule is the main source of quick energy?
Carbohydrates
Why do your muscles feel sore after intense exercise?
Lactic acid buildup
In The Martian, Mark grows potatoes on Mars. Which essential plant process made this possible?
Photosynthesis
If a string of old Christmas lights goes out when one bulb breaks, is it wired in series or parallel?
Series
Why does a soda can explode if left inside a freezer?
Water in soda expands as it freezes, increasing pressure until the can bursts
In humans, what organ produces insulin to regulate blood sugar?
Pancreas
Which human organ can regenerate if part of it is removed?
Liver
In Interstellar, astronauts aged slower near a black hole. Which Einstein principle explains this?
Time dilation (General Relativity)
What law of physics explains why electric current flows in a closed loop?
Ohm’s Law / Law of Electric Circuits