Question 1

How does a toaster work?

Accepted Answer

A toaster works by heating up coils inside it. When you push down the lever, electricity flows through the coils, making them hot. This heat cooks the bread until it becomes toast.

Question 2

What makes a fan spin?

Accepted Answer

A fan spins because of a small electric motor inside it. When you turn it on, the motor starts to spin the blades, creating a breeze that cools you down.

Question 3

How does a flashlight light up?

Accepted Answer

A flashlight lights up because of a battery inside it. When you turn it on, the battery sends electricity to a bulb, making it glow so you can see in the dark.

Question 4

Why does my phone vibrate?

Accepted Answer

Your phone vibrates because there's a tiny motor inside with an uneven weight. When the motor spins, it causes the phone to shake or vibrate.

Question 5

How does an elevator move up and down?

Accepted Answer

An elevator moves with the help of strong cables and a motor. The motor turns the cables, which lift or lower the elevator car to move between floors.

Question 6

What makes a computer mouse work?

Accepted Answer

A computer mouse works by sensing movement. It has a small light or laser that tracks how you move it, sending signals to the computer to move the cursor on the screen.

Question 7

Why does a microwave heat food?

Accepted Answer

A microwave heats food using special waves called microwaves. These waves make water molecules in the food move around and create heat, which cooks the food quickly.

Question 8

How does a refrigerator keep things cold?

Accepted Answer

A refrigerator keeps things cold with a liquid called refrigerant. The refrigerant moves inside tubes, removing heat from the inside of the fridge, which keeps your food cold.

Question 9

What makes a washing machine spin clothes?

Accepted Answer

A washing machine spins clothes using a motor. The motor makes the drum inside turn around and around, which washes the clothes by moving them through the soapy water.

Question 10

How does a TV screen show colors?

Accepted Answer

A TV screen shows colors using tiny dots called pixels. Each pixel can light up in different colors, and when together, these pixels create the colorful images you see on the screen.

Question 11

Why do remote controls work?

Accepted Answer

Remote controls work by sending invisible signals to a gadget like a TV. These signals tell the TV what to do, like changing the channel or turning the volume up.

Question 12

How does a digital clock keep time?

Accepted Answer

A digital clock keeps time using a tiny computer chip. The chip counts electrical pulses from a small piece of quartz, which keeps the clock running and shows you the correct time.

Question 13

Why does an electric toothbrush buzz?

Accepted Answer

An electric toothbrush buzzes because it has a motor inside. The motor makes the brush move very fast, which helps clean your teeth better than brushing by hand.

Question 14

How does a vacuum cleaner suck up dirt?

Accepted Answer

A vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt with a fan that creates suction. The fan pulls air inside, and the suction picks up dirt and dust from the floor into a bag or canister.

Question 15

How do headphones make sound?

Accepted Answer

Headphones make sound by using small speakers called drivers. The drivers vibrate to create sound waves that travel to your ears, allowing you to hear music or voices.

Question 16

What makes a camera take pictures?

Accepted Answer

A camera takes pictures using a lens and a sensor. The lens focuses light onto the sensor, which records the image so you can see or save the picture.

Question 17

How does a thermostat control temperature?

Accepted Answer

A thermostat controls temperature by measuring how hot or cold it is. It sends signals to your heating or cooling system to turn on or off to keep the temperature just right.

Question 18

Why does a printer put ink on paper?

Accepted Answer

A printer puts ink on paper by spraying tiny drops through its print heads. These drops create pictures or words that appear as the paper moves through the printer.

Question 19

How does a doorbell make sound?

Accepted Answer

A doorbell makes sound when you press the button, completing an electrical circuit. The circuit sends electricity to a small bell or speaker, making the sound you hear.

Question 20

What makes a light bulb glow?

Accepted Answer

A light bulb glows when electricity flows through a tiny wire inside it. The wire gets very hot, and when it does, it gives off light so you can see in the dark.

The Mechanics of Everyday Gadgets - 20 FAQs Explained Simply