Question 1

What makes rubber bands stretchy?

Accepted Answer

Rubber bands are made of long stretchy molecules that can twist and bend. When you pull on a rubber band, the molecules stretch out, and when you let go, they go back to their original shape.

Question 2

Why does ice float on water?

Accepted Answer

Ice floats because it's less dense than liquid water. The molecules in ice are spread out more than in liquid water, making it lighter for the same volume.

Question 3

How does soap clean things?

Accepted Answer

Soap helps clean things by breaking up oil and dirt, allowing them to mix with water. This way, the dirt can be washed away easily.

Question 4

Why do metal objects feel cold to touch?

Accepted Answer

Metal feels cold because it conducts heat well, meaning it quickly takes heat away from your skin, making your skin feel cooler.

Question 5

Why do we wear woolen clothes in winter?

Accepted Answer

Woolen clothes keep us warm in winter because they trap air. The trapped air acts as a barrier and keeps the heat from leaving our bodies.

Question 6

Why do glass windows sometimes get foggy?

Accepted Answer

Glass windows get foggy because water in the air cools down and turns into tiny droplets on the cold surface. This happens when the window is cooler than the air inside.

Question 7

How does a magnet stick to a fridge?

Accepted Answer

Magnets stick to fridges because the door is made of a metal that magnets like. The magnet pulls towards the metal, holding itself in place.

Question 8

Why does chocolate melt in your hand?

Accepted Answer

Chocolate melts in your hand because it has fat that melts at a temperature close to your body temperature. When chocolate gets warm from your hand, the fat softens, and the chocolate turns to goo.

Question 9

Why do balloons pop?

Accepted Answer

Balloons pop when too much air is blown into them. The stretched rubber can't hold any more air and breaks, causing the balloon to burst.

Question 10

How does glue work?

Accepted Answer

Glue works by sticking to the surfaces of both things you want to join together. When it dries, it hardens and holds the pieces together.

Question 11

Why does bread go stale?

Accepted Answer

Bread goes stale because it loses moisture and the starch inside it changes form. This makes the bread hard and less tasty.

Question 12

How do zippers zip?

Accepted Answer

Zippers work by having lots of tiny teeth that hook together as you pull the zipper up. When you pull the zipper down, the teeth come apart and the zipper opens.

Question 13

Why does metal rust?

Accepted Answer

Metal rusts when it gets wet and is exposed to air. The water and air make a chemical reaction with the metal, turning it a reddish-brown color.

Question 14

How does a sponge soak up water?

Accepted Answer

A sponge soaks up water because it has lots of tiny holes. The water fills the holes, making the sponge wet.

Question 15

Why do leaves change color in autumn?

Accepted Answer

Leaves change color in autumn because they stop making their green pigment, chlorophyll. Other colors that were hidden by the green start to show, like red, yellow, and orange.

Question 16

How does Velcro stick together?

Accepted Answer

Velcro sticks together because one side has tiny hooks and the other side has tiny loops. When pressed together, the hooks catch in the loops, keeping them connected.

Question 17

Why do cars need gasoline to run?

Accepted Answer

Cars need gasoline because it's a kind of fuel that provides energy to power the engine. The engine turns that energy into movement to make the car go.

Question 18

Why does paper burn?

Accepted Answer

Paper burns because it contains carbon and hydrogen, which easily catch fire in the presence of oxygen. When paper burns, it reacts with air and produces light and heat.

Question 19

How do icicles form?

Accepted Answer

Icicles form when water drips down and freezes. Each drop adds a little more to the icicle, making it grow longer.

Question 20

Why do pans get hot on the stove?

Accepted Answer

Pans get hot on the stove because the stove heats them up. The heat travels from the stove to the pan, making it hot enough to cook food.

The Physics of Everyday Materials - 20 FAQs Explained Simply