Question 1

What makes soap useful for cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Soap helps break down dirt and oil so that they can be washed away with water. It has special molecules that grab onto both water and oil, making them easy to rinse off.

Question 2

Why do we use toothpaste to brush our teeth?

Accepted Answer

Toothpaste helps clean our teeth by scrubbing away food and bacteria. It also contains fluoride, which helps make our teeth stronger and protects them from cavities.

Question 3

How do batteries power things?

Accepted Answer

Batteries store energy and release it when they are connected to a circuit, like in a flashlight. This energy makes things like lights or toys work.

Question 4

Why does baking soda help cakes rise?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda reacts with acids in the cake batter to produce tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. These bubbles make the cake batter expand and rise, making the cake fluffy.

Question 5

What makes glue sticky?

Accepted Answer

Glue is made of substances that can seep into tiny cracks and holes on surfaces. As the glue dries, it hardens and holds the surfaces together tightly.

Question 6

Why is shampoo different from soap?

Accepted Answer

Shampoo is specially made to clean your hair without making it dry and rough. It removes dirt and oil, but it also leaves enough natural oils to keep your hair shiny and smooth.

Question 7

What makes candles burn?

Accepted Answer

When you light a candle's wick, the flame melts the wax around it. The wax then gets soaked up by the wick and turns into gas, which keeps the flame going.

Question 8

How do refrigerators keep food cold?

Accepted Answer

Refrigerators use a special liquid called a refrigerant that removes heat from inside. This keeps the air inside the fridge cool and helps prevent food from spoiling.

Question 9

Why do we use detergent for washing clothes?

Accepted Answer

Detergent has ingredients that work well in both cold and warm water to help remove stains and dirt from clothes. It helps break up grease and makes clothes smell fresh.

Question 10

What makes plants in our garden grow?

Accepted Answer

Plants need sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil to grow. They use sunlight to make their own food, which gives them energy to grow bigger and stronger.

Question 11

Why does ice cream melt when left out?

Accepted Answer

Ice cream melts when it's warm because heat makes the solid ice cream change into a liquid. This happens because the heat makes the ice cream's molecules move faster.

Question 12

How does a light bulb glow?

Accepted Answer

When you turn on a light bulb, electricity flows through a tiny wire inside called a filament. This wire gets very hot and glows, giving off light.

Question 13

Why do some dishes get clean better in a dishwasher than by hand?

Accepted Answer

Dishwashers use very hot water and strong jets to remove food and grease, which can be more effective than washing by hand. They also use detergents that are strong but safe for dishes.

Question 14

What makes rubber bands stretch?

Accepted Answer

Rubber bands are made of stretchy materials called elastomers that can pull apart and snap back together. This lets them stretch around things and hold them tightly.

Question 15

Why does vinegar taste sour?

Accepted Answer

Vinegar is sour because it contains an acid called acetic acid. Acids taste sour, and that's what gives vinegar its tangy taste.

Question 16

How do instant noodles cook so quickly?

Accepted Answer

Instant noodles are pre-cooked and then dried, so they just need to absorb hot water to become soft again. This quick cooking makes them a fast and easy meal.

Question 17

Why do some markers smell different?

Accepted Answer

Some markers use safe chemicals to make their ink smell nice, while others might have a plain smell. Markers with special scents add fun to drawing and coloring.

Question 18

What keeps popsicles from melting too fast in the freezer?

Accepted Answer

Popsicles have sugar and other ingredients mixed with water, which helps them freeze solid. The cold temperature of the freezer prevents them from melting quickly.

Question 19

Why do balloons float when filled with helium?

Accepted Answer

Helium is lighter than air, so when you fill a balloon with helium, it rises and floats. This is because the helium lifts the balloon towards the lighter, higher air.

Question 20

How does hair conditioner make hair smooth?

Accepted Answer

Hair conditioner coats your hair with a protective layer that softens and smooths it. It helps reduce static and tangles, making it easier to brush and style.

The Science of Everyday Household Products - 20 FAQs Explained Simply