Science in Unexpected Places
By Kathy Payne
On a crisp autumn morning, the sun began to rise and heat up our wonderful planet.
My son yelled, "Mom, the fence is on fire"!
We turned and low and behold, the fence looked like it was smoking.
Why would the fence look like it was on fire? What science would explain what was happening?
The fence wasn't on fire. It had absorbed the dew during the night and early morning. When the sun rose, the wooden fence and the water in it began to heat up. The liquid water turned to a gas and began to rise.
Science in unexpected places!
On a trip in the desert, we found this large piece of petrified wood that has cactus growing from it.
What do you think the word petrified means?
Let's look at the picture. The petrified wood used to be a large tree. Now it is made of rocks and minerals.
What could have happened to the tree that it would become rocks but still resemble the tree it had once been?
An unexpected treat to come upon this beautiful lake where once a volcanic mountain existed at the edge of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
The water is so clear that you can see his feet at the bottom.
Why would you think the water is clear? How does the lake replenish the water?
You can only stay in the water for a few minutes because it is so cold! As soon as you place your feet in the water you can feel the temperature of the water and soon you cannot feel your feet.
Why would the water be so cold?