Why does it rain?
We get rain when there is an area of disturbance, usually associated with a low-pressure system. The water vapor in the clouds creates droplets and those droplets keep getting bigger and bigger until they fall. When they fall, it creates rain!
Why do we see lightning before we hear thunder?
We see lightning first, because light travels faster than sound. Think of it like this, when you're watching fireworks, what happens first, seeing the bright lights of the fireworks or hearing the loud boom? Of course, you see the fireworks and then you hear the boom from them. Lightning and thunder work in the same manner.
Why is the sky blue?
The blue colour of the sky is due to Rayleigh scattering. As light moves through the atmosphere, most of the longer wavelengths pass straight through.
However, much of the shorter wavelength light is absorbed by the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is then radiated in different directions. It gets scattered all around the sky. Since you see the blue light from everywhere overhead, the sky looks blue.
Science and Nature
What is weather?
Discover what makes the weather and whether it's windy, rainy, hot or cold. Explore the troposphere where the weather is made well above the surface of the Earth.
Global warming
The average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere is warming up and the gases in the atmosphere that prevent heat from leaving the planet, act like a greenhouse around the earth. Read how global warming is affecting the environment.
Forensic science
Ever wondered what the role of a foresenic scientist is? Sifting through evidence and looking for fingerprints? Wonder no more as we explore the word of forensic science and fingerprinting!