That and other nagging common questions of children answered

 

Kids ask the trickiest questions, and every parent knows that. If your child's ever-curious questions have left you zapped more than once, you may want to read on. As part of a new book Does My Goldfish Know Who I am, the following are experts' answers to some cool posers thought up by children between the ages of six and 12. Read on, feel wise and better prepared for the next question hour.

 

When lightning strikes the sea, why don't fish die?

It's because water conducts electricity so well, especially sea water. When lightning strikes the surface, a huge amount of electric charge lands in the sea. But the sea is big and the electricity can quickly spread out and get diluted. Imagine putting a drop of ink into a glass of water — the water will change colour. What if you put the same amount in a swimming pool? It would spread out and you wouldn't notice any difference.

 

Why do onions make us cry?

Slicing through an onion rips open its cells, releasing various chemicals that react together. After about 30 seconds, a sulphurcarrying gas is produced that mixes with the water in your eye, producing burning sulphuric acid. That's what causes discomfort. The front of your eyeball - the cornea - is packed with nerve endings to detect any physical or chemical irritants. They sense the chemical and send a signal to your tear glands to boost the production of tears to flush it away.

 

Why do mosquitoes only bite some people?

Mosquitoes have a powerful sense of smell and are attracted to chemicals we release from our bodies. One of them is carbon dioxide, and both women and larger people tend to breathe out more of this gas. The more that's breathed out, the easier it is for mosquitoes to find you. Also, mosquitoes like some chemicals more than others.

 

When I yawn, why do people near me yawn too?

You yawn when your brain becomes a little bit hotter than it needs to be to work well. Yawning helps cool the blood on its way to your brain. It helps you feel more alert and focus better. It often happens at the moment you realise it is time for action after you've been sitting around not doing much. The reason yawning is 'contagious' is to get everyone in the group ready to be more active.

 

Why do we shiver when we are cold?

The human body needs to stay at the same temperature to survive - about 37 degree Celsius. When you feel cold, tiny sensors in your skin send messages to your brain telling you need to warm up. Your brain sends messages to nerves all over your body telling your muscles to tighten and loosen really fast, which is what we call shivering. It does this because when muscles move they generate heat.

 

Why does corn come out looking the same as when I ate it?

A kernel of corn has a tough, fibrous 'seed coat' that stands up to acids and digestive juices in your stomach much like the way a leather jacket protects a motorcycle rider.

 

Do animals like cows and sheep have accents?

Dogs bark, cats miaow and cows moo but these are not languages, even though they are forms of communication. So while we can teach dogs to understand spoken instructions, they can't speak to us. Different breeds of dog have different kinds of bark but it doesn't depend on where they grew up, who their friends are or where they went to school. The main things that determine your accent. However, scientists have found that whales in different oceans make different vocalisations and the calls of some bird species vary from one place to another. So perhaps, whales and birds have accents or dialects.

 

Does my goldfish know who I am?

People often talk about goldfish having three-second memories but they are much smarter than people give them credit for. They have evolved to find enough to eat and know when it's safe to be out in the open. They recognise other fish from their shoal and even their own eggs. Although sight is important, smell and touch are more vital for them. So, I'm not sure your fish would remember your face but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

 

Sourse : Times of India