Science on Pitara Kids Network

What is a virus?

Sat, 16 May 2020 10:28:31 +0000

Viruses are these tiny, invisible structures that cause infections. They make us sick. There are millions of viruses in our environment but only about 5000 have been identified by scientists. The ones you may have heard of are the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV and the Novel Coronavirus or Covid-19.

What do viruses look like?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Do you think that a virus is some creepy, crawly thing? It is not. A virus is a non-living thing. It is invisible to the human eye. A virus is one hundred times smaller than a bacteria, which is why most viruses cannot be seen even under a microscope.

How Does Ice float?

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 03:41:03 +0000

A cool glass of water topped with huge chunks of ice is sure to quench your thirst on a hot summer day. But, before you guzzle the water, look at how the ice floats on the water surface. How do these large ice pieces manage to stay afloat?

Ice floats because it is less dense than water. (If you take a one-litre container with ice and weigh it, it will be lighter than a similar container with water.)

Science Quiz

Sun, 14 Sep 1997 03:11:43 +0000

Do you know what CO2 refers to? Do you know the meaning of light-year? Come, explore the wonderful world of science.

Water - A sciene quiz about water

Sun, 09 Mar 2003 00:57:00 +0000

Are you a fountain of knowledge when it comes to water? Well, dive in to find out if you are a water baby or not. [A sciene quiz for children about water]

How are Earthquakes Recorded?

Wed, 13 Mar 2002 11:57:32 +0000

When an earthquake takes place, people say that it measured 6.2 or 6.5 on the scale. The scale they are referring to is the Richter Scale developed by Charles Richter in the 1930s.

The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of the seismic waves or vibrations that travels across the earth’s surface. The scale uses a logarithmic formula using high-frequency data collected from seismograph stations.

However, long before Richter developed his scale, a Chinese philosopher Chang Heng invented a device to measure earthquakes in 132 A.D. He constructed a large urn that had eight open-mouthed dragon-heads holding a ball each in their mouths, on the outside.

Space Quiz

Fri, 25 Aug 2000 11:00:23 +0000

Check out your space facts. Learn more about asteroids, meteors and planets.

Robot That Changes Form

Tue, 11 Sep 2001 11:18:11 +0000

Did you know that the word robot is derived from the Czech word robota? It means compulsory labour or work. The word robot was first used in a Czech drama in 1921. It described a mechanical device that looked human but lacked emotions. It worked mechanically.

Modern-day robots do not necessarily look like humans. But they are programmed to handle tasks that are normally carried out by humans, especially in big factories that manufacture products like cars. Employers prefer these mechanical devices because of many reasons: they are faster and more accurate than human workers; they never ask for a pay hike; nor do they take endless coffee breaks! Robots are also capable of working in an environment that is dangerous for humans.

About Cars

Sun, 01 Jun 2003 18:16:49 +0000

If you think you are a car expert and know a lot about cars, check out this quiz.

The Telegraph

Sun, 18 Jan 1998 03:06:34 +0000

In 1833 John Herschel, a British astronomer, went to South Africa to study the southern skies. He took with him a powerful telescope and many other instruments. He wanted to make charts and maps of the sky which people in the northern half of the world never saw. John Herschel planned to stay at the Cape of Good Hope for three or four years to complete his work.

Then Richard Locke, a reporter on the staff of the New York Sun, had a bright idea. Whatever he wrote about John Herschel’s discoveries would be believed as there was no means of verifying it. No one would find out the truth unless he sent a man or message by ship to South Africa, and even then it would take months to receive a reply from the astronomer. In the meanwhile, Locke decided to have all the fun he could.

What are Dry Clouds?

Sat, 30 Jun 2001 20:42:56 +0000

It is that time of the year when all of us look to the sky, waiting for the first drops of rain to fall on our faces. We wish the monsoon would come soon. But for people who live in polluted cities like Delhi or Tokyo, there’s some bad news. Israeli scientists have discovered that air pollution may actually stop rain from falling.

To know how pollution may prevent rain from falling, it is necessary to know how and when rain falls. The sun beats down on the earth and heats up the land and water.

Earth Quiz: Geogrpahy

Fri, 28 Aug 1998 12:42:00 +0000

Cars can be fun and they can be good to learn.

Earth Quiz: Animals & Birds

Tue, 29 Dec 1998 08:40:54 +0000

Cars can be fun and they can be good to learn.

BC and AD Era

Thu, 13 Dec 2001 10:27:18 +0000

A new invention is always appreciated for its utility and the effort that goes in its making. See if you can identify some of these early inventions and discoveries.

Waters of Civilisation

Tue, 28 Nov 2000 15:17:39 +0000

Cities and countries have a deep relationship with the rivers and seas that they are flanked by. See how many of them you can identify.

Crossfire

Wed, 31 May 2000 10:21:56 +0000

It’s a Pandora’s box. Open it and see the questions spring one surprise after another.

Get Set Go

Fri, 16 Mar 2001 22:23:16 +0000

From nicknames to places, it is all there for you to answer in this quiz. So on your mark, get, set and go!

The Fire Quiz

Sat, 27 Mar 1999 18:28:31 +0000

You should not be playing with fire, but this is just a quiz about fire