Science Photo of the Day
Why do airplane wings have the small points on the back edge at the end of the wing?
The points are for removing the electrostatic charge that builds up on planes. An air plane moving through the air builds up a static charge, just as rubbing a balloon on your hair does. (Yes, I have enough hair left to do that.) On a smooth surface, the charge will spread evenly, but if there is a point sticking out, quite a bit of the charge is concentrated at the end of the point, and transferred to the surrounding air.
That is why the tops of Van de Graaff static machines (the devices that make your hair stand on end) are spheres. With no corners or points, the charge stays in place. If the metal sphere gets a scratch or a dent, the charge drains away, just as it does on the air plane wing.
coolness
this video is awesome
hi Krampf your movies are
hi Krampf
your movies are really cool!
how do you find out that kind of stuff?
My videos
I do a lot of homework for the videos. I read science books, watch science videos, and most importantly, I look closely at things around me and think of questions. Then I try to find the answers.
Morgan from Ms. Webber's Class
Dear Mr. Kramph,
I'm so sorry I haven't responded in a long time. I've been super busy. I missed going on so I went on tonight! I really don't know why airplanes have small points on the back of the wing, it might help the wings keep in place, or help the wings steer, or just maybe decoration. But I doubt it.
Why do birds fly into people's windows? I've really gotten into penguins so how long does it take to a penguin egg to hatch? Is it true when cats get old they grow brown hair? I really love the watch pot video! And one more question - Do you think the world will blow up in 2012?
Your admirer,
Morgan
Hi Morgan
I have been very busy too. I am in Switzerland, helping their science center with a new program on lightning, so I may be a bit slow on answering questions.
Birds fly into windows because they don't see the glass as something solid. After they bump into a window or two, they will learn, but sometimes the impact injures or kills them. Many people put hawk shaped outlines on their windows, so the birds will stay away and not crash.
The time for a penguin egg to hatch varies from one species to another. Some, such as the Erect Crested Penguin, hatch in as little as 30 days, while Emperor Penguins take up to 66 days to hatch.
I have never heard that cats grow brown hair as they get old, but I will search and see if I can find any information on that.
No, I don't think that the world will blow up in 2012.
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