Redox
Tiny parts move between things. Some parts give. Some parts take. This can happen fast or slow. It makes things like rust. It can even make fire! Can you see rust on a nail?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articlePhysical Science articles — Page 2
Explore matter, energy, chemistry and the physical laws that help explain everyday life. Choose an article below; its reading controls let you move between the available levels.
2,727 public articles · Page 2 of 57
Semiconductor
Some things let power flow. Other things stop it. These things do both. They help our computers work. They are in your phone too. It is like magic! Can you find one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSilicon
Silicon is a hard stuff. It is found in the ground. It is used to make glass. It helps make our phones work. It is in many things we use. Do you see it in your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSilver
Silver is a shiny metal. It looks gray and white. It is very good at moving heat and power. We use it for jewelry and coins. It is a special metal. Do you like shiny things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSolid
A solid is a hard thing. It keeps its shape. It does not flow like water. Small bits stay close together. This helps it stay strong. Do you see many solids?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSound
Sound is made by things that shake. These shakes move through the air. They travel to your ears. Then your brain hears them. Sound can be music or talking. It is all around us. Can you hear a sound now?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSpace
Space is the big place where we live. It holds all the stars and the sun. It is very, very big. It helps us know where things are. We are all in it together. Can you look up at the sky?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSpeed of light
Light moves very fast. It can zip through space. Light helps us see far away stars. It is the fastest thing in the world. We can learn about space with it. Can you imagine moving that fast?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleStandard Model
Tiny bits make up everything. These bits are very small. They move in special ways. They help things stay together. This helps us learn about the world. Do you want to see how small they are?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleState of matter
Things can be in different forms. Some things are hard like ice. Some things flow like water. Some things are like the air. These forms help our world work. Can you find them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSteel
Steel is a very strong metal. It is made from iron. We add a little bit of carbon to it. This helps it stay hard. We use it for cars and big bridges. It is all around us. Do you see steel near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSubatomic particle
Tiny bits make up everything. Some bits are very small. Some bits are made of even smaller parts. These small bits help make atoms. They are all around us. Can you find something small?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleSubstance (chemistry)
Everything is made of stuff. Some stuff is just one thing. Pure water is one kind. It stays the same every time. This helps us know the world. Can you find something pure?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTemperature
Temperature tells us how hot or cold things are. We use a tool called a thermometer to see it. It helps us know if we need a coat. It also tells us if water will freeze. It is all around us! Do you like warm days or…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTheory of relativity
A man named Albert Einstein had big ideas. He studied how space and time work. He found that light is very fast. It is the fastest thing of all. This helps us learn about stars. Can you wonder about space too?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleThermodynamics
Heat and power work together. Heat can make things move. It helps big engines run. This helps us do work. Science helps us learn this. Can you feel heat?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleVacuum
A vacuum is empty space. It has no air in it. Space is a big vacuum. It is very quiet there. We can use tools to make small vacuums. This helps light bulbs work. Can you imagine a place with no air?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleWave
A wave is a moving change. It can move through water. It can move through air. It helps things move energy. Waves are all around us. Can you see a wave today?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleYear
A year is a long time. It is the time Earth takes to go around the sun. This trip brings the seasons. We see spring, summer, fall, and winter. A year helps us know when to plant seeds. Do you know how old you are?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAbsolute zero
There is a point that is very cold. It is the coldest thing possible. We call it absolute zero. It is too cold to reach. It stays just out of reach. Can you imagine being that cold?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAbsorption spectroscopy
Light can tell us secrets. It shines on things. Some light gets caught by the things. This helps us see what is there. We can even see far away stars. Do you want to be a space scout?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAcceleration
Things change how they move. A car can go faster. A car can also turn. It can even slow down. This change is how things move. It is fun to watch! Can you see things move fast?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAccuracy and precision
We want to measure things well. One way is to be close to the real size. This is being right. Another way is to get the same answer every time. This is being steady. We need to be both to be good. Can you be steady…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAcetic acid
Vinegar has a special part in it. This part is a clear liquid. It is what makes vinegar taste sour. It helps make glue and even cloth. It is found in many homes. Do you use vinegar in your kitchen?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAcetone
Some liquids help clean things. This liquid can take off paint. It also removes nail polish. It can even clean glue. Our bodies make a tiny bit too. Do you use it at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAcoustics
We study how sound works. It moves through the air. It can move through water too. Sound helps us hear music. It helps us talk to friends. Do you like to listen to music?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleActinide
Some metals are very special. They give off energy. This energy is called radiation. Some of these metals are in the ground. One kind is in smoke detectors. They help keep you safe. Do you want to learn more?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleActinium
This is a special metal. It is shiny and white. It can glow with a blue light. This metal is very rare. It helps doctors treat people. Can you imagine a glowing metal?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAerodynamics
Air moves around things. It moves around wings. This helps planes fly high. It is very cool to see. We use it to fly. Do you like planes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAerosol
Tiny bits float in the air. They can be dust or mist. Some come from volcanoes. Some come from spray cans. These bits help make clouds. They can also change the weather. Do you see mist outside?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlbert A. Michelson
Albert was a man who loved light. He wanted to know how fast it moves. He used tools to find the answer. This helped us learn about our world. He was a very smart man. Do you like to learn new things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlchemy
Long ago, people tried magic science. They wanted to turn lead into gold. They also wanted to find a cure for all sickness. This work helped us learn how to make medicine today. Do you like science?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAldehyde
Some things have a strong smell. These things are in oils. They can smell very nice. They are also in sweet food. They help us see and taste. Do you like sweet smells?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlessandro Volta
Alessandro Volta was a smart man. He lived in Italy. He made the first battery. This helps us use power today. He also found a special gas. Do you like science?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was a smart man. He liked to invent things. He made a strong powder. It helped people build things. He also gave money for prizes. These prizes help people do good. Do you like to invent things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlkaline earth metal
Some metals are shiny and silver. They are soft to touch. They can be found in nature. Some help make our bones strong. These metals are very neat. Do you like shiny things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlkane
Some things are made of carbon and air. These can be gas. They can be liquid. They can even be wax. They help us in many ways. Do you know where we find them?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlkene
Some tiny things are called alkenes. They are made of carbon and hydrogen. They have a strong bond. This bond holds them together. Some are gases. Some are liquids. Can you find them in science?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlkyne
Some tiny things are called alkynes. They have a very strong bond. This bond holds them together. They can be used as fuel. This helps us make things. Can you find them in science?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAllotropy
Some things can look very different. One thing can have many shapes. It can be hard like a gem. It can be soft like lead. It is still the same stuff. Can you find something with two shapes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlpha particle
{ "text":“Tiny bits fly from atoms. \nThese bits are very small. \nThey can be stopped by your skin. \nThey do not go deep into you. \nIt is good to know how they move. \nCan you imagine tiny bits flying?\n”,…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlternating current
Power moves in a special way. It goes back and forth. It does not just go one way. This power helps your TV work. It also helps your lights turn on. It is in your home right now. Can you find a plug?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAlum
Alum is a special salt. It can look like clear crystals. People use it to fix colors in cloth. It also helps clean cloudy water. It can even help stop small cuts from bleeding. Do you want to see a crystal?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAluminium
Aluminium is a shiny metal. It is very light. It looks like silver. It helps make planes fly. We use it for many things. Can you find it in your home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAmalgam (chemistry)
Mercury can mix with other metals. This mix is called an amalgam. It can be soft or hard. It is used to fill teeth. This helps keep your teeth strong. Have you ever had a filling?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAmedeo Avogadro
Amedeo Avogadro was a smart man. He studied how tiny things work. He helped us learn about air. His work helps us today. Do you like to learn new things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAmericium
This is a special metal. It is shiny and silver. It can help keep us safe. It is inside smoke detectors. It works to find smoke. We use it in our homes. Do you have one at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleAmide
Small parts join to build life. These parts link together. They make the proteins in your body. They also help make strong plastic. These tiny links help us grow. Do you have proteins in you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article