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Explore · Wonder · Discover

How Things Work

Ever wondered how airplanes fly, why popcorn pops or how your heart pumps? Pick a question, then watch it, look inside, try it, solve a challenge and go deeper. Every topic changes for Preschool, Elementary and Middle school.

  1. 1Watch it
  2. 2Look inside
  3. 3Try it
  4. 4Solve a challenge
  5. 5Go deeper

500 topics to explore · showing 385–408

Every topic

#385 Electricity & energy How are computer chips made? Follow a silicon wafer through simplified patterning, repeated processing, cutting, packaging, and testing. #386 Electricity & energy How do fuel cells generate electricity? Follow hydrogen and oxygen through a model cell and identify its outputs. #387 Electricity & energy How do geothermal power plants use Earth's heat? Follow underground heat through a power station and its circulating water system. #388 Electricity & energy How does a nuclear power reactor work? Trace controlled fission, control rods, coolant, and heat transfer into electricity generation. #389 Electricity & energy How do pumped-storage stations store energy? Pump water uphill, then release it through turbines when electricity is needed. #390 Electricity & energy How do electricity meters measure household use? Switch appliances on and off and watch their energy use accumulate. #391 Measuring & instruments How do microscopes reveal tiny details? Position a sample and adjust focus and magnification to reveal structures. #392 Measuring & instruments How do thermal cameras show heat patterns? Compare familiar objects in visible-light and simulated infrared images. #393 Measuring & instruments How do X-ray machines look inside objects? Send simulated X-rays through different materials and compare their resulting images. #394 Measuring & instruments How do ultrasound scanners create pictures? Send sound pulses into a model and build an image from returning echoes. #395 Measuring & instruments How does an MRI scanner see inside the body? Explore magnets, radio signals, and the assembly of image slices in a simplified scanner. #396 Measuring & instruments How do centrifuges separate samples? Spin balanced virtual samples and watch components separate according to physical properties. #397 Measuring & instruments How do digital scales measure weight? Place objects on a scale and follow sensor changes into a displayed measurement. #398 Electricity & energy How do circuit breakers interrupt excessive current? Add virtual loads and watch protective equipment disconnect a model circuit. #399 Electricity & energy How does wireless charging recharge a device? Align coils and follow energy transfer between a charging pad and device. #400 Measuring & instruments How does radar locate distant objects? Send radio pulses and use returning signals to estimate object positions. #401 Everyday chemistry & materials How does soap remove grease? Follow soap molecules surrounding oily dirt so it can be carried away in water. #402 Everyday chemistry & materials How do laundry detergents remove different stains? Match cleaning ingredients to model grease, protein, and other stain types. #403 Everyday chemistry & materials How does hand sanitizer affect microbes? Explore alcohol acting on microbial membranes and proteins in a simplified animation. #404 Everyday chemistry & materials How does toothpaste clean and protect teeth? Explore cleaning ingredients and fluoride interacting with a model tooth surface. #405 Everyday chemistry & materials How does sunscreen protect skin? Follow ultraviolet light interacting with sunscreen ingredients in a simplified skin model. #406 Everyday chemistry & materials How does glue hold surfaces together? Compare adhesives, surface contact, and curing while joining virtual materials. #407 Everyday chemistry & materials How do erasers remove pencil marks? Zoom into paper fibers and follow graphite transferring from paper to an eraser. #408 Everyday chemistry & materials How do nonstick pans resist sticking? Explore a coated surface and compare its interaction with food and droplets.

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