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PlayOwl

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 409–432

Every topic

#409 Everyday chemistry & materials Why does stainless steel resist rust? Inspect its protective surface layer and compare it with ordinary steel. #410 Everyday chemistry & materials How does rust form? Change moisture and oxygen around model iron and follow surface changes over time. #411 Everyday chemistry & materials How does rubber stretch and return to shape? Pull a simplified polymer network and observe rearrangement and recovery. #412 Everyday chemistry & materials How do sponges soak up water? Follow water into connected pores and compare absorption in different structures. #413 Everyday chemistry & materials How can clothing be waterproof and breathable? Compare liquid droplets and water vapor interacting with different fabric layers. #414 Everyday chemistry & materials How does insulation slow heat loss? Compare materials and trapped air around a model home or lunch container. #415 Everyday chemistry & materials How does a vacuum flask keep drinks hot or cold? Inspect the vacuum gap, reflective surfaces, and lid while tracking heat transfer. #416 Everyday chemistry & materials How do cooking pans transfer heat? Compare metal types and watch heat spread from a burner through a pan. #417 Everyday chemistry & materials How does convection move heat through air and water? Warm one region of a fluid and follow circulating currents. #418 Everyday chemistry & materials How do emulsions keep oil and water mixed? Build model droplets and explore how emulsifiers help stabilize salad dressing or mayonnaise. #419 Everyday chemistry & materials How does baking powder help cakes rise? Follow gas bubbles forming in batter and expanding during a baking simulation. #420 Everyday chemistry & materials How does sugar turn into caramel? Follow changes in color, aroma, and structure as virtual sugar heats. #421 Everyday chemistry & materials Why do cut apples turn brown? Explore exposed fruit surfaces, oxygen, and enzymes in a simplified browning animation. #422 Everyday chemistry & materials How do acids and bases behave? Test fictional household samples with virtual indicators and explore neutralization. #423 Everyday chemistry & materials Why does salt change how ice melts? Compare pure water and saltwater as temperature changes in a virtual freezing experiment. #424 Everyday chemistry & materials How does sugar dissolve in water? Follow particles spreading through water and compare stirring and temperature. #425 Everyday chemistry & materials How do wet clothes dry? Change airflow, temperature, and humidity and follow water leaving fabric. #426 Light & sound How do mirrors form reflections? Trace light rays and compare flat and curved mirrors. #427 Light & sound How does a magnifying glass enlarge things? Move an object and lens and compare image size and focus. #428 Light & sound How does a prism separate colors? Guide white light through a prism and follow different colors' paths. #429 Light & sound How do shadows change size and shape? Move a light and object and compare the resulting shadow. #430 Light & sound How do periscopes let us see over obstacles? Arrange mirrors inside a tube and trace the reflected view. #431 Light & sound How do polarized sunglasses reduce glare? Rotate virtual polarizing filters and compare reflected light passing through them. #432 Light & sound Why is the sky blue and a sunset red? Follow sunlight through different atmospheric paths and explore scattering.

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