Jaring Boleh Buat Air Tak Tumpah!

Anda mungkin pernah melihat air di dalam cawan plastik yang mempunyai jaring kemudian ditutup dengan sekeping kadbod dan apabila diterbalikkan kadbod itu melekat pada permukaan penutup cawan itu dan air di dalamnya tidak tumpah. 

Itu sahaja telah membuatkan ianya sangat menarik tetapi anda juga boleh membuatkan lebih menarik lagi dengan membuatkan air itu tidak tumpah apabila kad itu ditarik keluar. Anda pasti akan dapat membuatkan rakan-rakan anda terkejut apabila kad itu ditarik.

Aktiviti ini hanya memerlukan 4 bahan yang sangat mudah didapati di rumah. 4 bahan itu adalah cawan plastik, air, jaring dan kadbod. Adakah bahan itu semua ada di rumah anda? Jikalau ada, jom kita cuba buat aktiviti ini!

Aktiviti ini  sangat menarik untuk anda bersama rakan-rakan dan keluarga anda cuba. Ia pasti akan membuat mereka kagum apabila melihat hasilnya!

Shared by Aina Khairunnisa

Guest Blogger

Telur Berdiri!

'Telur Berdiri' adalah aktiviti yang menyeronokkan untuk dicuba apabila anda bosan atau sedang mencari aktiviti berbentuk 'cabaran' untuk mengisi masa lapang bersama keluarga di rumah.

Cuba seimbangkan telur di atas permukaan meja dan bertanding dalam satu perlumbaan bersama rakan atau ahli keluarga anda. Pengimbangan telur pasti sukar dikuasai. Sungguhpun begitu,  anda mungkin boleh  melakukannya dengan sedikit latihan.

Telur mempunyai bentuk yang unik yang boleh membuatkan ia seimbang di bahagian hujung atau di sisi. Cara yang paling mudah untuk mengimbangi telur adalah dengan menyokong hujung bulat pada permukaan kasar, seperti menggunakan timbunan garam. Dengan sedikit kesabaran, anda dapat mengimbangkan telur di atas meja yang licin. Mari kita lihat aksi dalam video ini!

Silap mata ini  sangat hebat kerana apabila terdapat garam di bahagian bawah telur, ia menjadikan luas tapak permukaan lebih luas. Semakin besar luas tapak permukaan sesuatu objek, semakin stabil objek tersebut. Apabila diletakkan di atas meja, telur secara semula jadi berorientasikan dirinya dengan 'paksi menegak' selari dengan permukaan meja seolah-olah kelihatan seperti telur itu berdiri.

Jadi, apa yang ada tunggu lagi. Jom segera ke dapur dan dapatkan sebiji telur beserta sedikit garam dan terus mencubanya. Ia pasti menyeronokkan!

Posted by Ayu

Petrosains Blogger 

Killer Whales Are A Dolphins

Posted by Al-Ruqaiyah

Guest Blogger

Mars, Has The Largest Dust Storm

Largest dust storm on Mars ever recorded

           According to Leah Crane from New Scientist online website, dust storms on Mars aren’t all about dust — they’re also full of water. In 2018, the largest recorded dust storm circled the entire Martian globe, so thick that it hid the surface from the sun and killed the Opportunity rover. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter watched this cataclysmic storm from orbit. Just before sunset and just after sunrise on Mars, it examined the atmosphere to determine how the dust storm absorbed sunlight. Just before the storm, there were water ice clouds in the atmosphere, but no water vapour more than 40 kilometres above the surface. This changed a few days later when water vapour appeared at altitudes of 40 and 80 kilometres, seemingly replacing the water ice clouds.

           This probably occurs because the dust absorbs heat, warming up the atmosphere and making it circulate more strongly, which prevents the formation of ice clouds.

How bad are the dust storms on Mars?

          According to CoolCosmos, Mars is famous for its large, planet-wide dust storms. Mars has an atmosphere which is much thinner than the atmosphere on Earth, but which still creates winds. When these winds pick up the fine, dry particles of dust on Mars, a dust storm can occur. Most dust storms cover an area for a few days and carry small particles of dust at speeds of 33 to 66 miles per hour. Sometimes, though rarely, dust storms on Mars can be fierce enough to cover the entire planet in a dusty haze for weeks.

Posted by Nerina Jaizi

Guest Blogger

Pluto, The Largest Dwarf Planet

Did you know?

        Pluto, once considered the ninth and most distant planet from the sun, is now the largest known dwarf planet in the solar system. It is also one of the largest known members of the Kuiper Belt, a shadowy zone beyond the orbit of Neptune thought to be populated by hundreds of thousands of rocky, icy bodies each larger than 62 miles (100 kilometers) across, along with 1 trillion or more comets.

        In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet, a change widely thought of as a demotion. The question of Pluto's planet status has attracted controversy and stirred debate in the scientific community, and among the general public, since then. 

Posted by Nerina Jaizi

Guest Blogger

The Milky Way

Posted by Nor Izzatty
Guest Blogger

About Natural Gas

Posted by Nor Izzatty
Guest Blogger

Orion The Hunter

What is a constellation?

A constellation is a group of visible stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. The pattern they form may take anything from the shape of an animal, a mythological creature, a man to an inanimate object.

The sky was divided up into 88 different constellations in 1922. This included 48 ancient constellations listed by the Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, as well as 40 new constellations.

Posted by Nor Izzatty
Guest Blogger

5 Things You Need To Know About Pickles

Posted by Nor Izzatty
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Hello From The Sun

Posted by Nerina Jaizi
Guest Blogger

What Are The Benefits Of Natural Gas

What is natural gas?

Natural gas is a fossil energy source that formed deep beneath the earth's surface. Natural gas contains many different compounds. The largest component of natural gas is methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).  We use natural gas as fuel, electricity and to make materials and chemicals.

What are the benefits of natural gas? 

1. Produces cleaner fossil fuels

Natural gas is one of the safest and cleanest fuels available. It emits less pollution than other fossil fuel sources. When natural gas is burned, it produces mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor; the same substances emitted when humans exhale. Compared with some other fossil fuels, natural gas emits the least amount of carbon dioxide into the air when combusted; making natural gas the cleanest burning fossil fuel of all.   

2. Produces 50% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal

Natural gas emits 50 to 60 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted in a new, efficient natural gas power plant compared with emissions from a typical new coal plant. Considering only tailpipe emissions, natural gas also emits 15 to 20 percent less heat-trapping gases than gasoline when burned in today’s typical vehicle.  

Posted by Nerina Jaizi

Guest Blogger

Natal Teeth

Shared by Azalea
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Maksud ‘E’ Dalam STEM dan Mengaplikasikannya Dalam Pendidikan Formal

Pendidikan STEM Bersepadu adalah satu gagasan baharu kurikulum sains dan matematik kebangsaan. Ia menggantikan gagasan sebelumnya (Sains dan Teknologi) dengan memperakukan pemusatan pembelajaran pada pelajar sebagai penyelesai masalah.

STEM adalah kependekatan daripada perkataan-perkataan dalam Bahasa Inggeris iaitu 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, dan 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴, dengan (1) 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 sebagai bidang yang terlibat menyediakan pengetahuan, (2) 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 adalah pengaplikasiannya, (3) 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 menjurus kepada penyelesaian masalah, dan (4) 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 adalah bidang pengkuantitian supaya penerokaan yang dilakukan itu bersifat munasabah dan boleh didefinisi secara operasi.

Kita ingin memberikan perhatian yang istimewa untuk huruf 𝘌 pada perkataan STEM iaitu 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 atau Kejuruteraan kerana peluang yang ditawarkannya. Ia membolehkan pelajar bertanya-tanya akan apa-apa yang mencuit hati. Lebih maju lagi, pertanyaan ini perlu ada nilai tanggungjawab padanya dan justeru pelajar akan perlahan-lahan, dengan bimbingan, berupaya membina pertanyaan yang boleh diambil tindakan dan diuji.

Menyediakan pengalaman pembelajaran STEM Bersepadu yang lengkap itu sebenarnya perlu mengambil kira pengalaman sebenar pelajar berinteraksi dengan bahan pembelajaran. Ia tidak boleh hanya menggunakan model buatan atau sekadar bahan bercetak sahaja.

Jika misalnya ia berkenaan beberapa hubungan yang boleh dikenalpasti bagi interaksi antara air dengan tanah, seperti (1) kadar alirannya untuk jenis-jenis tanah berbeza, (2) kadar cepatnya air bertakung jika jenis tanah berbeza digunakan, dan/atau (3) bagaimana jenis tanah berbeza berfungsi mengawal arah aliran air, atau mengawal kadar alirannya - maka guru perlu benar-benar menyediakan bahan ini. Bukan itu sahaja, perlu selanjutnya dipupuk pula daya fikir pelajar untuk menyelesaikan satu permasalahan sebenar kehidupan manusia. Boleh jadi dalam hal ini adalah masalah banjir kilat akibat jenis tanah yang ada yang tidak berupaya mengurus derasnya kadar air berkumpul daripada aktiviti hujan. STEM Bersepadu yang lengkap - itulah kekangannya. Ia mesti melibatkan interaksi pelajar dengan bahan semulajadi.

Andaikata syarat tersebut tidak dapat dipenuhi, guru masih boleh melaksanakan gagasan ini dengan menggunakan istilah cadangan 'aktiviti cenderung STEM' untuk penggunaan model dan Bahan Bantu Belajar gantian. Sila rujuk hantaran berkenaan tajuk ini pada laman FB ini bertarikh 25 Ogos 2017 (ketik 👉 #cenderungstem2017) untuk sampel aktiviti pembelajaran informal dan penjelasan lanjut. Apabila guru menggunakan pendekatan ini, pelajar masih boleh sedikit sebanyak meneroka konsep-konsep pembelajaran berkaitan sambil guru menyediakan perkaitan dengan permasalahan sebagai unsur E pada STEM.

 

Shared by Imran Arif
Guest Blogger

How Do You Test If Someone’s Breath Is Bad?

Eat… and you can have fresh breath?

1. Researchers at the Japanese Tsurumi University, there is a less unpleasant method: 

• Chromatography - a technique for the separation mixture by passing it through a medium in which the components move at different rates. 

• Involved inserting a small amount of gas or liquid into a test sample, of which the exact concentration can be established. 

• During an experiment, in which the Japanese researchers tested the breath of a group of volunteers, they paid special attention to sulphuration: to create the smell of bad eggs. 

• The root of the stink is to be found in the deep grooves at the back of the tongue. 

• Oxygen-poor zone: sulfate –produce bacteria thrive.

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus

• Streptococcus thermopilus 

• When people talk about probiotic bacteria, they’re generally referring to two families of bacteria. Strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are both associated with probiotic formulas. 

• Many slightly fermented food products contain natural probiotics. 

• Eg: sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt. Pickles are also a source of natural probiotics. 

• Probiotics can be purchased as a food-grade health supplement. They come in a powder or liquid form. Probiotics usually need to be stored in the refrigerator to keep the bacteria contained in them alive and ready to reproduce.

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/prebiotics-vs-probiotics#probiotics
2. 106 Strange Scientific Facts, Eat Yoghurt (and have fresh breath), pg 80

Shared by Norhidayah Alias

Guest Blogger

Let’s Go High To Machincang Mountain

The most attracted place in Langkawi?

http://www.panoramalangkawi.com/skycab

The ‘compulsary’ place to go when you go to the Langkawi is the Langkawi Cable Car, also known as Langkawi SkyCab, is one of the major attractions in Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia.

Did you know?

1. You are riding the longest free span, single rope cable car. 

2. The distance approximately 950 m.

Rope type

Shared by Norhidayah Alias

Guest Blogger

Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Army

Most of us have heard of the Terracotta Army and why it was created – to protect and accompany Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, in the afterlife. The Qin ruler's tomb was constructed between 246 and 209 BC, and an estimated 8,000 life-sized sculptures were placed in rows positioned according to rank. They are just like silent sentinels guarding their long deceased Ruler. Chariots and horses were also found with the soldiers. The outstanding feature of the Army is each soldier has a unique facial expression.

Who built the Terracotta Army? What materials did they use?

First things first…what is terracotta?

Terracotta is made from clay and refers to natural clay fired at a low temperature. Iron compounds in clay give terra cotta its "rusty mud" hue. When the clay is fired, the minerals are partially melted, resulting in a hardened but still porous material.

The well-equipped Terracotta Army was discovered on 29 March 1974 by farmers digging a well approximately 1.5 kilometres east of Emperor Qin's tomb mound at Mount Li (Lishan). Excavations conducted by archaeologists later found patches of colour on some statues, hinting at once brightly coloured ‘clothes’ on the otherwise grey statues.

Who built the Terracotta Army?

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of his mausoleum when he took the throne of the Qin State in 246 BC. However, most of the decisions were made by his officials as he was only 13.

Quick Facts about the Terracotta Army's Construction

Sponsor: Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty

Designer: Li Si, the prime minister of the Qin Dynasty

Supervisor: Zhang Han, Senior General of the Qin army

Numbers of workers: More than 700,000

Duration: 

The project was still underway 36 years after it began, shortened by Qin Shi Huang's sudden death.

Cost: 

The amount is unknown. 

The making of the Terracotta Army [An illustration]

Watch:

1. Unearth the Hidden Origin of China's Terra-Cotta Warriors | National Geographic. https://youtu.be/hAD4NWeHsf0

2. Terracotta Army: The greatest archaeological find of the 20th century - BBC News. https://youtu.be/4c_ADqshdSA

3. The incredible history of China's terracotta warriors [Ted-Ed]. https://youtu.be/mP5p4QbvPtc

Shared by Azni Zainal Abidin
Guest Blogger

The Science Behind Football: Roberto Carlos’ Immortal Kick

Hi Internet pals, today we are going to cover the world’s most popular sport – football (or soccer). Physics can explain some of the aw-inspiring plays performed by top players - bicycle kicks, diving headers and fingertip saves all exemplify the conservation Newton’s laws. Perhaps, one of the most interesting physics phenomena in football, explains the curve behind a long distance free kicks.

On June 3, 1997, 21 years ago, in a game between France and Brazil, a young Brazilian player named Roberto Carlos set up for a 35 meter free kick. With no direct line to the goal, Carlos decided to attempt the seemingly impossible. His kick sent the ball flying wide of the players, but just before going out of bounds, it hooked to the left and soared into the net. This is Roberto Carlos’ most famous goal of his career and arguably in the history of football.

According to Newton’s 1st law of motion, an object will move in the same direction and velocity until a force is applied to it, regardless of the strength of the force. When Carlos kicked the ball, he gave it direction and velocity, but what force made the ball swerve and score one of the most magnificent goals in the history of the sport?

The trick was in the spin…

Carlos placed his kick at the lower right corner of the ball, sending the ball high and to the right, but also rotating around its axis. The ball started its flight in a direct route, with air flowing on both sides and slowing it down.

On one side, the air moved in the opposite direction to the ball’s spin – causing increased pressure, while on the other side, the air moved in the same direction as the spin, creating an area of lower pressure. The difference between the pressures made the ball curve towards the lower pressure zone.

This phenomenon is called the Magnus effect. This type of kick, also commonly known as a banana kick. The Magnus effect was first documented by Sir Isaac Newton after he noticed it while playing a game of Tennis back in 1970.

The sweeter you hit it, the more swerve you get, and Roberto Carlos caught it just right. The way it worked out, it was perfection. The free kick left Fabien Barthezc – France goalkeeper in hopeless despair and befuddlement as the ball fizzes back from yards outside of his left-hand post. It is the free kick that makes the beautiful game, beautiful.

“There are lots of good kickers nowadays, it might take some time but someday someone will score a similar goal. But I was the first.” – Roberto Carlos

Check out more fun and interactive story of science and technology at Petrosains the Discovery Centre!

International Science Drama Competition (ISDC) 2018 - Malaysian Finals and International Grand Finals

Although it has been more than a month, we are still buzzing with excitement thinking about the Malaysian Finals and International Grand Finals that happened on the 30th of June and 14th of July, respectively. For the Malaysian Finals, which were held at the KDU University College Glenmarie campus, we saw six teams from primary schools, coming from four states, namely Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. The six teams were vying for two spots to go to the International Grand Finals, which is, of course, an enormous matter for the participants. It was indeed a full house on the competition day, with the total of 360 pax of participants, supporters, and audience. The judges had a tough task, which was to decide on the best two teams that would represent Malaysia in the International Grand Finals. The teams were assessed on the scientific content of their play, performance of the cast, their creativity, as well as their overall performance. Here are some of the moments captured during the event:

After much deliberation, the judges had agreed to select Team Infinity F.I.T.T from SJKT Masai, Johor as the 1st place winner, and Team Bone Bonkers from SK Sri Petaling as the 2nd place winner, representing Malaysia in the Primary School category for the International Grand Finals. During the Malaysian Finals, we had also invited the winners for the Open category, to honor them during the prize-giving ceremony. And two weeks later……

It was the International Grand Finals! Held at the same venue as the Malaysian Finals, we were nervous to host participants and judges coming from Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, and China. Everyone was in such a competitive mood, but at the same time was so happy to be in Malaysia! It was a day full of drama, dazzling costumes, and impressive performances, with again, full house of 360 pax of the most cheerful, energetic crowd. Why not we let the pictures do the talking…

Scenes from the Primary School Category:

Meanwhile, for the Open Category:

The participants had to work hard, as their performance was assessed by six judges, one from each science centre, namely Science Centre Singapore, Oil & Gas Discovery Centre Brunei, National Science Museum Thailand, The Mind Museum Philippines, Science Beijing Network China, and Petrosains. The prizes at stake for both categories: USD 450 for 1st place, USD 300 for the 2nd place, and USD 150 for 3rd place. Out of six teams competing in the Primary School category, we are proud to announce that MALAYSIA WAS CROWNED CHAMPION! Team Infinity F.I.T.T. from SJKT Masai, Johor managed to snatch the first place! Team Sport On!, from Singapore came in second, and Team Varee Young Scientist Club from Thailand won the third place. Our Open Category representative did not disappoint either. Team The Warriors (Malaysia) took the third place, second place was won by Team Science Fillet from Brunei, and the first place was awarded to Team Theatre Club Nanyang from Singapore.

We sure are glad that everything went well, and we hope that this event will be a memorable one for each and every person involved.

Thank you for reading!

Shared by Nurhayati Zulkifli

Guest Blogger

nurhayati.zulkifli@petronas.com.my