I’m a Scientist is like school science lessons meet the X Factor! School students choose which scientist gets a prize of $1000 to communicate their work.
Scientists and students talk on this website. They both break down barriers, have fun and learn. But only the students get to vote.
This zone is the Boron Zone. It has a range of scientists studying all different topics. Who gets the prize? YOU decide!
Their mass is so small that the force they exert on the surface of water can’t break the surface tension of the water – which is the forces that the individual molecules exert on each other to stick together. So they can “swim” around on the surface.
Here’s a cool photo:
http://www.mpip-mainz.mpg.de/documents/akbu/media/strider.jpg
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There are a number of reasons that pond skaters are able to move on water. Matthew has certainly hit on two of the most important aspects 1) small size of the pond skaters and 2) surface tension of the water.
Other important points include:
3) Microscopic hairs found on the ends of the legs, which trap air and aid in buoyancy
4) They lay the end of their leg (tarsus and tibial joint) on the water, not just the tips of the legs to increase the surface “area” touching the water.
5) Ends of the legs are hydrophobic (water repellent)
Amazing stuff!
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These should be added to the favorite animal questions they sound awesome
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I couldn’t have put it better than Matthew and James. Pond skaters are cool!
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