Curious and Fun Facts About Nature, Science and History

Ever Wonder What a Geyser Is?
A geyser is a hot spring that shoots out bursts of hot water and steam from the ground. This happens when water under the earth gets super hot and builds up pressure. Yellowstone Park in the U.S. has about 400 geysers spread across nine valleys!

What Illusion Helps Measure Distance?
The parallax effect makes far-away things look like they move more slowly than closer things. For example, when you're in a car, nearby trees zoom past, but far-off mountains move slowly. This trick of the eye helps scientists figure out how far stars and planets are.

Why Are Redheads Called 'Gingers'?
The nickname 'ginger' comes from the orange-colored spice ginger. That name was also used for a fizzy orange drink—ginger ale. Because of the color, people started using the word 'ginger' for redheads.

Where Can You Find a Pink Lake?
There are about ten pink lakes in the world, but one of the most famous is Lake Hillier in Western Australia. Its pink color comes from special algae called Dunaliella salina, which love salty water and create a natural pink dye that colors the lake.

Which Colors Aren’t Really Colors?
Black and white aren’t considered true colors. Black means no light is present, and white is actually a mix of all the colors. When white light passes through glass or water, it splits into a rainbow!

When Was the Bicycle Invented?
The first bicycle was built in 1816 by Joseph Nieps. It had two wheels and no pedals and you had to push with your feet. About 20 years later, a Scottish blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Macmillan added pedals so riders could move forward with their feet on the bike.

How Does a Match Light?
Matches are coated at the tip with a special material that catches fire easily. The side of the matchbox has tiny glass particles. When you rub the match on the box, it creates friction and heat, just enough to light the match!