Fun and Surprising Facts About the World Around Us

1. Did you know how the “greenhouse effect” got its name?
A greenhouse is a place that stays warm so plants can grow, even when it’s cold outside. The greenhouse effect is similar—Earth’s atmosphere holds in heat like a cozy blanket, keeping the planet from freezing. But when certain harmful gases increase, they trap too much heat and cause problems for the planet.

2. Did you know which flower is used for perfume?
The jasmine flower, often found growing wild, has a sweet and strong scent. Many types of jasmine are grown in gardens, and the flower’s lovely fragrance is used in perfumes all over the world. In some places, jasmine is also used as a natural remedy.

3. Did you know you can use music to blow out a candle?
It’s true! Light a candle, then hold a funnel with the narrow end pointing toward the flame. Now play music at the wide end. The sound waves vibrate through the funnel and can actually make the flame go out.

4. Did you know why we don’t feel the Earth spinning?
Even though Earth is always spinning, we don’t feel it. That’s because gravity pulls us down, while centrifugal force tries to push us outward. Gravity is much stronger, so it keeps everything safely on the ground and we don’t notice the motion.

5. Did you know animals can sense natural disasters?
Hashem gave animals special instincts. Some of them can sense earthquakes or tsunamis before they happen. You might see them acting strange or running away just before a disaster strikes.

6. Did you know which animal pulls itself with its teeth?
The walrus, also called the sea horse, has long tusks that help it climb out of the water. It uses those tusks almost like arms to pull its heavy body onto land.

7. Did you know a boomerang works in space?
A boomerang, first used by Aboriginal people, is shaped in a way that makes it fly back to whoever throws it. Amazingly, astronauts found that boomerangs still work even in space, because the same flying forces apply up there too!