Bennett Science Blog

By Amber Bennett It keeps our favorite devices charged, our lights and router on, and our appliances running. As much as we rely on electricity, you might not understand exactly how it works or certain terms related to it. Not to worry. Keep reading for a guide to common science terms related to electricity. First, let's start with electricity itself. Electricity  Basically, electricity is the energy of charged particles. It also can be described as the flow of electrons (negatively charged particles) from one atom to another. When the electrons are able to move , they can light a lightbulb, power up a cellphone, or give a washing machine the power it needs to run a load of laundry.  Now, let's look at science terms related to electricity. Battery A battery is a device used for storing energy . It converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Most batteries include a case, two electrodes, and an electrolyte (the chemical that fills the gap between the electrodes; it often ...

The Northern Lights appear above Canada. Photo Credit: NASA By Amber Bennett Few people have the opportunity to view one of Earth's natural wonders: the awesome light shows known as auroras. This is because the northern and southern lights light up the sky primarily in the polar regions. So, what causes the ribbons of light and glowing skies? The cause is the solar wind that flows from the sun to the Earth. The majority of the charged particles  are deflected by the magnetic field. However, some of them move along the magnetic field to the north or south pole. Once there, they enter the atmosphere, bumping into nitrogen and oxygen atoms. This excites the atoms, which makes them unstable. The atoms then relax and enter a ground (unexcited) state, releasing the photons (light particles) that create auroras. This photo of an aurora was taken on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: ESA/NASA  Where Can You See the Auroras? You can watch the breathtaking light show ...

A study looked at how European robins know where to go when migrating. Credit: Public Domain By Amber Bennett Have you ever wondered how birds know where to go when they migrate? Recent research into birds' sense of direction shed some light on their ability to sense Earth's magnetic fields. The study led credence to the idea that birds have a sort of "quantum compass" that helps them navigate. Songbirds have a protein in their retinas called cryptochrome 4 (CRY4), and the new study shows it might be why birds can sense magnetic fields. For decades, some scientists have believed that this protein works similarly to a needle on a compass. However, this study using the variety of CRY4 found in European robins was the first to measure the protein's actual response to magnetic fields. So, How Does This 'Compass' Work? CRY4 is light-dependent, so it needs light at the proper wavelength to work. In fact, an earlier study found that migratory birds have trouble f...