11 Fascinating things you didn't know about *Curiosities*

1. What is the Sixth Sense ?

Sixth Sense

It was Greek philosopher Aristotle who listed our five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Some people are said to have a sixth sense when they can guess what will happen in the future, but this has not been proven scientifically. However, Scientists now include pain, balance, joint motion and acceleration, time, temperature and direction as senses too.

2. What purpose do the Cactus Thorns serve ?

Cactus

The cactus thorns are, in fact, leaves that have rolled up to restrict water evaporation in the dry climate of a desert. Thus, they offer less surface area to the desert Sun and reduce evaporation. As they prick, they also protect the cactus from animals who might be interested in the water that it contains.

3. Why can't an eraser erase ink ?

Eraser

The pen's ink penetrates the paper and that is why the eraser cannot remove it. On the other hand, the pencil is made of carbon graphite. When we write with a pencil, we only deposit a layer of it on the paper. The eraser erases this layer, which re-deposits partially on the eraser itself.

4. Why do we wash ourselves with soap ?

Soap

Water slides down our skin without removing all the dirt. Some soap particles can cling to the dirt. They are connected to other particles that fix themselves to the water. When rinsing, the dirt detached from the skin then gets off easily.

5. How are lighthouses useful ?

Lighthouse

Lighthouses are situated in dangerous places on the coast or on isolated rocks. Thanks to them, sailors can pick out the dangers at night. Each sends out special flashes; by observing them, sailors can make out where they are located.

6. Can a fish drown ?

Great White Shark

If it stops swimming, the great white shark could drown. Unlike all other fish, which can remain immobile in water, the white shark needs to swim constantly at a minimum speed of 35 kilometers per hour. Otherwise, it would go straight down.

7. What are Dreams ?

Dream

Our eyes are like a camera that registers everything we see during the day. Dreams are stories and pictures our brain creates when we sleep. Most dreams happen during the time of night when we are most deeply asleep, but recent studies show that we can dream at just about any time of the night.

8. What does a lightning conductor do on a building ?

Lightning

Installed on rooftops, the lightning conductor is similar to a metal antenna extended by a long cable. Attracted to this object pointing towards the sky, the lightning follows the cable, which goes right into the earth, and therefore, does not enter the building.

9. How does the refrigerator keep cold ?

Refrigerator

The refrigerator does not produce 'cold', it removes heat. Liquid 'refrigerant' is circulated in the refrigerator, which becomes gaseous when passing through pipes. When this liquid become gaseous, it absorbs heat. And that helps in keeping the food items cold.

10. Do eggs always contain chicks ?

Eggs

The hen lays eggs almost every day, but only those that have been fertilized contain an embryonic chick. The majority of eggs bought in shops are unfertilized eggs and do not contain chicks.

11. How do Ants communicate ?

Ants communicating

Ants communicate in three ways. They produce fragrant substances called pheromones, to indicate, for example, a danger. They exchange information by touching their antennae. Some species also emit a sound that can be interpreted by their fellow creatures.