Strand D: Energy and Society

Temperature is an important part of life on Earth and life in space. This backgrounder explains what temperature is, how it affects people and how it is controlled on the International Space Station.

When you hurt your ankle, thermodynamics can help you heal! An endothermic reaction reduces the swelling by cooling your injury.

Radiocarbon dating is a method of radiometric dating. Learn how archaeologists use carbon isotopes to find the age of organic materials at archaeological sites.

The life and death of stars form the chemical elements that make up Earth, making stars critical to life as we know it.

How do magnetic fields help you get down safely from the top of a drop tower ride? Learn how electromagnetic induction works at the amusement park.

Learn how moving water can be used to generate electricity. This is called hydroelectric power generation.

Put on your running shoes and sharpen your pencil! Investigate the mathematical connection between work and power in this hands-on activity.

Hydraulics power many of the large machines you see around you.

Animals have some unique adaptations to stay warm. Discover what conduction of heat and insulation have to do with staying warm!

Try your hand at building a “super coaster” using materials around your home.

Sometimes, power plants make too much electricity. Energy storage technologies can help! They store the extra electricity and release it when demand goes up.

When a nuclear reactor is no longer in use, the radioactivity in its materials remains. That’s why it’s important to safely deal with the radioactive waste those plants leave behind.

The game of billiards shows the principles of collisions, momentum & impulse, and kinetics at work!

This backgrounder has information about both cosmic & neutron radiation.