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The Big Why: Light & Sight

Solving the puzzles of the glowing world around us.

Why is the sky blue? How do mirrors work? Why does the ocean look different than a glass of water? This course explores 'The Big Why' behind light, color, and illusions. We explain the complex physics of our world using simple analogies that any curious mind can understand, from the bedroom to the deep sea.

For kidsQuizEducationalReal Science
Completed • Science • 20 Topics • 34 min

by Papyrly

Topics

The Shadow Stretch: Why Does Your Shadow Change Size?
Shadows2 min

The Shadow Stretch: Why Does Your Shadow Change Size?

Solve the mystery of your 'dark twin' that follows you everywhere but refuses to stay the same height.

Bubble Rainbows: Why Are Clear Bubbles Colorful?
Soap Bubbles2 min

Bubble Rainbows: Why Are Clear Bubbles Colorful?

Discover how a clear bubble can create every color of the rainbow without any ink or paint.

The 'Broken' Straw: Why Does Water Bend Light?
Refraction2 min

The 'Broken' Straw: Why Does Water Bend Light?

Learn why a straight straw or spoon looks like it has been snapped in half when it enters a glass of water.

The Mirror Swap: Why Is Your Reflection Backwards?
Mirrors2 min

The Mirror Swap: Why Is Your Reflection Backwards?

Step in front of a mirror to solve the mystery of why your right hand becomes your left hand.

Glow-Star Battery: Why Do Stickers Glow in the Dark?
Glow-Stickers2 min

Glow-Star Battery: Why Do Stickers Glow in the Dark?

Ever wonder how a sticker can 'stay on' without any wires, batteries, or a plug?

The Blue Sky: Why Isn't It Purple or Green?
Sky Color2 min

The Blue Sky: Why Isn't It Purple or Green?

Solve the mystery of why the air above us looks like a giant blue ocean during the day.

Sunset Red: Why Does the Sky Change Color at Night?
Sunsets2 min

Sunset Red: Why Does the Sky Change Color at Night?

Discover why the blue sky turns into a masterpiece of reds, oranges, and pinks when the sun goes down.

Rainbows: Why Do You Need Sun and Rain?
Rainbows2 min

Rainbows: Why Do You Need Sun and Rain?

Discover how every single raindrop acts like a tiny, magical prism during a storm.

The Moon: Why Does It Glow If It Isn't a Star?
Moonlight2 min

The Moon: Why Does It Glow If It Isn't a Star?

Discover why the moon looks like a bright night-light even though it's just a giant, dark rock.

Red-Eye: Why Do Eyes Look Red in Some Photos?
Photography Red-Eye2 min

Red-Eye: Why Do Eyes Look Red in Some Photos?

Solve the mystery of why your eyes sometimes look like glowing red marbles in pictures.

Road Puddles: Why Do Hot Roads Look Wet?
Mirages2 min

Road Puddles: Why Do Hot Roads Look Wet?

Solve the mystery of the 'ghost water' that appears on highways during a hot summer day.

The Hidden Rainbow: Why Is White Light Colorful?
Prisms2 min

The Hidden Rainbow: Why Is White Light Colorful?

Learn how a simple piece of glass can reveal the secret 'team' of colors hiding in plain sight.

Giant Bugs: Why Do Magnifying Glasses Work?
Magnifiers2 min

Giant Bugs: Why Do Magnifying Glasses Work?

Explore how a piece of curved glass can stretch an image to make tiny things look huge.

The Blue Ocean: Why Isn't a Glass of Water Blue?
Ocean Color2 min

The Blue Ocean: Why Isn't a Glass of Water Blue?

Investigate why water looks clear in your hand but bright blue in the deep ocean.

Cat Eyes: Why Do They Glow in the Dark?
Animal Eye Glow2 min

Cat Eyes: Why Do They Glow in the Dark?

Discover the secret 'mirror' inside a cat's eye that helps them see in the shadows.

Sparkle Power: Why Do Diamonds Shine So Much?
Diamonds2 min

Sparkle Power: Why Do Diamonds Shine So Much?

Discover why diamonds and sequins look like they are 'trapping' light and throwing it back at you.

Stop Red: Why Is 'Red' the Color for Danger?
Traffic Lights2 min

Stop Red: Why Is 'Red' the Color for Danger?

Learn the science of why we use red light to tell cars to stop and ships to watch out.

Sun Dogs: Why Does the Sun Have 'Twins'?
Sun Dogs2 min

Sun Dogs: Why Does the Sun Have 'Twins'?

Solve the mystery of the bright spots or 'halos' that appear around the sun on cold winter days.

Glares: How Do Sunglasses See Through Water?
Polarization2 min

Glares: How Do Sunglasses See Through Water?

Learn how special 'polarized' sunglasses can delete the glare on a pool or car windshield.

The Green Flash: Does the Sun Turn Green?
The Green Flash2 min

The Green Flash: Does the Sun Turn Green?

Investigate the rare and magical green 'zip' of light that happens right as the sun disappears.