HSST Lib

23/10/2023

MYTH or FACT?

Spider silk is stronger than steel.

It's a fact.

Spider silk is renowned for its incredible strength and elasticity. In fact, the strongest spider silk ranks second only to fused quartz fibers in terms of tensile strength. It's an astonishing five times stronger than steel of equivalent weight.

Tensile strength measures the longitudinal stress a material can withstand without tearing apart. Spider silk's remarkable properties make it a true wonder of nature!

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Source: The Handy Science Answer Book. 5th ed. 2020 (p.382)

23/10/2023

11/10/2023

Did you know that the largest shark ever swam the ancient seas of the Philippines? Bohol Island Geopark, the country's first , is one of the few places in the archipelago where (Otodus megalodon) tooth fossils have been found. 🦈

This prehistoric predator, which existed in the Early Miocene to Pliocene epochs (23 to 2.6 million years ago) grew up to 20 meters long — three times longer than the largest recorded great white shark. Among the biggest fish to have ever lived, their size was comparable to today's largest whale sharks!

Discovered in an upland area by local hikers in 2020, this palm-sized specimen, measuring 7.6 x 6.5 cm, was the second one found in the town of Maribojoc, Bohol. It is currently displayed at National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol in Tagbilaran City. Megalodon teeth have also been unearthed in Pangasinan and Cagayan provinces on Luzon island. In 2015, one was found embedded in a cave wall in Samar.

11/10/2023

MYTH or FACT?

Bone is one of the strongest materials found in nature.

It's a fact.

Bones are made up of a matrix of collagen fibers embedded in calcium salts, making them incredibly tough and rigid.

One cubic inch of bone can withstand loads of at least 19,000 pounds (8,626 kilograms)! That's roughly the weight of five standard-size pickup trucks!

Bone's strength is approximately four times that of concrete. It can handle serious pressure.

Bone's resistance to load is on par with aluminum and light steel. Ounce for ounce, it's actually stronger than steel, and reinforced concrete would have to be much heavier to match its strength.

Don't underestimate the power of your bones! They're not just there to support your body; they're nature's own engineering marvels.

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Source: The Handy Science Answer Book. 5th ed. 2020 (p.418-419)

03/10/2023

03/10/2023

'sPride

21/09/2023

21/09/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

What is the oldest genus of living trees?

The genus Gingko, commonly known as maidenhair trees, comprises the oldest living trees. This genus is native to China, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It has not been found in the wild, and it is likely that it would have become extinct had it not been cultivated. Fossils of two-hundred-million-year-old gingkoes show that the modern-day gingko is nearly identical to its forerunner.

As of the early twenty-first century, only one living species of gingko remains, Gingko biloba. The fleshy coverings of the seeds produced by females of the species Gingko biloba have a distinctly foul odor. Horticulturists prefer to cultivate the male plant from shoots to avoid the odor and mess created by the female trees.

Source: The Handy Science Answer Book. 5th ed. 2020 (p. 339)

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19/09/2023

MYTH or FACT?

Looking directly at a solar eclipse is safe if it's just for a moment.

It's a myth.

Looking directly at the sun is never safe. The sun's UV radiation can permanently damage your retina, potentially causing blindness. Instead, follow these safe methods:
- Wear certified "eclipse eyeglasses" meeting ISO 12312-2:2015 standards to protect your eyes while observing the eclipse. Ensure they're scratch-free!
- Avoid using photographic filters, exposed film, smoked glass, camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars for viewing - they can harm your eyes.
- Protect the eclipse image using two sheets of stiff, white paper and a pin. Create a hole in one paper, aim it at the sun, and use the second sheet to view the projected image safely. Remember, protect your eyes to enjoy the wonders of the universe without risking your vision!

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Source: The Handy Science Answer Book. 5th ed. 2020 (p.135)

18/09/2023

MYTH or FACT?

Looking directly at a solar eclipse is safe if it's just for a moment.

Can you answer it right? Type your answer in the comment box.

18/09/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Why do golf balls have dimples?

The dimples minimize the drag (a force that makes a body lose energy as it moves through a fluid or gas), allowing the ball to travel farther than a smooth ball would travel. The air, as it passes over a dimpled ball, tends to cling to the ball longer, reducing the wake effects that drain the ball's energy. A dimpled ball can travel up to 275 meters, but a smooth ball only goes 65 meters. A ball can have 300 to 500 dimples that can be 0.25 millimeters deep.

Source: The Handy Science Answer Book. 5th ed. 2020 (p. 60)

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04/09/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

What is the only dog that does not bark?

Basenji. When happy, it will make an appealing sound described as something between a chortle and a yodel. It also snarls and growls on occasion. One of the oldest breeds of dogs and originating in South Africa, the basenji was often given as a present to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Following the decline of the Egyptian civilization, the basenji was still valued in central Africa for its hunting prowess and its silence.

Source: The Handy Science Answer Book. 5th ed. 2020 (p. 409-410)

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