CINXE.COM
Demystified: Science | Britannica
<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="storiesbrowse-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="Read these stories at Encyclopedia Britannica to test your knowledge on a variety of fun and interesting topics including Animals, Art, Music, Pop Culture, Science, History and more!" /> <meta name="keywords" content="britannica, reference, online, encyclopedia, encyclopaedia, store, dictionary, thesaurus" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/stories/demystified/Science" /> <title>Demystified: Science | Britannica</title> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","DEFAULT_S3_REGION": "US_EAST_1","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "StoriesBrowse", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/stories/demystified/Science", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/[url]?v=3.130.14", "date": 20241124, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "6796836644228278682" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "D" ,"adsTestVersion": "D" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,25,25]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":0,"currentDate":20241124}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false }, "GA": {"leg":"D","adLeg":"D","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"StoriesBrowse","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/images/social/eb-thistle-social-image.jpg?v=3.130.14" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Read these stories at Encyclopedia Britannica to test your knowledge on a variety of fun and interesting topics including Animals, Art, Music, Pop Culture, Science, History and more!"/> <meta property="og:type" content="WEBSITE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Demystified: Science | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Read these stories at Encyclopedia Britannica to test your knowledge on a variety of fun and interesting topics including Animals, Art, Music, Pop Culture, Science, History and more!"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/stories/Demystified/Science"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/images/social/eb-thistle-social-image.jpg?v=3.130.14" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"WEBSITE","title":"Demystified: Science","description":"Read these stories at Encyclopedia Britannica to test your knowledge on a variety of fun and interesting topics including Animals, Art, Music, Pop Culture, Science, History and more!","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/images/social/eb-thistle-social-image.jpg?v=3.130.14","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/stories/Demystified/Science"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/stories-browse-page.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } // if ('scrollRestoration' in history) { history.scrollRestoration = 'manual'; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/at.js?v=3.130.14" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> </head> <body data-leg="D" class="stories-browse user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-db-ie"> <!--- assertive yield ---> <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='ay';</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/15510053/CMP_1x1', [1, 1], 'div-gpt-ad-1709766812090-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script async defer src="https://launchpad-wrapper.privacymanager.io/0ccc6fe8-1870-4ad8-b47b-6d029ac116fc/launchpad-liveramp.js"></script> <script async src="https://JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs.ay.delivery/manager/JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs" type="text/javascript" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" ></script><div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","selected":true,"navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"Science-Tech","description":"Explore science and technology; astronomy; biology; chemistry; earth science; mathematics; physics; technology, agriculture, cars, computers, engineering, industry, inventions, communication","keywords":"astronomy; biology; chemistry; earth science; mathematics; physics; technology, agriculture, cars, computers, engineering, industry, inventions, communication","classId":"SCIENCE","sortOrder":2},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","selected":true,"navbarId":"SCIENCE"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-outline-white-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange-dark p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> Subscribe <span class="d-none d-md-inline"> Now</span> </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY " href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE selected selected" href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY " href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART " href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="container mt-10"> <h1 class="display-1">Demystified</h1> </div> <div class="container"> <div class=" mb-20"> <a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Literature">Literature</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a><span class="selected-category-button btn btn-blue btn-xs shadow m-5 color-white">Science</span><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Technology">Technology</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a><a class="btn btn-xs shadow btn-outline-blue btn-sm-outline-none m-5" href="/stories/demystified/World-History">World History</a></div> <div class="m-n10 browse-large-carousel-overrides"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="grid browse-carousel-wrapper rw-track"> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-lie-detectors-actually-work" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/195958-131-9F60173C/Polygraph-Lie-Detector-Machine.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Polygraph Lie Detector Machine" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-lie-detectors-actually-work" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Lie Detectors Actually Work?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Are they catching liars or something else? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-camels-store-water-in-their-humps" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/94/152294-131-DC3E25DB/Arabian-dromedary-camel.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Camel at Khor Rori, Oman; mammal." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-camels-store-water-in-their-humps" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Camels Store Water in Their Humps?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Do camels really come with built-in canteens? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-happened-to-the-megalodon" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/200135-131-F018282E/Megalodon-shark-epochs-Pliocene-Miocene.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon), female, extinct shark, fishes" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-happened-to-the-megalodon" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Happened to the Megalodon?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Megalodon (<em>Carcharocles megalodon</em>) was once the scourge... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/ghost-forests-are-becoming-the-new-haunts-of-climate-change" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/248990-050-EE67FEA9/Ghost-Forest-Lewis-Gut-Coast-North-Carolina.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Ghost forest along the Lewis Gut - a stream along the coast near Core Point, North Carolina. Photographed in 2022" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/ghost-forests-are-becoming-the-new-haunts-of-climate-change" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Ghost Forests Are Becoming the New Haunts of Climate Change</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What are ghost forests? How do ghost forests emerge, and how... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-alligators-and-crocodiles" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/146577-131-3272C02C/Close-up-crocodile-eye-location.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Close-up of crocodile eye; location unknown (rainforest, reptile)." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-alligators-and-crocodiles" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Something to ponder by the pond </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-happened-to-the-dinosaurs" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/213799-131-38E1D6BF/Parasaurolophus-pterosaurs-mammal-dinosaurs.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Three parasaurolophus stand on a rock beach. Pterasaurs fly over head and a small mammal watches the dinosaurs as they meander along the water's edge." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-happened-to-the-dinosaurs" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Happened to the Dinosaurs?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Find out what ended the reign of the dinosaurs. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-animals-eat-their-mates-after-sex" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/92732-050-5FF78C21/Mantid.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Praying mantis (sphodromantis gastrica)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-animals-eat-their-mates-after-sex" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Some Animals Eat Their Mates After Sex?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Sexual cannibalism refers to the eating of all or part of one’s... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-do-tornadoes-form" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/64/155464-131-824C4E75/funnel-cloud-forms-Kansas-field.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Kansas tornado over field. (twister, strom, weather, clouds)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-do-tornadoes-form" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Do Tornadoes Form?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> It’s a twister, it’s a twister! </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-birds-pee" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/21/246221-131-C42F1822/black-headed-gulls-roof-droppings.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Black-headed gulls perching on a roof with bird droppings, often seen in flocks around London, England, in winter time. The "black head" develops during the breeding season. (black headed, birds, guano, bird poop)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-birds-pee" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Birds Pee?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Why white sludge drops from the sky but never anything yellow. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-do-you-tell-the-difference-between-total-annular-solar-and-lunar-eclipses" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/41/196341-131-60E24B83/solar-eclipse-moon-sun-space-astronomy.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-do-you-tell-the-difference-between-total-annular-solar-and-lunar-eclipses" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Who blocks whom. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-makes-a-species-endangered" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/152045-131-501AC122/bald-eagle-conservation-efforts-species-numbers-list-2007.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Bald eagle in flight." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-makes-a-species-endangered" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Makes a Species Endangered?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Prepare to feel a little guilty. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-rabbits-and-hares" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/243677-131-CF25F65D/Comparing-rabbit-hare-black-tailed-jackrabbit-desert-cottontail.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Comparison of a hare and a rabbit. (Left-hare) black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus); (right-rabbit) desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-rabbits-and-hares" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Rabbits and Hares?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Rabbits and hares are often confused with one another, and many... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-sharks-sleep" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/157569-131-DCA912E0/Shark-swimming-ocean.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Shark swimming in ocean. (predator)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-sharks-sleep" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Sharks Sleep?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Many types of sharks need to keep moving all the time. Does that... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-dogs-eat-poop" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/235350-131-739CE946/man-picking-up-dog-poop.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Closeup of the hand of a man picking up some dog poop with a bag while his dog sniffs it. Walk cleanup sniff" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-dogs-eat-poop" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> We all know dogs do it. But…why? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-do-birds-hear" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/173392-131-F2316E79/nuthatch-creeper-songbird.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Nuthatch. nuthatch and creeper. bird. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) a small songbird in mid-winter. Near Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, Canada." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-do-birds-hear" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Do Birds Hear?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Birds lack the outer ear anatomy that humans rely on. So is their... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-dogs-smarter-than-cats" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/86/166986-131-EE42A765/cute-kitten-and-puppy-outdoors-in-grass.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Cute kitten and puppy (labrador) outdoors in the grass. Two different mammals. Furry mammals have three kinds of hair: guard hairs, whiskers and soft underhairs. cat and dog, animal friends, funny young pets" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-dogs-smarter-than-cats" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Dogs Smarter than Cats?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Team dogs or team cats? Which do you think is smarter? What do... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-are-flamingos-pink" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/21/183421-131-2F9E715E/Flamingo.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Flamingo. (flamingos, birds)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-are-flamingos-pink" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Are Flamingos Pink?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What makes this bird so bright? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-are-pterodactyls-not-dinosaurs" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/194817-131-7E10DA74/birds-fossil-skeleton-pterodactyl-scientists-ancestors.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Pterodactyl Fossil. Pterodactilus Spectabilis" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-are-pterodactyls-not-dinosaurs" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Are Pterodactyls Not Dinosaurs?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What do you do when you find out that your favorite flying dinosaur... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-was-life-like-before-we-knew-about-germs" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/225065-131-87689A6A/microscopic-blue-bacteria.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="close up of 3d microscopic blue bacteria" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-was-life-like-before-we-knew-about-germs" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Was Life Like Before We Knew About Germs?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Before germ theory, people thought foul odors caused illness.... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-do-black-holes-really-work" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/193284-131-66EAF092/merging-black-holes-binary-system-each-other-December-26-2015.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The merger of two black holes and the gravitational waves that ripple outward as the black holes spiral toward each other. The black holes-which represent those detected by LIGO on Dec. 26, 2015-were 14 and 8 times the mass of the sun, until they merged," class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-do-black-holes-really-work" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Do Black Holes Really Work?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> You’ve seen them in sci-fi, but what are they like in the wild? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-cicadas-appear-only-every-17-years" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/222554-131-1976D74D/periodical-cicada.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-cicadas-appear-only-every-17-years" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Every 17 years a swarm of cicadas appears in the northeastern... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-deadly-are-australias-animals" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/19/221919-131-22A0BBA3/fierce-snake-taipan.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The fierce snake (also known as the inland taipan, western taipan and Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is the most venomous snake in the world." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-deadly-are-australias-animals" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Deadly Are Australia’s Animals?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Australia is notorious for its deadly animals. But how likely... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-sharks-really-die-if-they-stop-swimming" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/141290-131-F6AC08FC/Tiger-shark.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri)." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-sharks-really-die-if-they-stop-swimming" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Sharks Really Die if They Stop Swimming?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> We’ve all heard the rumours. But what really happens when a shark... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-frog-and-a-toad" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/206384-131-207CC735/Javan-gliding-tree-frog.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Javan gliding tree frog or flying tree frog. Amphibian" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-frog-and-a-toad" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Frog and a Toad?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Frogs and toads are both small, are both amphibians, and are... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-does-too-much-caffeine-keep-you-awake-at-night" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/64/213164-131-A27CD81E/Cup-cafe-Cubano.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Cuban coffee served in the colonial city of Trinidad, Cuba" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-does-too-much-caffeine-keep-you-awake-at-night" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Does Too Much Caffeine Keep You Awake at Night?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Too much of a good thing… </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-zebras-white-with-black-stripes-or-black-with-white-stripes" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/85/219885-131-EABE3DE7/two-zebras-Serengeti-National-Park-Tanzania.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Two zebras, Serengeti Naitonal Park, Tanzania." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-zebras-white-with-black-stripes-or-black-with-white-stripes" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Zebras White with Black Stripes or Black with White Stripes?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The answer to the age-old question—plus, why do zebras have stripes... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-happens-to-our-bodies-after-we-die" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/219491-131-8BCF8E53/human-Inuit-skull.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="A human Inuit skull in a stone chambered cairn in Ilulissat in Greenland. These ancient graves are pre christian and are at least 2000" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-happens-to-our-bodies-after-we-die" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Happens to Our Bodies After We Die? </a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What happens to our bodies after we die isn’t a mystery, but... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-cats-hate-water" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/206222-131-E921E1FB/Domestic-feline-tabby-cat.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Tabby cat mammal animal feline" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-cats-hate-water" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Cats Hate Water?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Find out why cats aren’t exactly known as keen swimmers. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-flamingos-stand-on-one-leg" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/44/155944-131-E7EDA4DE/hundreds-individuals-flamingos-flock.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Flamingos on Lake Nakuru, Kenya, Africa. (flamingo, flock, bird, birds, African birds)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-flamingos-stand-on-one-leg" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Flamingos Stand on One Leg?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Can that really be comfortable? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/did-humans-live-at-the-same-time-as-dinosaurs" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/67/187467-131-E35ABEAE/dinosaurs-Brachiosaurus-Earth.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Illustration of a group of Brachiosaurus dinosaurs in the water. Sauropod late Jurassic to early Cretaceous" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/did-humans-live-at-the-same-time-as-dinosaurs" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Did Humans Live at the Same Time as Dinosaurs?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> TV has led us to believe that cavemen had dinosaurs as pets.... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-animals-hibernate" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/188899-131-72592A9F/bear-cub.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="American black bears (Ursus americanus), mother with cub in forest." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-animals-hibernate" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> And are they really sleeping? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-we-really-swallow-spiders-in-our-sleep" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/173689-131-1E885102/wasp-spider-spinning-web.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Wasp spider. Argiope bruennichi. Orb-weaver spider. Spiders. Arachnid. Cobweb. Spider web. Spider's web. Spider silk. Black and yellow striped wasp spider spinning a web." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-we-really-swallow-spiders-in-our-sleep" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do We Really Swallow Spiders in Our Sleep?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> You may have heard that spiders crawl into your mouth while you’re... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-horses-sleep-standing-up" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/204174-131-C97FEBB5/Irish-Cob-horses-autumn-pasture.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Irish Cobs in autumn pasture, horses" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-horses-sleep-standing-up" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> And how do they do it? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-cats-sleep-so-much" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/212324-131-4AD3AE21/Persian-cat-sleeping.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Persian cat is sleeping" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-cats-sleep-so-much" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Finally an explanation for why your cat never seems to get enough... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-glacier-and-an-ice-floe" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/67/156367-131-6C921287/Glacier-Argentina-South-America-blue-ice.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Glacier off coast of Argentina, South America. (glacial; snow; ice; blue ice; melting glacier)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-glacier-and-an-ice-floe" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Glacier and an Ice Floe?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> They’re both huge masses of ice, right? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-happens-to-earth-if-the-amazon-rainforest-is-completely-burned" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/31/212131-131-87355555/Brazil-fire-Amazon-forest-Novo-Progresso-August-2019.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="A handout photo made available by Greenpeace Brazil showing smoke rising from the fire at the Amazon forest in Novo Progresso in the state of Para, Brazil, August 23, 2019." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-happens-to-earth-if-the-amazon-rainforest-is-completely-burned" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Happens to Earth If the Amazon Rainforest Is Completely Burned?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis. What happens when... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-hyenas-really-laugh" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/211284-131-58869D0A/Spotted-hyena-family-Botswana.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) family, Botswana" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-hyenas-really-laugh" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Hyenas Really Laugh?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> It sounds like a human giggle or even maniacal laughter, but... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/did-dinosaurs-really-have-feathers" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/211283-131-3DB62136/Tyrannosaurus-Rex-Struthiomimus-dinosaurs.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Tyrannosaurus Rex attacking two Struthiomimus dinosaurs." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/did-dinosaurs-really-have-feathers" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Did Dinosaurs Really Have Feathers?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> And how did feathers evolve? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-are-cicadas-so-noisy" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/211269-131-D3FC4341/Green-cicadas-shell.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Green cicada emerged from shell." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-are-cicadas-so-noisy" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why are cicadas so noisy?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The loud buzzing of cicadas is the sound of late summer. But... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/will-light-speed-space-travel-ever-be-possible" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/25/95925-131-48DC7A70/Launch-space-shuttle-Discovery-July-2006.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/will-light-speed-space-travel-ever-be-possible" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> “Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops.” </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-is-bird-poop-white" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/207187-131-EF520250/Bird-Footpath.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="High Angle View Of Bird Dropping On Footpath" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-is-bird-poop-white" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Is Bird Poop White?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> For that matter, have you ever seen a bird pee? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-plants-feel-pain" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/204412-131-CBDD37E6/Plant-seedlings-soil.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Plant seedlings emerging from rich fertile soil" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-plants-feel-pain" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Plants Feel Pain?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is your salad actually in agony? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-global-warming-and-climate-change" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/204079-131-57893FCB/smog-pall-Los-Angeles-California-areas-automobiles-November-2016.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Brown layer of Los Angeles smog; photo taken on November 10, 2016.(California, environment, smog)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-global-warming-and-climate-change" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What's the Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Why are these concepts often confused with each another? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-would-happen-if-all-the-bees-died" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/204732-131-D1F48341/Rusty-bumblebee-species-North-America.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) photographed in the Midwest in 2017. endangered species insect pollination" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-would-happen-if-all-the-bees-died" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Would Happen If All the Bees Died?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Would we survive a “bee-pocalypse”? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/is-light-pollution-really-pollution" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/132269-131-24D9B49B/Portion-skyline-Tokyo-right-Tower.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Aerial view of Tokyo, Japan at dusk circa 2009. Tokyo Tower (right) located in Shiba Park, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Office buildings, architecture, skyscrapers, skyline." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/is-light-pollution-really-pollution" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Is Light Pollution Really Pollution?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is Light Pollution Really Pollution? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-meteoroid-a-meteor-and-a-meteorite" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/191948-131-BDB35461/Meteor-shower-Elements-image-NASA.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Meteor shower. Elements of this image furnished by NASA" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-meteoroid-a-meteor-and-a-meteorite" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Meteoroid, a Meteor, and a Meteorite?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The difference between the three depends on where they are. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-solstice-and-an-equinox" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/202690-131-1D29B008/colorful-winter-sunset.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Colorful winter sunset" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-solstice-and-an-equinox" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> How the Sun relates to the seasons. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-monkeys-and-apes" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/189070-131-E2BE226F/Chimpanzees-ground-trees-branch-swing-arms-distance.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) in the forest. Ape mammal animal close up face" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-monkeys-and-apes" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Monkeys and Apes?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Only one of them actually swings through trees. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-angiosperms-and-gymnosperms" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/198138-131-8A116809/Anemone-coronaria-marigold-windflower-Spanish-flowering-plant.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Anemone coronaria, the poppy anemone, Spanish marigold, or windflower, is a species of flowering plant." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-angiosperms-and-gymnosperms" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Angiosperms and Gymnosperms?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> It’s (mostly) all about the seeds. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-is-a-group-of-molecules-called-a-mole" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/150616-131-320CDF08/Illustration-molecules.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Illustration of molecules. (molecular, chemistry, science)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-is-a-group-of-molecules-called-a-mole" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Is a Group of Molecules Called a Mole?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The origin of the chemical term <em>mole</em> explained. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-volcanoes-dangerous-when-theyre-not-erupting" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/196438-131-BC3D639A/Arenal-Volcano-Costa-Rica-Alajuela-province.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Arenal Volcano in northwestern Costa Rica in the province of Alajuela." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-volcanoes-dangerous-when-theyre-not-erupting" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Volcanoes Dangerous When They’re Not Erupting?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> It’s not just the lava you should be worried about. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-fossil-fuels-really-come-from-fossils" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/196924-131-6F4BE1BD/Skeleton-fossil-record-reptiles-stone.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Skeleton fossil record of ancient reptiles in stone." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-fossil-fuels-really-come-from-fossils" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Fossil Fuels Really Come from Fossils?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Are coal, oil, and natural gas made from dinosaur bones and pressed... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-leaves-fall-in-autumn" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/187114-131-78AAD0B4/European-beech-trees-Oak-tree-Note-colors.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="European beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) in autumn. Note: Oak tree far left. Fall colors" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-leaves-fall-in-autumn" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Leaves Fall in Autumn?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Having leaves is harder than you think. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-leaves-change-colors-in-the-fall" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/196818-131-84946E03/Maple-Colors.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Maple Leaves Mixed Changing Fall Colors" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-leaves-change-colors-in-the-fall" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Leaves Change Colors in the Fall?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Every leaf speaks bliss to me / Fluttering from the autumn tree. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-is-the-sky-blue" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/182174-131-1BA2F752/balloon-sky.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Hot-air balloon against a sky (clouds, hot air ballooning, recreation)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-is-the-sky-blue" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Is the Sky Blue?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The science behind blue skies and beautiful sunsets. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-venomous-and-poisonous" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/57/194857-131-F5FF4C32/meadow-adder-snake-viper-Ursini-tongue.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Female meadow adder snake (Vipera ursinii) Also called meadow viper or Ursini's viper. Reptile venomous poisonous tongue" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-venomous-and-poisonous" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Venomous and Poisonous?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Why eating snakes is generally safer than eating frogs. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-is-an-aftershock" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/186043-131-27B127B5/earthquake-Rescue-team-victims-debris-aftermath-Van-October-23-2011.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="VAN, TURKEY - OCTOBER 25: A building and car ruined during the earthquake of Van-Ercis on October 25, 2011 in Van, Turkey. It is 604 killed and 4152 injured in Van-Ercis Earthquake." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-is-an-aftershock" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Is an Aftershock?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Aftershocks are shaking episodes that follow shortly after earthquakes.... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-causes-tsunamis" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/44/157644-131-C4B33508/image-tsunami-waves-city.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Digitally altered image of tsunami waves sweeping over city (digital alteration; natural disaster)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-causes-tsunamis" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Causes Tsunamis?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Tsunamis are ranked among the world’s most destructive forces.... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/can-lightning-strike-the-same-place-twice" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/37/190637-131-44E2DB89/Lightning-farm-field-energy-tree-Weather-electricity.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/can-lightning-strike-the-same-place-twice" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Can Lightning Strike the Same Place Twice?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Does this common phrase hold any truth? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-we-really-use-only-10-percent-of-our-brain" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/170816-131-2ACECB22/Brain-illustration.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Brain illustration" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-we-really-use-only-10-percent-of-our-brain" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do We Really Use Only 10 Percent of Our Brain?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> There’s a widespread belief that we use only a very small portion... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-did-the-sperm-whale-get-its-name" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/195805-131-04FBADE4/whale-populations-whaling-scale.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Submerged sperm whale off east Sri Lanka coast, mammal" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-did-the-sperm-whale-get-its-name" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Did the Sperm Whale Get Its Name?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The sperm whale is one of the largest living animals, but how... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/was-the-big-bang-actually-an-explosion" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/189680-131-1419DE4E/Magellanic-Cloud-star-formation-Satellite-galaxy-nebulae.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) new star formation. Satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This galaxy is scattered with glowing nebulae, the most noticeable sign that new stars are being born." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/was-the-big-bang-actually-an-explosion" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Was the Big Bang Actually an Explosion?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Was the universe really a product of a cosmic fireworks show? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-cows-really-unable-to-walk-down-stairs" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/161650-131-1832A7E5/Group-Waltshire-cows-England.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Group of black and white cows in a pasture, Waltshire, England." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-cows-really-unable-to-walk-down-stairs" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Cows Really Unable to Walk Down Stairs?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> We know they can get up stairs, but what about moo-ving back... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-is-antimatter" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/192336-131-C209C4D4/Atom-illustration-chemistry-physics-neutron-proton-nucleus.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Atom illustration. Electrons chemistry physics matter neutron proton nucleus" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-is-antimatter" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Is Antimatter?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> We know all about matter, but what about its evil twin? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-foods-explode-in-the-microwave" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/60/195360-131-CC0FDF43/microwave-kitchen.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="microwave, kitchen" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-some-foods-explode-in-the-microwave" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Some Foods Explode in the Microwave?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What a mess... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-deadly-is-quicksand" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/195278-131-7324C228/Illustration-How-Dangerous-is-Quicksand.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-deadly-is-quicksand" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Deadly Is Quicksand?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Quicksand is a staple of adventure movies, but how dangerous... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-toilets-in-different-hemispheres-flush-in-different-directions" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/176256-131-5CEFC130/Toilet-Bathroom-Plumbing-toilet-seat-Flush.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Toilet. Bathroom. Plumbing. Flush. A public toilet with a wooden seat." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-toilets-in-different-hemispheres-flush-in-different-directions" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Toilets in Different Hemispheres Flush in Different Directions?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> When a toilet drains, what determines the direction of the flow... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-does-water-freeze-from-the-top-down" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/152306-131-87C0ED70/iceberg.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Iceberg, Arctic (polar, environment, global warming)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-does-water-freeze-from-the-top-down" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Does Water Freeze from the Top Down?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> When a lake freezes over, there’s usually water underneath. But... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-causes-the-northern-and-southern-lights" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/170717-131-54B1DB08/Aurora-Borealis.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Northern lights or Southern lights, also called Aurora Borealis. Luminous phenomenon of Earth's atmosphere. (magnetism; luminous atmospheric display)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-causes-the-northern-and-southern-lights" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Causes the Northern and Southern Lights?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What causes the auroras—that is, the northern lights and the... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-do-penguins-tell-each-other-apart" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/153473-131-244CCD93/Emperor-penguins-Antarctica.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Emperor penguins in Antarctica (arctic animal; arctic bird; penguin)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-do-penguins-tell-each-other-apart" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Do Penguins Tell Each Other Apart?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Emperor penguins live in large colonies, and they look almost... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-plants-have-sexes" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/88/194588-131-9FB82969/flowers.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Roses flowers plant colorful rose" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-plants-have-sexes" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Plants Have Sexes?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Are plants male or female? Does that question even make sense? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-gene-and-an-allele" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/152336-131-AB28A182/DNA-strand-illustration-art.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="DNA strand illustration art, double helix, deoxyribonucleic acid, genetics" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-gene-and-an-allele" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Gene and an Allele?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Genes and alleles are genetic sequences, and both determine biological... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/do-lemmings-really-commit-mass-suicide" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/44/195044-131-92574FF7/Lemmings-Really-Commit-Mass-Suicide-illustration.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Demystified - Do Lemmings Really Commit Mass Suicide? illustration" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/do-lemmings-really-commit-mass-suicide" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Do Lemmings Really Commit Mass Suicide?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is it true that groups of lemmings jump off seaside cliffs to... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/is-the-ozone-layer-finally-healing-itself" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/93589-131-5028197E/information-image-satellite-high-ozone-layer-Earth-September-2005.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="September 11, 2005, ozone thinning over antarctica reached its maximum extent for the year." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/is-the-ozone-layer-finally-healing-itself" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Is the Ozone Layer Finally Healing Itself?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is there evidence now that the ozone layer is actually healing... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/is-climate-change-real" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/170747-131-D1FB7019/ice-Arctic-Ocean.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Cracked ice in Arctic Ocean (ice floe; ice flow; ice formation; melting ice; glacier)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/is-climate-change-real" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Is Climate Change Real?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is climate change real? Evidence shows that a combination of... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-bats-rodents" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/30/193630-131-D41677C2/Flying-bat.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Flying bat" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-bats-rodents" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Bats Rodents?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> They kind of look like mice with wings. Are they? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-is-the-ocean-salty" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/161665-131-5A36B507/Waves-North-Shore-Oahu-Hawaiian-Islands.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Waves, North Shore of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, United States." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-is-the-ocean-salty" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Is the Ocean Salty?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Why is seawater salty? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-plants-wilt" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/193092-131-A181B66B/flowers.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Dead and wilted flowers hang limply." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-plants-wilt" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Plants Wilt?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Maybe your sad houseplant is trying to tell you something. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath-and-how-do-both-differ-from-narcissists" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/192970-131-2094E9CC/phsychopath-sociopath-Freaky-Smiling-Psycho-Man.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Obscure Freaky Smiling Psycho Man, phsychopath, sociopath, evil, mean" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-psychopath-and-a-sociopath-and-how-do-both-differ-from-narcissists" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Psychopath and a Sociopath? And How Do Both Differ from Narcissists?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Know a mentally disturbed person who doesn’t think much of others?... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-speed-and-velocity" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/192806-131-75DD8878/drive-Highway-Night-Traffic-Portland-automobile-car.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Highway Night Traffic Portland, drive, driving, car, automobile." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-speed-and-velocity" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What's the Difference Between Speed and Velocity?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Not uncommonly, we hear these terms used interchangeably. So,... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-doesnt-the-us-use-the-metric-system" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/191934-131-D5479226/Centimetres-rulers-clipping-path-background.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Centimetres vs inches, metal rulers on a white background with clipping path." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-doesnt-the-us-use-the-metric-system" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Doesn’t the U.S. Use the Metric System?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> In a metric world, why does the U.S. choose to be different? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-sharks-attack" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/178312-131-26018FE2/Sand-tiger-sharks-sand-shark-grey-nurse.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Sand tiger sharks. A sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) Aliwal Shoal, Indian Ocean, South Africa in cave. Sand tiger sharks, four sharks belonging to the family Odontaspididae order Lamniformes. Aka blue or grey nurse shark, spotted ragged tooth shark." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-sharks-attack" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Sharks Attack?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> The reasons are more complex than you might think. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/is-zero-an-even-or-an-odd-number" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/49/191949-131-3E2AC277/balloon.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="number zero, 0 balloon" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/is-zero-an-even-or-an-odd-number" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Is Zero an Even or an Odd Number?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Or is this <em>oddly</em> fascinating number <em>even</em> a... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-llamas-and-alpacas" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/85/191985-131-349A8E1D/Alpaca-side-Llama.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Alpaca and Llama side by side" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-llamas-and-alpacas" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> While often conflated, alpacas and llamas differ in key ways. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-weather-and-climate" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/41/191941-131-09E63A08/temperature-weather-August-2016.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Average temperature in the United States during August 2016, weather" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-weather-and-climate" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Weather and Climate?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Why are weather and climate often confused? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-black-and-white-colors" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/191970-131-A85628DA/Color-wheel-light-color-spectrum.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Color wheel, visible light, color spectrum. Colour wheel" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-black-and-white-colors" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Black and White Colors?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What do we see when we see black and white? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-are-planets-round" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/157617-131-CE5D5AA5/Solar-system-illustration.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Solar system illustration. (planets; sun)" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-are-planets-round" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Are Planets Round?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> There are a lot of strange things in the universe, so why are... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-is-pluto-no-longer-a-planet" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/183533-131-AEA24595/moon-Pluto-photo-Charon-New-Horizons-spacecraft-July-13-2015.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Remarkable new details of Pluto's largest moon Charon are revealed in this image from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI), taken late on July 13, 2015 from a distance of 289,000 miles" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-is-pluto-no-longer-a-planet" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Is Pluto No Longer a Planet?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Did the former planet really deserve its demotion? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-bats-really-blind" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/191974-131-F68B6783/bat-flying.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="bat flying" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-bats-really-blind" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Bats Really Blind?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> They’ve got great hearing, but is there truth to being “blind... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-asian-and-african-elephants" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/94/191994-131-9582CFD9/Asian-side-elephant-African.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Asian and African elephant side by side" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-asian-and-african-elephants" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Asian and African Elephants?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Three significant physical factors make it easy to distinguish... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-does-salt-melt-ice" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/15/191515-131-7668BA72/winter-ice-salt-ground-background-pattern.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="winter ice melting salt on the ground, pattern as background" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-does-salt-melt-ice" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Does Salt Melt Ice?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Thank goodness something does. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/why-do-wolves-howl" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/25/132325-131-40560F7E/Grey-Wolves-edge-forest.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Grey Wolves at the edge of a snowy forest." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/why-do-wolves-howl" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why Do Wolves Howl?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> No, they’re not trying to talk to the Moon. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-seals-and-sea-lions" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/189327-131-A62707BA/Head-brown-fur-seal-Namibia-seals-Cape.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Head of brown fur seal, Namibia. Cape fur seals, eared seals." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-seals-and-sea-lions" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Beneath our blubber, aren’t we all just the same? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-do-we-know-how-far-away-the-stars-are" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/99/160899-131-E5AB37AE/M17-Sagittarius-Swan-Nebula.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="M17, the Swan Nebula, is a star-making cloud in the constellation Sagittarius." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-do-we-know-how-far-away-the-stars-are" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Do We Know How Far Away the Stars Are? </a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight”…is trillions... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-is-the-difference-between-a-peptide-and-a-protein" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/190883-131-BCA511FA/structure-peptide-amino-acids-sequence.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Molecular structure of a petide - sequence of amino acids" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-is-the-difference-between-a-peptide-and-a-protein" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Is the Difference Between a Peptide and a Protein?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> We answer a big question about tiny cell components. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-turtle-and-a-tortoise" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/190646-131-F4466A5B/Turtle-tortoise-reptile-assets-88582.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Turtle, tortoise, reptile. Uses assets 88582 & 89606" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-turtle-and-a-tortoise" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What do you call a walking vegetarian turtle that isn’t fond... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-slide mb-20"> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/where-do-honeybees-go-in-the-winter" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/173311-131-8F18B710/beekeeping-bumblebee-bee-queen-worker-bees-Nest.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="beekeeping. bumblebee. bee. Nest has queen, drones (males), and worker bees feed hatched larva and seal cells with wax. Honey bees, honeybees colony. Beehive, beeswax, honeycomb, brood. insect" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/where-do-honeybees-go-in-the-winter" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Where Do Honeybees Go in the Winter?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> It’s no vacation in the tropics. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/are-dogs-really-color-blind" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/49/161649-131-5A595140/Bernese-mountain-dog-grass.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Bernese mountain dog laying on grass." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/are-dogs-really-color-blind" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Are Dogs Really Color-Blind?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Black and white, Technicolor, or neither? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-buffalo-and-bison" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/04/187404-131-2839AF60/bison-American-buffalo-plains-prairie.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="American bison (Bison bison) also known as buffalo or plains buffalo on the prairie, western U.S." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-buffalo-and-bison" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Where exactly do buffalo roam? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/how-much-does-earths-atmosphere-weigh" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/26/190026-131-07811932/moon-oblique-view-airglow-horizon-mission-Earth.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="A quarter moon is visible in this oblique view of Earth's horizon and airglow, recorded with a digital still camera on the final mission of the Space Shuttle Columbia." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/how-much-does-earths-atmosphere-weigh" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How Much Does Earth’s Atmosphere Weigh?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> That weight on your shoulders could be the air that you breathe. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-makes-a-wave-go-rogue" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/190022-131-C1E11FC2/wave-shore.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="A big, powerful wave breaking near the shore." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-makes-a-wave-go-rogue" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Makes a Wave Go Rogue?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> What causes one of the ocean’s most dreaded phenomena? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/is-a-tomato-a-fruit-or-a-vegetable" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/187216-131-FB186228/tomatoes-tomato-plant-Fruit-vegetable.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Ripe red tomatoes (Solanum) and green tomato on plant. Fruit vegetable tomato" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/is-a-tomato-a-fruit-or-a-vegetable" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Is a Tomato a Fruit or a Vegetable?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> One of your biggest culinary questions demystified </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-bee-and-a-wasp" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/188945-131-F70B6651/Wasp-bee-insect.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Wasp and bee, insect" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-bee-and-a-wasp" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What’s the Difference Between a Bee and a Wasp?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Who <em>is</em> that stinging you? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-25 p-0"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/will-a-suction-cup-work-in-space" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/129559-131-46D1CBD7/Astronaut-earth-eva-rescue-system-space-station-2009.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Astronaut above earth, eva rescue system, space station. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, science and technology, explore discovery" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/will-a-suction-cup-work-in-space" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Will a Suction Cup Work in Space?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> On creating a vacuum in a vacuum </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="browse-carousel-controls mb-20"> <div class="browse-carousel-dotted-line mr-10"></div> <button class="browse-carousel-control-button prev-button"> <em class="material-icons " data-icon="chevron_left"></em> </button> <button class="browse-carousel-control-button next-button"> <em class="material-icons " data-icon="chevron_right"></em> </button> <div class="browse-carousel-dotted-line ml-10"></div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <footer class="md-footer footer-wrapper hide-on-edit"> <div class="footer-bck"> <DIV class="marketing-FOOTER_NEWSLETTER marketing-content" data-marketing-id="FOOTER_NEWSLETTER"><div class="md-footer-newsletter-form pt-10 mb-30 mx-15 mx-sm-120"> <div class="font-18"> <strong>History at your fingertips –</strong> Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox! </div> <div class="p-30"> <div class="newsletter-form-container"> <form class="newsletter-form" method="post" action="/newsletter-subscription/EB_ON_THIS_DAY"> <div class="form-group grid d-flex justify-content-center"> <div class="col-sm-50 col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="enter-your-email">Enter your email</label> <input id="enter-your-email" type="email" name="email" class="form-control font-18 p-10" placeholder="Enter your email" pattern="[a-z0-9._%+-]+@[a-z0-9.-]+\.[a-z]{2,4}$" required> </div> <div class="col-sm-auto col-100 mt-5 mt-sm-0"> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-outline-white" style="width: 100%; height:100%;">Subscribe</button> </div> </div> <div class="text-white pt-30 text-opacity"> By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.<br> Click here to view our <a class="link-white text-decoration-underline" href="https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy2" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Privacy Notice</a>. Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email. </div> <input type="hidden" name="source" value="Footer" /><input type="hidden" name="campaign" value="Mendel" /><input type="hidden" name="medium" value="Box" /></form> <div class="md-subscribed hidden text-white"> <div class="my-10">Thank you for subscribing!</div> <div>Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div></DIV> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex justify-content-center colored" data-value="connect" > <div class="share-label text-uppercase hidden-xs">Stay Connected</div> <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> <a class="social-icon youtube justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/encyclopaediabritannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>YouTube</span></a> <a class="social-icon instagram justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/britannica/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Instagram</span></a> <a class="social-icon pinterest justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="pinterest" href="https://www.pinterest.com/britannica/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg height="30" width="30" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="" role="img"><path d="M0 12c0 5.123 3.211 9.497 7.73 11.218-.11-.937-.227-2.482.025-3.566.217-.932 1.401-5.938 1.401-5.938s-.357-.715-.357-1.774c0-1.66.962-2.9 2.161-2.9 1.02 0 1.512.765 1.512 1.682 0 1.025-.653 2.557-.99 3.978-.281 1.189.597 2.159 1.769 2.159 2.123 0 3.756-2.239 3.756-5.471 0-2.861-2.056-4.86-4.991-4.86-3.398 0-5.393 2.549-5.393 5.184 0 1.027.395 2.127.889 2.726a.36.36 0 0 1 .083.343c-.091.378-.293 1.189-.332 1.355-.053.218-.173.265-.4.159-1.492-.694-2.424-2.875-2.424-4.627 0-3.769 2.737-7.229 7.892-7.229 4.144 0 7.365 2.953 7.365 6.899 0 4.117-2.595 7.431-6.199 7.431-1.211 0-2.348-.63-2.738-1.373 0 0-.599 2.282-.744 2.84-.282 1.084-1.064 2.456-1.549 3.235C9.584 23.815 10.77 24 12 24c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12S18.627 0 12 0 0 5.373 0 12"></path></svg> </a> </div> <br/> <div class="container"> <ul class="list-unstyled legal-links"> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">About Us & Legal Info</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy2" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/termsofuse.html2" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Diversity</a></li> </ul> <div class="mt-20">©2024 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</div> </div> </div> </footer> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script> <!-- Ortto ebmwprod capture code --> <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"StoriesBrowse","templateName":null,"pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":null,"pageLength":null,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":true} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/stories-browse-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"D","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"StoriesBrowse","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":null,"gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>