Common Science Questions with Answers

Here is a collection of some commonly asked science questions with answers for students and parents. Please share more of such questions in your comments.

What influence does the moon have on the Earth?

The main effect of the moon on Earth is its influence on tides. Ocean tides result because the side of the Earth that is facing the moon is affected by the moon’s gravity more than the center or opposite side. This creates the effect of ocean water constantly being attracted to two bulges on opposite sides of the Earth, thus creating the tides.

How hot is the sun?

The surface of the sun is 5,778 K, or 9,941 degrees Fahrenheit. The core of the sun, however, is a staggering 15,700,000 K, or 28,259,540 degrees Fahrenheit. The Earth is just far enough away from the sun to not burn up and just close enough to not turn into a frozen wasteland. Other planets in our solar system are uninhabitable because of their proximity to the sun.

What is an endangered species?

An endangered species is defined as any species at risk of extinction. This can be caused by dwindling numbers or impending environmental changes. Although the term endangered species is used in a broad manner, there are other classifications within the larger category of threatened organisms, including vulnerable and critically endangered. Examples of endangered species include blue whales, snow leopards, tigers, and the albatross.

How many types of insects are there?

Six and 10 million unique species of insects are in existence on our planet. However, only around 1 million of these have been officially discovered. Among discovered insects, beetles are greatest in number, with around 360,000 unique species. A total of 170,000 species of butterflies have been recorded, while only 300 types of webspinners have been discovered.

What is global warming?

Global warming is a description of the increase in Earth’s surface temperature. This phenomenon has been noticed since the mid-1900s, and is predicted to continue unless humans do something to curb or reverse it. Global warming is widely acknowledged to be a result of the greenhouse effect: as our atmosphere grows thicker with greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, the sun’s rays penetrate the atmosphere, reflect off of the Earth’s surface, and are then unable to pass back through the atmosphere, heating up the earth.