MS-PS1-1

Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.

  1. Chemistry

    Explainer: What are acids and bases?

    These chemistry terms tell us if a molecule is more likely to give up a proton or pick up a new one.

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  2. Climate

    Explainer: The making of a snowflake

    Have you ever wondered how a snowflake gets its shape?

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  3. Earth

    Explainer: Why sea levels aren’t rising at the same rate globally

    The ocean is rising all over the world. The rise seems speedier in some places. What gives? Many factors, it turns out, affect where — and why — the tide gets high.

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  4. Earth

    Explainer: CO2 and other greenhouse gases

    Carbon dioxide is just one of several chemicals that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are other big contributors.

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  5. Animals

    In a colony, king penguins act like a liquid

    Is this a living liquid? King penguins move around within their colonies, clearing out some space, and then refilling it. That behavior resembles a liquid, scientists conclude.

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  6. Chemistry

    Banana plant extract can slow how fast ice cream melts

    Food scientists now show that adding these tiny plant particles to ice cream may delay the rate at which this treat melts into a soupy mess.

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  7. Chemistry

    Cool Jobs: Diving for new medicines

    Scientists mix research with underwater adventure as they search the oceans for new chemicals to treat infections, cancer and more.

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  8. Chemistry

    Explainer: What are polymers?

    Polymers, whether natural or artificial, are big molecules made by linking up smaller repeating chemical units. The most common “backbones” for polymers are chains of carbon or silicon, each of which can bond to four other atoms.

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  9. Chemistry

    To test pill coatings, try a stomach in a flask

    Which pain reliever should you buy? The tablet, gel tab or compressed caplet? A teen did an experiment to find out.

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  10. Physics

    After 30 years, this supernova is still sharing secrets

    It’s been 30 years since astronomers first witnessed the stellar explosion known as SN 1987A. Today, researchers are still learning from this cataclysmic phenomenon.

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  11. Materials Science

    Nanowires made from silver are super stretchy

    When silver nanowires stretch slowly, atoms on their surface can spread to heal weak spots. The discovery could lead to more flexible electronics.

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  12. Planets

    How Earth got its moon

    How did our moon form? Scientists are still debating the answer. It may be the result of some one big impact with Earth — or perhaps many small ones.

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