Science Facts Thursday: Lead

We had a busy week last week, so unfortunately didn't get chance to update you on some Science facts.

This week we have lots of fun updates! What do you think of the spooky new theme?

We also bring you some science facts on Lead!

The scientific term for a metal that is stretchy is 'malleable' . It's not as stretchy as a Stretch Armstrong, but has a slight flex that can be a handy property for some uses.

Lead is poisonous! It damages the nervous system and can effect the brain.

Lead was once used in paints, pipping and petrol too. In paints it can increase drying time, durability and resist moisture. Quite handy, but due to the effects it can have on your health it is no longer used in most things.

In Alchemy planets are paired up with metals. Lead and Saturn are best buds.

In Greek mythology, Midas was a magical King that could turn anything to gold.  Sounds fun, but have you seen the skittles advert with the chap that turns anything into skittles just by touching it? At least you can eat skittles. There is a level on Tomb Raider, Palace Midas, where you collect 3 lead bars and turn them into gold on Midas's hands. If you have never played it, go get yourself a copy.
Here is what happens when Lara stands on Midas's hands.

Hope you enjoyed this weeks science facts!

Join us later this week where we have a  new regular post to announce!

♥

Science Facts Thursday: The Atomic Structure

Don't trust atoms, they make up everything!

It's science facts Thursday! A slightly delayed one, since we have been enjoying a little break and have been on lots of mini adventures, including a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry to see an exhibition on brains! More on that another time..

..This week we look at the structure of an atom. What is an atom? Everything is made up of atoms, everything, including your breakfast cereal to the smell of roses. They are super tiny too, so super tiny that in a single grain of sand there is close to 78 quintillion! (That's 78, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000)

So what does an atom look like?

Not to scale.

The diagram above shows the structure of an atom. We used Carbon as an example. Carbon has 6 protons,  6 neutrons and 6 electrons with 2 shells.
The number of shells an atom has depends on the number of electrons.

This is where is gets complex. There are things called isotopes. These are variations of atoms of an element. For example, the diagram above shows a regular carbon atom, an isotope of carbon is 'carbon 14' which has two extra neutrons! This carbon atom is unstable and is radioactive! Think of it as the naughty identical twin.

Protons and Neutrons are best buds, and hang out in the nucleus.

The positive charge of the protons and the negative charge of the electrons in an atom keep everything stuck together by attracting one another. They also cancel out the electrical charge making an atom neutral .

Next week we look at the Kinetic Theory! In the meantime enjoy this song about atoms. ♥