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[Seasonal Wonders: Exploring Thermal Expansion and Scientific Curiosities]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Hot Topic (10/7/22)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2022-10-07

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Seasonal Wonders: A Scientific Journey with Wow in the World

In this engaging episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz bring their signature enthusiasm to a seasonal-themed edition of their popular game show, "Two Whats and a Wow." Beyond the playful banter about Mindy’s "weather wonder house," the episode dives into fascinating scientific phenomena, specifically focusing on how temperature affects the physical world.

The Game: Two Whats and a Wow

The core of the episode challenges listeners to identify a single scientific truth among three statements regarding the seasons. The statements were:

  1. The Eiffel Tower grows as much as six inches (15 centimeters) in the summer.
  2. The air directly surrounding a bolt of lightning is freezing cold.
  3. Benjamin Franklin invented the ice pop.

Unveiling the Scientific "Wow"

Thermal Expansion: The Eiffel Tower's Growth

With the help of a listener named Glenn from Texas, the hosts confirmed that Statement A was the true scientific "Wow." The phenomenon responsible for this is thermal expansion. As Mindy and Guy Raz explained, heat causes the metal frame of the Eiffel Tower to expand, resulting in a height increase of up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) during hot summer months. Furthermore, they noted that the tower doesn't just grow upward; it also leans away from the sun, tilting up to 18 centimeters (7 inches) toward the shade as one side of the structure absorbs more intense heat than the other.

Debunking the Myths

To round out the educational experience, the hosts debunked the remaining statements:

  • Lightning Temperature: Contrary to the freezing cold myth (Statement B), a bolt of lightning is incredibly hot—reaching approximately 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (28,000 degrees Celsius). This is roughly five times hotter than the surface of the sun, which heats the surrounding air in its wake.
  • The Origin of the Ice Pop: Addressing Statement C, the hosts clarified that while Benjamin Franklin was a prolific inventor of items like bifocals and swim flippers, he did not invent the ice pop. The credit goes to an 11-year-old named Frank Epperson, who accidentally discovered the treat in 1905 after leaving sugary soda powder and water out on a chilly night.

Interactive Learning: Operation Icefold Tower

Concluding the episode, the hosts encouraged listeners to engage in a hands-on experiment titled "Operation Icefold Tower." This project tasks "Wowzers" with building a tower of ice cubes and experimenting with salt and food coloring. By observing how salt interacts with the ice, children can learn about melting points and structural changes, further bridging the gap between abstract scientific concepts and physical exploration.

Looking Ahead

This episode serves as a testament to the Wow in the World mission: making science accessible and exciting for young minds. From the upcoming 250th-episode musical celebration to the release of new STEM-focused toys like the "100 experiments that wow kit" and the "telescope and astronomy kit," the show continues to foster curiosity. By blending humor with rigorous inquiry, Mindy and Guy Raz ensure that every listener—regardless of age—walks away with a deeper appreciation for the "wows" hidden in the everyday world.

🎯Key Sentences

1
It's going to be a November to remember.
2
But for now, let's get on with the show.
3
Whoa, it's freezing in here.
4
Come on into the living room where it's summer.
5
Mindy, what are you talking about?
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
make history
4
soak up the sun
5
reason through
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📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

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