Technology
LET'S EXPLORE How things work
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Let's explore how things work
We use tools and machines to make our lives easier in some way. These tools and machines are together called technology. (The same word also means the use of scientific knowledge...
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How does a plane fly?
A heavy aeroplane is able to fly because of the shape of its wings. When the plane is powered forward by its engines at high speed, a force called lift causes it to take off. As...
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How does a jet engine work?
In a jet aircraft, hot, compressed air blasts out of the back of the engine, thrusting it forwards. Airliners, military jets, and some speed boats are powered by jet engines...
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How does a helicopter fly?
A helicopter is an aircraft that flies using spinning rotor blades instead of fixed wings. Helicopters can take off and land vertically. They can hover as well as fly in any...
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How does a car engine work?
Most cars are driven by engines fuelled by petrol or diesel. These engines are called internal combustion engines. The engine supplies power to turn the wheels. The driver can go...
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Which machines are used in construction?
A number of machines and vehicles are used on a building site. Bulldozers, diggers and dump trucks are used to clear away any old buildings, rubble and earth, and to level the...
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How do trains work?
Most modern trains are electric or diesel-electric. High-speed trains, such as the French Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) or the China Railways High-Speed "Harmony", are powered by...
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How are ships powered?
Ships are large vessels that travel across seas and oceans. Boats are smaller craft. Centuries ago, all ships were powered either by the wind or by oars. Most ships today are...
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How does a submarine dive and surface?
A submarine (or "sub") is a vessel that can travel under the water as well as on the surface. Most large submarines have a tube-shaped hull with a tower, called a conning tower, on...
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How does a space rocket work?
In a rocket engine, two different fuels (for example kerosene and liquid oxygen, or liquid hydrogen and oxygen) are mixed together. When ignited inside a combustion chamber, they...
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What is electronics?
Electrons are tiny particles that whizz around the centre (nucleus) of an atom. An electric current is a flow of electrons. This flow of electrons can be controlled so that it can...
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What do robots do?
A robot is a moving machine that carries out a series of actions, either on command or by being programmed beforehand, and which can react to its surroundings. Some modern robots...
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What is telecommunication?
Telecommunication (or telecom for short) is the sending and receiving of information using electricity, radio waves or light. The information can be text, images, sound or video...
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How things work glossary