THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTMAS

 The Unique Characteristics of Reindeer

 

Why did Santa choose Rudolph to lead the reindeer? Of course, it was because his nose is red and red has a longer wavelength compared to other visible light colors. This means red light is less scattered by specks in the atmosphere making it easier to be seen far away, even in snowy or foggy weather. It also helps the other reindeer to follow him.

 A species of reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, that lives primarily in arctic areas such as Greenland, Scandinavia, and Alaska,  actually has a red nose due to many blood vessels bundled close together. These vessels help regulate their body temperature in extreme environments and keep the nose and brain from freezing.

 

But why reindeer? These animals have physical attributes that help with travel. Their superior vision helps them detect subtle differences in terrain whether snow, ice, mud, or sand and splayed hooves help distribute their weight for better traction as well as preventing sinking.

 Scent markers help them navigate and find their way back to familiar areas. Their dense fur keeps them warm in freezing temperatures, which is essential for maintaining energy levels and overall mobility. 

While real reindeer don't fly, it is fun to explore how natural atmospheric phenomena could make flying possible. Fast-flowing atmospheric air currents can carry objects from one location to another and thermals, rising air currents, are known to lift gliders and drones. Research has not discovered the rivers of thermals that may exist throughout the world.

 The Curling Ribbon Phenomenon

Image by Mari Loli from Pixabay

 Those beautifully wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree are as anticipated by big kids as little ones. The paper and ribbons are a wide variety of styles and materials. Some of the best ribbons are the twisted and looping curls in the long thin ribbons.

Why does curling ribbon curl? You will note that the ribbons that curl are generally metallic or heavy paper and that fabric ribbons will not work. The twisting is due to non-uniform stress during peeling. When you pass the scissors, or other implement, over the ribbon, one side of the ribbon, even as thin as it is, is stretched more than the other. Hence, the ribbon twists due to the distortion of the material. In other words, if you had a material made of two layers, joined together, and one side suddenly became longer than the other, the material would bend. This is called "non-uniform" stress.

Carol Kagan

 

Just go with the magic.

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