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Interesting Facts About Electricity

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Syskool
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Interesting Facts About Electricity

Electricity is a staple of modern life. Beyond lighting rooms and powering devices, electricity is pretty interesting! Here are some fun and interesting facts about electricity.

Interesting Facts About Electricity

  • Electricity travels at the speed of light — more than 186,000 miles per second.
  • Coal is the world’s biggest source of energy for producing electricity. Coal is burned in furnaces that boil water.
    The steam from the boiling water then spins turbines that are attached to generators.
  • Electric fields work in a similar way to gravity. Whereas gravity always attracts, electric fields can either attract or repulse.
  • Thomas Edison invented more than 2,000 new products, including almost everything needed for us to use electricity in our homes: switches, fuses, sockets and meters.
  • Benjamin Franklin didn’t discover electricity, but he did prove that lightning is a form of electrical energy.
  • Although electricity is neither a renewable nor non-renewable source of energy, it often comes from both renewable and non-renewable sources.
  • When two charged objects are brought near each other, they either attract or repel each other which generate electrical energy.
  • The two types of electrical charge in electrical energy are positive and negative.
  • Electricity can be made from wind, light, water and even animal manure.
  • Iceland is the first and only country to date which relies solely on renewable sources for electricity.
  • It is a little-known fact that only ten percent of the traditional light bulb is used for actual lighting. The other 90% of the energy creates heat.
  • The difference between AC (Alternating Current) and DC is in the way the electrons flow. With DC electrons move in a single direction, while in AC, electrons constantly switch direction. AC is what we use in most homes, as it is much safer and it used over longer distances than DC can.
  • Alessandro Volta was the one who discovered that when two strips of different metals were placed in sulfuric acid and connected to a simple wire, electricity flowed. Thus, he invented the first electric battery.

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10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

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Syskool
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10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

10 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills

Listen, Really Listen!

The best thing you can do to improve your communication skills is to learn to really listen-to pay attention and let the other person talk without interrupting. It’s hard work, we know, but “A good conversation is
a bunch of words elegantly connected with listening.” And hopefully, the other person will be attentively listening to you too.

Up Your Empathy Communication is a two-way street.

If you practice taking the opposing viewpoint, you can reduce the difficulty and anxiety that sometimes arises when trying to truly communicate with others. Developing
empathy helps you better understand even the unspoken parts of your communication with others, and helps you respond more effectively.
Must Read: How to Improve your Reading Speed?

Be Brief Yet Specific

There’s actually a BRIEF acronym-Background, Reason, Information, End, Follow-up-to help you keep your emails short without leaving anything out. It’s a good policy for both written and verbal communication skills. Clear and concise are two of the 7 Cs of communication skills, along with concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous.

Convience Your Message to Your Audience

The best communicators adjust how they talk based on whom they’re speaking to; you’d probably use a different style of communication skills with co-workers or your boss compared to when you’re speaking with your significant other, kids, or elders. Always try to keep the other person’s perspective in mind when you try to get your message across.

Put Away the Distractions

It’s pretty rude to use your phone while someone’s talking to you or you’re supposed to be hanging out with them. Maybe we can’t get rid of all our distractions or put away technology completely, but just taking the time to look up could vastly improve our communication skills with each other.
Also Read: How to Write to the Point Answers in Exam?

Ask Questions and Repeat the Other Person

Let’s face it, we’ve all drifted off when someone else was talking or misheard the other person. Asking questions and repeating the other person’s last few words shows you’re interested in what they say, keeps you on your toes, and helps clarify points that could be misunderstood.
It also helps for small talk and to fill in awkward silences. Instead of trying to stir up a conversation on mundane topics like the weather, ask the other person questions and engage in their answers. It’s more important to be interested than to be interesting.

Tell a Story

Stories are powerful. They activate our brains, make presentations suck less, make us more persuasive, and can even help us ace interviews. Learn the secrets of becoming a phenomenal storyteller with these rules from Pixar or by simply using the word “but” more to structure your narrative. Everyone’s got at least one great story in them.

Have a Script for Small Talk and Other Occasions

Small talk is an art that not many people have mastered. For the inevitable, awkward silences with people you hardly know, it helps to have a plan. The FORD (family, occupation, recreation dreams) method might help you come up with topics to discuss, and you can also turn small talk into a conversation by sharing information that could help you and the other person find common ground. Hey, all that small talk could make you happier in the long run.
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Get Rid of Unnecessary Conversation Fillers

One way is to start keeping track of when you say words like “um” or “like.” You could also try taking your hands out of your pockets or simply relaxing and pausing before you speak. Those silences seem more awkward to you than
they do to others, trust us.

Watch Your Body Language

You tell your partner you’re open to discussion but your arms are crossed; say you’re listening but haven’t looked up from your phone yet. Our non-verbal and non-written cues often reveal more than we think they do. Whether it’s how you make eye contact or how you hold yourself during a video interview, don’t forget that you’re constantly communicating even when you’re not saying a word. One strange way to tap into your body for better communication? Think about your toes. Or adopt a power pose if you need to boost your confidence before a big talk.

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Things you must ignore to Stay Happy

By
Syskool
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Happiness is a simple concept; yet, many people don’t realize it. We all want to be happy but we search for it in wrong places. Some people find happiness in materialistic gains like owning a house, latest gadgets, expensive cars and more. But sometimes, even the biggest achievement of life does not make a person happy. On the other hand, you will come across many people who feel happy and satisfied although they have not done anything significant in their life.Check out these 8 traps you should avoid if you want to be happy in life.

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Gossip

Gossiping about others won’t do you any good and will only make you feel jealous and bitter. A person who gossips is the one whose personal life is not fulfilling enough and he/she wants to know what is happening in other people’s life. People who are happy and content always avoid this pitfall and focus on their own life instead.

Negative thinking

Thinking negatively is bound to affect your happiness since you are focusing on the gray areas of life, instead of positive emotions. Negative things keep you worried and disturbed all the time. On the other hand, happy people always approach things positively and are optimistic in nature.
What others think about you
One factor on which you have absolutely no control – so try and avoid it to stay happy. Don’t ponder over what others might be thinking about you. You can never alter somebody’s opinion. But if you spend too much time on that and try to please all, you will eventually forget who you truly are. So just listen to your heart and do what your intuition is telling you. You need not change yourself to impress or inspire someone. Just be yourself and let others be
inspired and impressed by your true self.

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Remembering troubles from the past

You must forget what happened in the past and how it impacted your life. Past troubles can affect a person badly if he/she refuses to move on. So forget the past, live in your present and focus on your future. Moreover, your past mistakes can act as a guide and teach you valuable lessons. At times, the most tragic and stressful situations teach you the best lessons in life. So learn from them and let your past go.

Holding onto resentment

We all do it and then feel too stressed to lead a happy life. Holding on to resentment will simply intensify your hard feelings and negative emotions, making you feel sad deep down. You must learn to let go and forgive the other person for his/her wrong behavior. If you can’t forgive, at least stop thinking about it day and night, and move on. You will have a new sense of freedom and satisfaction when you get the better of your pent-up anger and frustration.Arguing to prove you are right

All of us cling to our opinions, whether we are right or wrong. There is nothing wrong in presenting your point of view. But one must be rational and listen carefully to what others have to say. A different perspective often helps us get a broader vision and you must not ignore it just because it may hurt your ego. Also, take things easy – it is not mandatory to prove you are right during the course of a heated argument. Instead, listen to others as they voice their
concerns and suggestions.

Nurturing huge expectations

Let go of undue expectations – they can undermine your happiness as you keep looking for life’s little rewards where there is none. Learn to accept people for who they really are and forget what they can do for you. Once you realize that your expectations cannot change the other person, you can let go of false hopes and won’t feel disappointed. The sooner you realize it, the better off you will be. Also, unmatched expectations often lead to dissatisfaction. So just face every situation with an open mind and try to make the best of the existing opportunities. Finally, don’t force yourself to live up to others’ expectations. Just being yourself is the key to happiness.Ignoring problems

Do not avoid problems. Only those who are unhappy and scared ignore problems and feel tense when they become worse or get out of hand. It is always better to solve those issues in the very beginning to reduce your stress level. Otherwise, the stress and anxiety of knowing that something is brewing and you are consciously avoiding it will make you worried and miserable.
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Thyroid Gland

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Syskool
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thyroid gland

The thyroid gland undoubtedly stands to be one of the most important glands of the human endocrine system. It secretes hormones that regulate metabolism and other important functions of the body and hence initiates growth and development of the same.

The thyroid gland produces two important hormones, namely, the thyroxine (T4) and the triiodothyronine (T3). Of these two hormones, the T3 hormone is considered to be more crucial in maintaining the metabolism and other body functions. When released in the systems a large part of the T4 hormone is converted into the T3 hormone, which is a normal function of the system.

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Thyroid Gland Works

The thyroid gland works by just producing thyroid hormones, there is a lot happening inside the body to make this process happen. The thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, another important gland located in the brain. The pituitary gland, in turn, is regulated by the hypothalamus which is the part of the human brain. The hypothalamus secretes a hormone called the thyrotrop in releasing hormone (TRH), which in turn sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The TSH again signals the thyroid to release the thyroid hormones.

Types and Causes of Thyroid Diseases

The thyroid hormones play an important part in metabolism and growth it is necessary that an optimal amount of the hormones circulate within the human system for proper functioning and nourishment. But if there is a slight increase or decrease in the levels of the hormones in the system it could lead to a medical condition that might need attention.

If there is an excess amount of thyroid hormone produced it could lead to a condition called ad hyperthyroidism and a deficit of these hormones can give rise to a condition called as hypothyroidism.

The thyroid gland also produces another hormone called the calcitonin. This hormone regulates calcium by lowering calcium levels in the blood. Excess of calcium could again give rise to another condition called hypercalcemia.

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Hypothyroidism

This condition is denoted by a dip in the thyroid hormones in the blood. It happens if one has an underactive thyroid or the glands that control the thyroid malfunctions, though there are other causes also that can lead to this condition.

Some of the causes that could lead to a low level of thyroid hormone in the system and give rise to hypothyroidism are:

  • Hashimoto’s disease:An auto immune disease that attacks the tissues of the thyroid gland.
  • Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland that can result in less production of the hormone.
  • Radioactive treatment for hyperthyroidism: If one is treated for hyperthyroidism with radioactive therapy, the treatment while correcting the condition can lead to an unpleasant outcome – underactive thyroid.
  • Malfunctioning of the other important glands in the system: At times one might have a perfect healthy thyroid but can still suffer from the problem of hypothyroidism, if the glands that regulate the function of thyroid go haywire.
  • Medications taken to treat hyperthyroidism: Sometimes medications that are prescribed to control hyperthyroidism can lead to hypothyroidism making the thyroid gland function sub-optimally.
  • Iodine deficiency: A diet low in iodine has been seen to be a major cause of hypothyroidism in adults. It is noticed that areas that have low sources of iodine have more number of people suffering from this condition

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Hyperthyroidism

In this condition there is an overdrive of the thyroid hormone in the blood due to an overactive thyroid gland that secretes the hormones in abundance. Some of the common causes that lead to hyperthyroidism are:

  • Graves disease:This is the most common reason that causes hyperthyroidism in adults.
  • Nodules in the gland:A single lump or multiple lumps growing on the thyroid can mimic its function and secrete more hormones than necessary.
  • Excessive TSH secretion:Sometimes a medical condition like a tumor in the pituitary gland can initiate excess secretion of TSH that could lead to hyper-secretion of the thyroid hormone leading to the condition.
  • Medications taken to treat hypothyroidism:Excessive intake of medications that initiates thyroid to produce the hormones can lead to this condition.
  • Thyroiditis:If the inflammation of the thyroid gland leads to abnormal amounts of hormones into the system, it can lead to hyperthyroidism.

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Thyroid enlargement

In this condition thyroid disease occurs due to the structural changes in the gland like an enlargement or nodules appearing on the gland. There can be benign cysts developed or cancerous ones in the form of nodules. Enlargement of the thyroid gland is often termed as goiter. Goiter can at times be unnoticeable and at other times, it can lead to abnormal enlargement that might need surgical removal of the organ.

Symptoms of a thyroid malfunction

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can have adverse effects on a person’s health. The symptoms and signs of the condition can vary from person to person depending on the severity of the condition.

Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Forgetfulness and confusion in thought process
  • Feeling cold all the time
  • Repeated bouts of constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Bloating or fluid retention in the body
  • Stiffness in joints and muscles along with aches and pains
  • Menorrhagia, excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding
  • Depression

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Some of the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

  • Sweating profusely
  • Intolerance to heat
  • Increased bowel movements
  • Slight tremor in the limbs
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Concentration problem
  • Irregular menstrual cycle
  • It can lead to irregular heart rhythms and even heart failure in the elderly.
  • Untreated hyperthyroidism may result in the condition called thyroid storm, where a person can suffer from high blood pressure, fever leading to a heart failure.
  • In Graves’ disease, there may be eye changes and skin changes in addition to the other symptoms.

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Facts to Know About Earthquakes

By
Syskool
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1
Earthquakes

An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the perceptible shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth‘s crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can be violent enough to toss people around and destroy whole cities. The seismicity or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time.

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Facts to Know About Earthquakes

  • In 1923, 200,000 died in the firestorm that engulfed Tokyo as an earthquake upset domestic charcoal stoves.
  • In the Kobe earthquake of 1995 and the San Francisco earthquake of 1989 some of the worst damage was to buildings built on landfill — loose material piled in to build up the land.
  • The earthquake that killed the most people was probably the one that hit Shansi in China in 1556. It may have claimed 830,000 lives. Earthquake damage 0
  • The most fatal earthquake this century destroyed the city of Tangshan in China in 1976. It killed an estimated 255,000 people.
  • The worst earthquake to hit Europe centred on Lisbon, Portugal, in 1755. It destroyed the city, killing 100,000 or more people. It probably measured 9.0 on the Richter scale (see earthquake measurement) and was felt in Paris. Volcanoes and earthquakes Earthquakes can begin as much as 700 km below the Earth’s surface. The damage they cause can be devastating, ranging from the collapse of buildings to huge cracks in the road.
  • Earthquakes are measured with a device called a seismograph.
  • The Richter scale measures the magnitude (size) of an earthquake on a scale of 1 to 10 using a seismograph. Each step on the scale indicates a tenfold increase in the energy of the earthquake.
  • The Richter scale was devised in the 1930s by an American geophysicist called Charles Richter (1900-85).
  • The most powerful earthquake ever recorded was in Chile in 1960, which registered 9.5 on the Richter scale. The 1976 Tangshan earthquake registered 7.8.
  • Between 10 and 20 earthquakes, each year reach 7 on the Richter scale.
  • The Modified Mercalli scale assesses an earthquake’s severity according to its effects on a scale of 1 to 12 in Roman numerals (I–XII). 268 Volcanoes and earthquakes
  • The Mercalli scale was devised by the Italian scientist Guiseppe Mercalli (1850-1914). A Mercalli scale I earthquake is one that is only detectable with special instruments.
  • A Mercalli scale XII earthquake causes the almost total destruction of cities and reshapes the landscape.
  • The Richter scale measures the strength of the shock waves and energy produced by an earthquake.
  • If there has been no earthquake in an earthquake zone for a while, there will be one soon. The longer it has been since the last quake, the bigger the next one will be.
  • Seismic gaps are places in active earthquake zones where there has been no earthquake activity. This is where a big earthquake will probably occur.
  • Seismologists make very accurate surveys with ground instruments and laser beams bounced off satellites (see earthquake measurement). They can spot tiny deformations of rock that show strain building up.
  • A linked network of four laser-satellite stations called Keystone is set to track ground movements in Tokyo Bay, Japan, so that earthquakes can be predicted better.
  • The level of water in the ground may indicate stress as the rock squeezes groundwater towards the surface. Chinese seismologists check water levels in wells. Rising surface levels of the underground gas radon may also show that the rock is being squeezed.
  • Other signs of strain in the rock may be changes in the ground’s electrical resistance or its magnetism.
  • Before an earthquake dogs are said to howl, chickens flee their roots, rats and mice scamper from their holes and fish thrash about in ponds.
  • Earthquakes are a shaking of the ground. Some are slight tremors that barely rock a cradle. Others are so violent they can tear down mountains.
  • Small earthquakes may be set off by landslides, volcanoes or even just heavy traffic. Big earthquakes are set off by the grinding together of the vast tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s surface.
  • Tectonic plates are sliding past each other all the time, but sometimes they stick. The rock bends and stretches for a while and then snaps. This makes the plates jolt, sending out the shock waves that cause the earthquake’s effects to be felt far away.
  • Tectonic plates typically slide 4 or 5 cm past each other in a year. In a slip that triggers a major quake, they can slip more than 1 m in a few seconds.
  • In most quakes a few minor tremors (foreshocks) are followed by an intense burst lasting just one or two minutes. The  second series of minor tremors (aftershocks) occurs over the next few hours.
  • The starting point of an earthquake below ground is called the hypocenter, or focus. The epicenter of an earthquake is the point on the surface directly above the hypocenter.
  • Earthquakes are strongest at the epicenter and become gradually weaker farther away.
  • Certain regions called earthquake zones are especially prone to earthquakes.
  • Earthquake zones lie along the edges of tectonic plates.
  • Earthquake waves are the vibrations sent out through the ground by earthquakes (see earthquakes). They are also called seismic waves.
  • In solid ground earthquake waves travel too fast to be seen. However, they can turn loose sediments into a fluid-like material so that earthquake waves can be seen rippling across the ground like waves in the sea.
  • Some earthquake waves travel at 20 times the speed of sound.
  • Surface waves travel much slower than deep waves, but they are usually the ones that cause the most damage.

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