4Kids.org: November 15, 1998

Screaming Physics
After crashing and bouncing on the bumper cars and being sucked into your seat by the force of 2g's on the pendulum ride, you've probably wondered how these thrilling carnival rides came to be. At Amusement Park Physics, you'll get the inside track on how the laws of physics affect ride design. Drop in at www.learner.org/ exhibits/ parkphysics and find out why scientists like Galileo and Newton remain so popular at your county fair. Try out the weightless water experiment, which shows how free-fall rides send you plummeting for a screaming thrill. You'll learn how to design your own roller coaster, complete with insane drops and dizzying loops.

A Journey Through Sports From Billie Jean King to Muhammad Ali, the past century in sports has been loaded with colorful, passionate and exciting athletes. At ESPN SportsCentury, you'll find new biographies of the greatest athletes. Grab a hot pretzel and front-row seat at http://espn.go.com/sportscentury for the sporting flashback of a lifetime. You can participate in interactive polls and relive classic moments of sport. The Biographies Page features legends like Michael Jordan, Jim Brown, Bonnie Blair and Ty Cobb. From Super Bowls to the Olympics, you'll be surfing into overtime. (Disclaimer: This site now contains advertisements.)

Thar She Blows!
Aye mates, keep a sharp eye out for a spouter! Come aboard for an expedition on the high seas at www.discovery.com/ exp/ humpbacks/ humpbacks.html This group of explorers venture out into the territory of the Madagascar humpback whales. Each day's diary entry details the discoveries about these fascinating creatures, complete with awesome photos and video footage. If you listen close, you can even hear the songs of the whales. (This site is no longer available.)

This 4Kids Detective game has expired.
To play the current Kid Quest Challenge, go to 4Kids.org/kidquest.

When you know the answers to the questions below, enter your answers. If you are correct, you will become a "4Kids Detective of the Week." If a question is not answered it is considered wrong. Good luck.

1. Which type of energy makes a roller coaster work?

chemical energy

solar energy

kinetic energy

2. Which sport did top athlete Billie Jean King play?

basketball

tennis

water polo

3. Where do humpback whales migrate in the summer?

arctic or antarctic waters

tropical waters

shallow waters

This 4Kids Detective game has expired.
To play the current Kid Quest Challenge, go to 4Kids.org/kidquest.

Dear Amy: Where can you find math worksheets on the Web to do yourself?--Gerber, Hartford, Conn.
Dear Gerber: If you like mathematical challenges, you should check out Mathmania at www.theory.csc.uvic.ca/~mmania/index.html. Paul Erdos, one of the most important mathematicians in the 20th century, specialized in finding unsolved questions that might take mathematics in new directions. He was known for posing problems to students and offering prizes. Mathmania takes this idea and offers it to all kids. You don't have to be a math major to find this Web site interesting. It's full of stories, activities and stuff to help you prepare to work on math problems. (This site is no longer available.)

Dear Amy: Where can we get free sound effects for our school multimedia project?-- Alex, Minneapolis
Dear Alex: There are Web sites for music and special effects, but most of them want to sell their clips to you. When I was surfing, I ran across a site that sounds like more fun. Why not record your own sounds? Check out Newton's Apple at http:// ericir.syr.edu/ Projects/ Newton/ 12/ Lessons/ movisnd.html This Web site has lots of ideas on how to create just the right sound effect from stuff you hear everyday. All you need is a tape recorder and a quiet place to record your special effects. (This site is no longer available.)

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