"Why is the sky blue?" is a perennial question of young children. It is also somewhat notorious for producing incorrect or incomplete answers, even from fairly credible sources. The typical answer for why 'x' is whatever color it is has to due with the wavelengths of light it absorbs. What we see is what is not absorbed but instead reflected, so if an object absorbs light from the red end of the spectrum it will look more blue, and vice versa. The sky appears blue for a different reason, though. Some white light from … [Read more...] about Science Corner: It’s Not That Easy Being Blue
tragedy of the commons
Science Corner: No Lefts Make a Right
In light of uncertainty about the US government's regulatory approach to climate change, I figured we could use some encouragement from the private sector. Over a decade ago, UPS found a way to nearly eliminate left turns from their delivery routes. Recently announced results of this program reveal significant reductions in fuel consumed, carbon dioxide emitted, and dollars spent; they've even been able to cut down on total vehicles in service. UPS was not obligated to make this change. They did so because it made … [Read more...] about Science Corner: No Lefts Make a Right