Dad, why is the sky blue?

Wednesday 12th August 2009, 9:00AM BST.

despair-concentrate-exam-revise-cluelessIt’s nice when children ask questions about the world around them – but it’s not so nice when you cannot give them an answer.

Apparently more than three quarters of us have been stumped by questions including “where do babies come from?”, “what makes a rainbow?”, and “why is the sky blue?”

There are two stock responses when faced with such inquiries: “Ask your mother (or father)” or “I’ll tell you when you are older”.

The survey was carried out as part of the Science (So What? So Everything?) campaign launched by the Government in January to improve science awareness.

Here are the trickiest questions. Feel free to give us your answers. (And no Googling them first. That’s cheating.)

  • Why is seawater salty?
  • Why don’t ships sink?
  • Where do bees go in winter?
  • Where does the sun go at night?

Also, what’s the trickiest question you’ve ever been asked by a child? Tell us in the comment box below.


  1. 1
    Lucy W

    •Why is seawater salty?
    Because of sewerage discharge.
    •Why don’t ships sink?
    They do, but they are called submarines.
    •Where do bees go in winter?
    Inbetween the a’s and c’s.
    •Where does the sun go at night?
    In the paper recycling bin.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    A nonny mouse

    I taught my kids at home and the worst question I think I got asked was:

    Theoretically , what happens if I am driving along a road at the speed of light and I turn my headlights on?!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Dr. Dagglewagger

    You’d definately get a speeding ticket!!!!!

    Report abuse



Free e-Supplements

TWITTER

Shropshire Star on Twitter Shropshire Star on Twitter

Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

LIVE traffic updates

Road, rail and airport - latest Road, rail and airport - latest

Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new Shropshire Star app Get the new Shropshire Star app

Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.