By the time you’re old enough to drive, you could be driving a car powered by apples and oranges. No we’re not joking! Scientists have come up with a way of turning the sugar in fruit into a fuel. There are big concerns about the world's supply of oil - which is used to make petrol - running out. So scientists are trying to find other ways of keeping cars on the road and fruity fuel might just be the answer. Fuels made from palm oil and corn are already available. The latest discovery involves using fructose - the stuff that gives apples and oranges their sweet taste. It's burned to create energy and provide a power supply. A bit like the way our bodies burn sugar to give us energy. Fill ‘er up please mate!
Have you been affected by the floods this week? Floods are caused by a combination of heavy rainfall causing rivers/oceans to over flow their banks, and can happen at any time of the year, not just in the winter.
Floods generally develop over a period of days, when there is too much rainwater to fit in the rivers and water spreads over the land next to it (the ‘floodplain’). However, they can happen very quickly when lots of heavy rain falls over a short period of time. These ‘flash floods’ occur with little or no warning. You’re telling us!
Flooding can be very dangerous – only 15cms of fast-flowing water are needed to knock you off your feet! Floodwater can seriously disrupt us by cutting off roads and railway lines, as well as damaging telephone lines. Normal drainage systems in cities, and sewage spills are common because they cannot cope with the sudden flow of water. This makes a serious health hazard. So fingers crossed – no more rain please!
