EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Ace and Bob went to a park for a jog one morning. They saw some swans swimming gracefully at the lake. Bob also found a feather that had fallen off one of the swans.

Answer 1

Fill in the blanks with the keywords provided below.
[poor conductor] • [heat loss] • [air] • [surface area] • [streamlined] • [webbed] • [waterproof] • [friction]

a) Name a structural adaptation that allows the swan to fly better. Explain how the adaptation helps the swan to fly.

Answer:

The body of the swan reduces (air resistance) when it flies.
With less friction between the body and the air, less kinetic energy is converted into heat. As a result, the swan is able to fly further with less energy.


b) Name a structural adaptation that allows the swan to swim better. Explain how the adaptation helps the swan to swim.

Answer:

The feet of the swan increase the in contact with water, allowing the feet to apply more force against the water.
As the feet push against the water, the water pushes back and propels the swan forward.


c) The diagram above shows the structure of the swan’s feather that Bob found. How does the outer and the inner part of the feather keep the swan warm during winter?

Answer:

The outer part of the feather is . This prevents cold water from passing through and touching the body of the swan.
The inner part of the feather is fluffy, trapping a layer of between the body and the water.
Air is a of heat which reduces from the body to the cold water.




“Some swans paddle with only one leg, tucking the other one under the wings.”