My head hurts- some days I wish DS was in school - 08/05/08 08:42 PM
We're currently discussing matter and particles for science. DS6 has been obsessed with particle physics since he first heard about string theory in response to his question about the smallest particle about 6 months ago. But, I feel like he's missing a lot of basic knowledge and we're trying to fill in some gaps.
So, today we're talking about particles. DS4 is totally getting into the discussion on matter and particles and asking his own questions and listening as DS6 tells him that particle is made of atoms, I fill in the parts of the atoms and then from nowhere DS6 asks if you can split an atom. So, then we're off googling nuclear fission and I'm trying to explain about neutrons and atomic weights and why the uranium becomes unstable then splits (which I haven't thought twice about since 9th grade chemistry, lol). He finally seems to get it somewhat and then he wants to know more about the protons, neutrons, and electrons. We're talking about how they make up an atom and then a light bulb goes off "Oh! And that's what the strings make up!". So, I think we're winding down this whirlwind discussion on topics I have no business trying to explain to a 6 year old and he starts in (again) on how strings have to be made of something because everything is made of something.
And now my head hurts. I love that he finds this stuff so interesting, but sometimes it makes me dizzy how quickly we run through topics.
So, today we're talking about particles. DS4 is totally getting into the discussion on matter and particles and asking his own questions and listening as DS6 tells him that particle is made of atoms, I fill in the parts of the atoms and then from nowhere DS6 asks if you can split an atom. So, then we're off googling nuclear fission and I'm trying to explain about neutrons and atomic weights and why the uranium becomes unstable then splits (which I haven't thought twice about since 9th grade chemistry, lol). He finally seems to get it somewhat and then he wants to know more about the protons, neutrons, and electrons. We're talking about how they make up an atom and then a light bulb goes off "Oh! And that's what the strings make up!". So, I think we're winding down this whirlwind discussion on topics I have no business trying to explain to a 6 year old and he starts in (again) on how strings have to be made of something because everything is made of something.
And now my head hurts. I love that he finds this stuff so interesting, but sometimes it makes me dizzy how quickly we run through topics.