Book 2, Question 78 · Video
Why Are We a Tiny Bit Taller in the Morning?
Here's a surprise! You are a tiny bit taller when you wake up than when you go to bed. Soft pads between your back bones soak up fluid while you lie down.
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why are we a tiny bit taller in the morning?
The Big Idea
Here's a surprise! You are a tiny bit taller when you wake up than when you go to bed. Soft pads between your back bones soak up fluid while you lie down. Spine discs plump overnight!
Day: Pads Get Squished
Step one: during the day, walking squishes the pads. Between the bones in your back are soft, springy pads called discs. Standing, running, and jumping press down on them all day long. Gravity squeezes out a little fluid, so your back gets a tiny bit shorter.
Night: You Lie Down
Step two: at night, you lie down. Now nothing is pressing down on your spine, so the pads can relax. They soak up fluid again, like tiny sponges, while you sleep.
Morning: A Hair Taller
Step three: in the morning, you measure a hair taller. The plump pads push your bones a tiny bit farther apart. So when you wake up, you can be about 1 centimeter taller than at bedtime.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at your spine! First, your back bones are stacked up like a tower. Second, soft pads sit between the bones and act like cushions. Third, in the morning, the plump pads make you a hair taller!
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Gravity squishes the pads again by bedtime. Gravity pulls down on you all day, so the pads get squished again. Astronauts can grow a little taller in space, because gravity is much weaker there. The change is tiny, and it is completely normal.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Measure at wake-up and after dinner. Ask a grown-up to help you stand against a wall. Measure your height right when you wake up, and mark it. Measure again after dinner, and mark that, too. Which mark is higher? Can you explain why?
Outro
Your body is full of clever tricks, even while you sleep. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!