How do potholes form each winter and spring?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do potholes form each winter and spring?

The Big Idea

Every spring, roads in cold places fill with bumpy holes. They are called potholes. Water and ice are the troublemakers!

Seeping In

Step one: Seeping In. Water seeps into small cracks in the road. It soaks down under the pavement.

Freezing

Step two: Freezing. When it freezes at night, the water turns to ice and expands, making the crack bigger. When the ice melts, a gap is left under the pavement.

Breaking

Step three: Breaking. Cars and trucks drive over the weak spot and break off pieces. After several freezes and thaws, a hole appears, and crews fill it with fresh asphalt.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Water gets in. It freezes and expands. A gap forms. Traffic breaks it open.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Spring is often called pothole season in cold places. Ice takes more room than water. Crews patch potholes. Cyclists should watch out for potholes.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, fill a plastic cup with water. Mark the water level with tape. Freeze it overnight. Use a ruler to measure how far the ice rises above the mark. How is this like a pothole forming?

Outro

Potholes form when water seeps into road cracks, freezes and expands, and leaves gaps when it melts. Traffic breaks the weak spot until a hole appears. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!