Tube facts for kids
Tube is a word with many meanings! It can describe something long and hollow, like a pipe, or it can refer to different things in electronics, food, music, and even transportation. Let's explore some of the most common ways we use the word "tube."
Contents
What is a Tube?
A "tube" often means a long, hollow object. Think of a paper towel roll or a drinking straw. These are simple examples of tubes. In science and engineering, tubes are used for many different purposes, like moving liquids or gases.
Tubes in Electronics
In the world of electronics, "tube" can refer to some older but important parts.
Vacuum Tubes
A vacuum tube is an electronic device that was very important in early radios, televisions, and computers. It looks a bit like a light bulb. These tubes control electric currents and were essential before tiny transistors were invented.
Cathode Ray Tubes
The cathode ray tube (CRT) was once the main part of most televisions and computer monitors. It uses electron beams to create images on a screen. If you've ever seen an old, bulky TV, it probably had a CRT inside!
BBC Micro Tube
The "Tube" on the BBC Micro computer was a special connection. It allowed the computer to add extra processors, making it more powerful. This was a clever way to upgrade the computer's abilities.
Tubes in Food
Sometimes, "tube" describes how food is packaged.
Yogurt Tubes
You might know Go-Gurt yogurt. In Canada, it's called Yoplait Tubes! It's yogurt packaged in a squeezable tube, making it easy to eat on the go without a spoon.
Tubes in Mechanics
"Tube" can also describe parts that help things move or work.
Pneumatic Tubes
A pneumatic tube system uses compressed air to send small containers through a network of tubes. You might see these in banks or hospitals to quickly send documents or money from one place to another.
Inner Tubes
An inner tube is a rubber tube found inside some tires, like those on bicycles or older cars. It holds the air that inflates the tire, giving it shape and cushioning your ride.
Tubes in Media and Entertainment
The word "tube" pops up a lot in movies, music, and online.
The Tube TV Series
The Tube (TV series) was a popular music show in the United Kingdom during the 1980s. It featured live performances and interviews with famous bands.
Japanese Pop Group TUBE
TUBE is a well-known Japanese pop music group. They have been making music for many years and are famous for their summer-themed songs.
Tube the Game
Tube (game) was a free computer game released in 1995 by Bullfrog Productions. It was a simple but fun game where you guided a character through a tube-like maze.
Tube the Movie
Tube (movie) is a South Korean action movie. It's about a subway train and a thrilling chase.
Tube & Berger
Tube & Berger are a duo of electronic music producers from Germany. They are known for their dance music tracks.
YouTube
YouTube is a huge website where people can upload, watch, and share videos. It's one of the most popular places online for watching everything from music videos to educational content.
Peter 'Tubes' Dale
Peter 'Tubes' Dale, often just called Tubes, is a well-known personality from the British television show Soccer AM. He's famous for his funny interviews and segments on the show.
Series of Tubes
The phrase "Series of tubes" became a famous Internet meme. It was used by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens in 2006 to describe the Internet. He said the Internet was "not a big truck" but "a series of tubes," which many people found amusing because it was a simple way to describe something very complex. He was talking about rules for how internet companies should treat different kinds of online traffic, known as net neutrality.
Tubes in Music
The word "tube" can also refer to a band.
The Tubes Band
The Tubes are an American New Wave band. They were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, known for their theatrical live shows and unique music style.
Tubes in Nature
Nature also has its own kinds of "tubes."
Lava Tubes
A lava tube is a natural tunnel formed by flowing lava during a volcanic eruption. When the outside of a lava flow cools and hardens, the hot lava inside can continue to flow, leaving behind a hollow tube.
Surfing Tubes
In surfing, a "tube" refers to the hollow part of a breaking wave. When a wave curls over, it creates a barrel-like shape that surfers try to ride inside.
Flower Tubes
Many flowers have a flower tube, also called a corolla tube. This is the tube-shaped part of the flower formed by its petals, often holding nectar for pollinators.
Pollen Tubes
A pollen tube is a tiny tube that grows from a pollen grain after it lands on a flower. This tube helps the male reproductive cells from the pollen reach the female parts of the flower for reproduction.
Tubes in Packaging
"Tube" is a common way to package certain products.
Packaging Tubes
A Tube (packaging) is a type of container often used for thick, gooey products. Think of a tube of toothpaste, hand cream, or glue. You squeeze the tube to get the product out.
Tubes in Photography
In photography, a "tube" can be an accessory.
Extension Tubes
An extension tube is a hollow ring that photographers place between their camera lens and the camera body. It helps the camera focus much closer to a subject, which is great for macro photography (taking extreme close-up pictures).
Tubes in Plumbing
In plumbing, "tube" often refers to a type of pipe.
Tubing Material
Tubing is a material used to carry liquids or gases. It's often used in plumbing systems, for irrigation in gardens, and in many other places where fluids need to be moved.
Tubes in Software
Even software can have "tubes."
Tubes Software
Tubes (software) was a program that combined ways to share files and publish things on the web. It allowed users to connect and share information in new ways.
Tubes in Buildings
In building design, "tube" can describe a strong structure.
Tube Structures
A Tube (structure) is a way of designing tall buildings. It's like building a hollow cylinder or box for the outside of the building, which makes it very strong and able to stand up to wind. This design was popular for skyscrapers built between World War II and the 1990s.
Tubes in Theatre
"Tube" has even been part of a famous show.
Blue Man Group's TUBES
The Blue Man Group is a well-known performance art group. One of their early theatrical shows was called "TUBES," which later became "Rewired." Their shows are known for being very creative and using unique props and music.
Tubes in Transportation
Perhaps one of the most famous uses of "tube" is in transportation.
London Underground
The London Underground is London's famous subway system. It's commonly known as "the Tube" because many of its tunnels are long and round, like tubes, running deep underground.
Transbay Tube
The Transbay Tube is an underwater rail tunnel that crosses the San Francisco Bay in California. It allows trains to travel between San Francisco and Oakland, connecting the two cities.
Other Pages
