How does a smoke detector notice smoke? This upbeat science song explores a common optical detector: smoke enters its chamber, particles scatter LED light toward a receiver, and the electronics sound a warning. An alarm warns people but does not put out a fire. An adult should test it with the button as directed.
Text from the recording’s subtitles.
Song lyrics
Apa pita kelabu di udara itu?
Roti terlalu lama di pemanggang.
Asap terbawa udara ke plafon.
Di sana detektor putih bundar menunggu.
Melalui celah, asap masuk ke ruangnya.
Lampu LED kecil mengirim sinar.
Di samping, penerima bagai mata.
Asap memencarkan cahaya ke mata.
Penerima menangkap perubahan.
Bip-bip-bip, alarm memberi peringatan.
Asap, cahaya, alarm—begitu kerjanya.
Di udara bersih, sinar melaju lurus.
Ia melewati penerima di samping.
Lalu asap masuk ke ruang yang gelap.
Partikelnya memencarkan cahaya.
Sebagian cahaya sampai ke mata.
Asap memencarkan cahaya ke mata.
Penerima menangkap perubahan.
Bip-bip-bip, alarm memberi peringatan.
Asap, cahaya, alarm—begitu kerjanya.
Detektor menangkap perubahan cahaya.
Lalu alarm berbunyi: bip-bip-bip.
Semua di rumah mendengar peringatan.
Asap memencarkan cahaya ke mata.
Penerima menangkap perubahan.
Bip-bip-bip, alarm memberi peringatan.
Asap, cahaya, alarm—begitu kerjanya.
Alarmnya memperingatkan seisi rumah.
Asap, cahaya, alarm—begitu kerjanya.
Language version lyrics
What is that gray ribbon in the air?
The bread stayed in the toaster too long.
Smoke rides the air toward the ceiling.
A white round detector waits up there.
Through tiny slots, it enters the chamber.
A tiny LED sends out a beam.
Off to one side, a receiver waits like an eye.
Smoke scatters light toward the eye.
The receiver notices the change.
Beep-beep-beep, the loud alarm warns us.
Smoke, light, alarm—that's how it works.
In clean air, the beam keeps going straight.
It passes the receiver at the side.
When smoke drifts into the dark chamber,
its tiny particles scatter light.
Some of that light reaches the waiting eye.
Smoke scatters light toward the eye.
The receiver notices the change.
Beep-beep-beep, the loud alarm warns us.
Smoke, light, alarm—that's how it works.
The detector notices the light change.
It starts the alarm: beep-beep-beep.
Everyone at home hears the warning.
Smoke scatters light toward the eye.
The receiver notices the change.
Beep-beep-beep, the loud alarm warns us.
Smoke, light, alarm—that's how it works.
Everyone heard the detector's warning.
Smoke, light, alarm—that's how it works.