Oye.

So I have been gone for a bit, but I had a good excuse - it’s the end of my semester - and you know what comes at the end of the semester, don’t you? No no.. before the resting time.. No.. after the week of last-classes… Before the partying— yes! That’s right.

Finals.

So, it seems like it’s going to be some quality time for me with Multivariable Calculus books (whoopie..), Electricity and Magnetism (<sigh>), and some computing books.

Oye.

But! Fear not! I shall come back twice as strong and double the enthusiasm - and I have a few experiments already planned and ready for you. Also, I owe you a correction video for the last “sucking” experiment.

By the way, if you are also students and facing the end of your semesters and some final exams, I have a tip taht may save your day: MIT is giving out free education!

MIT Open Courseware is probably the greatest online reference for final-exam studying. Other than notes and summaries, they also have some courses with full video lecture series. My physics improved greatly after watching Walter Lewin’s “Electricity and Magnetism” lecture series.

I definitely recommend this for everyone!

Also, make sure you sign up for “The Amazing Meeting 6” (TAM6) - a great science and skepticism convention. This year the subject is “Modern Skepticism in the Internet Age”, so if you’re reading this (on the internet) you’re probably going to enjoy it. And of course, there are great presenters planned, like Dr Neil Degrasse Tyson, Dr Michael Shermer, PZ Myers (from “Pharyngula” blog), Phil Plait (The Bad Astronomer), Richard Saunders (”TANK Vodcast“) and more and more and more.

And of course, I’m coming too, so if you’re up for a beer (or a cup of coffee), send me a note to moo [at] smarterthanthat [dot] com
So - Sorry about that, but I will see you soon. I promise. Only a little bit to the end of finals (and I have 2 huge ones at the same week, egh)…
See you soon!

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written by mooeypoo

Notice: This experiment is incomplete, and unclear. There were several attempts to correctly state the situation, but at the moment, a new re-make is planned to explain exactly and thoroughly what is happening to create this phenomenon. 

Well, this is going to be sweet, short and to the point: Fire in closed spaces can really suck.

Ha, I was dying to use that pun for a while now, and here I had the chance. This experiment is a really short and sweet one, and can join your mental arsenal of “party tricks” for the partying geeks. It can really impress anyone, and from now on - you are going to know what makes this happen.

Ready?

Continue reading »

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Experiment, Fire, Party Trick, Physics, Pressure, Space, Vacuum

Hello to all curious SmarterThanThat readers!

Just before another experiment comes out for this week, I must share one piece of news that is extremely exciting: The TANK Vodcast, a great skeptical  podcast with Richard Saunders and Stefan Sojka as hosts, has featured SmarterThanThat with an interview with me, in its last episode for the season!

The episode is online here, or in the “Media Mentions” page. Also, they’re worth a subscription. Really!

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Interview, Skepticism

The human body is an incredible machine. Though far from being perfect, we have evolved to what we are today through a process that took millions of years of mutation and natural selection.

There is one little piece of us, though, that holds the secret to our existence, and the history of our species: The DNA.

My main interest is usually physics and astronomy, but I have always been fascinated by that double-helix molecule and its meaning, both philosophically and realistically; since the beginning of Genetics the human race have progressed exponentially. It’s just, simply, amazing.

So when the “rogues” of “The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe” Podcast debated the history of DNA discoveries, I decided it is time for some biology experiment.

I am about to show you how to extract your own DNA from your own bodies in your own kitchen. Yourselves.

It’s aliiiiiiiiiive!

Continue reading »

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Biology, Cell, DNA, Experiment

Water is dense. Alcohol is Dense. But they’re not the same density, no siree. They’re differently densed. Which means we can use that to our advantage. And we do, in this experiment.

Well, this is more of a “Show off your geektitude” physics trick that will amaze and enchant your buddies anywhere! Okay, well, maybe not anywhere. Or anyone. But it is geeky, I promise. And will get you some attention.

And it’s cool.

And it’s useful. For parties.

I can switch the contents of two glasses without using a third glass. Yes, I can. Don’t believe me? Well - When in doubt, try it out!

Continue reading »

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Experiment, Liquid, Party Trick, Physics, Water

If I sail a ship to the far far seas, continue on, and on, and on and– well, you got the point. Where will I find myself? Well, if I travel in a more-or-less straight line (ignoring weather or geography, or time constraints, or my pending homework) I will end up right where I started. Why? Because the Earth is round. Duh.

Today we have a lot of sophisticated (and simple) methods of calculating the curvature and size of the earth. But how did humanity figure this out in the first place? I mean.. it’s so easy, without the help of satellites, airplanes and Jules Verne, to look at the flat horizon and mistake the earth for a flat table top. How could anyone figure out not only that the world is not flat, but also calculate the size of its radius?

Well, when in doubt, try it out. Hey.. I think I like that motto. It’s rhyming, and rhymes are usually true. Just ask Dr Seuss.

Plus.. it works! Continue reading »

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Astronomy, Earth, Experiment, Physics, Tasty

It’s Goo! It’s Solid! It’s Goo! It’s Solid! It’s— both???

My mom always told me never to play with my food, but in this case, I think even she will agree to make an exception. Not only am I going to play with this food, you should too. It’s way too fun to pass on. Continue reading »

(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Experiment, Fluid, Goo, Mechanics, Newton, Physics

All super-thieves know that lasers go straight. It’s the tenet of their masterplan to jump over, crawl under and squeeze between those annoying laser beams around whatever-it-is they are interested in stealing. It can take them weeks to study the angles and train to spray dust over it so they can see them. Talented thieves.

I wonder what would their world look like if they knew that light can be bent. Well, in huge distances (like space) light is bent with gravit, which is pretty cool, but it takes a big body of mass and quite a large distance to do that. I am not going to travel light years to see light bend. I’m going to do it in my own bathroom. You can too. In your own bathroom. Continue reading »

(5 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Bottle, Laser, Light, Mechanics, Physics, Reflection, Refraction, Waves

You probably hear this every day, that weird phenomenon sounds makes when it whooshes you by quickly. In fact, the entire ‘whoosh’ effect - that ‘zzzzzzzzzzzhoooooooom!’ that seems all children are familiar with and use as a description for a passing car is a great hint that something is going on.

Continue reading »

(6 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: Experiment, Physics, Sound, Waves

Consider: You’re a deer on a dark road. A pair of headlights is suddenly approaching you. Fast. You stare at it intently… wondering - how fast is the light moving? Now, if you’re that deer, chances are this wouldn’t be your first concern. Or maybe it would. Maybe that’s why they take so long to move away… long calculations about the speed of light flood their minds..

Continue reading »

(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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written by mooeypoo \\ tags: