to ask non-scientists how they think snow globes work....

[M3lon]

...and what would happen if there was no water or air in the globe with the glitter.

All for a good cause I promise!

[Notevilstepmother]

Jon Tickle walked on the top of a swimming pool full of custard on Braniac

[Notevilstepmother]

m.youtube.com/watch?v=BN2D5y-AxIY

[Notevilstepmother]

I thought it was non Newtonian fluid. Oobleck is much better.

[M3lon]

That's a TINY pool....thats only like 422m so only about 6000 kilos...if that!

[M3lon]

Non-Newtonian refers to anything where the viscosity isn't constant at for different shear rates or shear stresses.

Oobleck is the name given to specifically cornflour and water.

So oobleck is an example of a non-Newtonian fluid.

[geekone]

It is a non newtonian fluid.

Cling film isn’t made of entropy. Entropy is not a material. However the materials have a random and movable structure which is entropy (basically thermodynamic randomness or disorder).

[AutisticHedgehog]

As a PhD scientist your posts seem pretty patronising and if you’re really trying to encourage people into science I think you’re going about it the wrong way. To me, you are coming across as “look smart I am!”

I’m sure it’s unintentional, but if I was a student listening to you I’d think “fuck this, when’s lunch?”

Burn things, freeze thugs, spin things, laser things, break things. Create a curious mind.

[M3lon]

geek I was using a little poetic licence....entropy is only a factor of temperature away from being energy...and things can definitely be made of chains and energy....

[UterusUterusGhali]

I'm a bit pants at thermodynamics, but when your mum says "close the door you'll let the heat out/cold in", is the heat going out or cold coming in? I know it's basic stuff but I always forget what way it goes.

[M3lon]

So my description for non-scientists comes across as patronising to someone with a PhD? Well...that's not a huge surprise is it?

I promise I do approach this rather differently with grad students.

[UterusUterusGhali]

And what's the most effective way to mix your nail varnish?
Rolling it back n forth?
Shaking?
What direction should you shake it in?
That bothers me much more than it should.

[FlaviaAlbia]

In a gyroscope vs bottle rocket competition, the gyroscope stands no chance! They're interesting for a minute or two but not much fun really.

[M3lon]

what do people think the reason for this happening is?

[AutisticHedgehog]

It’s not your description of science, it’s your attitude to people who maybe didn’t study it.

I am very, very keen to encourage an interest in the STEM subjects - especially from a young age. I would hate for people to be deterred by someone who made them feel a bit stupid.

[UterusUterusGhali]

Without watching, convection currents?

[M3lon]

flavia I think you're forgetting the part where you mangle your finger in the string and teach the kids new swear words. I could do that thing with the bike wheel and the free spinning office chair ALL DAY.

Gyroscope lab day was one of the best single experiences of my degree.

[chocolatepudandchocolatesauce]

I know why cling film clings (static energy) but why doesn't the cheap food wrap that look identical actually cling to itself? Can I somehow statically charge it (is rubbing it on my hair before wrapping my food hygienic?!) or should I bin it and use a sandwich bag instead?

[flowercrow]

what does it have to do with time?

[MrsTerryPratchett]

How does slime work?

[M3lon]

My attitude?

On what are you gaging my attitude towards people who didn't study science?

[Sunrise888]

@AutisticHedgehog Well I did a PhD in a physics related subject and I enjoyed the OP's posts. It's really interesting to me to read about complex ideas from different perspectives.

[M3lon]

chocolate They are probably made of different types of plastic. I don't think that static is very important here. As you say the cling film sticks to itself, which something picking up the same static charge all over probably wouldn't do. I think cling film is sticky for similar reasons to bluetack, so if your cling film isn't sticky then I don't think rubbing it on your hair will help.

So my vote is for sandwich bags....

[M3lon]

uterus there you have me entirely! I have never owned nail varnish. What's the issue? Is it a liquid liquid mixing problem? Why don't you stir it with the brush?

[Etymology23]

M3 - I suspect that the point may be that you are saying things like “explain what’s wrong with the second law of thermodynamics” which a significant number of people won’t have studied and another proportion will have forgotten.

[imnotreally]

Polish separates sometimes especially if there are some components that are much heavier than other ones. You can't stir it with the brush because the brush won't reach the sides. Shaking it adds air into the polish which isn't a great idea so rolling it to mix is much better. Ball bearings also help with mixing.

I don't know science but I know nail polish.