What’s a scientist to do?
Published 12:22 am Sunday, September 21, 2008
Out of order: The giant atom-smasher in Switzerland has broken down again. The collider will be down for at least two months, so here are some ways the scientists can put their skills to use in the meantime:
Synthesize a meal. They could join an increasing number of Americans who are cooking at home in an effort to save money. But if the meal ends up looking like a chemistry experiment gone wrong, the scientists can console themselves by having some instant soup, putting on their safety goggles and testing their theories about what the microwave might do to a full can of soda.*
Experiment on music players. A review of the iPod and the Zune says that in terms of overall features, the iPod still has the edge. Unfortunately, the review doesn’t tell you something that physicists with a strong desire to smash things can: Which device is more likely to keep playing after being repeatedly crushed under the 20 pounds of books in a teenager’s backpack.
Observe a human cannonball. A stuntman performing at the Puyallup Fair has made about 5,000 launches, flying a distance of about 150 feet each time. While the feat may not defy the laws of physics, the idea that anyone would voluntarily shoot themselves from a cannon definitely defies explanation.
* We’re all about safety here, so in lieu of performing potentially hazardous microwave experiments of your own, which in the best-case scenario involve the sort of mess you’ll have to chip out of the microwave with a chisel, we urge you to live vicariously through the following videos. In other words, don’t try this at home:
Pingpong ball in the microwave
