• Question: what is your favourite science experiment to do?

    Asked by sarah2013xxx to Colm, Eoin, Joseph, Lauren, Stephen on 11 Nov 2013. This question was also asked by samanthawalsh, nicolekanexo.
    • Photo: Eoin O Colgain

      Eoin O Colgain answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      Some scientists do experiments, some do not.

      For example, Einstein did none, yet came up with a groundbreaking new way to describe gravity. This development, based on the interplay between mathematics and physics, is part of the magic of modern GPS. Without mathematics and Einstein, there would be no GPS.

      I like to calculate things from basic principles.

      As an example, consider a barrel of water. We know pressure increases with depth, so water at the bottom, which is under more pressure, comes out quicker. The question is where should I puncture a hole in the barrel so that the water coming out travels the furthest from the barrel? Calculus allows an answer to this question. No need to risk getting wet. 🙂

    • Photo: colm bracken

      colm bracken answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      My favorite science experiments involve super conducting materials and magnets. We can get magnets to float in mid-air by placing them over these super conductors. Its really cool!

    • Photo: Joseph Roche

      Joseph Roche answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      I like when things explode or freeze. I like experimenting with liquid nitrogen which is an extremely cold liquid (-196 degrees) and you can freeze almost everything in it and then smash it.

    • Photo: Stephen Scully

      Stephen Scully answered on 14 Nov 2013:

      I like experiments with lasers.

    • Photo: Lauren Mc Keown

      Lauren Mc Keown answered on 14 Nov 2013:

      As advanced as the experiments I have done have become….my favourite will always be making a volcano out of vinegar and baking soda. Or basically anything that fizzes or makes a mess.

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