Nerdy danger science experiments

For those of you science nerds here, have a look at this article.

Its a cute explanation of film boiling, where a surface gets so hot that a liquild will float on a film of gas rather than contacting the hotplate. All of this would be rather boring except for the second half of the article where the author begins DOING SCIENCE!!!!

First experiment: Putting your hand into molten lead
"I must also confess that my first several attempts failed because my brain
refused to allow this ridiculous experiment"

...I think my EHS person at work said that this is usually a BAD indicator of an experimeant.

"Could I possibly touch the lead with a dry finger without suffering a burn? Leaving aside all rational thought, I tried it, immediately realizing my folly when pain raced through the finger. Later, I tested a dry wiener, forcing it into the molten lead for several seconds."

Yep, this is the way we do it...start with live human testing. If that fails then go on to inanimate objects :-)

Experiment 2: Gargling liquild nitrogen.

"The moisture in my cold breath condensed, creating a terrific plume that extended
about a meter from my mouth. However, on my last attempt the liquid thermally contracted two of my front teeth so severely that the enamel ruptured into a ‘‘road map’’ of fissures. My dentist convinced me to drop the demonstration."

See SCIENCE!!!

Experiment 3: Fire walking

"I have walked over hot coals on five occasions. For four of the walks I was fearful enough that my feet were sweaty. However, on the fifth walk I took my safety so much for granted that my feet were dry. The burns I suffered then were extensive and terribly painful. My feet did not heal for weeks.
My failure may have been due to a lack of film boiling on the feet, but I had also neglected an additional safety factor. On the other days I had taken the precaution of clutching an early edition of Fundamentals of Physics to my chest during the walks so as to bolster my belief in physics. Alas, I forgot the book on the day when I was so badly burned."

I love this, "my feet burnt because I was not holding my physics bible"

He then goes on to argue that science students should walk across hot coals instead of a final exam to proove their faith in Physics before they are allowed to graduate...however, I ask you...is science about faith?

Chrissy pissy was scary this year

And it wasn't just Santa scaring the children....

The ginger spice cake recipe

Can be found here. Sorry for the delay... It's very yummy and extremely easy to make.

UNSW prepares for 2010

What makes me think that? What makes me think "My God, it's full of stars, the sequel!!!!"?

This:

and this:

Hippys with Handguns

I recently received this email from the indoor range where I currently practice with my .22 rifle.

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Dear fellow Members

Many of you have seen the amazing demonstration of the Power Balance wrist bands that we had a few of recently.

Good news - the club has been appointed the Sydney reseller for them now and we have good stocks in, just in time for Christmas.

First in best dressed, so get in soon. For more info, check out their website - http://www.powerbalance.net/

Kind Regards
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Now I figured this must be some kind wrist brace used in pistol shooting (the club is primarily a pistol club) so I thought I'd check it out.

I discovered that:

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Power Balance is performance technology that uses holograms embedded with frequencies that react positively with your body’s natural energy field to improve balance, strength, and flexibility.
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How does it work? I'm glad you asked:

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Most everything has a frequency inherent to it. Some frequencies react positively with your body and others negatively. When the hologram comes in contact with your body’s energy field, it allows your body to interact with the natural, beneficial frequency stored within the hologram. This results in improved energy flow throughout your body.
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Now is it just me, or do you also wonder at the wisdom of allowing people who believe this kind of crap to possess handguns? Even if the guy in charge of the club is just out to make a buck he must think that a reasonable subset of the members will buy into it.

Scary stuff.

the new Twilight movie ala LolCats

I laughed so hard I may have choked a bit on my cup of tea.
MissImpish is to blame.

Take 2 of the best things from the 70s and add them together and whaddya get...