Everyday Science
Why Does Ice Float? Water’s Life-Saving Weirdness
Solids are usually denser than their liquids, so why does ice float? How hydrogen bonds make water an exception and keep lakes alive in winter.
Everyday Science
The physics and chemistry we meet every day in the kitchen, at home and outside.
Everyday Science
Why Do Onions Make You Cry? The Chemistry of Tears and How to Stop Them
Why do your eyes water when you cut onions? The tear gas onions make to protect themselves — and the science-backed ways to chop onions without crying.
Everyday Science
Why Does Salt Melt Ice? The Chemistry of Gritting Roads in Winter
Why do we salt roads in winter, how does salt melt ice and why doesn’t it work when it is very cold? Freezing-point depression and its side effects, explained.
Everyday Science
Why Does Static Electricity Shock You? The Science of the Door-Handle Spark
Why do door handles shock you, why is it worse in winter and how does a balloon stick to a wall? The science of static electricity and how to avoid it.
Everyday Science
How Does a Microwave Heat Food? The Physics of Spinning Water Molecules
How does a microwave oven heat food, why does metal spark inside it and is it safe? The science of microwave heating, explained with diagrams.
Everyday Science
Why Does Popcorn Pop? The Physics of a Tiny Pressure Cooker
Why do corn kernels pop, where does the “pop” sound come from and why do some kernels never pop? The physics of popcorn, step by step with diagrams.