Dey deeeeey-oh, daylight come and I wanna go home.  Is it us or is it almost tropical at the moment?  Hot ‘n’ humid, just how we like it. Now don’t forget about all those dads out there on Father’s Day. There has to be some upsides to being a walking wallet/taxidriver/gardener/diyexpert/wrestler/encyclopedia.  Well hasn’t there?

The line-up this week:

1. Mint Nuggets – how are our mintally-challenged growers getting on?
2. Stump the Scientist: Shhhhh! Photosynthesising…
3. Activity of the Week: Tough Balloons
4. Mouses at the Ready: Flipside magazines
5. Noticeboard: FYI
6. Recommended websites of the week
7. The Winners’ Enclosure
8. Joke of the Week

“Does photosynthesis make noise?

If it did, it would obviously be too quiet for humans to hear. I think it should make noise because the electron transfer that is happening is movement that would create vibrations, and therefore sound. Electrical impulses make noise, and we can hear this noise if they are big impulses, so I think moving electrons do make noise. So I think photosynthesis does make noise, but I don't know for sure and would like an expert opinion.”

“I think the questioner is making a few mis-assumptions here. Yes, photosynthesis does include moving electrons but just because there are movement and vibrations does not mean that they will cause sound.

'Sound' is vibrations that we can hear. In humans, this is around the 20-20kHz frequency range.

Now over to the Physicists. Moving electrons may give out some sort of electromagnetic radiation but my guess (as a humble biologist) is that they would be in the radio frequencies.  My other guess is that they would be of such a small energy to be virtually undetectable. Maybe we should see if we can tune our radios to Photosynthesis FM?

I am not sure why the questioner thinks we can hear electricity if the pulses are big enough? Transformers will give out a hum but this is to do with the vibration caused in the plates that make up the transformer. Mains electricity runs at 50Hz and this causes vibrations in the transformer which can then be heard as an audible hum.

Hope this helps.”

Planet Science has rooted out a great little experiment from the BA. Persuade your dad to help you. How old?  Well maybe he could just watch.

Tough Balloons

You will need:

• Balloons filled with air
• Balloons filled with water
• Sticky tape
• 4 30cm x 30cm pieces of thick cardboard from a cardboard box

Note: Make sure you have someone with you when testing this experiment to make sure you do not fall. Also, make sure you test your water filled balloons outside or somewhere that you can get wet!

What to do:

1. Make two strong platforms by gluing two pieces of cardboard together so that the corrugated lines in the cardboard are going in opposite directions. This should make it extra strong.
2. Start by standing on one of your platforms supported by the balloons filled with air. The balloons stay in place better if you tape them onto the bottom platform and then put the second platform on top.
3. Have a friend pop one balloon at a time. How few balloons still support your weight?
4. Do balloons filled with water hold your weight better or worse than balloons filled with air? Why do you think one works better than the other?

What’s going on?

A gas is made up of atoms surrounded by large amounts of space. This means that a gas can be compressed into a smaller area or volume. In a liquid the atoms are much closer together and the volume of a liquid cannot be reduced.

When you stand on the balloons filled with air you squash the balloons and the gas inside squashes along with it. When you stand on the balloons filled with water the volume inside cannot be reduced and the balloon has to stretch outwards causing it to pop. The more balloons there are under the platform; the easier it becomes to support your weight. As the balloons are squashed downwards the surface area of the balloon touching the platform increases. This means that you are spreading your weight over a much larger surface area and reducing the pressure on each individual balloon.

This activity was taken from the National Science Week ‘Vertically Challenged’ challenge pack.

This activity counts towards the BA Young Investigators award scheme.

Recommended websites of the week

Nicholas Harrigan, a student physicist, dressed up as a chef and won the FameLab final at the Cheltenham Science Festival.  The 25 year old postgraduate student in quantum optics gave a zany presentation on the physics of the microwave oven, aided by props ranging from a colour change T-shirt and light bulb to balloons and a model of Stingray. Sounds like our kind of guy. Read more about him and listen to podcasts on the NESTA FameLab 2007 website.

Did you know that the necktie is the most common Father's Day gift? Find out more about the mysterious art of tying a tie (!) by visiting Neckties through the Ages aka 2000 years of the necktie. We really need to get out more…

Ever wondered about anything? Well take a look at Wonderville. That should answer some of your questions.