21

Chemistry / Why are most molecules in singlet state if the triplet state is lower energy?

« on: 01/10/2019 13:47:53 »

Hariharan asks...

Most molecules are in singlet ground state which is a higher energy state. A state is more stable. So nature would prefer an arrangement which gives lower energy. Accordingly molecules should prefer to be in triplet state which is of lower energy than singlet energy ground state. Why this is so? Could you please explain?

Can you help?

22

The Environment / Can we extract the CO2 from the atmosphere to combat climate change?

« on: 30/09/2019 10:35:09 »

Crista asks...

We take carbon in liquid (oil) and solid (coal) forms and turn it into a gas (CO2) which goes into the atmosphere which contributes to the warming, and also dissolves in the oceans making them acidic.
Is there any way to extract this ‘gas’ carbon and convert it back to ‘liquid’ or ‘solid’ form? I suppose this is what a tree does but are any scientists attempting this? Or is just removing the atmospheric CO2 not going to prevent the change in temperature?

What do you think?

23

Question of the Week / QotW - 19.09.30 - What will be the impact of SpaceX's Starlink project?

« on: 30/09/2019 10:15:20 »

Peter asks...

Space-X has launched the first 60 of what is to be a mesh of some 12,000 satellites. Two questions. How will this completed mesh impact 1) ground based optical and microwave astronomical observations, and 2) the ability of future space missions, manned and otherwise, to navigate through the cloud of objects?


What do you think?

24

Question of the Week / QotW - 19.09.23 - Should you cool down cooked chicken before refrigeration?

« on: 30/09/2019 10:09:24 »

This question comes from Julie:

I have received such conflicting advice from TV food cooks.  Some say that cooked chicken should be allowed to cool down to room temperature before refrigeration whilst others say to put the hot cooked chicken into the refrigerator immediately.  Which is right?  I would very much appreciate a scientist explaining to me the least food-poisoning method.

Can you help?

25

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / How can I find out what the shiny flecks in a rock are made of?

« on: 27/09/2019 09:59:57 »

Willow is asking...

I have found a grey pebble with lots of shiny flecks that look like silver. How do I find out what it is?

Can you help?

26

Physiology & Medicine / Can I use apple cider vinegar to get rid of warts?

« on: 26/09/2019 15:26:55 »

Shelly is asking...

When getting rid of genital warts with apple cider vinegar, does it bleed?
Mine has turned white and it feels smother and not as bumpy, and now on 4th day it's bleeding. It's been burning quite badly from the beginning using only acv. Is the acv worth the excruciating pain?

Can you help?

27

Technology / Do sunglasses interfere with eye recognition?

« on: 25/09/2019 11:23:54 »

Paul asks...

Do sunglasses interfere with eye recognition?
If one did want to interfere with automatic identification through eye recognition, what can one use?

Can you help?

28

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Are gravitational waves faster than light?

« on: 24/09/2019 17:45:49 »

Roy is asking...

Reading between the lines of what Joris said on the 3rd of September podcast, is it now accepted that gravity and gravitational waves travel FASTER than the speed of light? Or is he suggesting that there is some kind of gravitational mechanism where the speed of the photons produced by the event are retarded (held back, impeded?) by the accompanying gravitational incident that allows the gravitational wave to reach us ahead of the visible spectacle?

Can you help clear up this light wrinkle?

29

General Science / Is it true that our greatest shortcoming is not understanding the exponential?

« on: 23/09/2019 15:40:03 »

Richard asks...

The late Professor Albert Bartlett said "The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Was he right?

What do you think?

30

Physiology & Medicine / Do vitamin supplements really work to cure or alleviate chronic fatigue?

« on: 23/09/2019 10:11:32 »

Thandiwe asks...

Do vitamin supplements really work to cure or alleviate chronic fatigue?

Can you help?

31

Technology / Are our thoughts not going to be safe anymore?

« on: 20/09/2019 17:45:32 »

Paul is wondering...

At the moment our thoughts are safe, but with the ability to transpose thought, is there is cause for worry?
Is there a difference between imagining doing something and thoughts that actually get you doing something, other than whether the brain impulses are sent to your limbs to do them or not?
Can someone monitoring my thought patterns see the difference?

What do you... think?

32

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Is there an equivalent of absolute zero when it comes to heat?

« on: 18/09/2019 13:37:23 »

John asks...

If it's impossible to reach absolute zero, is there a corresponding degree of heat - an absolute state so hot it cannot be reached?

What do you think?

33

Physiology & Medicine / Can we do anything about shingles?

« on: 18/09/2019 10:41:51 »

Tish asks...

What can we do about shingles? Is there any cure, or effective treatment? The pain is awful.

Can you help?

34

Physiology & Medicine / Can I analyse my DNA at home?

« on: 17/09/2019 14:00:21 »

Paul is asking...

A few years ago on Kitchen Science it was mentioned that some children were doing their own DNA tests. Can a member of the public actually do their own analysis, or does it have to be sent away to a special laboratory? If I can do it at home, what do I need and can that detect medical propensities?

Can you help?

35

Chemistry / What is the most dangerous group of elements?

« on: 17/09/2019 10:23:48 »

Corey asks...

What is the most dangerous group of elements?

Can you help?

36

Technology / Can we pick up speech vibrations through double-glazing?

« on: 16/09/2019 16:20:09 »

Paul is wondering...

I once read that Russian spies would eavesdrop by picking up sound from glass windows through small vibrations. Does good double-glazing stop that?
And a related question: can we pick up speech by observing the vibrations in the cheeks or by the movement of the cheeks?

Get those lips moving, and fingers typing... can you help?

37

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / What would happen if we combine human DNA with dinosaur DNA?

« on: 16/09/2019 12:34:58 »

Johnny is wondering...

What would happen if I tried to inject myself with dinosaur DNA or RNA? How would my cells and/or DNA pair with a dinosaur's?

Any thoughts?

38

Physiology & Medicine / What is gonorrhoea?

« on: 13/09/2019 14:09:39 »

Jennifer asks...

What is gonorrhoea?

Can you help?

39

Chemistry / Why doesn't water burn?

« on: 13/09/2019 10:15:22 »

Harriet asks...

If hydrogen and oxygen are both flammable, why doesn't water burn?

Can you help?

40

Technology / Why does my digital watch keep gaining time?

« on: 12/09/2019 14:35:10 »

Nev is wondering...

Why does the time on my digital wrist watch always end up being 5 minutes ahead within 3 months? I always turn it back but it still jumps ahead. Every digital wrist watch I've ever had did this.

Let's not waste time... can you help?