Ask the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris Smith
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Apr 9, 2009 • 26min

Sparks, Lightning and Electricity

Can horses feel electric shocks through their fur? Can we create lightning artificially? How do we send electric signals via cables to America? Can frozen nitrogen conduct electricity? We tackle these sparky questions on this weeks show. We also learn about the northern lights, reveal why rain falls heavier than snow and investigate if it really is dangerous to pour hot water into a glass. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Mar 20, 2009 • 30min

Genes and Clones

Are identical twins clones of each other? Can parents with brown eyes have children with blue ones? Is it possible to have blonde hair and brown eyes? How do conjoined twins form? We answer these questions on this week's show. We also find out why our dreams don't always reflect reality, investigate if it is safe to re-heat food in the microwave, reveal how boils are formed and discover how washing powders make our whites dazzling bright! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Mar 13, 2009 • 19min

Electric cars and Exploding Champagne

How much does it cost to run an electric car? Why does shaken champagne not explode if you wait a while before opening it? Would a car filled inside with helium run for longer? Is man the only mammal to have racial features? We dig into these questions on this week's show, as well as reveal if hyper-space travel is possible, explain how a memory stick works and investigate if a compass would work on the moon! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Mar 6, 2009 • 30min

Atomic Bombs, The Amazon and our Climate

Can atomic bombs cause changes in our climate? Can understanding the Amazon help control the greenhouse effect? Are we likely to find life in outer space? We take on these question in this week's show. As well as find out about Bell's Palsy, reveal why people have fits, learn how to identify animals by their DNA and learn how to help control diabeteswith our diets. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Feb 27, 2009 • 30min

Planes, Spaceships and Automobiles

How do mobile phones work on planes? Is flying more environmentally friendly than driving? What is rocket fuel? Can we see the International Space Station with the naked eye? These are just some of the questions asked in this week's show. We also investigate whether we can use our bodies as aerials, reveal how computer animated characters are created in films and find out if we can steam our eggs for breakfast! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Feb 20, 2009 • 33min

The Earth and Its Elements

How does the Earth rotate? Why do we not fall off the Earth as it spins? Why is there a periodic table? Why is Oxygen written as O2? We tackle these questions in this week's show. We also find out about the causes and symptoms of diabetes, investigate how our bodies generate heat, and reveal how to create a perfectly straight object! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Feb 13, 2009 • 27min

Ice, Snow and Space

What experiments can be done with snow? why is snow white yet ice is clear? How can ice be made without refrigeration? And how do Jet engines work out in space? We tackle these questions in this week's show. We also find out about the Ares-V rocket being built by NASA, investigate why underarm hair hasn't been lost through evolution and reveal how someone's smell could reveal if they're your perfect match. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Feb 6, 2009 • 33min

Phantom Limbs and Electric Shocks

What is phantom Limb Syndrome? Why don't birds get electrocuted when they land on power lines? Why can a tooth filling give us electric shocks? We tackle these questions on this week's show. We also find out why bears and penguins feet don't freeze on ice, look into the world of dreaming to find out why we each dream differently, reveal why waves are white when they break against the shore and discover what makes an electric train travel. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Jan 30, 2009 • 25min

The Science of Lightbulbs and Compact Discs

Do energy saving lightbulbs give you headaches? How do LED lights work? How do CD's show us the spectrum of light? Can we see magenta in the spectrum? We tackle these question on this week's show. We also find out how trrains stay on their tracks and whether it's possible to communicate when tarvelling faster than the speed of sound! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Jan 23, 2009 • 35min

Stars, Stings and Tickles

Why do we see stars in the sky? Why do stars twinkle? Why can't we tickle ourselves? And how do stinging nettles sting? We tackle these question in this weeks show. We also find out whether eyesight can improve with age, how fibre optics work, why water doesn't burn and we reveal what hypermiling is! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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