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A few weeks ago, talk of gravitational waves dominated most of science reporting. Gravitational waves are similar to the ripples that move out along the surface of the water after you drop a pebble into a pond, except that instead of being ripples in water they are ripples in space-time. Einstein predicted gravitational waves as … Continue reading
Most liquids behave like we would expect them to. But there are liquids, known as Non-Newtonian Fluids, that behave strangely under stress. Consider your ketchup bottle. Why is it that we hit the ketchup bottle to make the ketchup come out faster? Turns out it isn’t because the force knocks the ketchup lower down, but … Continue reading
It was a little disconcerting when the garlic in my potato salad turned bluish-green the other day. What had caused it, and was it safe to eat? The flavour of garlic is created by a few different sulfur compounds and some enzymes (an enzyme is something that affects the speed of a chemical reaction). Basically, what … Continue reading
The Zika virus is spread via mosquito bites and usually results in a mild illness that includes fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes (conjunctivitis) (CDC). However, preliminary data from Brazil shows a connection between rates of pregnancy complications including microcephaly and Zika virus infections. First, it is important to note that this is still preliminary data. … Continue reading
Sometimes I am surprised when science hits me over the head during an everyday activity. I was at the Calgary Zoo a few weeks ago. One would expect that some biology may creep around the corner at you, but I didn’t really expect to see such an amazing example of refraction. You can see … Continue reading
So at the moment I am teaching about momentum and impulse in my physics class. I really like these topics because they have so many real life applications that are easy for students to see. I’ve talked about car crashes, air bags, and crumple zones. I love bringing in a variety of different sports from … Continue reading
I do remember making New Year’s resolutions in the past. It seemed like the thing to do. But I haven’t bothered in many years. In the past, they often seemed doomed to failure. I mean really, don’t I need something more than just a calendar day to make me decide and then carry out a … Continue reading
Much has been written about the consequences of the phrase throw things away. The fact that “away” seems to eliminate the problem, and visibility, of waste has been accused of contributing to our typically consumptive lifestyles. However, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of research that addresses the psychology of away. One link I … Continue reading
I remember being in junior high when my skating coach asked me why it was important to pull your arms and legs in when doing a spin. I responded by talking about surface area and resistance. It was a little more technical detail than she was expecting. If I had a choice for my science … Continue reading
I don’t like dark chocolate and I don’t really suffer from migraines. But, I have heard enough people make the connection between chocolate and migraines and caffeine and migraines that I decided to do some investigation. What intrigued me from the start is that a number of headache medications use caffeine as an active ingredient. … Continue reading
Connecting with Science 