Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists
Each week we set out to solve one of the world's weirdest, wackiest, funniest and funkiest scientific puzzles. And along with the answer there's a brand new question to think about for next time...
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 4 minutes
- Episodes
- 629
- Years Active
- 2008 - 2025
Running out of Memory
Does our memory have a limited capacity? In this Question of the Week, we'll find out if learning something new pushes out old information and why your brain needs a regular workout. We'll also ask w…
00:02:31 |
Sun 07 Sep 2008
Do We Drink Dinosaur Drinks?
Do we drink the same water that dinosaurs drank? Has your water passed through the countless bladders of the past? In this Question of the Week, we find out if our drinking water has been repeatedl…
00:03:17 |
Tue 29 Jul 2008
Who Wants to Live Forever?
How old is the oldest organism? In this Question of the Week we find out if any organism has found the secret of eternal life, and can truly live forever. Plus, we ask if all the water on Earth has b…
00:03:51 |
Sun 20 Jul 2008
Breathing Without Lungs?
How does the Bornean Flat-Headed Frog breathe when it has no lungs? No, it's not a bad joke, it's our Question of the Week! We find out how this marvellous little frog survives, and ask if any anim…
00:03:33 |
Sun 13 Jul 2008
Remembering Your Dreams
Why are dreams so hard to remember? In this Question of the Week, we find out why your night time imagination slips away as you wake and is gone before your first coffee! Plus, we ask how certain f…
00:03:31 |
Sun 06 Jul 2008
The Colourful Compounds of Copper
Why are copper compounds so colourful? In this week's Question of the Week we find out how one metal can have so many colourful compounds, as well as a distinctive green flame. Plus, we ask why dream…
00:03:52 |
Sun 29 Jun 2008
Cutting Calories by Cooking
If you burn your Pizza to a crisp, are you're left with a low calorie (if not very tasty) meal? In this Question of the Week we find out whether cooking contributes calories to a dish, or turn your l…
00:04:02 |
Tue 24 Jun 2008
Lightning Defibrillator
Being struck by lightning can be a heart-stopping experience - but could a second strike re-start your heart? In this question of the week, we find out if a bolt could act as a defibrillator, and if …
00:03:45 |
Sun 22 Jun 2008
Over-Salted Fish
Most fish live in either freshwater or saltwater, but some live in both. In this Question of the Week we find out how these fish manage to avoid becoming too salty or too watery. Also, we ask if you …
00:03:46 |
Sun 08 Jun 2008
The Science of the Didgeridoo
How do you make a didgeridoo do what it does do? For this week's QotW, we find out how the length and shape of the instrument and the skill of the player affects the sound of a didgeridoo. Plus, we a…
00:04:23 |
Sun 01 Jun 2008
How Would ET Phone Home?
If we ever do find alien life around other stars, just how would E.T. phone home? We find out what technology we would need to communicate with our nearest stars, and the practical limitations. Plus,…
00:04:06 |
Sun 25 May 2008
Did Dinos Die Young?
How long was a big dino's lifespan? On this week's Question of the Week, we find out how many candles a dinosaur birthday cake would have, and how we can tell from only fossilised remains. Also, we a…
00:04:08 |
Sun 18 May 2008
Earplugs Make Sounds Louder?
Wearing earplugs may help to cut out external noises, but why does it make it impossible to eat crunchy crisps? In this Question of the Week, we find out why earbud headphones make internal noises so…
00:05:03 |
Sun 11 May 2008
Olympic Flame in Flight
What keeps the Olympic torch alight, in flight? To keep the Olympic spirit burning, it must need to travel on aeroplanes, but how do you keep a naked flame burning, while keeping other passengers saf…
00:04:25 |
Sun 04 May 2008
Running out of Oil
When will we run out of oil? In the 1970s, it was predicted that oil wells would run dry by the year 2000, but new reserves were discovered. So in this week's Question we find out how long we have …
00:04:29 |
Tue 29 Apr 2008
Lightning on TV
Should you turn off the TV in a thunderstorm? In this electrifying Question of the Week we find out if an attached aerial attracts lightning, or if it's safe to ride out the storm in front of your s…
00:05:09 |
Sun 20 Apr 2008
Survival in a Sealed Car
How long would you survive sealed in a compact car? Is there enough oxygen to survive your journey, or should you just open a window to avoid suffocating on your own expelled gas? Also, we ask if lig…
00:04:11 |
Sun 13 Apr 2008
Drinking Wine in the Desert
Should you drink wine in the desert? Would an alcoholic drink dehydrate you faster than no drink at all? If so, should you let the alcohol evaporate first, and how long would this take? This is th…
00:05:33 |
Mon 07 Apr 2008
Accented Notes - How do people lose their accent while singing?
For this week's Question, we find out why it is that although some people speak with a strong accent, this almost completely disappears when they sing. Could it be that there are language lessons to …
00:04:19 |
Sun 30 Mar 2008
The Timing of the Tides
On this week's Question of the Week, we plunge into a question about tides! We find out how the tide times are worked out to the nearest minute, and why anyone would need such precision. Plus, we as…
00:05:08 |
Mon 17 Mar 2008
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