Why doesn’t superglue stick to the inside of the tube?
Superglue is a particular type of glue known as a cyano-acrylate, or an acrylic resin. The substance was initially discovered…
What are silverfish?
The silverfish is a small insect usually less than 25mm in length. Both its names are strikingly descriptive; its Latin name, Lepisma…
Do bees die after they sting you?
There are over 25,000 different species of bee in the world, including 245 in the UK, and it’s a common…
Why are tattoos permanent?
I bet you know someone with a tattoo. You may even have one yourself. Humans have been tattooing themselves and…
How does local anaesthetic work?
This question was asked by Albatross class at Swiss Gardens Primary School, Shoreham, UK. ‘Anaesthetic’ (pronounced ann-ass-thet-ik) comes from a Greek…
Why is too much sun bad for you and how does sunscreen work?
We all know that a tan or sunburn is a sign of damaged skin, and using sunscreen or sunblock is…
Fatness, thinness, fitness and health
Modern society seems to be obsessed with the way people look, particularly whether they’re fat, thin or in between. So…
Can you touch clouds and are they fluffy?
This question was asked by Iwan in Bromley, UK. Clouds are formed when water on the Earth’s surface evaporates; that’s…
Could a chocolate teapot actually be useful?
This question was asked by Liz from St Albans, UK. “As useful as a chocolate teapot” is a phrase used…
Why does the night sky look black when there are so many stars?
This question was asked by Flora in London, UK. This is a fantastic question and it’s one that has puzzled…