Ask The Naked Scientists SA

Why do we cough?

Chris Smith answers the questions you've been sending in... Could we use charged liquid for electric cars? Why do beds feel cold and not room temperature? What causes climate change? How efficient are batteries? Why do we cough? Why do chillies give me hiccups? Plus, sea explorers find plastic in…

16 May 2019 21 min

Why do cats purr?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Africa Melanie from CapeTalk. Why can only some animals be domesticated? Why do cats purr? Can senses change after surgery? Why don't I have a runny nose during sleep? How old is moon dust? Why do scars last until…

2 May 2019 22 min

What causes cyclones?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier from Talk Radio. Is the Earth flat? Does cannabis have a healing effect? Can stem cells repair skin overgrowths? What causes cylones? Why can I hear sounds when my head is against a pillow? Why do stars…

25 Apr 2019 18 min

Will a comet crash into Earth?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier... Why do my nails hurt after I remove nail polish? What does GI mean? Do black holes stop the universe expanding? How are flight routes planned? Will a comet crash into Earth? Why do I get electric…

11 Apr 2019 18 min

Can computers develop consciousness?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier from Talk Radio 702. Can we use energy from nuclear fusion yet? Is the water in our atmosphere the same as in a river? Can computers develop consciousness? Why do some people think the Earth is flat?…

4 Apr 2019 20 min

Could we live on Mars?

Chris Smith takes on YOUR questions in a bumper edition of Ask! The Naked Scientists. How long do dreams last? How did Einstein measure the speed of light? Could we live on Mars? What is sleep paralysis? Could an asteroid hit and travel underground? What is a sonic boom? Can…

28 Mar 2019 38 min

Why do men have nipples?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier from 702 Cape Talk. Why is the sun's halo hotter than its surface? Why do ice cubes crack when you add water? Why do men have nipples? How do noise-cancelling headphones work? Can you implant genes to…

21 Mar 2019 17 min

Are horseshoes unlucky in a thunderstorm?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. What would happen if a horse with metal shoes on was struck by lightning? How was DNA code devised? Could electricity go wireless? How much calcium is in a cup of tea? Why can slime change colour with heat? Is…

7 Mar 2019 23 min

How do I win the lottery?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio 702. How are buildings demolished? How do you win the lottery? Do aliens exist? Is breast milk best? Does it rain more in rocky areas? Why did life evolve and replicate? Can transplants resolve…

28 Feb 2019 23 min

Are we getting smarter?

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why are hail stones different sizes? Why do my palms get sweaty? Why do animals moult? What happens if you stop eating sugar? and more. Plus flicking the suicide switch on tuberculosis.

21 Feb 2019 22 min

What is CERN all about?

What's CERN all about? What is epigenetics, and how is it different to genetics? Why doesn't ice always freeze clear? How does carbon capture work? Why do my eyes go red when I'm drunk? Plus in the news, a new kind of painkiller.

14 Feb 2019 21 min

Will Japan retrieve an asteroid sample?

The Japanese mission to bring back a sample of an asteroid, are changes in Earth's magnetic field linked to climate change, what causes tip-of-the-tongue experiences when you cannot remember a word, why does the Moon look much larger on the horizon, how do farts form and can farts be harnessed…

7 Feb 2019 30 min

Why do we get butterflies?

Why do we get butterflies in our stomach? Why is singing in tune difficult? What does vitamin K do? Is aluminium foil safe? How do you measure metres above sea level? Can cold water make you wee more?

24 Jan 2019 20 min

Is the sky really blue?

Is the sky actually blue? Does petrol go off? What causes myeloma? Why are chicken eggs different colours? If salt melts ice, why are icebergs frozen?

17 Jan 2019 17 min

Why does chilli make my head itch?

Why don't birds get electrocuted on an electric fence? Why do I want to sing along to tunes I know? Does a cut onion soak up toxins from the air? Is Everest really the tallest mountain? Why does chilli make my head itch after I've shaved off my hair? What's…

20 Dec 2018 20 min

Why do I appear upside down in a spoon?

Why do I appear upside down in a spoon? Is the Universe getting bigger or smaller? What would Earth be like if we had two moons? What's the atomic weight of silver? Why does my bum tingle when I get my hair cut? If water can expand why can't it…

13 Dec 2018 23 min

Can I catch germs from a cockroach?

Can I catch germs from cockroaches? How does the shape of the ear tell you where something is? If the Universe is expanding, is it being pushed or pulled? Is rain water better for crops than irrigation? What's the difference between macro and micro evolution? Do men enjoy spice more…

29 Nov 2018 26 min

Can we create blood in the lab?

How do we tell where a sound is coming from? Why does wine taste differently after many years? Why can't we manufacture blood? Why was Pluto downgraded? Plus, a new blood test for cancer.

22 Nov 2018 18 min

What is spooky action at a distance?

How do mosquitoes find you in the dark? How do muons reach the earth? Do long-term partners end up looking alike? What is spooky action at a distance? Why do things go black when they're burnt? Why can I hear rain all the time? Plus, redefining the kilogram.

15 Nov 2018 22 min

What causes double rainbows?

What is deja vu? Why do certain magnets attract? Why do tea stains form in a ring? Can you scientifically work out someone's date of birth? How does mercury and lead stay in your body? Do mermaids exist? Do helium balloons defy gravity? What causes a double rainbows? Why does…

8 Nov 2018 20 min