The Value of A Teapot..(from todays Times)

[Aperio]

Thought this might privide some fun. Aperio

Q What percentage of the world's water is contained in a cow? (veterinary medicine, Cambridge)

Q Explain how a perm works (biochemistry, molecular and cellular, Oxford)

Q Here's a piece of bark, please talk about it (biological sciences, Oxford)

Q Why do so few Americans believe in evolution? (human sciences, Oxford)

Q Are you cool? (philosophy, politics and economics, Oxford)

Q Why don't we just have one ear in the middle of our face? (medicine, Cambridge)

Q Put a monetary value on this teapot (PPE, Oxford)

Q If there were three beautiful, naked women standing in front of you, which one would you pick? Does this have any relevance to economics? (PPE, Oxford)

Q Of all 19th-century politicians, which one was most like Tony Blair? (PPE, Oxford)

Q Why can't you light a candle in a spaceship? (physics, Oxford)

[ontarioice]

According to the following site a candle will burn in a spaceship, but more slowly than it burns on earth. See:
http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/inde x.html?quid=850
However, the question was about lighting a candle, not the burning of same. But if it is noted that it can burn in space then it had to have been lit there, too.

[ontarioice]

How a perm works was answered on Answerback's "How it Works," and reads as follows:
Perming lotion is a chemical solution that alters the internal structure of the hair, making straight hair curly. The solution works by breaking down the sulphur and hydrogen bonds within the hair shaft; this softens the structure of the hair and makes it more pliable and easier to mould into a new shape. The new shape your hair takes depends on the size and shape of the rollers; it's also possible to straighten curly hair with perming solution, with the correct accessories.



Once the hair has taken to the new shape, the perm solution is rinsed off and a fixer (neutralizer) is applied to refix the sulphur and hydrogen bonds and hold hair in the new shape.

[ontarioice]

Americans and evolution? See the following link which is quite a long one but may answer your question. I gather it's a mix of politics and fundimental religious beliefs.
http://rationallyspeaking.blogspot.com/2006/08 /americans-dont-believe-in-evolution.html

[Aperio]

O, many thanks for your answers - especially the one on the candle.

The question on the cow is an interesting one and I may put this out as a separate question.

Aperio

[chakka35]

How a perm works: on the Treble Chance you pick, say, ten teams as draws, then you say "Perm any 8 from 10". Actually, it is not a permutation but a combination as any mathematician will tell you - yet another example of the misuse of scientific terms, like talking about "organic potatoes" or "organic eggs" when all animal and vegetable matter is organic. No, I don't wear an anorak and I have got a life, thank you.

[ontarioice]

How happy I am for you chakka35
[edited by ABED]