Day Two: Zombie outbreaks, volcanoes, and meddling with the laws of physics

The sun is setting on another day of I’m a Scientist: Get me out of here! and here we are again to look at the questions the students have been putting to the scientists.

In the Particle Physics Zone, the scientists were asked to consider what they might change about the Universe, given the chance: What law of physics would you change? Joel wants to change the second law of thermodynamics, making the world a much more spontaneously tidy place, Kristian would happily leave his desk a mess if he could change special relativity and travel through the stars.

20131112 Nicci

In the Genes Zone, students wondered just how plausible a zombie outbreak might really be, the advice: “Don’t panic.” In the live chats, we caught up with the old favorite questions of nature vs. nurture,

Do you think genes or environment have the biggest effect on characteristics?

A great question, and one that we’re working hard to try to find the answer. I personally think that environment is far more important than we realise at the moment.

…and cures for cancer,

Is it true that there might be a cure for cancer in a plant in the rainforests?

It is possible yes, that there are treatments in plants in the rainforest that we havent found yet. We could potentially use these plants to make new drugs, hence why its really important we dont get rid of the rainforests.

The Tellurium Zone scientists explained why things bounce, while James continued to teach us about volcanoes, today: Why do they erupt?

20131112 James


We’re grateful to the Wellcome Trust for providing part funding to run I’m a Scientist: Get me out of here!, as well as to the STFC for providing funding for the Particle Physics and Extreme Clean Zones.

We’ve plenty more live chats to come in the next two weeks, check back tomorrow for more updates.

Posted on November 12, 2013 by modjosh in News. Comments Off on Day Two: Zombie outbreaks, volcanoes, and meddling with the laws of physics