Carla Pearce
Recent articles by Carla Pearce
How do we know that the value of Pi goes on forever?
The pi is the limit!
Can too much sleep have negative effects on the body?
There's such a thing as too much sleep, but it's usually a sign of something else.
Could an intelligent species evolve on Earth that breathes carbon dioxide?
The synthesis of oxygen and evolution of the ability to respire is a key factor in development of complex lifeforms on Earth.
What does a hay fever tablet do?
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, can be managed with a simple tablet - but how do they work?
What’s the maximum speed a human can withstand?
Whilst fighter pilots are able to take more than the rest of us, the speed we travel at can be fatal.
If you could make yourself invisible, would you still have a shadow?
If it's difficult to see the answer to this one, think about whether you could still see the Sun through an invisible person...
How many chemicals are there in the body?
Your body is constantly making, altering, and destroying different chemical compounds so it's impossible to count them all, but we can take a guess!
How does 48-hour deodorant work?
Several deodorants boast 48-hour protection but to get these products to work is a rather sticky solution.
Why is it so difficult to make a contraceptive pill for men?
Men don't have the same natural 'off switch' for reproduction that a contraceptive pill could exploit - so what are our options?
How many cars equal the CO2 emissions of one plane?
Planes burn up more fuel than cars per journey, and therefore produce more carbon dioxide. But how does this work out by passenger & by distance?
Can playing a badly damaged CD or DVD harm the player?
It's difficult to do much damage to a CD or DVD player, but this largely depends on how the disc is broken, whether warped, smudged or scratched.
Are we closer genetically to our parents or our siblings?
You're equally related to your parents and siblings - but only on average.
Why do drivers often crash into trees or lampposts?
Drivers seemingly crash into stationary objects more often than anything else, but this may just be a matter of perception.
Without all the empty space, how big would the Universe be?
If we crammed all the atoms in the universe together, so that every single nucleus was touching, how much room would it all take up?
Are there really still human footprints on the Moon?
We've not been on the Moon since 1972, but you might be surprised to see what is still up there...
Which animals are more intelligent – dogs or cats?
You’re either a dog person or a cat person, but who’s actually man’s best friend?
Is it possible to produce light without heat?
This phenomenon requires generating photons with visible, UV wavelengths rather than hot, infra-red wavelengths, and it happens in nature.
Why are most humans right-handed?
Hopefully you're left with the right answer.
Why does an iron have to be hot to flatten clothes?
Irons are designed to weaken and rearrange adjacent polymer strands in clothes fibres - this requires heat and weight.
How do we know what the Milky Way looks like?
It's surprisingly difficult to measure something from the inside.
10 facts you didn't know about beavers
The first beavers to be born in the wild since their re-introduction to the UK were spotted in Argyll, Scotland in 2010. Here are 10 facts you might not know about our furry companions.