logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2021
40m 20s

The Weirdness of Water, Part 2

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

“I don’t really understand why water has so many properties on different scales ranging from very large and cosmic to very small quantum and quarky - Could you help by zooming in and out on water to explain what is known about it? "Asks Neil Morton in Stirling.

“Why does boiling water sound different to cold water?’ asks Barbara Dyson in Brittany in France

Ollie Gordon, in Christchurch in New Zealand, wants to know ‘why water is essential for all life as we know it?’

And many more questions on the weirdness of water are tackled by super science sleuths Hannah Fry and Adam Rutherford.

With assistance from:

* Quantum physicist Professor Patricia Hunt, at the Victoria University in Wellington in New Zealand

* Science writer and author of ‘H2O – a biography of water’ Philip Ball

* Physicist and bubble expert in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UCL, Dr Helen Czerski.

Producer: Fiona Roberts

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2021.

Up next
Jan 2026
Frosty Fractals
One winter morning, listener Jane opened her curtains to find her car roof covered in breathtaking, fern-like frost so intricate it looked like a William Morris print. But how does something as ordinary as ice create patterns so beautifully complex?Hannah and Dara explore this cr ... Show More
29m 10s
Dec 2025
Mining for Gold (GOLD!)
From pharaohs' tombs in Ancient Egypt and medieval currency, to priceless royal jewellery and Spandau Ballet songs - gold has been prized for millennia. But it's only really in the last century or so that we've started uncovering its usefulness in less decorative applications.Tod ... Show More
27m 51s
Dec 2025
Phantom Pain
What exactly is 'phantom pain' and how does it work? Hannah and Dara investigate a medical phenomenon that's been known about for centuries but is often misunderstood; and involves masses of unanswered questions.The condition 'phantom pain' is when someone gets a sensation of pai ... Show More
28m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
The weirdness of water, Part 2 of 2
“I don’t really understand why water has so many properties on different scales ranging from very large and cosmic to very small quantum and quarky - Could you help by zooming in and out on water to explain what is known about it? Asks Neil Morton in Stirling.“Why does boiling wa ... Show More
27m 23s
Dec 2021
The weirdness of water, Part 1 of 2
“I don’t really understand why water has so many properties on different scales ranging from very large and cosmic to very small quantum and quarky - Could you help by zooming in and out on water to explain what is known about it? Asks Neil Morton in Stirling. Rutherford and Fry ... Show More
27m 24s
Dec 2023
Does hot or cold water freeze faster?
Daniel and Jorge get the chills when they discover how little we know about water.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
44m 9s
Apr 2024
How pure is the water from your tap?
A recent study on how to get rid of microplastics in water sparked presenter Marnie Chesterton’s curiosity. When she turns on the tap in her kitchen each day, what comes out is drinkable, clean water. But where did it come from, and what’s in it? Dr Stewart Husband from Sheffield ... Show More
28m 12s
Nov 2023
Why does water form droplets?
<p><strong>#020 Rebroadcast<br /> </strong></p> <p>This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of water and intermolecular forces. Why does it form into droplets? Why can you fill a glass of water just above the rim and it not spill over? How are some things water proof or wa ... Show More
33m 44s
May 2016
How Can Hot Water Freeze Faster Than Cold Water?
<p>At first, it sounds crazy -- wouldn't hot water take longer to freeze? Weirdly enough, the opposite is sometimes true. Join Christian to learn more about a mystery that's puzzled humanity for centuries in this episode of BrainStuff.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices ... Show More
4m 10s
Jun 2025
Water
Oceans, baths, ponds, and amniotic sacs? In episode 131 of Overthink, David and Ellie take a deep dive into the topic of water as part of their four-part series on the elements. They discuss how all life begins in water, and the conceptual features of water, such as its fluidity ... Show More
53m 33s
Mar 2021
Water
From lakes to oceans, glasses to jugs, Water has taken the world by storm. But how much do you really know these clear, mysterious beverage? Also we solve a listener problem concerning their obnoxious neighbor complaining about their struggle to survive and Tom uses his influence ... Show More
1h 7m
Mar 2023
Origins: How did Earth get its water?
Life as we know it needs water, but scientists can’t figure out where Earth’s water came from. Answering that question is just one piece of an even bigger mystery: “Why are we here?” This is the first episode in our new three-part series, Origins, about the beginnings and boundar ... Show More
26m 4s
Apr 2024
How did Earth get its water?
Life as we know it needs water, but scientists can’t figure out where Earth’s water came from. Answering that question is just one piece of an even bigger mystery: “Why are we here?” (Updated from 2023) For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts For more, go to vox.com/un ... Show More
25m 31s