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Retrospectacle: A Neuroscience Blog

The trials, tribulations, and joys of a Neuroscience gradute student writing her thesis in the postmodern, post-Y2K world.

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me%20and%20pep.jpg Shelley Batts is a Neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. She studies hair cell regeneration in the cochlea, and is just embarking on that quixotic quest called 'thesis.' She lies awake at night pondering how science intersects with politics, culture, policy, money, medicine, and religion in an attempt to be more than just a niche scientist sitting in the oh-so-lovely ivory tower. Follow me and my parrot on the quest to get funded, get a PhD, and stay sane.
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« LOLDualists | Main | Shelley Needs Help! »

The Invisible Water Trick

Category: YouTube Obsessions
Posted on: October 6, 2007 9:11 AM, by Shelley Batts

Here's a neat trick demonstrating the density of sulfur hexafluoride--its more dense than the surrounding air, so the tin foil boat floats. Jay Leno tried the trick out and started drinking the gas, which has the opposite effect on the tone of your voice as helium does. Hilarity ensues.


Jay Leno Inhales - Anti-helium... Hilarious - For more funny movies, click here

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Comments

1

There's a good video of Jay Leno trying this here. They also inhale the gas to lower their voices, a must if you have a big aquarium of the stuff in front of you! Makes me laugh every time I watch.

Posted by: Moe | October 6, 2007 10:04 AM

2

Moe, that was hilarious! I think I'll add that to my original post.

Posted by: Shelley Batts | October 6, 2007 10:33 AM

3

The "lab coat with cuffs folded up over the sleeves" look is almost enough to me wish I weren't a theorist.

Posted by: Casey | October 6, 2007 5:35 PM

4

I want some. Where can I find this stuff?

Posted by: Charlie (Colorado) | October 7, 2007 6:58 PM

5

Obligatory Nanny Post

Sulfur hexafluoride might not be toxic, but oxygen deprivation is. Don't inhale SH6 to the point where you don't have enough oxygen, make sure someone else is around to pull your carcass out of the gas tank if you do, and make sure the room has adequate ventilation.

Posted by: Tegumai Bopsulai, FCD | October 8, 2007 3:05 PM

6

I second the oxygen deprivation post. I passed out at a birthday party as a child inhaling helium ballons. No oxygen to the brain equals nappy time.

Posted by: BeenThere | October 9, 2007 10:32 AM

7

Yes I did mean SF6 and not SH6. Thank you for pretending not to notice.

Posted by: Tegumai Bopsulai, FCD | October 9, 2007 12:21 PM

8

sadly this poses yet another thing that idiot frat boys will try and someone will get seriously hurt from

Posted by: doug m | October 9, 2007 4:23 PM

9

Funniest example of this I've seen. Mad scientists, LOL!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjCmwuGKR6g

Posted by: chris f | February 11, 2008 1:37 PM

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