While discussing Newton’s laws in my Physical Science class, I mentioned a factoid from Mary Roach’s book, Packing for Mars, that you cannot launch yourself around the ISS with farts. Apparently many astronauts have tried.
(Gross facts are a wonderful way to keep high schoolers’ attention.)
So, a few days ago, student asked if you could launch yourself by pee. As he came into the classroom today, I handed him this whiteboard. I warned him that the biggest problem with asking a scientist a question is that you might get an answer.
(Also, I’m sure someone can check my math on this.)