Re: [Phys-l] two questions

["R. McDermott" <rmcder@gmail.com>]

Hexane's a fairly large molecule; perhaps you're getting a 
VanderWaals-dipole interaction?  Seems unlikely, however.  Maybe picking up 
a static charge from sliding against the glass in the buret?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anthony Lapinski" <Anthony_Lapinski@pds.org>
To: <tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu>; <tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu>; 
<phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:46 AM
Subject: [Phys-l] two questions


> A few of my science colleagues were discussing some physics/chemistry
> concepts.
>
> 1. Does anyone know how a Mexican jumping bean works? I believe there is
> an insect larva inside that can jump. How, then, does the bean rise upward
> since the forces are internal (and thus momentum is conserved)?
>
> 2) Water is a polar molecule, and a charged balloon will easily bend a
> stream of water. Hexane is not a polar molecule, and chemistry demo books
> say the stream should NOT bend. But if you put hexane in a buret, a
> charged balloon DOES bend the stream. A charged balloon should attract any
> neutral object, right? Something seems wrong here...
>
> Can anyone assist me with these questions?
>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l