You Can Hear The Difference Between Hot and Cold Water

Summary

In this video, the host introduces a guest presenter, Steve Mould, who reveals an intriguing superpower many people possess: the ability to hear temperature. Steve demonstrates this by pouring hot and cold water from identical jugs into mugs, asking viewers to guess which is which based on sound alone. He explains that the difference in sound is due to changes in water viscosity when heated. This concept, though intuitive from everyday experiences, is fascinating when understood scientifically. Viewers are encouraged to check out Steve's channel for more intriguing content.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The speaker is taking a month off, with guest videos from various YouTube creators.
• 👨‍🔬 Steve Mould, a science presenter, is the first guest to present a video.
• ❓ Steve's video explores a unique concept: the ability to hear temperature.
• 🔊 People can differentiate between hot and cold water just by the sound of it being poured.
• 👁 The screen is blurred in the experiment to avoid any visual cues influencing the guess.
• 💧 The first pour was cold water, and the second pour was hot water.
• ⚗️ The difference in sound is due to water's viscosity, which decreases when it's heated.
• 🍯 This is easier to observe in thicker liquids like honey, where warm honey is more fluid than cold.
• 💡 The sound difference is subtle with water, but it still affects how it splashes and the noise it makes.
• 🧠 People intuitively know this difference from years of experience with hot and cold drinks, even if they aren't consciously aware of it.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video presented by Steve Mould?

The main topic is the ability of humans to distinguish between hot and cold water by the sound it makes when poured.

What experiment does Steve Mould perform in the video?

Steve Mould pours hot and cold water from identical jugs into identical mugs and asks the audience to identify which is which based solely on the sound.

Why does the video screen blur during the experiment?

The screen blurs to prevent viewers from using visual cues to identify which water is hot and which is cold, allowing them to focus only on the sound.

What is the correct answer to the experiment?

The first pour was cold water, and the second pour was hot water.

Why do hot and cold water sound different when poured?

The difference in sound is due to the viscosity of the water. Water's viscosity decreases when heated, affecting the way it splashes and the sound it produces.

How is the change in water viscosity explained in the video?

Steve Mould explains that when water is heated, its viscosity decreases, making it less 'thick.' This is more apparent with substances like honey, which becomes runnier when heated.

Why is this knowledge considered intuitive?

Most people have learned to associate the sound of pouring hot and cold liquids through a lifetime of experience, even if they weren't consciously aware of this ability.

What is an example of another liquid where viscosity changes are more visible?

Honey is given as an example. Warm honey is more runny than cold honey, making the change in viscosity easier to observe compared to water.

What other content does the host recommend on Steve Mould’s channel?

The host recommends Steve Mould's video on a 'self-pouring liquid' as a good place to start.

What can viewers expect in the next video after this one?

The next video will discuss 'the tale of an engineering disaster.'