The curious "what if" questions about the body, the planet and physics, answered with real numbers.
About 90% of people struck by lightning survive — but the strike can stop the heart in an instant and leave nerve damage that lasts for years. Here is what happens to the body, second by second, and how to help someone who has been hit.
Swallowed gum does not stay in your stomach for seven years. Your body can't digest the gum base, but it moves through and out like other indigestible things. Here's what actually happens — and the rare cases where it can be a problem.
Drop dry ice into water and you get a thick, rolling fog — the classic Halloween effect. Here's the science behind it, how long it lasts, and the three safety rules that keep it fun instead of dangerous.
