Oil, Oil, Toil and Trouble...

[Miles]

Okay, I think I understand. Being a visual person, I like to see how things are done. Is there anyway I can recreate what is happening in the Gulf using common household items? Perhaps a balloon full of cooking oil in a bowl of water, then prick the balloon to watch the oil trickle/gush out.

I'm not sure you want to recreate the oil spill in your house. Just think of the mess. ;)

[TillyGalore]

Okay, I think I understand. Being a visual person, I like to see how things are done. Is there anyway I can recreate what is happening in the Gulf using common household items? Perhaps a balloon full of cooking oil in a bowl of water, then prick the balloon to watch the oil trickle/gush out.

I'm not sure you want to recreate the oil spill in your house. Just think of the mess. ;)

I was thinking of something on a MUCH SMALLER scale, or should that read MUCH SMALLER scale.

[DukeUsul]

Tilly that sounds like a very good idea. Then get some mud and try to fill up the hole to get it to stop. Don't forget to get some rubber duckies from your tub and put them in the water. Have some Dawn dish detergent standing by to clean off the poor duckies!

[TillyGalore]

Tilly that sounds like a very good idea. Then get some mud and try to fill up the hole to get it to stop. Don't forget to get some rubber duckies from your tub and put them in the water. Have some Dawn dish detergent standing by to clean off the poor duckies!

I don't have any duckies. But I do have Dawn dish detergent in case my kitchen turns into the Gulf of Mexico and I need to clean the kitties and dog.

[Miles]

Tilly that sounds like a very good idea. Then get some mud and try to fill up the hole to get it to stop. Don't forget to get some rubber duckies from your tub and put them in the water. Have some Dawn dish detergent standing by to clean off the poor duckies!

Take it up a notch. Start the mess, then find out a way to make crap loads of money while you're doing it. Then, take a cruise and think about ways to solve the problem

[TillyGalore]

Tilly that sounds like a very good idea. Then get some mud and try to fill up the hole to get it to stop. Don't forget to get some rubber duckies from your tub and put them in the water. Have some Dawn dish detergent standing by to clean off the poor duckies!

Take it up a notch. Start the mess, then find out a way to make crap loads of money while you're doing it. Then, take a cruise and think about ways to solve the problem

Are you guys mocking me?

[DukeUsul]

No. Actually, I think trying to replicate the situation is very cool. In another life I want to be a physics teacher and your idea is a fantastic way to teach this concept.

[DukeUsul]

Believe me, I think physics is awesome and everyone needs to know about it. I've already taught Katie what gravity is all about.

[TillyGalore]

No. Actually, I think trying to replicate the situation is very cool. In another life I want to be a physics teacher and your idea is a fantastic way to teach this concept.

Miles definitely was. Don't worry Miles, God will get you. ;) ;)

DukeUsul, I'll let you know how the experiment goes.

[TillyGalore]

Ooo, just had a thought. I can use rubber gloves from work instead of a balloon.

[Miles]

No. Actually, I think trying to replicate the situation is very cool. In another life I want to be a physics teacher and your idea is a fantastic way to teach this concept.

Miles definitely was. Don't worry Miles, God will get you. ;) ;)

DukeUsul, I'll let you know how the experiment goes.

I was most certainly not mocking you! I was mocking BP officials. DU is right. Physics is very cool and I hope your experiment goes off without a hitch. Record video!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Okay, I think I understand. Being a visual person, I like to see how things are done. Is there anyway I can recreate what is happening in the Gulf using common household items? Perhaps a balloon full of cooking oil in a bowl of water, then prick the balloon to watch the oil trickle/gush out.

You'd have to squeeze the balloon to get the pressure up. Perhaps just a squeeze bottle of shampoo (rather than an oil filled balloon) so you don't create a mess YOU have to clean up.

[ArkieDukie]

Tilly, that sounds like a cool experiment! Can't wait to hear how it goes.

A question for the physicists/engineers in the crowd: would the experiment be even better if she put salt in the water to approximate the salinity of the ocean? I don't know off hand if the salinity of the ocean is high enough to impact its density. Anyone, anyone? Google?
http://tinyurl.com/2benbdq
(BTW, I'm making fun of myself in the link above. If I asked the question about density at work, one of my colleagues would've responded with the link that I posted.)

[TillyGalore]

No. Actually, I think trying to replicate the situation is very cool. In another life I want to be a physics teacher and your idea is a fantastic way to teach this concept.

Miles definitely was. Don't worry Miles, God will get you. ;) ;)

DukeUsul, I'll let you know how the experiment goes.

I was most certainly not mocking you! I was mocking BP officials. DU is right. Physics is very cool and I hope your experiment goes off without a hitch. Record video!

My apologies, Miles.

Here's what I think I'm going to do. Use food coloring to color the cooking oil. Using a funnel, fill a small balloon with the colored cooking oil and tie it off. I could fill my sink full of water as it's porcelain, thus white, or I can take my biggest bowl, fill it with water and submerge the balloon. After about 5 mins, giving things time to settle, I'll reach in a poke the balloon with a pin.

Any other thoughts suggestion?

Yes, Miles, there will be a video. Should I find nerdy glasses to wear during the experiment? Oh wait, I have some.

[ArkieDukie]

My apologies, Miles.

Here's what I think I'm going to do. Use food coloring to color the cooking oil. Using a funnel, fill a small balloon with the colored cooking oil and tie it off. I could fill my sink full of water as it's porcelain, thus white, or I can take my biggest bowl, fill it with water and submerge the balloon. After about 5 mins, giving things time to settle, I'll reach in a poke the balloon with a pin.

Any other thoughts suggestion?

Yes, Miles, there will be a video. Should I find nerdy glasses to wear during the experiment? Oh wait, I have some.

Can't wait to see the video, Tilly! My only suggestion would be to make the water as cold as possible.

[devildeac]

And then Miles will come in and destroy your house/garage...

[Miles]

And then Miles will come in and destroy your house/garage...

I don't destroy houses or garages, only peoples' feelings. Get it right. ;)

[TillyGalore]

My apologies, Miles.

Here's what I think I'm going to do. Use food coloring to color the cooking oil. Using a funnel, fill a small balloon with the colored cooking oil and tie it off. I could fill my sink full of water as it's porcelain, thus white, or I can take my biggest bowl, fill it with water and submerge the balloon. After about 5 mins, giving things time to settle, I'll reach in a poke the balloon with a pin.

Any other thoughts suggestion?

Yes, Miles, there will be a video. Should I find nerdy glasses to wear during the experiment? Oh wait, I have some.

Can't wait to see the video, Tilly! My only suggestion would be to make the water as cold as possible.

Should I put the bowl of water in the refrigerator overnight?

[CameronBornAndBred]

BP sucks. I'm sure all oil companies suck, but BP has the done the best job ever of giving the finger to as many people possible.

[devildeac]

And then Miles will come in and destroy your house/garage...

I don't destroy houses or garages, only peoples' feelings. Get it right. ;)

What was that video you made of a small model structure being destroyed? My memory is failing. Serious question. Sort of. Still one of the funnier damn things I remember seeing here.