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[The Science of Bathrooms: From Space Diapers to Floating Ink]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - How To Train Your Potty (Encore - 4/8/22)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2022-04-08

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Exploring the Science Behind Bathroom Wonders

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz take listeners on a whimsical yet educational journey centered around the science of bathrooms. Through their signature game show, "Two Whats and a Wow," the duo explores fascinating facts about human hygiene, space exploration, and basic chemistry, while also promoting upcoming show milestones.

The "Two Whats and a Wow" Challenge

To engage their audience, Mindy and Guy Raz presented three statements about bathrooms, challenging listeners to identify the single "true wow." The options were:

  1. The world’s most expensive toilet is in Hong Kong, valued at $5 million.
  2. Astronauts wear special diapers during spacewalks because they cannot access traditional toilets.
  3. The average person spends 50 days of their lifetime in the bathroom.

With the help of a young caller named Wyatt, the hosts revealed that Option B was the correct answer. They explained that these "space diapers," technically known as the Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG), are essential for astronauts who spend extended periods in spacesuits. The secret to their functionality is a molecule called sodium polyacrylate, which is capable of absorbing up to 1,000 times its mass in water.

Debunking Myths and High-Tech Toilets

During the reveal, the hosts clarified the other two statements. They debunked the myth about the $5 million Hong Kong toilet, noting that the most expensive toilet is actually the one developed for the International Space Station, which cost approximately $23 million to design. This high-tech model is 65% smaller and 40% lighter than previous versions, featuring fully automatic capabilities. Regarding the time spent in the bathroom, they cited a study suggesting that the average adult spends about 1 hour and 42 minutes per week on the toilet, which extrapolates to roughly 92 days over a lifetime.

Scientific Experiment: Operation Ink Down the Sink

The episode concluded with a hands-on experiment called "Operation Ink Down the Sink." Listeners were encouraged to use a dry erase marker to write on a dry ceramic sink. Upon turning on the water, the ink floats away. Mindy explained that this occurs because dry erase ink is insoluble—it does not dissolve in water. Furthermore, because the molecules in the ink are less tightly packed than those in water, the ink remains buoyant, allowing it to float rather than rinse away instantly.

Upcoming Milestones and Promotional Highlights

Interspersed with the scientific content, the hosts shared several exciting updates for their "Wowzer" fans:

  • 250th Episode Celebration: The show is approaching its 250th episode, which will be a "musical" special. Members of the World Organization of Wowzers are invited to an early listening party on November 22nd.
  • Special Guests: The show teased upcoming appearances by characters from Circle Round, Terrestrials, and Elmo from Sesame Street.
  • Partnerships: The segment also highlighted a partnership with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, offering listeners a discount on admission to explore real space hardware like the Falcon 9 booster and the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Through this blend of humor, listener participation, and scientific inquiry, Wow in the World continues to make complex topics accessible and entertaining for children and adults alike.

🎯Key Sentences

1
But for now, let's get on with the show.
2
All right, now we're going to take things up a notch.
3
I have to say I'm a little confused.
4
I see.
5
Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
take things up a notch
3
come face-to-face with
4
core memory in the making
5
never mind
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📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

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