Fibre hop ticks? Out walkng in October, I noticed a sheen on the surface of a newly ploughed and harrowed field. It was caused by a multitude of transversely aligned fibres which were extending towards the setting Sun, catching its light. I would estimate the density of the fibres to be between 18 and 36 strands per metre. There was a network of these strands across the entire field 鈥� perhaps thousands of miles of such fibres. What creature had survived the ploughing and harrowing to produce these, and what purpose could they serve at a time of year when there are so few airborne insects.
Frying problem: When I view the surface of cooking oil in a pan by reflected light, a pattern of honeycomb-like shapes appears as the pan is heated by a gas flame. The unit size of the pattern is smallest where the oil is thinnest. Why is this?
Driving range: When running very low on petrol while driving on a motorway, what speed and gear would generally give the best mileage per gallon in order for you to reach the nearest service stations?
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The dating game: If I was transported in a time machine to an unknown date in Australian history that preceded any European contact on that continent, what would be the best way to determine the date?