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The Physics of Zero-G Whipped Cream

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the government-spending-at-work dept.

SpaceAdmiral writes "An experiment on the Space Shuttle Columbia has been analyzing your ice cream sundae. Or, rather, it looked at the phenomenon of 'shear thinning,' which explains why whipped cream comes out of the can like a liquid, but sits atop your sundae like a solid. The experiment actually involved shear thinning of xenon, a substance used in ion rocket engines, but whipped cream tastes better." I'm not sure it was cost effective to fly Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass into low earth orbit either, but hey, it's NASA — who am I to judge?

13 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. Coming soon... by carlvlad · · Score: 5, Funny

    2 astronauts, 1 cup...

  2. a long time ago by wingome · · Score: 3, Funny

    Herb Alpert - Whipped Cream - someone is showing their age. Me too I guess.

    1. Re:a long time ago by Adambomb · · Score: 4, Funny

      And for the next experiment....Love Potion #9.

      For sale now on pay per view and direct to home dvd.

      --
      Ice Cream has no bones.
  3. Troll by T-Bone-T · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Just because the effect can be seen in food doesn't mean it shouldn't be studied.

    1. Re:Troll by Feanturi · · Score: 3, Informative

      By measuring how strongly the fluid resisted the movement of this paddle, the experiment could determine the xenon's thickness. CVX-2 searched for changes in this thickness as it slowly changed the speed of the stirring and the temperature of the fluid.

      My guess is that they needed to keep constant freefall for more than just a minute or so at a time.

  4. objectivity please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    > The experiment actually involved shear thinning of xenon, a substance used in ion rocket engines, but whipped cream tastes better.

    let's stay objective and keep personal opinions out of this

  5. Ice Cream Sundae?! by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

    An experiment on the Space Shuttle Columbia has been analyzing your ice cream sundae.
    I'm lactose-intolerant, you insensitive clod!

    1. Re:Ice Cream Sundae?! by ip_vjl · · Score: 3, Funny

      >> low carb

      Not really. Fat is over twice the calories as sugar - removing the sugar would only reduce the calories by about 20-25%.



      I don't think that word means what you think it means.
  6. Re:lactose intolerance? by petes_PoV · · Score: 3, Funny

    so just because you suffer a reaction if you eat something, no-one else in the world is allowed to mention it? Who made you king of the internet

    --
    politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
  7. Not Whipped Cream by John+Hasler · · Score: 3, Insightful

    > ...whipped cream comes out of the can...

    That's "dessert topping" (it may also be a floor wax). Whipped cream does not come in a can.

    --
    Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  8. to properly study this by nguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    To properly study the physics of whipped cream in zero G, I need the Swedish woman's volleyball team as... assistants.

  9. who are you to judge.... by the+brown+guy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    but hey it's NASA, who am I to judge?
    A taxpayer...
    --
    Orbis terrarum est non altus satis
  10. Your application has been accepted by maroberts · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...but due to a translation error, the Volleyball team was replaced by the Russian Womens weightlifting team.

    --

    Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
    Karma: Chameleon