Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The smallest particle, which everything is made out of, is called a(n) ........

How can I pretend to help my 13 year old student with his science homework when thousands of feet below us are highly educated genii locked up in their man-made caverns desperately striving for this very answer?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The smallest particle, which everything is made out of, is called a(n)

Smartie.

Anonymous said...

The smallest particle, which everything is made out of, is to be found in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Just offer the kid one.

Kat(i)e said...

Ingredients [smarties] include: dextrose (may contain corn syrup solids and/or maltodextrin), citric acid, calcium stearate, artificial flavors, colors.

Anonymous said...

All of which are made of smaller Smarties.

Kat(i)e said...

Ever decreasing self-similar particles perpetuating to infinity eh?

Well, easier to grasp than most theories and the fractal pattern in Romanescos would certainly make a good supporting example. Smarties may well be THE answer. Quick, tell Erkki...

Anonymous said...

PreCISEly. Got a bit lost and had to be rescued by wikipedia when we turned left into romanescos (I wonder if they'd make a good ocarina?) but basically that's what the kid should put.