Episode

Why a helium balloon flies backwards when you hit the brakes

Podcast
Ask the Naked Scientists
Published
Jul 24, 2026
Duration seconds
1529
Processing state
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Canonical source
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/ask-naked-scientists/why-helium-balloon-flies-backwards-when-you-hit-brakes
Audio
https://flex.acast.com/downloads.nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/active/Ask_26.07.24.mp3
JSON
/v1/public/podcasts/ask-the-naked-scientists-420586/episodes/why-a-helium-balloon-flies-backwards-when-you-hit-the-brakes
Markdown
/podcast/ask-the-naked-scientists-420586/why-a-helium-balloon-flies-backwards-when-you-hit-the-brakes.md

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Summary

How can algae microbots deliver drugs for bladder cancer? Why does a helium balloon fly backwards when you hit the brakes in a car? Does the Sun make ash? Will removing your gallbladder affect your cholesterol? Is there a symbiotic relationship between spiders and antelopes? Can cloud seeding affect rainfall? What causes restless legs? Why are global sperm counts dropping? And what holds the universe together? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists