Mobile phones emit microwave radiation. But can cell phone radiation turn corn kernels into popcorn? This issue led to the proliferation of videos on Youtube with the attempted demo.
The experience is simple: a few grains of corn are placed surrounded by three or four mobile phones, arranged on a table. Then, simultaneous calls are made to mobile phones which, shortly after they start ringing, cause the corn kernels to turn into popcorn.
So, it seems to be proven that radiations are so intense that they are capable of altering the structure of corn. And if they have that effect on cereals, which they can't do to our brains, some might think. However, the truth is that mobile phones do not have this capability, it is physically impossible.
The explanation for what you see can go through an assembly process or a heating source under the table, as professor Carlos Fiolhais and researcher David Marçal explain.
These scientists are the authors of the recently published book “Mobile Popcorn and Other Fake Science Stories”. The radiation emitted by mobile phones is weak, if they had the effect suggested in the video, the communication instrument would heat up so much that it could not be manipulated. But in science there is nothing like experimenting. Use as many mobile phones as you like and the result will always be the same: corn will remain corn.
Faced with the most unusual stories that circulate on the internet, it is necessary to analyze them with a critical sense, especially those related to science. However, current scientific knowledge has advanced so much and so quickly that it is difficult to discern what is science and what is false science, and this book fills that gap.
In addition to the history of mobile phones, we can also find evidence of false science in advertising for probiotic foods like some yoghurts; in current debates such as climate change; regarding health care such as quantum cures; between others.
Perhaps the reason for the publication of this book was an exercise in citizenship, to contribute to a more informed population. As David Marçal stated in a lecture, in Nazaré, where he spoke about his book: “Pseudoscience and scams already have too much airtime. It is time to give voice to science, reason and skepticism”.
Reference:
David Marçal & Carlos Fiolhais, “Popcorns with Cell Phones and other stories of false science”, Gradiva Publications, Lisbon, 2012
Author João Monteiro
Science in the Regional Press – Ciência Viva
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