> recherche-refl > the-paraffin-paradox

Paraffin Paradox

FlinnScientific - 2012-12-17

Why is the wax block white on top and dark on the bottom?

This video is part of the Flinn Scientific Best Practices for Teaching Chemistry Video Series, a collection of over 125 hours of free professional development training for chemistry teachers - http://elearning.flinnsci.com 

ATTENTION: This demonstration is intended for and should only be performed by certified science instructors in a safe laboratory/classroom setting. 

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Akicita A. - 2016-12-13

It's good that he's wearing those safety goggles. Blocks of paraffin have been known to go for the eyes.

s6th - 2017-10-10

I acknowledge that this is a joke, but if the paraffin is of cheap manufacture it may have air bubbles large enough to cause wax bubbles to leap from the pan during sealing.

ice cream - 2018-10-10

@s6th that was such a respectful way to present your thoughts. wow

Jon Goldney - 2017-07-25

Paraffin 'puzzle' might have been a better description rather than a 'paradox'. That would have saved about a million superfluous posts.

Mark Martin - 2018-06-14

Server 7C8,
A paradox isn't a surprise result. A paradox is a self-contradictory output from true inputs to a seemingly sound logical argument.

Luke Bossio - 2018-06-22

No it's definitely a paradox

Mark Martin - 2018-06-23

Lucas Bossio,
How so?

Aaron Lowe - 2018-10-13

All a paradox is is a seemingly contradictory logical statement in the mind. It doesn't have to be complex. The mystery is why Youtubers can't understand what a paradox is.

Michael Costa - 2018-11-07

The Paraffin Observation?

MisterCyanide - 2017-09-10

This may or may not be a paradox, but it certainly is a parablocks.

Super Spritemask - 2018-03-21

How many kids do you have. Because that's like a level 9000 dad joke

Creepyslacker boy - 2018-03-26

MisterCyanide pair of blocks*

FTFY

BrokenChair17 - 2018-05-20

insert Seinfield theme

UrMoNdAyMoRiNiN - 2018-07-12

MisterCyanide lol dude shut your soup cooler!

Aaron Lowe - 2018-10-13

All a paradox is is a seemingly contradictory logical statement in the mind. It doesn't have to be complex. The mystery is why Youtubers can't understand what a paradox is.

PublicFreakout - 2017-08-29

It's white
That's a nice observation

Mike Trieu - 2017-11-22

And then it becomes a question of how thin and how flat can you physically make it. There's an entire industry that grew around thin-film metallurgy. Amazing, indeed.

Trollex dudu - 2017-12-22

its white on top and black on bottom , woahh dude thats racist LUL

Szabó Boldizsár - 2018-02-18

Genius!

Curious Entity - 2019-03-08

ACKSHUALLY!
being white and transparent is strange; like how can light be reflected but also passing through the material?

Matthew Hays - 2020-01-28

@Curious Entity i can't tell if you're joking...

The Other Emily - 2017-02-19

apparently the paradox is that there is no paradox...

Aaron Lowe - 2018-10-13

All a paradox is is a seemingly contradictory logical statement in the mind. It doesn't have to be complex. The mystery is why Youtubers can't understand what a paradox is.

Godfrey Poon - 2016-12-13

"It's cheap."
"Why?"
"Because you have one."

bigoldkid - 2017-08-23

Ok, who used the "egg scrambler" on the language center of Aeolwn's brain?!!

Travel Long - 2017-08-25

Godfrey Poon x

Maciej Pinoczek - 2017-08-27

Godfrey Poon 666th like o_O

Darren Kosick - 2017-09-28

Oooohhhhhhh Maaaaaannnnnn!

Awesomeness5686 Roblox - 2017-12-28

LOL. and a bunch of nerds replied to your comment not getting the joke

Ensina Aí - 2017-09-20

this man sounds like google voice

BassFreak - 2017-11-22

nope , not even close

Myndale - 2018-01-04

Lol, funny coincidence. You know that Android widget that activates when you say "OK Google"? That just activated a few minutes ago on my phone when he said something that started with the word "ok".

Mr M - 2017-08-26

Some students may say, "sir, I need to go to the toilet!"

Cam Good - 2018-01-22

MMMKAY? MMMKAY...

kimoshwaby - 2018-02-06

Cam Good yeah kenny

tabaks - 2018-02-23

Cam Good, hold on to your day job.

bertjesklotepino - 2018-05-06

MMMKAY!!!!



But, very interesting, this complete waste of time.

PrimeBeefer - 2017-08-16

That's great and all but how is this a paradox?

m X - 2018-04-23

Pinocchio ain't eaven a relavant object in spacetime now come on guys - it's illusional to argue in that context this is basics just to spark us a little - light is emitted from above and the paraffin is halfway sharing it because it has to be a block as a whole so that photons can spread - the metaphoric use of paradox is used to make it a phenomenon to the one who observers first time

Mistur Fixit - 2018-04-24

Yep, it's a logical universe. See above. Nothing in spacetime so far defies reason, so all paradoxes must be either solvable or fictional. If the above experiment doesn't qualify, I'd love to see what a "real" unsolveable paradox looks like.

sneakybill45 - 2018-04-28

Mistur Fixit but if he doesn't know if he is lying, then we would know that his nose only grows when he knows he is lying. So if he doesn't know he is lying his nose won't grow

Jeno Abada - 2018-08-09

@Jonas DekimpePinocchio isnt lying when he just says his nose will grow. He didnt specify the moment when it will grow.

What if he meant to say "Drink, that I did not" but stopped at "Drink, that i did" because somebody ripped his jaw off or something would it count as lying? Is it the thought that counts? What if pinocchio did not know the truth and just said things that were untrue but he thought were true?

Anyway parodoxes involving hypotheticals are just that, hypothetical. But it could be done by just letting pinocchio do the things and observe the phenomena, record the observation. No more paradox.

Aaron Lowe - 2018-10-13

All a paradox is is a seemingly contradictory logical statement in the mind. It doesn't have to be complex. The mystery is why Youtubers can't understand what a paradox is.

Cam Good - 2018-01-22

He's even wearing a green shirt like Mr. Mackey lol..

DanielVidz - 2017-01-30

9:00 It's my hypothesis that he has no legs.

anthony romano - 2017-11-20

Actually quantum physics says that you are correct, his legs both exist and do not exist simultaneously within the same space. It is not until they are observed that a conclusion can be reached.

David Ball - 2018-01-14

And according to statistics, he has less than 2 legs.

Sir Meliodas - 2018-03-21

haha your right

Sizzlin - 2018-04-02

He is speaking to fake audience or dead audience.

Nino Jibr - 2018-05-05

MMMKAY!

Kevin Myerson - 2017-09-04

I appreciate your efforts to explain teaching the scientific method, not just to the teachers you are talking to, but putting it on youtube to educate people who, may not be in a first world science class, or may be underprivileged. You are doing good work helping all of mankind.

uti cerebrum - 2017-09-25

Puzzle, not paradox. Don't try and fool an English teacher!

Stephen - 2018-03-28

Stinger01 or...or...the lack of light makes the bottom one darker .

Charles Fisher - 2018-04-13

is an English teacher
says, “try and,” instead of, “try to”

Luke Bossio - 2018-06-22

It's a paradox.

Aaron Lowe - 2018-10-13

All a paradox is is a seemingly contradictory logical statement in the mind. It doesn't have to be complex. The mystery is why Youtubers can't understand what a paradox is.

Bismuth LD - 2016-12-11

This man is a good teacher, he makes you think about what your doing instead of explaining what your doing

Matt New - 2017-08-11

you're*

6o4vincenz - 2017-08-11

Bismuth LD you're* you're*

SAMSMILE4 - 2017-08-11

Bismuth LD he also wastes time explaining terms YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW BY YEAR 9

SAMSMILE4 - 2017-08-11

tubeist- dan you don't end sentences with menstruation

Dakor jparie - 2017-08-13

its internet. people can be 8 if they want.

0x eac7 - 2017-10-28

now lets learn about the methamphetamin paradox

Zu - 2017-12-15

The paradox is the perceived difference in color, and the colors remaining the same on the top and bottom, even when flipped.

(The paradox spoiler)
We were not supposed to see the blocks being prepared.

We are not supposed to know that there is a piece of foil in between them.

This video appears to be made for other instructors as a demonstration on how to teach the scientific method.

So Imagine not knowing why the blocks change color.
THAT would be a paradox.

Axis - 2018-04-23

RIIIIIGht MIND = BLOWN I dont get how peeps can't understand this fact??? lmaooo

ColdPotato - 2017-09-14

They just threw the word "paradox" in there to make it more clickbait-y. Either that or the person who uploaded this honestly doesn't understand what a paradox is.

Turtle God - 2017-11-09

maybe that's just the name of it, rather than the video creator's fault

Mistur Fixit - 2018-02-07

Seems pretty obvious they wanted it to alliterate with "paraffin". Anyway, 'a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.' is a good enough definition for Oxford. It seems contradictory that rotating the block wouldn't cause the colors to also rotate. But you're right, they shoulda called it something stupid like "paraffin mystery" to save you the trouble of broadening your understanding of words.

Fuyuno Hinotori - 2017-08-05

i accidentally watched this whole thing. and i felt unwittingly calm afterwards. and then i accidentally liked and subscribed.

Behelith - 2017-03-09

Now I remember why I felt school was such a waste of my time.

David Mansilla - 2017-08-08

He sounds like he wants to see the manager

Zen - 2017-08-08

"ON EDGE"

Abstrak - 2017-08-07

2:38 "just like in society"

K.D.P. Ross - 2016-12-11

So, this is a fantastic instructional puzzle, but there's no paradox.

Marek S - 2017-10-31

no, it isn't is just alluminum sheetthat blocking light to penetrate 2nd half of block... is like sun visor in ur car, the light won't pass trough, what paradox is it?

UrMoNdAyMoRiNiN - 2018-07-12

1Howdy1 it does not fit the definition of paradox. You are thinking incorrectly my friend.

Aaron Lowe - 2018-10-13

All a paradox is is a seemingly contradictory logical statement in the mind. It doesn't have to be complex. The mystery is why Youtubers can't understand what a paradox is.

WW2warhero 18 - 2019-02-04

@Mark Westbrook I was thinking the same thing

Jan Velasquez Christensen - 2018-06-11

"Is there something specific you would like me to do with the flashlight?"
I think that sentence might be "problematic" with a class of 12 year olds. LOL

Doujangul Misao - 2019-12-23

I watched from the beginning to the end. I'm proud I'm sincere 😂😂😂

Denver James Duran - 2017-08-09

Your video is great! I am a teacher of science and I have learned something from it :) thumbs up :)

dan the man - 2017-11-02

I must admit this had me stumped when he first introduced me to it.

chicken stripper - 2019-10-20

If my professor tried to use this as a valid lesson I’d ask for my tuition to be refunded in full

DanielVidz - 2017-01-30

9:00 It's my hypothesis that he has no legs.

Swol Horse - 2017-08-13

"and the Cut Is GOOOOD!"

jab me - 2019-03-22

he sounds like he's partly impersonating mickey mouse

Dale Munson - 2016-12-11

I dunno why this was in my recommended feed, but it was very calming to watch.

NH3 - 2017-08-07

true

Charlie Cooper - 2017-08-07

same man

Jacob Standring - 2017-08-08

Ditto!

Jamescaykem Nguyen - 2017-08-08

me too

Scared Crow - 2017-08-08

If you think its calming it might be some ASMR type of response.

EggRollGames - 2019-02-02

My hypothesis was that the foil reflected the light that’s why it was always lit on top

AntiZer0 - 2017-01-29

remember when we were missing an entire row of elements, time flies

Fred Heigl - 2017-11-19

Awesome safety glasses! I need a pair of those when I'm playing poker.

F Mills - 2019-09-08

3:30 Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

RingtailCafe - 2016-12-13

This gentleman is clearly an excellent teacher. He doesn't simply tell the students the process, he's engaging their mind and making them think through the process. He could simply say "look at it from all angles" but instead is setting up the scenario in which to make them want to observe it from all angles. Training the mind to think that way, rather than simply giving a set of instructions to be followed.

Fred S - 2017-09-02

you are right to a certain degree, I can't be unbiased in my observation, but I lived in both Worlds and I love living in both East Asia(Taiwan, Japan...) and New Zealand... but I do agree with you that I may be biased, it's hard not to separate this particular opinion with personal experience~

Bob Treduis - 2017-09-29

RingtailCafe teachers like this always made me ill. I don't like this method. Give me a textbook and leave me alone thanks.

Jakob - 2017-10-12

this teacher is heavy and I think a lot has to do with the age..if this is headed at 10 year old, fair enough you doing it to this babling'point, but any other then that, would zzzzz for this guy constant chase to hear his own voice and putting a paradox on this, is clickbaiting'humping it all like there is no tommorrow.. not my cup of tea.

David Lessard - 2017-10-31

Yeh he's like my dad. 72 now, been a scientist for over 45 years and still going strong.

the night hAunter f88k the 1%!! PRIVACY OR gen8cide - 2017-11-08

yeah!!400 likes!!for this comment.

iamMarkPrice - 2017-02-20

I love this practical demonstration, thank you so much for sharing it.

i-RoLeX- - 2018-05-17

Everytime he says „Aluminum“ i die a little inside

Jeb Bradwell - 2017-02-02

THIS IS PERFECT! The world's best teaching comes from situations like this :) I love this! So much!!!

Dark Horse Woodworking - 2017-08-18

Observation: It's magic. Done! 4:17

buddyzee - 2017-01-25

came here for a paradox, left disappointed

Azriel Ackerman - 2017-10-23

But there is a paradox. It's the paradox of certainty. What you observe may sometimes be false, although evidence of its falsity cannot be proven.

I'm a Gaming Dragon - 2017-10-27

I did too but I noticed there's a sentence that is a gem out of context

Why isn't the black on top
(WHITE SUPREMACY!!!)
(i am not a white supremacist)

ACryingFan - 2017-11-05

same haha

the night hAunter f88k the 1%!! PRIVACY OR gen8cide - 2017-11-08

I know right?

Brandon Myrick - 2017-08-04

3:57 seconds before tragedy

iDel iQuant - 2018-02-17

omg i predicted what was going to happend xD

Spooks - 2018-01-11

This mans voice is amazing

nohabs15 - 2018-01-11

Oh dear. I watched this third grade video now I'll be getting "FlinnScientific" forever

paddymills12345 - 2016-12-12

I came for a paradox

tjbtech - 2017-08-08

I came for the paraffin.

tjbtech - 2017-08-08

And I mean that literally.

Farouq Arab - 2017-08-09

I came

Falcrist - 2017-08-09

The behavior of light in the block is a paradox, even if you can explain it when you have more information.

par·a·dox
noun
a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
» a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory.
» a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.

Christian McNally - 2017-11-04

This is amazing, you actually teach kids science

Ke Tal Games - 2018-01-11

I didnt noticed he placed the aluminium between, so i was part of the class :'D