Moment of Um

Brains On! Universe
  • 3.7 (3)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED DAILY
Moment of Um Podcast

Moment of Um is your daily answer to those questions that pop up out of nowhere and make you go… ummmmmmm. Brought to you by your friends at Brains On at APM Studios.

  1. Why are keyboards in QWERTY order?

    2 DAYS AGO

    Why are keyboards in QWERTY order?

    Have you ever looked at the keyboard on a phone or computer and wondered why the letters are arranged the way they are? The English alphabet starts with A-B-C-D-E, so why do keyboards start with Q-W-E-R-T-Y? We asked historian and museum curator Kristen Gallerneaux to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s just the right type? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help spell out the answer.

    6 min
  2. Why do horses need horseshoes?

    3 DAYS AGO

    Why do horses need horseshoes?

    You don’t see most horses wearing pants, jackets or hats but one thing is for sure - they’re almost always wearing shoes! You know, those u-shaped things attached to their hooves. Why is that? Large animal surgeon Whitney Cutrone helps us find the answer.  Are you saddled with a big equestrian? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll get to the mane issue.

    6 min
  3. What is carbonation?

    4 DAYS AGO

    What is carbonation?

    It’s so satisfying to pour a glass of sparkling water. All those tiny bubbles, popping in rapid succession, creating a soothing fizz. Sparkling drinks are also called carbonated beverages. But what is a carbonated beverage? Where do the bubbles come from? We asked food scientist Adam Johnson to explain. Got a question floating around in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll make sure an answer pops up!

    4 min

  4. 5 DAYS AGO

    Could a popcorn kernel grow into a popcorn plant?

    If you plant certain seeds in the right condition - a plant or tree might grow. But what happens if you plant a popcorn kernel? Will a bowl of popcorn grow right out of the ground? We needed to know, so we asked Phil Fox of Popcornopolis to help us find the answer.  Are you searching for a kernel of truth? Send your question to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and you butter believe we’ll help find the answer.

    4 min
  5. How does the internet work?

    6 DAYS AGO

    How does the internet work?

    The internet has been around since the 1960s, and since then it has become a huge part of our lives. We use it to look up cool facts, send messages, order pizza…and listen to podcasts! But how does the internet actually work? We asked computer scientist Vikram Iyer to help us find the answer. Got a question written in your search bar? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help connect you with the answer!

    5 min
  6. Where does the metal in meteors come from?

    30 AUG

    Where does the metal in meteors come from?

    Outer space is far from empty. There are chunks of space rock zipping around, and occasionally one of them finds its way through our atmosphere to smack into Earth’s surface. There’s usually metal contained within those space rocks…but where does the metal come from? We asked planetary geologist Paul Byrne to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s totally metal?  Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll STARt looking for an answer!

    6 min

  7. 29 AUG

    What are tongues for?

    So there’s this big, bumpy muscle inside of our mouths and we know it’s important and that we have to take great care of it. But what’s it even for? We asked Otolaryngologist Laura Orvidas from the Mayo Clinic to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s got you all tongue tied? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll muscle an answer out of an expert.

    4 min
  8. How does coffee keep you awake?

    28 AUG

    How does coffee keep you awake?

    Coffee is known for giving people energy. In fact, some say they can’t start their day without coffee! It made us wonder why coffee helps us stay awake.  We asked dietician and nutritionist Maria Cruz to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s percolating in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find an answer and spill the beans for you.

    5 min
See All (100)

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Moment of Um is your daily answer to those questions that pop up out of nowhere and make you go… ummmmmmm. Brought to you by your friends at Brains On at APM Studios.

Information

  • Channel
    Brains On! Universe
  • Creator
    American Public Media
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Minnesota Public Radio
  • Show Website
    Moment of Um

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