Episode 5 Brain Freeze

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STUDIO BELL RINGS

Oh, deary me. I wonder where McCork is? It's getting late.

Colin, did you know that scientists in Europe have

invented a plane which runs completely on solar power? How cool!

That's amazing, Doctor.

I wonder what sort of fuel Professor McCork is running on today.

HE MURMURS APPRECIATIVELY

Ten seconds to air, everyone.

Ohhh!

HE BURPS

Oh, excuse me.

-DRAMATIC VOICEOVER:

-This is Brain Freeze.

With Dr Knowles...

Professor McCork...

..and Colin, the floor manager.

Stand by.

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Brain Freeze.

And let's reveal...

Today we're asking...

Ah, do we have to talk about this, Dr Knowles? I hate flying.

It's OK, Professor. Relax.

There are four main factors involved in getting a plane off the ground.

Please tell me none of them is luck.

These are...

Thrust is the force that moves the aeroplane forward.

It is generated by the plane's engines or propellers

and overcomes the drag force present in the air.

Remember, air isn't nothing.

It's a mixture of gases that the plane has to push through.

So, it's like riding a bike in the wind blowing in your face or

-something?

-Something like that, Professor.

Ah, see, I'm not just a pretty face!

But before we take off, a quick word from our sponsors. Stay tuned.

DRAMATIC OUTRO

And we're clear! Are you looking forward to your trip, McCork?

I am indeed. New York city.

The World Hot Dog Eating Championships.

-Months of training finally about to pay off.

-Oh!

It's been so long since I've had a holiday.

The thing is, I've no idea how I'm going to get there. I hate flying.

-Well, they say it's perfectly safe.

-I was thinking maybe I could drive.

CAR HORNS TOOT

Ah, no, strike that. Maybe I could swim?

-Not after eating all those hot dogs, Professor.

-Yeah, true enough.

Here, I could try taking one of them jet skis.

Help! Oh! Help!

Ooooh!

Well, I'm sure you'll figure something out, McCork.

Places please, everybody.

Just in from Frank.

If thrust makes the plane go forward, what makes it go up?

Aeroplane wings are designed in a special way.

They're curved on top and flatter underneath.

The air moving over the curved part of the wings flows faster than

the air at the bottom, creating a difference in pressure

resulting in an upward lift force.

This lift force combines with the forward thrust of the engines to

-overcome the drag force of the air.

-Ah, finally.

But there is one other force at work - gravity.

Gravity is the special force that pulls all of us down

on the Earth's surface.

When the upward lift force created by the wings is greater than

the force of gravity pulling the plane back to Earth,

it's time to fasten those seatbelts!

So, now you know how an aeroplane flies.

Lift has to overcome gravity and thrust has to overcome drag.

And I have to overcome fear.

That's all for today's show. See you next time.

DRAMATIC OUTRO

And we're clear. Phew! Great show, guys.

Maybe I could ride a whale over or jump on a dolphin's back or

-maybe I could get a TARDIS like yer man, Doctor Who.

-Oh, look at this.

-Cheapskate Airways. Flights to New York for 25.

-Ah, that's magic.

-Book me in, so, Doctor.

-But, wait.

-I thought you were afraid of flying?

-Well, a bargain's a bargain, Colin.

Oh, McCork!