© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Kitchen Science: We Used Peeps To Calculate The Speed Of Light

In the week after Easter, we had a lot of old Peeps lying around. No one seemed that interested in eating them, so we used them to measure the speed of light.

For centuries the speed of light was an enduring, infuriating mystery. Philosophers, physicists and astronomers from Galileo on down studied flickering lanterns, spinning mirrors and distant moons, trying to figure out just how fast light travels. But today you don't have to go through all that rigmarole. You can find the speed of light in the comfort of your own kitchen.

All you'll need is a microwave, a ruler and something that melts: chocolate, marshmallows or ... stale Peeps.

In Skunk Bear's latest video*, you can see just how it's done. Plus, you'll get to watch scenes from the history of the speed of light acted out by Peep puppets. Er, Peeppets?

*Innumerable Peeps were harmed in the making of this video.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content