Hang A Spoon On Your Nose: Dinner Table Science

Here’s What You Need:

• A spoon (metal or plastic)
• A nose

Here’s What You Do:

Hold the spoon in your hand with the bowl up and the handle down. Place the bowl of the spoon on the end of your nose. The handle should rest against your chin or lips. Gently begin to rub the spoon downward against your nose. Exert a slight pressure as you rub. Eventually, you will feel the spoon begin to stick to your nose. Slowly and gently, let go of the spoon. The spoon should hang freely on your nose. Note: You won’t be able to take a bow, so just soak in the applause and gasps of amazement from your audience.

For this method, you don’t need to put anything on the spoon. When you are doing it correctly, you won’t even need to hold your head back. Some Spoon-nosers (as they are known in the professional community) like to prep the spoon by breathing on the bowl of the spoon or licking it. This creates a little moisture on the spoon and helps it stick to your nose. It may take a little practice, but if you are patient, you will get the…hang of it (ba-dump-bump)!

The Science Behind the Hanging Spoon:

There are a number of reasons that this works. Adhesion is the number one factor. When two different substances stick to each other, we call it adhesion, as in adhesive tape. Because of adhesion, the metal of the spoon sticks to your skin.

Adhesion, however, isn’t the only thing involved. The shape of the spoon also helps. Your nose fits very neatly into the curve of the bowl. The Earth’s gravity pulls the bowl downward. This presses the spoon against your nose and helps with adhesion. The heavier the spoon, the more it presses against your nose.

So there you have it. A little adhesion, a little gravity, and the shape of the spoon working together to bring a little science to the Thanksgiving feast! Pass the Meleagris gallopavo, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!