Published: Oct. 7, 2002

Screaming water, rising cakes and cooking without heat are some of the topics to be explored during the CU Wizards show "Chemistry of Cooking" on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 9:30 a.m. in Cristol Chemistry room 140.

University of Colorado at Boulder chemistry and biochemistry Professor David Nesbitt will present the free hour-long show that will explore the science lurking in the refrigerator and on the kitchen stove.

Among other topics, Nesbitt will explore why water makes such funny screaming sounds just before it boils, why cakes rise when you cook them and why bananas smell like bananas. He also will show how to "cook" a scrambled egg without any heat and how to make ice cream without a freezer.

CU Wizards is usually held the third Saturday of each month during the academic year and focuses on astronomy, chemistry and physics. Though intended primarily for students in grades five through nine, the shows are educational and entertaining to people of all ages.

The remaining 2002-03 CU Wizards schedule is:

Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Senior Instructor Janet deGrazia of chemical engineering and Associate Professor Brian Argrow of aerospace engineering sciences, "Go With the Flow."

Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professors Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn of physics, "Lasers and Light."

Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professor Paul Beale of physics, "Heat, Temperature and Absolute Zero."

Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professors Noel Clark and Joe Maclennan of physics, and Professor Dave Walba of chemistry and biochemistry, "Liquid Crystals."

March 15, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Associate Professor Kathy Rowlen of chemistry and biochemistry, "Chemistry of Light."

April 19, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Adjoint Professor James Faller of physics, "The Physics of Music."

May 17, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Assistant Professor Deborah Wuttke of chemistry and biochemistry, "Biochemistry for Kids."

June 14, 9:30 a.m., Fiske Planetarium, Professor Andrew Hamilton of astrophysical and planetary sciences, "Black Holes."

For more information about CU Wizards call (303) 492-4318 or visit the Web site at .