Brain Teasers
The Breakfast Challenge
Science
Science brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.Science
You are enjoying your breakfast after having put some salt on your scrambled eggs when your nerdy brother presents you with an ice cube floating in a glass of water and a short length of string. He challenges you to remove the ice cube from the glass using the string without tying any knots. What strategy do you use to remove the ice cube from the water glass?
Hint
You can use other elements that are at your disposal besides the string.Answer
Take the string and soak it in the water. Let the string rest across the ice cube. Reach across the table and get the salt that you used on your eggs; pour the salt over the string and the ice cube. The salt causes the ice to melt. However, when you stop pouring the salt, the water that formed on the top of the cube will refreeze with the string embedded in it. Now you can lift the ice cube with the string.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
very nice. I had everything but the salt part
I KNEW IT HAD TO DO SOMETHIN WIT THE SALT
You could always hold the string taut and knock over the glass, but that's not very scientific. Good teaser!
That was kinda easy since I love doing that. I knocked over my salt once over my glass filled with ice cubes, so that's how I knew this.
why cant it be a nerdy sister?
I thought you could only use the string to get it out? Otherwise, you could have used lots more ways to get it out
really easy, but good. I already knew this trick. it's in most science experiment books.
If you had to use the string only, ie. no salt, just place the string in the water, freeze the whole thing, then you can take the ice cube out.
yes, that might work, except how would you be able to freeze it if all you had was the string. No freezer, no snow no nothing except for the string.
i learned that in kindergarten. oh well, you can please somebody all of the time, but you can't please verybody all of the time. something like that.
palsha, after u found out the answer, u could have looked at the hint, like i did. it said that u can use elements at your disposal other than the string, so u dont only have 2 use the string. gr8 1 para 8^)
ok, but why would you want to put some salt on your scrambled eggs i just put ketchup lots o ketchup
ok, but why would you want to put some salt on your scrambled eggs i just put ketchup lots o ketchup
I woulda drunk the water, put the string around the ice cube n scooped it out but then thats just me.. grate teaser im_para_noid
I could swear that was on as told by ginger when my sister was watching it I saw that part
There is another answer but it is kinda disgusting......I like this answer better though...it was pretty interesting.......
I learned this one when I was just a pup.
Omeletes rules scrambled eggs drool.
I think this was all just a plot to give you a salty drink.
Hehe.. i didn't even think about the salt. My idea was to heat the cup, so the ice started to melt... then put the string on it, and put it in the refrigerator, so the ice formed over the string, and then pull it out ^_^
Either that, or use the force..
Either that, or use the force..
I have heard that a lot so it was sper easy to me.
I'm sort of a science dork when it comes to certain things so, after about 10 seconds of thought...I got the answer. By the way...good one
this was a good one i knew it had something to do with the salt, after i read the hint, but i thought that the salt might get the string to stick on the ice cube. {not very intellegent, i know}
I didn't really like this one.. it was kinda good.. to logical though.. good job anyways!!
This is a good one! I enjoyed it and I think that it will help children that are in school. Keep up the good work!
oh...that is really cool and interesting. i'll really have to try that sometime.
great teaser!!
great teaser!!
nice and easy
great teaser hope some more come in
Why is the brother nerdy? THat's mean... But anyways that's clever, I should try it some time.
good idea
good teaser i really enjoyed it
This was very easy. Its also quite an old trick.
Neways keep more of these coming
Neways keep more of these coming
Wow, I had never heard this one before, and I got it! Yay me, LOL!
I really enjoyed this one. Keep up the good work!
I really enjoyed this one. Keep up the good work!
Great one! As soon as I read it again and saw "salt" I knew the answer, only because this is the way I thaw out frozen meat! Keep these coming
This was a good one Im para noid, very easy. The string and salt was a dead giveaway, it's something one would learn in K'garten . I enjoyed this one too much . great job Para noid. Keep them coming.
p.s. does it matter who the nerdy sibling was??????????? I think not!!!!!!! Get a life, no need to pick apart everything here in "BRAINGLE". Remember it' s just for 'Fun"!!!!!!!!!
It's a entertaining "SITE" . Lets not forget that!!!!!!!!,
SIGNED "BLUEHAWK"
It's a entertaining "SITE" . Lets not forget that!!!!!!!!,
SIGNED "BLUEHAWK"
I was going to use my fork that I was eating my eggs with or drink the water and dump the ice on the string! But, I'm just that way! Good science brain buster! Now, I'm hungry!
Ooh, the fork. I never thought of that...
Actually, the rules were not rigid enough and the short string's length was not defined. I would just have made an ice hammock with my string, gathered both ends and lifted it out.
But all the different answers are fun. And why is it mean to say nerdy brother? I think nerds are cool and in fact, I prefer dating them to those... OTHER kinds of people.
Actually, the rules were not rigid enough and the short string's length was not defined. I would just have made an ice hammock with my string, gathered both ends and lifted it out.
But all the different answers are fun. And why is it mean to say nerdy brother? I think nerds are cool and in fact, I prefer dating them to those... OTHER kinds of people.
I just streched the string out and knocked the galss over.
LAME!!! Who doesn't know how to do that?
I liked it! I did that in 3rd grade for a science presentation. Very cool!
Nothing in the challenge says you can't spill any water. Take the string, loop it around the glass and pull the glass over. It's a lot faster than waiting for the salt to work its magic.
I'm a science nerd, so this was easy. But I love these types of trivia...
I'm all for using the force too!!! But thats just me and my oppinion!!! I like it, it was fun!!! My plan was confusing, long and drawnout!!! But mine also involved dumping the glass of water over the nerdy brother !!! Snaps for you!!!
haha...lemee guess you have a little brother and he asked you to do this? good challenge, however! i knew it had something to do with the salt, but i'm no scientist
I did not find this one very entertaining, maybe it's too early in the morning for science. But, I give you thumbs up for adding the nerd. I love nerds! (In fact I married one!)
Maybe I'm just new to all of this, but I thought it was a good one. Made me think!!
Why not just dump all the salt in the water and wait for the ice to melt!!!! You can wrap the string around your finger (no knots!) to remind you to check back and see if the ice is melted!!
This one was actually pretty easy ... but since so few parameters were given, it was fun to see all the "other" ways people came up with!!
This one was actually pretty easy ... but since so few parameters were given, it was fun to see all the "other" ways people came up with!!
easy but fun
Great teaser. I also got this one, but it was still fun because it got me to think. Terrific job.
What about just using two fingers? This was stupid
I liked it. I paid no attention in science class so the answer eluded me, although I knew it had something to do with the salt. Well done.
Very nice teaser. Although i never got it, it was obvious that it had something to do with the salt. Oh and there is nothing in the question preventing me from directly taking the ice cube out with my hand. Since it is obvious you can not do that, it was a very good teaser and was a very informative and interesting fact. I certaily will be trying that tomorrow morning.
Didn't quite think in that way but it definatly would work!
Why can't we use the string to tip the cup over?
zzzzzzzzzz
At first, I thought "{just pull it out with string", but i knew about the salt trick too.
At first, I thought "{just pull it out with string", but i knew about the salt trick too.
At first, I thought "{just pull it out with string", but i knew about the salt trick too.
it was too hard for me. although i knew salt had something to do with it.
I totally got this one. Great teaser.
nice and easy just the way i like 'em!!
Relatively easy, but it was a fun teaser anyway.
This was pretty easy for me, because I had heard of this and done it, although, it doesn't always work the way you want it too, sometimes the icecube doesn't stick long enough. If you can use other things that should be in the main body of the teaser, not in the hint, which is only read if you think you need it. Thanks, that was nice, I always appreciate these and those who write them. Some of you have been very mean and harsh in your comments about these teasers, STOP THAT! This is a family site and the teaser are written by members; it's mean and "little" to put people's efforts down so harshly. Thanks, I am paranoid!
SHOuld have got it BUT you got me I thought it had something to do with the salt but could not figure it out??????
i thought that one would have to reach in and grab the ice OR drink the water....oh well...
I was thinking "pour out the water...duh!" Since it was a teaser, I thought it would have a dumb answer. That was way too scientific for an idiot like me!
why cant you just put your hand in the glass and pull out the ice cube and the string in your hand
i wouldn't have used the string at all. my fork would work just as well.
I like this one. I kinda knew how it worked though.
ok, 1st of all, since when are nerds cool? 2nd of all, I'm with the dude who said just reach in and grab it! I mean really! you ppl like to complicate things, don't you?
wow i got that right even without the hint!!!
i knew it had something to do with the salt (that other comment was a joke if you didn't already get that) but I couldn't tell what! LOL
hey.... anybody? how do you submit a teaser? I have one but I can't do anything with it...
totally wondering
totally wondering
Nov 16, 2005
Why not fish the ice cube out using the fork that you were eating your eggs with?
hey this would be a cool science fare project!
COOL! So many other commenters must have had really good science teachers.I had no idea about the salt. I thought of drinking the water, then using the string as a loop with a twist not a knot. Love the fork suggestion, with the string,almost unnecessary, holding cube on.
This was amazing. I guessed about the melting of the ice cube but u got me there with the method. I was even wondering that the salt might have a part in that but could not figure it out!!!On the whole I loved the teaser!!!!
ez ez ez ez ez
just kidding
tooooooo ez
just kidding
tooooooo ez
u should know i'm not trying 2 b rude i'm just sayin what i think
SUX 2 the fullest potential!!! ppl plz come up with something challenging yet funny ok!!!
CONFUSED
CONFUSED
It really works!!! I had to try it after i read this!!! It WORKS!!!
good and easy.
i got it, it was funny
I was thinking let the ice melt, then soak up the water little by little and squeeze the water out. It would work too =D.
Ah, the old wet string and salt on the ice cube trick. Good one. Nice to see it again. Thanks.
Cool!!! Did it in Jr High Science class.
DEFINITELY, MIDDLESCHOOLISH.
EVERYONE AFTERMIDDLE SCHOOL IF NOT GRADE SCHOOL SHOULD KNOW THIS, SO WHY IF THIS SUITIBLE MATERIAL FOR THIS SITE?
SORRY, BUT THIS IS JUST TOO EASY, CUTE, AND INFORMATIVE, BUT I THINK WE ALL HAVE KNOW THIS FOR A GOOD MANY YEARS.
EVERYONE AFTERMIDDLE SCHOOL IF NOT GRADE SCHOOL SHOULD KNOW THIS, SO WHY IF THIS SUITIBLE MATERIAL FOR THIS SITE?
SORRY, BUT THIS IS JUST TOO EASY, CUTE, AND INFORMATIVE, BUT I THINK WE ALL HAVE KNOW THIS FOR A GOOD MANY YEARS.
Very easy. But fun!
In this case (I can't believe it) I agree with Imurray
I'm sorry but I have seen that riddle a million times. Not very original.
I have already seen this one. Sorry bout that.
-Schmeldey9
-Schmeldey9
that was fun. to easy tho
Interesting.. for someone like me who forgot most of the science we learned at middle school...
Most interesting, someone with 'zero' teasers telling someone with over 75 approved teasers what make a good teaser. Makes one wonder...
Teasers are for all levels, young and old alike, what's old and easy for one maybe new and challenging for others. It useful to look beyond one own nose from time to time, if one is able; pity if one can't.
I liked this one. I'll use it and share with my kids. Thanks.
Teasers are for all levels, young and old alike, what's old and easy for one maybe new and challenging for others. It useful to look beyond one own nose from time to time, if one is able; pity if one can't.
I liked this one. I'll use it and share with my kids. Thanks.
Some of these teasers ARE getting to be quite too easy.... and here I thought this site would tickle our minds. This teaser is just 2nd hand knowledge, to me. My apologies for sounding harsh, but my goodness!1
I remember this one from the way back never,never.
This is a repeat from quite some time ago.
I knew the answer immediately, but I still loved it! I enjoyed the fun story and reading it reminded me that I could do this experiment with my kids. They'll love it!
Easy, simple science.
Entirely too contrived - if you can use other elements at your disposal, then you can do just about anything.
I don't really like teasers that try to present interesting science in "teaser" form when the science doesn't readily conform.
I don't really like teasers that try to present interesting science in "teaser" form when the science doesn't readily conform.
yeah because we all didn't learn that in second grade.....
Loved it!
I seemed to remeber salt lowering the freezing point of water... so I knew it had to do with that.. good job
Why wouldn't you just make a loop with the string and tip over the glass and the ice cube comes out. No stipulations were made on how to use the string or even if we needed to keep the water in the glass.
There doesn't need to be a semicolon in the teaser's answer; it doesn't fit. Just making you aware of that.
just gotta love em
My, my. I'm surprised to read the comments from some normally rational, kindly users. It's a teaser guys! Not rocket science! Perhaps we should have a category called "mid-school science' then we can all enjoy and applaud a submitted and accepted teaser. (something I haven't tried)
I liked it Mikey..I really liked it )
I liked it Mikey..I really liked it )
So many of these comments make you sound like elitist snobs!
chill out and enjoy the fact that there is something for everyone.
chill out and enjoy the fact that there is something for everyone.
First time I've seen this teaser, but I did figure it out kinda.
I'm afraid I have to agree with lmurry too.
This is more a question than a comment.... with more than 10,000 teasers on this site (according to the blurb), why IS it necessary to use an old one for the "Daily Teaser"? Just curious if any of the eds have an answer....
Irregardless tho..... I find the rude comments unnecessary. If it bores you because you've seen it before..... then go to the next one.
Irregardless tho..... I find the rude comments unnecessary. If it bores you because you've seen it before..... then go to the next one.
I am totally NOT a science person. I don't understand why the water would refreeze after melting; there is no mention of using the freezer.
btw I AM a language person, and the semicolon is A-OK as used in the answer.
btw I AM a language person, and the semicolon is A-OK as used in the answer.
Really, how has someone not heard of that before?!
I've heard of that. Sorry. It's pretty famous.
cool teaser, but the salted eggs gave it away.
I too learned this a long time ago, but thank you for reminding me of fun with grandchildren.
Hehe @ elitist snobs. You folks are hilarious, but please note I laugh at you not with you. HA HA!
I knew this one really quickly too, from my experience as a nerdy science kid, so I cheerfully rated it as "easy" -- that's what that option is for, right?
NERDS RULE! (Sometimes with a slide rule.)
I knew this one really quickly too, from my experience as a nerdy science kid, so I cheerfully rated it as "easy" -- that's what that option is for, right?
NERDS RULE! (Sometimes with a slide rule.)
This is too easy, I learned this in Preschool!
How is calling someone a nerd an insult, I take it as a compliment!
How is calling someone a nerd an insult, I take it as a compliment!
Well now I feel stupid xD Never knew this, and I'm in a gifted class?!?!?!
I KNEW THAT SALT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT---JUST DIDNT KNOW HOW..
Abe Lincoln and I learned this in 1st grade. Our teacher was Martha Washington.
I forgot to mention that SHANNMO has become the love of my life!!!!!!
i love ewe too
I guess I must have heard this one before, because the answer poped right into my head. Very cute, especially for the kids. Thanks.
Ive done that before.
Megan, i thought the same thing, just put the string partway below the water, then freeze the whole thing and pull the whole chunk of ice out. great teaser.
-hubbamutt777
-hubbamutt777
That one is an oldie!
Imurrray and doehead have assaulted this one before.
This teaser is old, both the teaser itself and its appearance on Braingle, the comments go back more than 10 years. To borrow a line from Doehead AROB! I implore whomever is responsible for choosing the "Teaser of the Day" please pick among some of the more recently submitted material.
Happy 11th birthday to this extremely easy teaser. Nice play of words jaycr And habs nailed it also.
Now it's the sixteenth birthday.
Ditto to all who pointed to oldie-ness. The only way I was able to get it was because I d learned from prior issues LOL. Ain't that smart other wise.
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