Why does a slice of toast land butter side down?

Why does a slice of toast land butter side down?

From Ask the Naked Scientists by Dr Chris Smith

June 5, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 791

About this episode

Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford explore various scientific questions, including why toast lands butter side down and the nature of yawning in animals.

Do dolphins and whales yawn? Is yawning contagious in animals? What progress has been made on brain chip implants? What is the difference between kidney thrombosis and renal vein thrombosis? Why does a falling slice of toast land butter side down, and does fall height matter? Is it unsafe to receive the wrong blood type? Why are birds adapted to have birdsong? What keeps all the water up in a cloud? Why can I feel my phone buzz in my pocket when it's actually on the table? And how to improve blood iron levels? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

People in this episode

Host: Dr Chris Smith

Guest: Clarence Ford

Topics covered

  • animal behavior
  • health
  • science
  • yawning
  • toast physics
  • blood types
  • clouds

Keywords

  • toast
  • yawning
  • brain chip implants
  • kidney thrombosis
  • blood types
  • birdsong
  • clouds
  • blood iron levels

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Naked Scientists

More episodes of Ask the Naked Scientists

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ask the Naked Scientists podcast page.