Who is your chemical inspiration?
Both: My chemistry teacher at school.
What would you like to research if given unlimited scope?
TF: I would look into using AI in chemistry: there’s a new technology where a robot uses machine learning to find the most efficient reaction pathways of chemical processes.
TD: Astrochemistry – everything you think you know about chemistry goes out the window. Besides, astrochemistry sounds really cool.
If you were going to a desert island, which three pieces of apparatus/chemicals would you bring?
TF: Well water, obviously. I suppose distillation apparatus as well, in order to get more drinking water in case you run out. My third item… the first thing that comes to mind, naturally, is phosphorus sesquisulfide, which is the thing on the top of matches. I can use that to light a fire, maybe to signal ships to come.
TD: Can I have a Bunsen burner with like a gas tap? I need distillation apparatus to get salt to season my food – oh and water of course. And probably a scalpel from biology, to go hunting. Can I have a fourth item? I also really want one of those mini beakers, for moral support. That can be part of the distillation apparatus.
Who’s better at chemistry: Walter White or Mr Fox/Dean?
TF: Hmm… Walter White is probably better at organic chemistry. But I reckon Mr Dean is better at anything else. He’s also less likely to be in jail, which is a plus!
TD: Walter White: didn’t he win a Nobel Prize? (Editor’s note: he didn’t really.) Mr Fox is great at chemistry and all but it has to be Walter White.
How tall are you? How tall is the other?
TF: I am 191 cm (6’3’’), which makes Mr Dean 190cm.
TD: I am 6’4” (193cm) rounded to the nearest inch. Mr Fox is slightly shorter than that. We actually tested this on the ski-trip and I was taller, but that might be because I stuck my hair up.
What’s your Roman Empire?
TF: (goes to Mr Blake’s form to ask what a Roman Empire is) Going on Rightmove.
TD: Chemistry: is that too boring? Or, it’s the actual Roman Empire. You can’t go half an hour without thinking about the Romans: aqueducts are fantastic!
Do you prefer Oppenheimer or Barbie, and why?
TF: Barbie! The soundtrack and actors are both amazing.
TD: I haven’t actually watched Oppenheimer, so it has to be Barbie: I actually cried a bit during it! But I’m sure if I watched Oppenheimer, that would be my favourite.
What is one school rule that you’d introduce if you could?
TF: On meat-free day, it would be great if there was at least one vegan option.
TD: Ditch assemblies, push the school day back by an hour. I just want more sleep.
What was the last time you used Pythagoras’ Theorem in your daily life?
TF: Observing people walking along the hypotenuse: that’s, fun fact, how they designed the roads at the original Disney! But you often see eroded lines along the hypotenuse of, say, a lawn, so clearly Pythagoras’ Theorem is a pretty natural part of many people’s lives.
TD: I was explaining to someone how time slows down on a moving object: you have to use Pythagoras’ Theorem for that. As someone who loves science and talking about it with other people, Pythagoras’ Theorem comes up in conversation quite frequently!
Should A level maths be compulsory?
TF: It shouldn’t be compulsory, but there are certain areas, such as compound interest, which people should be familiar with.
TD: It shouldn’t be compulsory: A level grade maths isn’t useful to most people. However, if people get an E in GCSE, some course should be available to them to improve.
What’s your message for all the A level students?
TF: It’s all going to be alright.
TD: Just get your head down and work really hard. This summer is going to be great.
Thank you to Mr Fox and Mr Dean for participating in the interview!
Katie and Clare (VII)