Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need some help with ideas on how to make a bowl spill proof for liquids and solids. By spill proof, I mean the bowl can have something like cereal in it and the bowl can be accidentally knocked without some of the cereal spilling out over the edge. The person using the bowl will eat school lunch and will need to be able to use spoons and forks with this bowl.

I've heard of the Gyro bowl, but that doesn't hold liquids and isn't as spill proof as it claims. Spill proof bowls for dogs are spill proof for liquids, but the person who will be using this needs to be able to eat out of it by using spoons and forks.

I only need ideas. I don't actually have to make this bowl, just a design for it, so it can be more complex. Any information that might help me come up with an idea would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Horse Feathers,

If you were asking about anything that exists in our universe, I might be able to help you. You are asking about something that doesn't exist: you are trying to invent it.

If I were clever enough, I might be able to invent a spillproof bowl, but after a few minutes of thinking about it, I don't have any very promising ideas. Maybe you will have those ideas.

As you think about it, knowing the rules of nature that determine how cereal and milk slosh around a bowl would be helpful. If you come up with a specific question about those rules (called physics), get back to us, and maybe we can guide you in finding out more about physics.

Good luck, WW