Wee advantage boys have in physics

BOYS have a natural advantage at physics because their ability to pee up walls helps them understand projectile motion, scientists have claimed.

So-called ‘playful urination practices’ give them a head start over girls at secondary school, they said, and by 14 they are likely to have put the idea of projectile motion into practice 10,000 times – without realising it.

As a result, pupils should be taught energy conservation rather than Newtonian motion to stop girls being disadvantaged, according to Anna Wilson, of Abertay University in Dundee, and two colleagues.

Educationalist Professor Alan Smithers, of Buckingham University, said: ‘The academics put their finger on an important problem – there are too few women in the sciences. But their explanation is ridiculous.

‘Males are more attracted to the physical sciences, maths and engineering because on average they have higher spatial and numerical abilities than females.’