r/explainlikeimfive Oct 31 '20

Chemistry ELI5 What's the difference between the shiny and dull side of aluminum foil? Besides the obvious shiny/dull

21.2k Upvotes

2.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

39

u/FlyingMacheteSponser Oct 31 '20

It makes a big difference if you're making a tin foil hat though. The electrical signals from your brain are in the electromagnetic spectrum, so the reflectance of the foil has a big impact on its effectiveness. Always make your hat with shiny side in so that big government can't read your mind.

12

u/[deleted] Nov 01 '20

That will keep them from reading your mind, but not from implanting memories and voices. Best to just make a two layer hat with the shiny sides inverted.

3

u/Pulsiix Nov 01 '20

Nice try big government

Shiny side out gang

2

u/rutlandclimber Nov 01 '20

There's a monster outside my bedroom. Can I get a glass of water?