Active Science Experiments Posts
News: 13 Gloriously Disgusting, Maggot Filled Days of Rotting Food
Have you ever wondered what the decomposition of rotting food looks like? Probably not... but now you do. Below: 13 days of time-lapsed, maggot filled rot. Be prepared. You might be inclined to skip lunch today. Other gems by Bang Goes The Theory:
How To: Boil water at room temperature in a vacuum
This is a super cool way to learn some science while combating spring break or summer break boredom. This science video teaches you how to boil water at room temperature. Obviously this won't work in the normal conditions in which you boil water. But if you place the water in a vacuum, where the atmospheric vapor pressure is lowered, water can boil at a much lower temperature.
News: Jane Goodall Was a Babe (and One of History's Greatest Conservationists)
National Geographic recently published a retrospective of the lovely Jane Goodall, one of the world's most accomplished conservationists. The feature includes every image of Goodall to ever appear in the magazine for the past fifty years.
How To: Start a green environmental initiative at school that looks good for college
Starting a green initiative at your school is a great way to help the environment and looks great on your college applications too. Watch this video for tips on starting any type of green initiative at your school, from recycling to cleaning shorebirds.
News: Cheeseburger Dipped in Acid (Plus: Why You Should Fear McDonald's)
Ok, so first Periodic Tables demonstrates how a McDonald's cheeseburger breaks down in your stomach during the digestion process. Everybody has hydrochloric acid in their stomach, so drop a burger in acid and you can see it happen before your eyes (minus the amino acids a human stomach would supply). Seems innocent enough. Here's what happened after 3.5 hours: NASTY. So my question is: does healthy food look the same? What would a pile of broccoli or granola look like? Probably just as nasty....
News: Metal Isn't Flammable... Right?
Theo Gray of Gray Matter explains the principle behind sending steel up in flames- as long as it's steel wool, of course. The process is beyond simple. Spend 2 bucks and 2 minutes: purchase a steel wool pad, hold in pliers, light with a match. But the question is, why is steel wool flammable, while other forms of metal are not? Explanation below the video. Theo says:
News: Super Slo-Mo Lightning Looks Like Mother Earth's Fireworks Show
Mother Earth, God, Buddha, the Universe, energy fields... whatever you call it, lightning slo-mo'ed looks like some higher being set off some major fireworks. Beautiful. Two videos in the gallery below.
How To: Understand Ohm's Law
This video teaches the basics of Ohm's law, which is an important equation in electrical engineering. The three variables which are used in this equation are V, which stands for voltage, I for current, and R for resistance. The equation for the law itself is I=V/R. This law defines the relationship between these three very important electrical properties. The host of the video further explains what voltage, current, and resistance are and how they work in relation to an electrical current. Gi...
How To: Differentiate between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to differentiate between Celsius and Fahrenheit scales, identifying the freezing and boilings points of each. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Solve SN1 & SN2 reaction problems that involve solvents in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to undertstand the effects of solvents on SN1 and SN2 reactions. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Visualize a cyclohexane molecule with chair & boat shapes in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to represent and interpret cyclohexane molecules in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Work with stereoisomers, enantiomers and diastereomers in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to work with stereoisomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, constitutional isomers and meso compounds in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Determine the empirical and molecular formulas for a compound in chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to determine the empircal and molecular formulas of a substance given percent composition. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Deal with SN2 (biomolecular nucleophilic substitution) reactions in chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to understand and work with SN2 reactions in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Polymerize an alkenes with an acid in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to handle the polymerization of an alkene with an acid in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Work with substitution or SN1 reactions in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to handle SN1 reactions in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Work with reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to handle reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Work with hybridized orbitals and sigma bonds in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn what to do with hybridized orbitals and sigma bonds in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Create a double Newman diagram for methcyclohexane in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to create a double Newman diagram for methcyclohexane. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use and read Newman projections in organic chemistry
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to create and interpret Newman projections in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use Markovnikov's rule to determine the likelihood of an addition reaction
In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to use Markovnikov's rule to figure out which addition reaction is most likely in organic chemistry. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Represent the structure of a molecule in organic chemistry
Need some help figuring out how to represent an organic molecule? You're in luck: In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to just that. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use the Entgegen-Zusammen naming scheme for alkenes in organic chemistry
What's in a name? Well, your chemistry grade, for one. In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to .... Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Name alkanes with alkyl groups in organic chemistry
What's in a name? Well, your chemistry grade, for one. In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to name alkenes with alkyl groups. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Name an alkyl halide (or haloalkane) in organic chemistry
What's in a name? Well, your chemistry grade, for one. In this free video science lesson from Internet pedagogical superstar Salman Khan, you'll learn how to name alkyl halides. Whether you need help studying for that next big test or could just use a hand finishing your homework, you're sure to be well served by this video lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Make a dye-sensitized solar cell with titanium dioxide and anthocyanin
Discover the power of raspberries! Literally. In this NurdRage science video, learn how some crushed raspberries and some titanium dioxide (TiO2) can create a powered dye-sensitized solar cell. Inside a raspberry is something called anthocyanin, which is a flavonoid pigment. Commercially purchased solar cells are way more powerful than this DIY solar cell, but with a little improvement, who knows. Nurd Rage also lets you know how this works.
How To: Build your own lunar city model
In this tutorial, we learn how to build your own lunar city model. You will need: toilet paper tube, bottle caps, CDs, sheets, and scissors. Now, cover your table area with the bed sheet so it's completely covered. Now, star tot arrange your lunar city model. Place the CDs on the table and stack them, placing bottle caps in between. After this, cut the toilet paper rolls in half and lay them flat on the ground. After this, place cups lid down on the table and then add CDs on top of them. Now ...
How To: See part of the Milky Way Galaxy
In this video, we learn how to see part of the Milky Way Galaxy with Chris. You will need to be in a dark place at night and have a compass with you as well. Since you are inside of the Milky Way Galaxy, you will be able to see it easily! It's so bright you are able to see it at night without using a telescope. Take your compass and find the Northern sky with it at night in an open area. After this, look up and you will see the bright mass in the sky which is the Milky Way, enjoy!
How To: Make a mobius loop or strip
This video will show you how to make a 2 dimensional object in a 3D world. A well-known example of this is a mobius strip, which can be made with a strip of paper, scissors, and some tape. After cutting out a long strip of paper, you should take the strip of paper, give it a half twist and tape it together, making a loop. This loop, or mobius strip, exists in a three dimensional world, where by following the loop, you seem to always arrive at the same point. Furthermore, the loop can by cut d...
How To: Make saline (salt) or Lye (NaOH) solutions
You can make saline (salt) or lye (NaOH) solutions. So first you will have to arrange these things to do it which are 2 500ml bottles, 1/2 LB table salt, measuring cup, kitchen scale (optional) and pan for heating. Now first heat the
News: 30 Insane College Courses That Will Have You Itching to Go Back to School
PopSci has compiled an amazing list of 30 college labs that would tempt anybody to re-enroll. If you know any high school juniors or prospective grad students, pass this along. They just might reconsider their initial choices.
How To: Make TCPO (for making glow sticks)
How to make TCPO or bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate, used in glow stick reactions. WARNING: This procedure should only be performed by, or under the direct supervision of, an experienced chemist. Please refer to the material safety data sheets of all chemicals for their hazards. Synthesis must be performed in a fumehood.
How To: Weather Forecast And Weather Predict Without Technology
We have no control on the weather yet it is a part of our lives which influence what we do, what we eat, what we wear and many times where we live. How did people predict the weather before there was the Internet, television, radio or the weatherperson with all of their gadgets?
How To: Get lithium metal from an Energizer battery
Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to get lithium metal from an Energizer battery. They show you how to get Lithium Metal from an Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery.
How To: Do a science trick demonstrating surface tension with pepper, soap, and water
Surface tension is one of the coolest things about water. Without it, there would be no waterskiing, and that would be a sad world. This video will show you how to do a cool science magic trick with pepper, soap, and water that demonstrates surface tension. All you do is scatter the pepper on the surface of the water, then dab your finger with dishsoap and touch it to the water. You finger will appear to repel the pepper as the soap disturbs the surface tension of the water. Cool little trick...
How To: Make burning bubbles with a condensed air dust remover, soap, and water
Bubbles are usually soft, airy, safe things. Not when they're on fire they're not! This video will show you how to create burning bubbles using only condensed air dust remover, water, and soap. You may have seen this done in science class with gas from a Bunsen burner, but this requires much less elaborate equipment and can be done nearly anywhere! FIRE!
How To: Make flames burn larger with citrus fruit peels
There are so many crazy fun things you can do with fire, this is probably one of the most tame. But it's got flame, so it's still cool. This video will show you how you can squeeze the peels of citrus fruits onto a candle (or large flame for increased fun) and the acid will cause the flame to burn larger and brighter for a flash. Experiment with different peels and flame sources for extended fun. Grapefruit work fantastically.
How To: Create a small explosion with calcium carbide
In order to create an explosion, using Calcium Carbide, you'll need the following: calcium carbide, water, a dropper, and a lighter.
How To: Use a protractor to measure the height of any object
In this video, we learn how to use a protractor to measure the height of any object. First, attach a level to the protractor, followed by a straw at the 45 degree angle. Next, walk back form the object while looking through the straw. Keep walking back until you spot the top of the object through the straw, then measure to the base of the object. After this, you will have an isosceles triangle that has two equal sides. Use these sides to help find what the size of the object is. After this, a...
How To: Hollow out a penny
In this video, we learn how to hollow out a penny. First, you need pennies that are dated after 1982, muriatic acid, a plastic container, and sandpaper. First, rub the edge of the penny on sandpaper until the silver color is exposed. Do this on two pennies, then place them in the plastic container. Now, while wearing gloves, pour the acid into the container so the pennies are completely covered. Now the pennies will start to bubble, leaves these in the acid for around six hours. Next, pour th...