Hot Science Experiments Posts
How To: Understand Newton's laws of motion and centripetal force
With this cool little how-to, learn about Newton's laws of motion and try first hand to see centripetal force in action. You'll need balloons and a coin and a lug nut.
News: The Magical Cube Illusion. Wait For It, Wait For It...
And the magic is revealed ten seconds in! Disappointed? Me, too. Such a simple explanation. Those first 10 seconds were so convincing... Previously, Why Are Our Brains Fooled By Optical Illusions?
Do Not Try This At Home: The Human Torch
PopSci's Gray Matter demonstrates again and again what the layman should absolutely Not Try at Home. Which is precisely what makes Gray's experiments so fun. Remember when the mad scientist fully submerged his hand in liquid nitrogen? Today's demonstration also plays with what is (quite reasonably) assumed to be extremely dangerous and painful: torching the human hand.
How To: Explore Density, Viscosity & Miscibility with a Colorful Layered Liquid Science Experiment
Ever wonder why Jupiter has those colored bands across its surface? Jupiter's enormous mass is made from an array of different liquids, and those fluids do not play well together because of their different makeup. All of the hydrogen- and helium-based fluids are thought not to be miscible, which means that they aren't homogeneous in nature, resulting in strikingly beautiful bands across the planet's surface. But what about viscosity and how that correlates to the development of planets? What ...
How To: Experiment the law of inertia
Newtons proposed the concept of inertia. According to him an object at rest tends to stay at test and an object in motion tends to continue in motions unless acted up on by an external force. This is the principle of inertia. The tendency of the body to continue to stay as it was is called its inertia. You can demonstrate this principle with a simple experiment. As shown in the video when the hoop is pulled out the pen cap falls in to the bottle. Here the hoop is acted upon but the cap is not...
How To: Do a simple experiment using copper wire and battery
In this video Mr.G puts a new spin on magnets and bare copper wire with just a simple battery. Motion via magic? Not quite, but pretty darn close! Join Mr. G, and build your own motor with its own unique new spin. This is a fun, easy, do it at home experiment.
How To: Make "Hot Ice" with Sodium Acetate Crystals
If you've ever used a heating pad or hand warmer, you essentially know what "hot ice" is. It's supersaturated sodium acetate, and it's actually fairly easy to make at home out of sodium acetate crystals. You can also make it out of vinegar and baking soda (directions at the bottom of this article).
How To: Create a crazy ketchup packet water bottle experiment
This video displays a very interesting experiment or magic trick involving the concepts of density and buoyancy. You will need an empty plastic bottle with its label removed, some water, and a ketchup packet. Using the concepts of pressure and density, this video demonstrates an interesting experiment which can also double as an interesting party trick; by squeezing a full water bottle, you can cause the ketchup packet to rise and sink in the bottle at your whim. This video is an interesting ...
How To: Make charcoal (carbon) by the dehydration of sugar
C For Chemistry delves into the chemistry of science experiments. This chemist knows what he's talking about. These chemistry experiments are not only fun, but very educational for all of those interested in scientific chemical reactions and properties.
News: Vortex Cannon Demolishes House
Jem Stansfield from BBC's Bang Goes the Theory has "put scientific theory to the test" with his Vortex Cannon. Filmed at 1300-fps, you can see the cannon knock down three different houses made of straw, stick, and brick with an explosive vortex ring.
How To: Create an Explosion with Liquid Nitrogen and a Bottle
Try out this science experiment... demonstrate pressure and volume. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to create an explosion with liquid nitrogen and a plastic bottle. See the demonstration of the exploding reaction of the pressure build up in the bottle.
News: Light dry ice on fire
Impossible, right? Ahh, well science says fire and ice can and do coexist.
How To: Construct a vinegar battery and power a calculator
Using only vinegar and a few simple materials, it is possible to construct a working battery. This science video tutorial explains how to construct and use a battery like this to power a calculator. A good science project as part of an introductory electricity course. This project can be used as a science fair project or merely for fun. If you've ever wanted to make your own battery, know is the time, this science experiment will show you how.
How To: Dissect a chicken for an anatomical look
Failed out of veterinarian school? No problem, just watch this video tutorial on dissecting a chicken (avian) to get you back on your feet. This demonstration and lecture of is by an eminent anatomist that will show you how to do it correctly.
How To: Do this quick foot experiment to trick your brain
This week's experiment has made the rounds through the Internet as a strange trick, but there is science here too. We are going to use the science of complex systems to confuse your body. To try this, you will need:
How To: Instantly freeze soda experiment
The trick in this how-to video works with any carbonated beverage (never use beer). Take your beverage and cool it down to a temperature around 20F or -7C. Either the freezer or outside if it is cold enough. When opened it will freeze instantly.
How To: Make Glowing Oobleck from Potatoes & Tonic Water
This magical, glowing mixture is very strange, with an equally strange name (Oobleck), because it feels like moldable pizza dough in your hands one second, and like liquified goo the next.
How To: Make Copper Glow Red Hot with Acetone
In this video, I will show you how to make copper glow red hot with the catalytic oxidation of acetone. For this science experiment, we'll just need some acetone, copper wire, and a flame source to initially heat the copper coil we'll make.
How To: Make Water Freeze into Ice Instantaneously
Have you ever seen water freeze instantly? This "Quick Clip" shows some of my personal experiences with making instant ice using a bottle of water supercooled in a freezer.
How To: Turn a Glass Bottle into an Electric Tornado Machine
We've all seen the classic tornado-in-a-bottle science experiment, which uses 2 two-liter bottles to create a whirlpool effect. This version requires you to get the tornado started yourself by spinning the bottles, but what if you want to make it fully automated?
How To: Turn Milk into Strong Natural Glue with Baking Soda and Vinegar
You can do all kinds of unexpected things with milk, like make your own pore strips and invisible ink, or even get rid of red wine stains with it. But did you know that you can also use it to make your own glue?
How To: There's Metal Hiding in Your Pepto-Bismol and Here's How You Extract It
Got an upset stomach or a little heartburn? America's favorite pink pill will cure it right up. But did you know that there's actually metal hiding in those chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets? Yes, metal. Technically, it's a poor metal, but metal's metal, right? Well, we do tend to eat a lot of iron in our diets, because it carries oxygen throughout our bodies, so consuming metallic minerals isn't anything abnormal. But you'd never think that Pepto-Bismol is actually made up of metal.
News: Colloidal Display Turns Soapy Bubbles into a Transparent 3D Projection Screen
We've all played with bubbles as kids, but I think most would agree that they're not exactly the most functional of objects. An international team of researchers made up of Yoichi Ochiai, Alexis Oyama and Keisuke Toyoshima wants to change that. They've figured out how to project both 2D and 3D images onto a micro membrane (soap bubble) using ultrasonic sound waves and a standard projector. The bubble is made of a solution of sugar, glycerin, soap, surfactant, water and milk. The glycerin and ...
How To: Make an air battery of out of zinc
This is a great science project! For this, you will be able to make an air battery using zinc. You will also need a paper towel, some steel wool, and an electrolyte solution. An air battery can keep for decades as long as it's dry.
News: DIY Toys Made From Trash + 100's More Easy Tricks & Experiments
Arvind Gupta is an Indian educator and inventor who makes whimsical, elegant toys from simple and inexpensive materials. His site has hundreds of free project tutorials, with simply outlined instructions in the categories of science, math, astronomy and more. Below, peruse the video gallery and images for a selection of Gupta's inspiring work.
How to Be Your Own SpaceX: Design, Build & Test Liquid-Fueled Rocket Engines
Move over NASA— SpaceX is taking over. Well, not really. But today, the privately funded spacecraft company broke all expectations when their Dragon capsule fell to a soft landing in the Pacific Ocean, completing an undoubtedly successful demo flight of nearly two full trips around Earth. It was the first re-entry of a commercial spacecraft ever, bringing commercial space transportation closer to reality.
How To: Make Glow Powder Out of Household Chemicals
Glowing substances have always held a powerful appeal to people, and making new ones can be a lucrative business. If you need some glow powder for a project of yours, watch this video to learn how to make DIY glow-in-the-dark powder out of normal household chemicals.
How To: Make DIY Nitrogen Triiodide from ammonia & water purification iodine crystals
Nitrogen Triiodide is a very powerful contact explosive, but like most fun chemicals is not readily available to the general public cheaply. If you want some and have some chemistry skills, watch this video to learn how to make Nitrogen Triiodide at home out of household ammonia and water purification iodine crystals.
How To: Shrink plastic with household materials
In this video, we learn how to shrink plastic with household materials. You will need: tin foil, plastic container, scissors, glove, and colored markers. To start, you will preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then, cut a piece of the plastic out in a square shape. Next, draw whatever you want onto your piece of plastic. Make it as colorful as you would like to! When finished, put this in the oven using a glove. Make sure it's on the foil when you put it in. Then, leave it in for less than a minu...
How To: Build a catapult out of rubber bands & a wire hanger
In this tutorial, we learn how to build a catapult out of rubber bands & a wire hanger. To do this, you will first need: one wire hanger, plastic spoon, rubber bands, small marshmallows, and measuring tape. Now, hold your hand in the center of the hanger and pull up both sides around it. After this, fold back the front for balance and straighten it up so it's stable. Next, you will take one rubber band and put it around the sides. Then, take the spoon and put it in between the rubber band and...
How To: Make polymer putty with household materials
In this tutorial, we learn how to make polymer putty with household materials. You will need: borax, white glue, water, 3 plastic cups and spoons, and food coloring to color your putty. Now, dissolve 4 tbsp of Borax in 2 liters of warm water. Then, prepare equal parts of glue and water together. To make this, you will need 2 parts of the glue solution to 1 part of the Borax solution. Once you mix these together, you can add in some food coloring to it. Pour this into different cups to make di...
How To: Make iron sulfide with sulfur and iron
In this home-science how-to from Household Hacker, we learn how to create an exothermic reaction by combining sulfur with iron, producing iron sulfide in the process. For all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, as well as to see what happens when these two elements meet, watch this video guide.
How To: Properly balance chemical equations
In this video, we learn how to properly balance chemical equations. You will see what substances are in each side of the equation. You will then need to count the atoms that are on each side of the chemical equation. Once you write down the number of atoms on each side, you will need to even them out. To do this, you need to change the coefficients within the equation. These change the total number of atoms inside of a chemical. Once you do this, you will add more to each atom present and the...
How To: Balance chemical equations the right way
In this tutorial, we learn how to balance chemical equations. The first thing you want to do is to draw a graph and label one side reactants and the other side products. Go through each of the atoms that are in your equation on both sides. Write out how many atoms are in each chemical. Then, find a common multiple that will give you and equal amount on each side of the equation. Continue to do this same for all the chemicals in your equation, then when you are finished write it out. Now you w...
How To: Perform an experiment in accordance with the scientific method
The scientific method is one of the great constructs of modern academic thought. If followed rigorously it makes science as accurate as any general procedure can make it. Watch this video to learn the steps of the method and how to use it to conduct your own experiments.
How To: Synthesize copper(II) carbonate & sodium bicarbonate
This actions is a video tutorial in the Education category where you are going to learn how to synthesize copper(II) carbonate & sodium bicarbonate. For this you will need copper sulphate which is available in root kill and sodium bicarb which is baking soda. Take 100g of copper sulphate and dissolve in about 400ml of water. Now take 69.27g of baking soda. Add baking soda very slowly and keep stirring the solution. You got to be very careful as the chemical reaction will produce lot of carbon...
How To: Make your own nylon
In this tutorial, we learn how to make your own nylon. You will need: pipettes, pipette filler, forceps, beaker, stir rod, sebacoyl chloride and hexanediame solution. Now, pour some of the hexanediame solution into the small beaker. Add in a food coloring if you want to make this a specific color. After this, add in 4 cc's of sebacoyl chloride and carefully drip into the side of the beaker. You should see a layer of where the two liquids are after this. Now, take your tweezers and reach into ...
How To: Make a light bulb from a pickle
In this Education video tutorial you will learn how to make a light bulb from a pickle. Pickles are high in ions in the form of acids and salts. These are electrolytes and they will transfer energy through the pickle. Place a pickle on a glass plate and hook it up with an AC power cord with a nail on each end as shown in the video. You must have protective gloves on. Poke the nails on each end of the pickle and hook up the cord to the power source. The pickle will start emitting light which i...
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.
News: Hand Fully Submerged in Liquid Nitrogen (OUCH... Right?)
Apparently submerging a hand in liquid nitrogen isn't as painful as one might suspect (if you trust the Leidenfrost effect as much as Theodore of Gray Matter):