Hot Science Experiments How-Tos

HowTo: Make Elephant Toothpaste

Nope, not the kind used by this elephant dentist: But THIS kind, the kind a mad scientist concocts:

How To: Dissolve gold in aqua regia to make tetrachloroauric(III) acid (gold chloride)

Aqua regia (königswasser in German) is a very corrosive liquid made from a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid (1:2 - 1:3). This chemical mixture is so corrosive that it can even dissolve gold, and that's what you'll learn about in this video.

HowTo: Turn Your Piggy Bank to Gold

Calling all alchemists, it's time to make magic. Here's another lesson from our favorite mad scientist, Nurdrage (previously, DIY glow sticks & pencil lead levitaton).

How To: Turn eggs into bouncing balls

In this tutorial, we learn how to turn eggs into bouncing balls. You will need: hard boiled eggs, vinegar, and a jar to make these. First, fill your jar up with vinegar and then drop your egg inside of it. After this, let the egg sit inside of the jar for a couple of days. After this, take the egg out and peel the membrane of off the outside of it. Now, you will be able to use your egg to bounce off of anything. When peeled apart, the contents of the egg will be rubbery as well! This is an in...

How To: Understand what science & why it's important

Chris tells us how to understand what science is and why it's important. If you didn't have science, you wouldn't have any technology! This includes televisions, cell phones, portable devices, and everything else that science relies on. Basically we would be living like we were in the stone age again! Science impacts so many different parts of our lives, and although it's not all the same type of science, it all matters. Take a few minutes to think about what life would be like without having...

How To: Place a horizontal mattress suture for surgeons

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to suture. Begin by lifting up the skin on the far side of the laceration with the tissue forceps and insert the needle with some distance far away from the wounded edge. Then lift up the skin with the near side laceration and mirror the course of the needle. Now move somewhat to the right of the subsection of this stitch, parallel to the incision line. Place the second subsection of the horizontal macro-suture like the first part. But this time from ...

How To: Make a pH indicator out of red cabbage

In this video, we learn how to make a pH indicator out of red cabbage. Red cabbage will work because when it absorbs an acid then it changes color and reflects light differently. To do this at home, try to add different types of acids to the cabbage. Start off by putting the cabbage in the blender, then make sure it's shredded. Now, put it in a jar with some boiling hot water. Shake up the jar, then place the water into some separate cups. Now, add chemicals into the juice and depending on th...

How To: Levitate thin diamagnetic pencil lead with neodymium magnets

In a previous Nurd Rage video (here), Dr. Lithium showed you that pyrolytic graphite was diamagnetic, and that it could be stably levitated over magnets. It was repelled by a magnetic field, and this repulsion was strong enough to levitate it. In this science video tutorial, you'll learn how to levitate plain old pencil lead this time.

HowTo: Levitate Pencil Lead

The anonymous doctorate of science, Nurdrage, is back with another fascinating HowTo (previously featured, glow sticks). Dr. Lithium's latest video demonstrates how to practice diamagnetic levitation using common household pencil lead and magnets.

HowTo: Extract DNA From Anything Living

As long as you don't mind liquifying your subject in a blender, you can test DNA from virtually anything living with this guide from he Universe of Utah's Genetics Science Learning Center. Learn Genetics uses green split peas as a subject, and suggests fruits, meats and vegetables.

How To: Make a metal coin shake and shiver with dry ice

If you have some dry ice, try this cool science experiment out. It's so easy, you have to try it, at least once! You just need a chunk of dry ice and some metal coins, like a half dollar (which is comprised of copper and nickel).

How To: Make a plastic like substance from vinegar and milk

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a plastic substance. The materials required for this experiment are: 1 bowl of milk, 1 cup of vinegar, pot and mixing spoon. Begin by heating the milk in the pot and heat it at medium heat for several minutes. Then pour the milk into a separate bowl. Now add the vinegar into the milk and stir it. Continue stirring until it forms into a solid mixture. Then drain the liquid. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy experimenting, and woul...

How To: Demonstrate the difference between land & sea ice

In this tutorial, we learn how to demonstrate the difference between land & sea ice. First, fill up two large aquariums with water, then add in a glacier to one aquarium and an iceberg in the other. This will see how the water level changes based on the melted of each different ice item. Draw a line at the water line where it started at, then when the ice melts, check the water levels. When finished, see what the water levels have ended up at. Now you will be able to show this to your student...

HowTo: DIY Glow Sticks

WonderHowTo favorite (and pal) NurdRage brings us another great science tutorial. Making glow sticks at home is not necessarily cheaper, but it's a great science project. Check out the video below to learn not only how to make the glow sticks, but also all about fluorescent dyes (and why Mountain Dew will not do the same thing). Previously, NurdRage Shatters Mysteriously Procured Human Heart.

How To: Make glow sticks with DEP, TCPO, sodium acetate & dye

If you prefer glow sticks over candles during a power outage, then this how-to is for you! Although glow sticks are used as temporary light sources, there are other applications for them. Divers use them for night diving, fisherman use them to catch swordfish, and the military uses them for light markers, along with infrared versions used in conjunction with night vision devices. But with all these handy uses for glow sticks, the most popular is — recreational use, like dancing at raves, some...

How To: Use radiation detection equipment

In this tutorial, we learn how to use radiation detection equipment. To use the dosimeter, you will remove the cap, then place the pipe on and push down on it. A light will come on, and you can use the knob to zero it. When you look in, you will be able to see it's measured in Roentgens per hour. When you are done using this, zero it again. Next, you will have a CD Geiger counter which has three positions for the knob. Whatever it is set on, you multiply the reading by that number. If you tur...

How To: Blow open sealed containers using liquid nitrogen

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a liquid nitrogen experiment. The materials required for this experiment are liquid nitrogen and film canisters. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Begin by pouring the liquid nitrogen into the film canisters. Then quickly place the film canister lids on. The liquid nitrogen will eventually become a boiling gas and expand about 700 times. Because of the expanding, the pressure will build in the canisters and result in popping lids. T...

How To: Create an erupting volcano

In this tutorial, we learn how to create an erupting volcano. First, take ammonium dichromate and pour it into a clear plastic dish. Next, grab a blow torch and blow it onto the material. This will make a substance that is black and looks like ash. This will get messy, so make sure you have a newspaper or cloth underneath the dish. Eventually, the material will catch on fire so you can remove the blow torch, then the ash will fall all around the volcano and the sparks will fly out of the midd...

How To: Make non-Newtonian slime mixing cornflour and water

In this tutorial, we learn how to make slime by mixing corn flour and water. To start, you will need corn flour, water, and two plastic containers. First, pour the corn flour into one plastic container and then add in some water with food coloring to the mix. After this, mix the combination together until it makes a paste. Add more water or corn flour as you mix. When finished, grasp the mix in your hands and it will start to turn into slime! You can color this with any color food coloring, b...

How To: Grow bacteria with agar & petri dishes

In this tutorial, we learn how to grow bacteria with agar and petri dishes. First, prepare your agar by swirling it and then pouring it into an open petri dish. Next, close the cap to the petri dish and let it sit for an hour. Next, grab a q-tip and swab it on a surface you prefer. After this, swab it onto the petri dish and let it sit for around a week. When you come back to the dish, you will see all the bacteria that has grown! This is a great science experiment to do for children in schoo...

How To: Dissolve ruthenium metal with household bleach

You've manage to get your hands on some ruthenium, and now you want to destroy the hard silvery-white metal of the transition series. Well, you're going to try all kinds of ways to dissolve this odd metal, but the only successful way to dissolve ruthenium is with a common household cleaner… bleach.

How To: How Long Can a Man Survive in a Deadly Space Vacuum?

Here at WonderHowTo, we certainly have an affinity for outer space-related topics, so I couldn't pass up this horrifying video of a man who just barely survived a simulated space vacuum.

How To: Build a wind turbine with PVC windmill blades

In this Education video tutorial you will learn how to build a wind turbine with PVC windmill blades. This project when completed will charge a 12V battery. You can turn a motor in to a generator. When you spin the shaft on the generator, electricity is generated. So you get a motor with a flywheel and attach the turbine blades to it. When the blades turn with wind action, electricity will be generated. Take PVC pipes, 8" in diameter and 24" long. Cut the blades out of the pipe as per directi...

How To: Make sodium acetate with homemade items

In this tutorial, we learn how to make sodium acetate. First, pour a bottle of vinegar into a large pot on a stove. Next, add in baking soda slowly until it is completely dissolved into the vinegar. Stop adding the baking soda once the mixture doesn't bubble anymore. Now, turn the heat to medium and let the mixture boil down until you get a rich gold color. Now, grab a box of activated filter carbon and pour it into the bowl with vinegar and baking soda. When finished, mix the product togethe...

How To: Make smoke or fog rings with a rubbish bin

In this Education video tutorial you will learn how to make smoke or fog rings with a rubbish bin. This is really very easy and simple to do and takes practically no time. For this you will need a smoke machine like the ones used in night clubs, a rubbish bin, piece of oil cloth and a strap. Cut out the bottom of the bin and cover the top of the bin with the oil cloth and strap it up. When you push on the oil cloth, air will go out of the hole at the bottom. Now fill the bin with smoke from t...

How To: Craft a mobius strip out of paper

Mr. G shows us how to craft a mobius strip out of paper in this video. First, take a sheet of copy paper and fold it in half length wise and crease it down the middle. Now, cut the paper on the crease so you have two strips of paper. Next, lay the papers end to end and tape them together. Now, the strip and give it half of a twist and attach it together with tape on one of the ends to the other. Now get a felt tip pen and draw a line down the middle of the strip. Now as you roll the paper, yo...

How To: Find the North Star, Polaris

In this tutorial, we learn how to find the North Star. To find this, measure the angle distances on the sky, while using your hand stretched out at arm's length. For the angles, three joined fingers make 5 degrees and a fist makes 10 degrees. You can make 15 to 20 degrees using your entire hand. Polaris is in the center of the sky, but it is not the brightest star there is. If you can find the Big Dipper, you will be able to find the North Star because it's in line with this. By using this te...

How To: Cut a bottle

In this tutorial, Tony Vo teaches us how to cut a bottle. You will need: a glass bottle, yarn, lighter, sink of cold water, and acetone or alcohol. First, take your glass bottle and tie a piece of yarn around the part you want to cut. Wrap the yarn two times around, then tie it tie it tightly. Now, take the acetone and drop it onto the yarn until the entire piece is saturated. Next, take your lighter and burn the yarn on the bottle. As soon as the flames die down, place the bottle into a sink...

How To: Remember the parts of the cell

Are you much for science? Cytoplasm. Nucleus. Endoplasmic reticulum. Organelle. These words might sound alien, but breaking down the parts of a cell and their functions will help you remember. This is one of the best ways for cell identification, and it's perfect for science class studying.

How To: Make (non-Newtonian) Oobleck from corn starch & water

Mr. O shows his audience in this video how to make oobleck, a slime-like substance which has a variety of unique properties. For this project, you will need a mixing bowl, food coloring, corn starch, a measuring cup, and water. First, color the water with food coloring to a color which is much darker than the color you would like. You will need the correct ratio of water to cornstarch, in a 1 to 2 ratio. Add some water to the bowl and add the cornstarch, then add the rest of the water. Finall...

How To: Make a snow cone with nitrogen gas

To make a snow cone with nitrous gas, as an experiment, you will need the following: liquid nitrogen, protective gear, a bell jar, and a dish to hold the liquid nitrous.

How To: Do a science experiment with dry ice

In this tutorial, Science Bob shows us how to do a science experiment with dry ice. First, take a block of dry ice and place a quarter on top of it. Make sure you are using rubber gloves when you do this, it's dangerous to touch gloves with your bare hands. When you press the quarter down, it will cause it to vibrate very quickly. You can put any type of metal on top of the dry ice and it will make different noises. This is only one of the many things you can do with dry ice. You can also use...

How To: Make Hard Soap with Guava Leaf Extract & Lavender

In our personal experience, the hardest part about a science investigatory project is simply coming up with a good idea. And we suggest that for your investigatory project you find a topic that's both novel and useful.

How To: Make your own thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates

The price of TLC plates can add up. See how to make thin-layer chromatography plates (TLC plates) for a few cents each that are as good as commercial TLC plates that sell for a dollar or two each. You can use these home-made TLC plates the same way you'd use chromatography paper, but the plates provide sharper separations and require far less analyte. They also lie flat, and are much easier to store for later reference. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get sta...

How To: Build a cool soda bottle water rocket

Real rockets require top ingenuity from physics and engineering experts, but you can construct a smaller replica that costs almost nothing can can be made from materials you already have at home or can find at a hardware store.

How To: Make an overhead water bottle rocket launcher

A (harmless) explosion a day keeps the police away. Indulge your rambunctious little boy in some scientific fun by helping him build an overhead water rocket launcher, which shoots recycled plastic bottles.

How To: Make homemade playdough

Playdough is one of the best types of toys that any kid can play with. Not only is it flexible, but it's also non-toxic. In this video tutorial, you'll find out the recipe for making your own homemade Playdough from scratch. It's easy to do and will save you money. Good luck!

How To: Galvanize metal objects for rust protection with zinc

Rust protection doesn't have to cost a fortune. With a little zinc and some electricity, you can protect your precious metals from rust by galvanization. When you galvanize something, you're giving it a protective coating, and in this case, it's a zinc coating.

How To: Convert between moles, grams and particles

Need to know how to convert between moles, grams and particles for chemistry class? It's simple once you know how to go about it and this free video chemistry lesson presents a careful overview of the entire process. For more information, and to get started converting between moles, grams and particles yourself, watch this helpful study guide.

How To: Convert from moles to grams in chemistry

Need to know how to convert between moles and grams for chemistry class? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this free video chemistry lesson can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For more information, and to get started converting between moles and grams yourself, watch this helpful study guide.