Hot Science Experiments How-Tos

How To: Splint a broken bone in an emergency

This video is about how to splint a broken bone in an emergency situation. You will need two sticks. For a broken arm you will place the sticks on the front and back of the arm. Now tear a shirt, piece of clothing or other cloth into strips. Tightly wrap the strips of cloth around the arm and the sticks on either side of the fracture - near the elbow and near the wrist. If you have a severe break where part of the bone is sticking out through the skin, take two strips of cloth and wrap one at...

How To: Make clouds inside a bottle

Using a huge jar and with water colored with die in it you can make clouds. To do this set up the apparatus as shown in the video. Now open up the top valve and blow air into the jar. Now this causes the air inside to be compressed as we are pushing more air into the confined jar. This creates a high pressure inside the ball. To understand how clouds are formed you need to know two concepts. The first concept is that as pressurized gas expands it cools. The second thing is that warm gases can...

How To: Do a cool volcano experiment at home

In this Education video tutorial you will learn how to do a cool volcano experiment at home. You will need a bottle of tonic water, mentos and some paper. Wrap the paper around the mentos to make a tube for releasing the mentos in to the bottle. Now pour about half a packet of mentos in to the paper tube and prevent them from falling off with your finger. Now open the bottle of tonic water and release all the mentos from the paper tube in to the bottle all at once. The tonic water will gush o...

How To: Do a flaming ice experiment

In this fascinating "how to" video, you will see how a simple process creates the illusion of ice that is burning. Only a few items are needed to enact this scientific experiment. As the narrator describes, "Calcium carbide reacts with water to form acetylene gas." To illustrate, the video shows a bowl of ice cubes, to which the special ingredient is added. As the ice melts into water, it reacts with the calcium carbide, forming the high flammable acetylene gas, which is often used in welding...

How To: Make a rain gauge

In this how to video, you will learn how to make a rain gauge. First, you will need a 2 liter bottle to collect the rain. You will also need scissors, a ruler, and a permanent marker. First, take the bottle cap off of the soda bottle. Next, cut the top of the bottle off. Now, collect some pebbles and put it at the bottom of the bottle. This will keep the bottle in place. Pace the top of the bottle on top to use a as a funnel. Now, take a ruler and measure 7 cm high on the rain gauge. Mark it ...

How To: Build a simple electromagnet

Electromagnets are super cool to experiment with. In this educational video, Science Bob teaches us about electromagnets - what they are and how to build one of your own. These magnets are are very powerful and make an extremely neat experiment for the science fair. Electromagnets are unique in the sense that they convert electricity into magnetism. Try this experiment with your kids for a unique science lesson.

How To: Draw the Lewis structure for ammonia

In this how-to video, you will learn how to make the Lewis structure for Ammonia. The formula for Ammonia is NH3. Now, write down H, N, and H in a horizontal line. Place an H under the N. Place two dots in between the spaces found in the H's and the N. Also place two dots above the N. Since the valance electrons are balanced, draw a line between the two dots connecting the H to the N. Leave the two dots above the N alone. This video shows just how easy it is to create a Lewis structure for Am...

How To: Draw the Lewis dot structure for sulfate

TTUchme1010 teaches viewers how to draw the lewis dot structure for sulfate. The formula for this is SO4^2-. 2- means we will have to add 2 electrons into the lewis dot structure. First, we will have Sulfur in the middle with Oxygen surrounding it. Sulfur is in group 6A so it have 6 valence electrons and oxygen has six, so fill this all in around the elements. Now, you have to add in the 2 extra electrons onto the most electronegative atom. This will be oxygen. Now, you should start bonding t...

How To: Use Google to easily convert kilos to pounds

The video describes how to convert any unit of weight to any other unit. The example used here is conversion of pounds to kilos. Going to the Google homepage, the desired conversion should be typed in the search box directly, e.g., "150 pounds in kilos". Click the "Google search" button and Google will use its built-in converter to give the result, in this case, 150 pounds is equal to 68.0388 kilos. This, if it is ones own weight, will of course make anyone feel better, because kilos look les...

How To: Draw a Lewis dot structure for nutrite anion

This video shows you how to draw the Lewis electron dot structure for the nitrite anion- first you start by drawing the symbols o, n and o, in that order, and then you proceed to draw two dots on the top of the n, and one on each other side.On the 'o' on the far left, you draw two dots on the top, and two dots on the left, putting just one dot on the bottom and the left- the right 'o' mirrors this pattern.Next you link all three letters with two lines, using the single dots on the left and ri...

How To: Calculate weight average atomic mass of an element

In Chemistry weight of some elements are measure in the form of Average Atomic Mass. Isotopes are found in different abundances in nature. Certain elements have many isotopes and certain elements have few isotopes. Regardless of the number of the natural isotopes, the weighted average mass takes into consideration not only the mass of each isotope, but what also its natural abundance in terms of percent as found in the nature. So when you have the mass of two isotopes of an element and are gi...

How To: Calculate weighted atomic mass

This video is about Level 2 atomic concepts, specifically the Pennium Lab. This helps you understand how atomic masses are derived for the periodic table. This teacher demonstrates how to do the calculation. He first reviews the Isotopes as they are different masses of the same type of atoms. He uses chromium as his example. It has a different number of neutrons in the nucleus. Using the equation, it could have either 26, 28, 29 or 30, with its 24 protons. So he subtracts the atomic number fr...

How To: Measure pH levels with paper and meters

If you want to know the best way to get an accurate pH measurement, this shows the lab equipment needed and the processes used. When doing chemical reactions, sometimes the acidity or the basicity is important. This is usually defined as pH and measuring it can be very useful for getting the reaction right. There are a few ways to measure pH, and the simplest, cheapest, most reliable method is paper. But that's not all. See a whole lot of ways in this two-part video.

How To: Calculate friction in a body without acceleration

This video shows the viewer how to calculate friction in a body that it is not accelerating. The simple answer is that the force of friction will be equal to the force needed to maintain the constant speed. This means that is you pull a wooden block along a carpet at a constant speed and a Newton meter between you and the block measures 5 Newton’s then the force of friction between the carpet and the block is exactly 5 Newton’s. If the object is accelerating then this rule does not apply.For ...

How To: Draw the Lewis structure for carbon dioxide & methanol

In this Education video tutorial you are going to learn how to draw the Lewis structure for carbon dioxide & methanol. Carbon dioxide is CO2. Oxygen atoms don’t bond together. So, carbon atom has to be in the center. Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and carbon has 4. Hence, carbon wants to form 4 bonds and each oxygen atom wants to form 2 bonds. So, two each electrons of carbon will bond with 2 electrons of each oxygen atom. The Lewis structure for CO2 will be ( …. O=C=O….). The 4 dots within t...

How To: Make a baking soda volcano project

In this video, we learn how to make a homemade volcano. You will need: 6 cups of all purpose flour, 2 cups of salt, 4 tablespoons of cooking oil, an empty plastic soda bottle, dish washing liquid, food coloring (optional), vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, a cooking pan, a mixing bowl and spoon, 2 cups of warm water, plastic container. First, add 6 cups of water to large mixing bowl. Now, add 2 cups of salt, 2 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of cooking oil. Mix this together with your sp...

How To: Draw the Lewis dot structures for 2 types of alcohol

In this video, you will learn how to draw the Lewis Dot structure for CH3CH2OH, or drinking alcohol. To draw the first type of alcohol, draw H, C, C, O, and H horizontally. Now draw, an H above and below both C. Draw the dot structures in between each letter. Hydrogen has one valance electrons, Carbon has four, and Oxygen has six. Now, connect the Lewis Dot Structures. If you are given C2H6O, write down C, O, and C horizontally. Draw a line between the O and the C's. The Carbons will have thr...

How To: Build a simple barometer with household materials

ARHSphysics shows viewers how they can build a simple barometer using household items! First, you need to get a container that is the height of an index card. Your best bet is to get an empty soup can of food can. Make sure you wash the can. Now, you will need a latex glove, cut a semi circle from the glove and attach this to the top of the can using a rubber band. Get two straws and attach them together at the ends. Cut a slit in each one and attach the straws. Attach the straw to the top of...

How To: Make a candle wax explosion

In this video, you'll see how and why wax can be a deadly. This is how it works,When the test tube is submerged in cold water, the glass forms tiny cracks. The Water enters gets into the tube and vaporizes causing a micro explosion. The hot wax is then ejected from the tube quickly as oxygen is displaced from the tube itself. Be careful, and make sure to be as safe as possible when trying this experiment at home.

How To: Draw atoms of different elements

An atom is a basic unit of matter consisting of a dense, central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged ions. The nucleus itself is a mixture of positively charged protons amd electrically neutral neutrons. Different groups of elements have respective atomic numbers. You can use the periodic table as a tool to draw atoms of elements. The periodic table is organized into periods, groups and families. This video is a tutorial that reviews the subatomic particles found in an atom. I...

How To: Make dancing drops

This video shows you how to make your liquid dance. Its happens like so, at around 300 degrees Fahrenheit a phenomenon in which a liquid, at close contact with a mass significantly hotter than the liquid's boiling point, rides upon an insulating vapor layer which keeps that liquid from boiling and evaporating. What is this strange phenomenon? The "Leidenfrost effect" of course, and with Mr. G at the helm it's also a lot of fun.

How To: Make faux night vision goggles at home

Ever wonder how to make your very own faux night vision goggles? Well, Mr. G shows you exactly how to make your own night vision "glasses". Step by step, soley using household products. This experiment is just too good to be true. A foolishly easy experiment that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. This video is just for fun, don't let it fool you!

How To: Balance chemical equations properly

Confused by the equations in chemistry class? This tutorial is here to help! Clark College Tutoring and Writing Center tutors Kevin Martin and Joey Smokey explain how to balance chemical equations, providing examples and tips in this two part video series. You will definitely improve your test scores after watching this step by step program.

How To: Explode soda bottles with dry ice & make a spring

In this video Dave Spencer shows you how to make soda bottles explode using dry ice. You will need dry ice pellets plastic soda pop bottles , and gloves (dry ice can be held in your hands but should be kept moving and not held up too long as it can cause severe frost bite). The presenter asks you to note that this activity is illegal in the state of Utah. Crushed dry ice is inserted into the soda pop bottle. The soda pop bottle is then shaken up vigorously and placed into the ground. You shou...

How To: Calculate and understand the concept of molar mass

Two college students; Kevin Martin and Joey Smokey introduce the concept of Molar Mass. They start of by explaining what molar mass is, which is the relationship of a mole and a gram, it totals up the weight(in g)of a molecule. An example: say you have this compound, Sodium phosphate (Na3PO4). You know you have three sodium atoms, one phosphorus atom, and four oxygen atoms. You basically find the weight of each atom, if you have three sodium atoms, you multiply it's atomic mass by 3 (the numb...

How To: Make a cloud, then make it disappear

This video features a really cool science experiment that is easy to do and fun to watch. Items you will need are a plastic 2-liter bottle with a sports bottle type cap (the kind you pull up on in order to sip liquids through the top), about a quarter of a cup of water and two matches. First, take the cap off the bottle and pour the water into the bottle before putting the cap back on the bottle. Then, simply open the pull top on the cap (so that when the bottle is squeezed and released air i...

How To: Make hot ice from scratch

To make instant hot ice or sodium acetate, first pour two jugs of vinegar minus one cup into a large pot. Then, slowly add baking soda to the mixture and stir it. When the vinegar and baking soda no longer react, stop adding baking soda. Next, add the rest of the vinegar to the pot. Boil half of the solution off and cool it down to room temperature. For better filtering, add charcoal to the mixture. Filter out the charcoal with a wire sifter. Heat up the solution again and filter it through c...

How To: Make "hot ice"

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make "hot ice". Users will need sodium acetate. Begin by putting the sodium acetate into a pan. Add a small amount water to the sodium acetate. Heat the mixture on a stove until the sodium acetate has dissolved. Pour the solution into a container. Do not pour in any undissolved crystals. Put the container into the freezer or refrigerator for a while. When the solution cools down to room temperature, take it out. Touch the sodium acetate and it will...

How To: Balance chemical equations with MyTutorBuddy

Learn how to balance chemical equations with MyTutorBuddy. Learn about this in this video tutorial. There are four easy steps to do this. Step #1 – place 1 by the most complex compound. Step #2 – balance anything that is not an element. Step #3 – balance the elements. Step #4 – multiply by the lowest common multiple. The 4th step doesn’t always come in to play. The video demonstrates with an equation: C3H8 + O2 -> H2O + CO2. But, this equation is not balanced. Using the 1st three steps, the v...

How To: Make a simple ping pong smoke bomb with one ball

This video demonstrates the easiest and fastest smoke bomb that a person can make. Supplies include aluminum foil, standard ping pong ball, a pen or pencil, and a flame lighter. Wrap the ping pong ball with foil, being extra careful not to tear the aluminum foil. Use the pen to create a funnel shape with the foil. Remove the pen. Now, light the bottom while holding the top. The smoke is toxic, so don't inhale. Make sure the smoke bomb is on a non-flammable surface as it gets very hot. Also, w...

How To: Make hydrogen gas & an explosion

First you need to make hydrogen gas which require a few material. Such as a glass bottle, a Full table spoon of aluminum (beer or soda can will work), a half a cup of cold water, a table spoon or two of caustic soda, a funnel, a medium size container of water, a way of cutting the aluminum, one or two balloon's, and some safety glasses just incase something goes wrong.

How To: Balance chemical equations with Olivia and Andrea

Olivia and Andrea created a song to the tune of "I'll stand by you" by the Pretenders to teach you how to balance chemical equations. A chemical equation requires coefficients in order to be balanced. You can balance a chemical equation by making use of the Periodic table. The example reaction in the song is that of aluminum and oxygen to produce aluminum oxide (Al + 02 -> Al203). You can systematically add coefficients to the reactants and products to balance the equation. A chemical equatio...