Hot Science Experiments How-Tos
How To: Turn Just Half of a Purple Liquid Clear with the Photochemical "Two-Faced" Reaction
We've shown you how to make water change color on command, but how about just half of it? What if I told you that you can split a solution right down the middle and make the color disappear from one side, just by shining light on it?
How To: Make Trippy Triboluminescent Crystals That Glow Red or Blue When You Smash Them
If you're a Breaking Bad junkie who can't wait for the next episode, satisfy your craving with a little at-home chemistry and make some blue DIY smash-glow crystals! No, this is not Walter White's so-called "Big Sky" or even the subpar cringe-worthy product of his competitors. It's not even the same kind of crystals, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. This is totally legal, even kid-friendly if you play it safe, though it actually requires more safety precautions than the potassium nitra...
How To: Use a laser to ignite a fire within a regular balloon
All you need is a burning laser, a bit of flash paper (which you can find at any magician's shop), some thread, a balloon pump, and of course, a balloon. Then set it all up to set a fire inside the balloon!
How To: Build parachutes with household materials
In this video, we learn how to build parachutes with household materials. You will need: a long string, Mylar, mesh, plastic, scissors, tape, and a weight. To get started, you will first cut your plastic or mesh into a circle or octagon shape. Then, take your string and cut it into several pieces. Then, tape the strings onto your material all around. After this, tie your weight to the strings so it's fully secured. Now, go to somewhere high and throw down your item! The parachute will help ke...
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 copper hydroxide Cu(OH)2 with copper metal
In this home-science how-to, we learn how to synthesize copper hydroxide Cu(OH)2 using copper metal and the electro-chemical approach. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own copper hydroxide, watch this video guide form YouTube user sciencoking.
How To: Make ammonium chloride from hydrochloric acid and ammonia
This free video science lesson from the Home Scientist demonstrates a simple technique for creating ammonium chloride from hydrochloric acid and ammonia. For all of the relevant details and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started trying this experiment yourself, watch this home-science how-to.
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: Check blood pressure
In this video we learn how to check blood pressure. First, ensure that the patient is relaxed the cuff is empty of all air. The arm should be held at the level of the heart. The doctor will then start to pump air into the cuff to inflate it. The doctor will do this until the pulse is not felt anymore. The pressure of the cuff will start to raise, then they will slowly reduce the air from the cuff. The doctor will listen to the flow of blood through the artery as the air is leaving the cuff. N...
How To: Make graphene sheets from graphite flakes and cellophane tape
Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, from the University of Manchester, have just won the Nobel Prize in physics from their work with graphene. They've found a way to isolate graphene from graphite (carbon in pencil lead) and distinguish its behavior, which holds extreme potential for future technology.
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: Focus your laser to make it burn
In this video, we learn how to focus your laser to make it burn. The best spot for a laser to burn things is at its focal point. This is where the beam from the laser is at its smallest. If you hold a match in front of the beam, it will light it on fire as soon as it's in front of it. If you put two lasers next to each other going the same direction, it won't be able to burn because the light beam is too large. If you position the lasers so the light is smaller, then they can catch something ...
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: 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: Do a yeast experiment to see how much C02 it produces
In this Education video tutorial you will learn how to do a yeast experiment to see how much C02 it produces with different types of food. Yeast is a fungus and it has to eat. After it eats, it produces CO2 gas. The bubbles in bread are produced by the CO2 gas from the yeast. Take five different types of food items and measure out the same quantity for each item. In the video it is 8gms of cookie, oil, flour, salt and sugar. Take six glasses of water and mix one packet of yeast in each glass....
How To: Do a sodium and water experiment
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a sodium and water experiment. Sodium is a silver metal that is very reactive. When exposed oxygen in the air, an outer coding of sodium oxide will form. Simply drop a piece of sodium into a cup of water. When dropped in water, sodium reacts to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The sodium will constant move around in the water. Sometimes the heated reaction will cause the nitrogen gas to ignite. Under the right condition, it may even cause...
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: Make Ammonium Nitrate with NaHSO4 and Nitrate Salt
OK, so you don't necessarily have to make ammonium nitrate to have ammonium nitrate — ammonium nitrate can simply be obtained from fertilizers and instant cold packs. Making homemade NH4NO3 can be much more expensive then buying it, but this method is not meant to be a viable route, it's an exploration of science and chemistry.
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: Build a DIY electromagnet for cheap
This video shows the viewer how to make an electromagnet using common items. This is done using a broken microwave, a spool, a cordless drill, a battery and a coat hanger. The microwave transformer is dismantled and the enamel insulated wire is removed. Using the cordless drill the wire is then coiled around the spool. The iron coat hanger should then be cut into small pieces and placed in the middle of the spool. It should be secured tightly. The battery was then connected to the wired coile...
How To: Understand how sodium nitrate burns
Ever wondered how science could turn out to be fun? Here's how: take a piece of paper with a mixture of sodium nitrate and sugar. When heated, sodium nitrate releases oxygen and burns sugar. Sugar alone cannot burn fast. If you want faster results, then take sodium nitrate with sulphur and some reactive metals. Add some coal to it for a faster result. This will help you burn some useless pile in quick time.
How To: Burn money without damaging it
Evil Dylan takes a twenty dollar bill and sets it on fire, but does not damage the money at all. Materials necessary for this experiment are distilled water, alcohol and a twenty dollar bill. He measures 45ml of distilled water into a measuring cup and then tops it off at 100ml with the alcohol. He then puts the twenty dollar bill into the mixture and soaks it for a while making sure that the bill is totally immersed. Then he sets it on fire and even though the fire burns, the bill is not dam...
How To: Detect counterfeit money
Look at the money you are receiving. Carefully inspect it for any strange colors, marks, or texture. Do not assume that a different color, texture, or design is simply a mistake made at the treasury. The bills there are all made the same based on the denomination.
How To: Test manganese dioxide for purity (and sand)
This video speaks to everyone who has ever bought anything online, or in fact, anyone who has ever bought anything period. How do you know what you're getting is genuine? Is it a fake product? Is it stolen goods? Is it impure?
How To: Use vinegar & hydrogen peroxide to reveal fingerprints
Learn how to find latent finger prints on brass surfaces, such as fired cartridge cases. Called the Acidified Peroxide method, using only white distilled vinegar and hydrogen peroxide that you can find at your local drugstore, you can uncover fingerprints that is usually impossible to see using other methods. After mixing the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide the solution should start turning a greenish color around the brass object after 5 to 10 minutes. After you see the green color throw away ...
How To: Build a reed instrument from a drinking straw
In this two-part science tutorial, learn how to make a DIY reed instrument! By cutting the end of a drinking straw you can make a musical reed instrument that you can actually play a tune on. Within these videos, you will also gain some insite into the science of sound and music.
How To: Make oxygen from permanganate and hydrogen peroxide
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.
How To: Make copper sulfate and zinc batteries
Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make copper sulfate and zinc batteries. They show you how to make the classic copper sulfate and zinc battery using the incredibly easy "gravity" battery design approach. Great for science fairs and similar projects this battery can be used to explore many basic concepts in batteries.
How To: Make neon green water glow
Check out this how-to video for making water glow, or for making glow water (it's pretty much the same thing). Get ready for that fun, neon green color. You will need a cup on gloves, among other things, to make glow water. Use a black light.
How To: Make corrosive hydrochloric acid
Process of making Hydrochloric acid using table salt and concentrated sulfuric acid. Consentration of the syntethised acid was 2.7M or 10%. Music: 1200 Mics - Rock into the future.
How To: Calculate your carbon footprint
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to calculate your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is an equation that estimates just how much you, personally, are contributing to global warming—and all you have to do is plug some info into an online calculator. Figuring out how to make your footprint smaller, of course, is another matter.
How To: Make instant flying condoms
Learn how to make a self inflating, flying condom! We should you how to make an instant flying condom using a few household items. Fantastic and fun science experiment! You will need one condom, one bag of hydrogen peroxide and dishwasher limescale remover.
How To: Suck a Hard-Boiled Egg into a Bottle with a Burning Match
Can you suck an egg into a bottle? Let's find out. For this quick science experiment, you will need an egg, a bottle, and matches. Simply drop a match in the bottle and place the hard-boiled egg on top and watch it get sucked in.
How To: Form hydrothermal quartz
How can hot water form beautiful quartz crystals? This mine is red Georgia clay, with veins of minerals running through it. The veins are hydrothermal. Hydro means water. Thermal means heat. So the veins were caused by hot water. But how could hot water form quartz crystals?
How To: Clamp glassware to an apparatus in the chemistry lab
The Interactive Lab Primer (ILP) has been developed as part of the Royal Society of Chemistry Teacher Fellowship Scheme, one of the themes of the Chemistry for Our Future program, and initiative which aims to secure a strong and sustainable future for the chemical sciences in higher education. The aim of the ILP is to address the diverse range of experience and skills students bring with them to a university by offering a resource to support their transition from school to the university chem...
How To: Mix gradients with a gradient mixer in the lab
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta brings you this video tutorial specifically relevant to your student laboratory courses, specifically microbiology. If you're a student at any school of biology, this information will be helpful for learning how to mix gradients with a gradient mixer in the lab.
How To: Make a Leyden jar
Cool project to show how a capacitor operates!
How To: Dissect a Mare Reproductive Tract
The reproductive tract of a mare is suspended by the broad ligament. If you're a veterinarian in training, or just curious of the anatomy of the female equine reproductive tract, then these two video dissection tutorials are for you.