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Science Experiments How-Tos

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How To: Find the area of a trapezoid easily

Finding the area of a trapezoid can be done easily by using a simple formula. The area can be found by adding the length of base 1 plus base 2 then multiplying by the height and then dividing the sum by 2. The bases of the trapezoid are the straight lines that are parallel to one another. The last number in the equation is total height of the trapezoid. Now all that remains left is to plug these number into the formula and find the area of your trapezoid.

How To: Understand the structure/parts of the cell

In this video the author shows about the different parts of a biological cell. He intends to explain the parts of a cell by using a diagram and incrementally building different parts of the cell explaining them along the way. he starts with drawing the cellular membrane which is the boundary or outer cover of the cell. Now he starts with drawing the DNA which are also called as he genes of the cell. Now he draws and shows other parts of cell called eukaryotes, chromatin and also nucleus which...

How To: Perform multiple dry ice experiments

This video shows how sublimation works. The instructor shows how to mix bubbled water, ice water and dry ice to create dry ice smoke. He is essentially making a hand made fog machine. This task must be done carefully because if the solution is isolated and concealed it will build pressure and possibly explode. Take extreme caution in doing this home experiment. The instructor also shows you how to make music spoons using temperature changes on the metal.

How To: Use gentian violet to reveal latent fingerprints

This video would be very interesting for those seeking careers or those interested in the field of criminal science. This field involves forensic science. The video explains to us how to use gentian violet in order reveal latent fingerprints. He explains to us the experiment he is about to do before he does it. Genetian violet is a type of dye solution that can be very helpful in retrieving fingerprints. Safety goggles and gloves should be worn at all times.

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: Use a sodium potassium pump

This is a great video presentation of how Sodium Potassium Pump can maintain a voltage gradient across a cell. It also discusses various things like the differences between positive and negative charges and positive and less positive charges etc. The video tries to explain a lot of things happen within a cell when you fluctuate the voltage of sodium as well as positive and negative ions within a cell. You must watch it yourself to see the changes happen within a cell when you make some changes.

How To: Find the volume of a sphere

In this video the author show how to find the volume of a sphere. The formula for finding the volume of a sphere is 4/3 * Pi * r*r*r, where r is the radius of the sphere. Now to compute the volume of a sphere you have to note down the radius of the sphere and substitute it in the above formula along with the other substitutions. The author shows this with an example by taking a sphere of some radius and calculating its volume. To find out how to calculate the volume of a sphere watch this vid...

How To: Melt Styrofoam with nail polish remover

This short video is about melting a styro cup without fire. It's magical. Anyone watching it would wonder what had happened to the Styrofoam cup which was dipped in Acetone, nothing but common nail polish remover. This is a short and cute video and watching this could be fun for kids. The fun element comes at the later part of the video. This would kindle the interest of kids in trying out the reaction of different substances in various solvents.

How To: Build a movie wheel

Have you ever wondered how movies are made? There are many modern techniques available today to produce movies. This was not the scenario centuries back when there were no movies or films. The earliest form was the movie wheel and this video teaches you exactly how to build a movie wheel. The video is simple and instructive which even an elementary school kid will be able to understand. You can use this for your school science projects. This is one tutorial which will leave everyone spinning.

How To: Make sodium acetate ("hot ice") in your kitchen

The Mr.G Show presents how to make "hot ice" more commonly known as sodium acetate in the kitchen. You start with one liter of white vinegar which you place into a sauce pan. You add four table spoons of baking soda to the pan being very careful because both chemical together will react an may cause a big mess so be prepared to clean up any boil over that may arise. Wait while this mixture boils down for the real fun to starts. The hot ice created will transform from a liquid to a solid befor...

How To: Make a Borax snowflake using supersaturated solutions

Perform your own fun and exciting science experiment from the comfort of your own home. With the help of this instructional video, create a beautiful Borax snowflake with simple household items like boiling water, string, pip-cleaners and pitcher. Fun for both kids or adults, this step by step guide will give you exact measurements and in less than twenty four hours, anyone can have a unique gift or decoration! You can even add food coloring to make a rainbow of delicate snowflakes that are p...

How To: Remove Iron from Cereal

There's a lot of iron in your cereal, so much that it's possible to isolate and remove it using a little known trick. In the video below, Mr. G of Do Try This at Home will show you his secret to removing the iron content of your daily cereal, using a magnet to show exactly how much of the mineral is in a bowl of bran flakes. It's a little bit awkward, so brace yourself!

How To: Turn Your Computer into a Pulse Monitor

Have you ever wanted to see your heartbeat, but without the stress of having to be in the hospital? You can with this easy, step-by-step guide to turn your computer in a pulse monitor to check your heart rate from the comfort of your own chair. Check the beating of your heart after a workout to see how fast your blood is pumping or watch it drop after a soothing day at the spa or a nice bubble bath. The easy to follow video tutorial is set to a funky beat that is sure to get your blood (and f...

How To: Understand diffusion & osmosis

Inside the container we have some water molecules and inside those water molecules we have some sugar molecules. We have more water molecules so in this case the thing which is more of called SOLVENT and the thing which is lesser is called SOLUTE. We can say sugar molecule dissolves in the water. The combination of Solvent and Solute is called the SOLUTION. Diffusion is spreading the molecules from high concentration to low concentration. If we take two containers of water which are joined fr...

How To: Understand saltatory conduction in neurons

This video is a discourse about saltatory conduction in the neurons. According to the author, it begins with the opening of a gate on the membrane of one of the dendrites of a neuron, and positive charge enters through this gate. The positive charge spreads throughout the cell, and gets dissipated as it spreads, so that, by the time it reaches the Axon hillock of the neuron, it is left with very little potential. However, the potential which results from the simultaneous excitement of many de...

How To: Compare fractions.

This video will show those who would like to learn more about math how to easily compare fractions with different denominators using a simple technique. You will be able to compare the fractions to each other by multiplying the numerator of each fraction with the denominator of the other, in a process called cross-multiplication. Keeping the numbers on the proper side of the equation, compare the two products which you receive from each cross multiplication and you will be able to compare the...

How To: Do three balloon science experiments

This video describes how to perform a three balloon science experiment which is a good way for children to learn scientific principles and could make a good science project for school. In this video one will learn key elements of each project and the logic behind the fun. For example in the first experiment one learns about air pressure and how changes from hot to cold cause amazing effects. Overall this video is simple and useful for anyone who would like to teach, entertain or help children...

How To: Make magnets float down a steel tube

Mr.G in the episode 3 of "Summer snow fall" explain the experiment for eddy currents and lenz law by using general house hold items like copper tubes of different dia., 2-neo themium magnets attached together and a ball bearing magnet. At first he took the big diameter copper tube and drop the neo-themium magnets, they fall slowly without touching the surface of the copper tube as they are like freely falling from space with less gravity, for the next time he took small diameter copper tube a...

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: Use superglue to reveal latent fingerprints

Do you need to check a scene for prints, or are maybe just curious about the techniques of forensic science? In this video, Robert Bruce Thompson from the Home Scientist unravels the mysterious of forensic fingerprinting using common materials that you may already have sitting around in your home right now. Explains and demonstrates the process of superglue fuming step-by-step to reveal latent fingerprints. Includes great tips on how to improve and speed up the process using household products.

How To: Understand the physics of waves: true story of Roswell

In this three-part video, learn about the events surrounding the newspaper article in Roswell New Mexico 1947 regarding crashed flying saucers. The story has to do with nuclear weapons, the second world war, government lies and the movement of sound waves. See how the evnst of Roswell tie in with physics of waves with help from host, Professor Richard Muller of Berkeley University.

How To: Understand the Big Bang theory

Curious about the Big Bang Theory. In this four-part video, learn all you need to know from a great source. Hosted by Professor Richard Muller of the University California, Berkeley, this lecture is part of university's spring 2006 webcasts of "Physics For Future Presidents".

How To: Understand reduction & oxidation in Chemistry

Curious about reduction & oxidation? In this two-part episode of The Science Catalyst hosted by Barry Lambson, the subject of Chemistry, reduction & oxidation is gone over with iron powder and copper sulphate. Oxidation and reduction are heavily related which is why they are both considered "redox reactions". Acids and bases may be thought of as reactions involving hydrogen, or protons, while redox reactions tend to be concerned with electron gain and loss.

How To: Understand Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

From The Apprentice Doctor, a video regarding "Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis", which means a blood clot in the cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus is in the base of the brain and contains several nerves, a vein and many other structures. The vein that sits in the Cavernous sinus carries deoxygenated blood from the brain & face and brings it back to the heart. This video shows how to spot Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis in a patient's protruding eyes.

How To: Create napalm

This video illustrates how to make napalm. You will need a petri dish, gasoline, and styrofoam to create napalm. Combining the styrofoam and gasoline in a petri dish you allow the styrofoam to dissolve and become a semi-solid substance. It will have the consistency of chewing gum and it will be highly flammable. This substance will be sticky and if lit it should be lit outside and at a distance from anyone as it will produce a gas that is toxic.

How To: Make duct tape glow

If there was a way to make duct tape more desirable and distinct, would you do it? Well, what if there was a way to make duct tape glow? There is a way. Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make duct tape glow with Dr. Lithium.

How To: Make an electroscope for static electricty experiments

In this video, learn how to make your own homemade electroscope. An electroscope is an early scientific instrument that is used to detect the presence and magnitude of electric charge on a body and for static electricity experiments. They are easy to make. This electroscope is made from a binder clip and two sheets of plastic (or overhead transparency film), and scissors.

How To: Passivate titanium metal for electrochemistry

If you want to make some electrodes for electrochemistry, titanium strips are the way to go. It's rather interesting metal, and it's really hard, but can be cut with standard metalworking tools. Titanium filings are highly flammable, just like iron filings. But not everything is what it seems… this quick video on titanium and passivation electrochemistry tells why it makes it a bad anode if used without further treatment.