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POP, BANG, FIZZ!

Prepare for a Truly Unforgettable Experience


SteveSpangler,scienceteacherandinventorandhandsonsciencegurusaysthefollowing,If wewanttocreateunforgettablelearningexperiences,wemustteachthelearnerhowtodo somethingtrulyamazing. Oneofthesecretstoachievingthisgoalistomakecertainthatourstudentsaregiventhe opportunitytodotheactivitiesthemselves.Thatconceptseemssimple,buttoomanytimeswe asteachersandadultsendupdoingtheactivityforthekids.Notthatweshouldnthavefun.An enthusiastic,laughingadultwhoisthoroughlyenjoyinghimself/herselfwhileconductingor participatingorguidingsomeoneelsethroughanykindoflessonissettingafarbetterexample thanthesilentadultwholikestosaySHHHHH!andgetsupsetwhenthechildrenasktoo manyquestionsorgetalittlemessy.Havingfuniscontagiousitsoneofthebestattributesof anamazingteacher. Getthechildupthere,withsleevesrolledupandpermissiontotalkandlaughandgetwetor stickyorcreative,andtellhimhesgoingtodosomethingLOUDandMESSYthatmightmake theotherkidsduckandtrytocatchflyingthings,andthewondersthatareourplanetbeginto unfoldandmakeimpressionsonourstudents. LessonsthatdemonstratetoALLagestheloveoflearningarethebestkind.Anddontthink thatboththechildandtheadultdontnoticethat.Whenachildissoexcitedaboutwhathehas learnedthatday,thathecantwaittogethomeandshareitwitheveryonearound,thats genuineeducationthatthatchildisgoingtoremember. Let'sfaceit,scienceisalreadyfun,butitalsohastoberelevanttothecurriculumandtothe realworld.Wehaveallbeentaughtthatahandsonapproachisbetterthanthemore traditionalsitandlistenlecturestyle,butisthattrue?"Justbecausekidsaredoingahandson activitydoesn'tmeanthey'relearning,"accordingtoSteveSpangler."Weasteachersneedto learnhowtoeffectivelyuseinquirybasedactivitiestoteachourstudentshowtobetterusethe scientificmethodandtostimulatetheirproblemsolvingskills.Thesecretisengagement insteadofsimplyinvolvement.Studentswanttobeengagedandtobechallengedtomake theirowndiscoveries. Forexample,asawayofdemonstratingtheincrediblepowerofair,instructorDougHodous vacuumpackedawillingteacherparticipantinagiantplasticbag. "Onceyou'resealedinabagfromtheneckdownandtheairisremoved,youunderstand whatitfeelsliketohave14.7poundsofairpushingoneverysquareinchofyourbody... andeverykidinclassroomwantstobevacuumpacked!"
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Thereisadifferencebetweenguidedinquiryandselfdirectedinquiry.Whenweteach,kidswe givethemguidedinquiry,thestepstoachieveaparticulargoal.Selfguidingiswhenachildcan playandlearnbymakinganddoing.Therearealwaystimesthatguidedinstructionis necessary,butthereissomewonderfullearningthatcantakeplacewhentheteachersteps outsideofthatandwewanttodoboth.Bydoingthis,wellmakeitoneunforgettableweekfor ourstudents,andourselves. Thanksforcomingalongontheadventure!WehopeitwillbeaBLAST! Theincludedexperiments,activities,anddemonstrationswerefoundatorinspiredby www.stevespanglerscience.comandcanbefoundinthehandsonsciencelibraryof experimentsandareusedwithpermissionforprivatenoncommercialandeducationaluse only.Pleasegotothewebsiteandexploreforevenmorefunhandsonactivitiesandamazing scienceproducts.

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DuringallActivities,Demonstrations,andExperimentsthefollowing Standardswillbecovered:
K2Inq.1Usesensesandsimpletoolstomakeobservations K2Inq.2Communicateinterestinsimplephenomenaandplanforsimpleinvestigations K2Inq.3Communicateunderstandingofsimpledatausingageappropriatevocabulary K2Inq.4Collect,discuss,andcommunicatefindingsfromavarietyofinvestigations 3rd5thInq.1Identifyspecificinvestigationsthatcouldbeusedtoansweraparticularquestion andidentifyreasonsforthischoice. 3rd5thInq.2Identifytoolsneededtoinvestigatespecificquestions 3rd5thInq.3Maintainasciencenotebookthatincludesobservations,data,diagrams,and explanations. 3rd5thInq.4Analyzeandcommunicatefindingsfrommultipleinvestigationsofsimilar phenomenatoreachaconclusion. 6th8thInq.1Designandconductandopenendedscientificinvestigationtoansweraquestion thatincludesacontrolandappropriatevariables. 6th8thInq.2Identifytoolsandtechnologiesneededtogather,organize,analyze,andinterpret datacollectedfromamoderatelycomplexscientificinvestigation. 6th8thInq.3Useevidencefromadatasettodeterminecauseandeffectrelationshipsthat explainaphenomenon. 6th8thInq.4Reviewanexperimentaldesigntodeterminepossiblesourcesofbiasorerror, statealternativeexplanations,andidentifyquestionsforfurtherinvestigation. 6th8thInq.5Designamethodtoexplaintheresultsofaninvestigationusingdescriptions, explanations,ormodels.
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IndexofExperiments
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Antworks FrogHabitat SunPrintPaper SolarBag ShrinkWrapthatKid KidFriendlyElephantsToothpaste DryIceCrystalBallBubble Burping,Bubbling,SmokingWater OoohAhhhAwesomeBubbles FloatingBubble FloatingBalls&FlyingToiletPaper WalkingOnWater SkewerThroughaBalloon PracticalPolymersandhelpfulHydrogels SoilSoakers SlimeTheRealRecipevs.WhiteGluePutty WhiteGluePuttyYes,It'sSilly OilAbsorbingPolymer MoonBlob:ASelfSiphoningGel VanishingJellyMarbles InstantSnowTheEruptingSnow SchoolSpearIt! ScreamingBalloons SingingGlasses PopBottleSounds WhirlyTheTwirlingSoundHose

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27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54.

SingingRod MusicalStraws BouncingBubbleSolution BooBubbles GiantBubbles ChillyBubbles BallooninaBottle DoNotOpenBottleSodaPrank TheUnpoppableBalloon SevenLayerDensityColumn LiquidLayersStrawStackofColor SmokeRings(theModernWilliamTell) ColorChangingMilk SupersaturatedSolution VanishingStyrofoam ColorChangingMilkofMagnesia:HowAntacidsWorkinYourStomach SpinningTrayofGlassesandHoop IncredibleGrowingMarshmallows LemonSuds ThinkInk!TheClockReaction MakeYourOwnBubblingLavaLamp MakingLemonadeFizzyDrink BrewYourOwnFlavoredSodaorRootBeer(Kit) BrewSodawithoutaKit SinkingSodaSurprise ExperimentInstantFreezeSodaIce SodaCanShakeup MentosGeyserDietCokeEruption

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55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82.

GlowingTonicGeyser TornadoinaBottle FloatingWater AntiGravityWater FireWater:CoolestConductorofHeat StrongSand TheBrazilNutEffect FloatingBowlingBalls FloatingLemonsandSinkingLimes AmazingEggExperiments DancingRaisinsTheBubbleLifter IvorySoapScienceFloatsandGrows DivingKetchup FunFlyStick StaticElectricityZingers SqueezeBottleRocket PVCRocketLauncher MakeaCompass MagnetizedPaperClipChain AMeteoriteHitYourHouse! MagneticMoney MoneyinaBlenderAMoneySmoothie MagicSand BounceNoBounceBalls DisappearingInk MakeaCO2Sandwich MakingRockandRollIceCream HomemadeIceCreaminaBag

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83. 84. 85. 86. 87.

BubbleGumScience SpeediestChomper BiggestBubble UVBeads TeflonTapeSecrets

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Animals,Adaptations,andHabitats
Experiment:AntFarm(AntWorksHabitat/AntworksTunnelVision)
Studentswillstudythebehaviorofantsinaunique,selfcontainedenvironment.Anantfarmis agreatintrointoseveralbiologicalandbehavioralconcepts: Thereis,ofcourse,thestudyofinsectsandantbiology.Watchingthemdigtunnelsis fascinating.Andnotinalavalampkindofway,butinalogical,workhorseway:Antsare directedbyverysimplerules,butthosesimplerulescanproducecomplexresults,likethe complexityoftheantcommunityandthetunnelsystems. Alsomakenoticeofthegroupeffort:LikeEgyptianslaveslaboringtobuildthePyramids,or herdsofanimalsfightingoffpredators,anantfarmisagreatwaytoshowhowgroupeffortand cooperationcanaccomplishmorethanasingleindividualevercould. WithAntworks,Itsspecialgelisfullofnutrientsspeciallyformulatedfortheneedsoftheant (formulatedbyacertifiedantnutritionist).Becausethegelisclear,youcanactuallyseethe antsdigtheirtunnelsin3dimensions.AntWorksincludesacontainerwithaspecialgel formulation,magnifyingglass,20pagebookletdetailingfascinatingantfactsandaspecial 'extrememagnificationlens'withwhichyoucanevenseehairsontheants! ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kinder7.3.2Recordinformationaboutthecare,feeding,andmaintenanceofalivingthing 1st7.3.2DescribewhatplantsandanimalsneedinordertoGradeowandremainhealthy 2nd7.3.2Designamodelofahabitatforanorganisminwhichallofitsneedswouldbemet. 3rd7.3.3Identifystructuresusedbydifferentplantsand animalstomeettheirbasicenergyrequirements. 3rd7.4.1Sequencediagramsthatillustratevariousstagesinthe developmentofanorganism 3rd7.4.2Createatimelinetodepictthechangesthatoccur duringanorganisms'lifecycle. 4th7.5.1Classifyanimalsaccordingtotheirphysical adaptationsforobtainingfood,oxygen,andsurvivingwithina particularenvironment. 4th7.4.2Studythelifecyclesofavarietyoforganismsand determinewhethertheseprocessesillustratecompleteor incompletemetamorphosis.

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5th7.5.2Designamodeltoillustratehowananimal'sphysicalcharacteristicsenableitto surviveinaparticularenvironment. 5th7.4.1Explainhowgeneticinformationistransmittedfromparentstooffspring. 5th7.2.3Createasimplemodelillustratingtheinterspeciesrelationshipswithinanecosystem. 6th7.2.1Compareandcontrastthedifferentmethodsusedbyorganismstoobtainnutritionin abiologicalcommunity. 6th7.2.3Useafoodweborenergypyramidtodemonstratetheinterdependenceoforganisms withinaspecificbiome. 7th7.1.7Explainhowdifferentorgansystemsinteracttoenablecomplexmulticellular organismstosurvive. 7th7.3.7Describestructuresthatanimalsusetoobtainoxygen. 7th7.4.1Classifyorganismsaccordingtowhethertheyreproducesexuallyorasexually. 8th8.2.3Choosetheappropriatebiomeforanorganism,givenadescription. 8th8.2.4Identifybioticandabioticfactorsinabiome. 8th8.4.1Differentiatebetweencompleteandincompletemetamorphosis

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Experiment:PlanetFrog!
Watchaslivetadpolestransformintofrogsinthis realisticpondhabitat.Thesefrogsarelivinginstylewith ahideawaycave,arockslideandplentyofplacetoplay hideandseek.Thehabitatalsohasavented,see throughlidforsafeandeasyviewing.Thehabitatis breakresistantandescapeproof. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kinder7.3.2Recordinformationaboutthecare,feeding,andmaintenanceofalivingthing 1st7.3.2Describewhatplantsandanimalsneedinordertogrowandremainhealthy 1st7.2.1Identifythebasiccharacteristicsoflivingthings 1st7.2.2.Recordinformationaboutlivingornonlivingmaterialsbasedontheircharacteristics 2nd7.3.2Designamodelofahabitatforanorganisminwhichallofitsneedswouldbemet. 3rd7.3.3Identifystructuresusedbydifferentplantsandanimalstomeettheirbasicenergy requirements. 3rd7.4.1Sequencediagramsthatillustratevariousstagesinthedevelopmentofanorganism 3rd7.4.2Createatimelinetodepictthechangesthatoccurduringanorganisms'lifecycle. 4th7.3.1Createafoodwebthatillustratestheenergyrelationshipsbetweenplantsand animalsandthekeyissuesorassumptionsfoundinthemodel. 4th7.5.1Classifyanimalsaccordingtotheirphysicaladaptationsforobtainingfood,oxygen, andsurvivingwithinaparticularenvironment. 4th7.4.2Studythelifecyclesofavarietyoforganismsanddeterminewhethertheseprocesses illustratecompleteorincompletemetamorphosis. 5th7.5.2Designamodeltoillustratehowananimal'sphysicalcharacteristicsenableitto surviveinaparticularenvironment. 5th7.4.1Explainhowgeneticinformationistransmittedfromparentstooffspring. 5th7.2.3Createasimplemodelillustratingtheinterspecificrelationshipswithinanecosystem. 6th7.2.1Compareandcontrastthedifferentmethodsusedbyorganismstoobtainnutritionin abiologicalcommunity. 6th7.2.3Useafoodweborenergypyramidtodemonstratetheinterdependenceoforganisms withinaspecificbiome. 7th7.1.7Explainhowdifferentorgansystemsinteracttoenablecomplexmulticellular organismstosurvive. 7th7.3.7Describestructuresthatanimalsusetoobtainoxygen. 7th7.4.1Classifyorganismsaccordingtowhethertheyreproducesexuallyorasexually. 8th8.2.3Choosetheappropriatebiomeforanorganism,givenadescription. 8th8.2.4Identifybioticandabioticfactorsinabiome. 8th8.4.1Differentiatebetweencompleteandincompletemetamorphosis
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Sun,Moon,SkyandBeyond
Teachingkidsabouttheenergyofthesunisimportant!Let'sfaceit,withoutthesunthere wouldbenolifeonEarth.Thegoodnewsisthatourlargeststariswithustostay,atleastfor anotherfewmillionyears.

Experiment:SunPrintPaper
Makeamazingwhiteonblueprintswithyourfavoriteobjects! Justplaceleaves,flowers,shells,orwhateveryouchooseon thephotosensitivepaperandplaceinthesun.Removethe objectsafteracoupleofminutesandrinsethepaperto"fix"it. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: 2nd7.10.1Identifyandexplainhowthesunaffectsobjectson thesurfaceoftheearth. 2nd7.10.2Investigatehowthesunaffectsvariousobjectsand materials 4th7.9.1Useappropriatetoolstomeasureandcomparethe physicalpropertiesofvarioussolidsandliquids. 4th7.9.2Comparethecausesandeffectsofvariousphysicalchangesinmatter. 4th7.10.1Designaninvestigationtodemonstratehowdifferentformsofenergyreleaseheat andlight. 4th7.10.2Designanexperimenttoinvestigatehowdifferentsurfacesdetermineiflightis reflected,refracted,orabsorbed. 6th7.10.3Designamodelthatdemonstratesaspecificenergytransformation. 7th7.8.2Designanexperimenttoinvestigatedifferencesintheamountofthesun'senergy absorbedbyavarietyofsurfacematerials. Materials

SunPrintPaper Water Cardboardandpushpinstokeepyourprintsinplaceorashallowtubwherethepaper willbeprotectedfromblowingawayinthewind Objectstotakea"picture"ofonthephotosensitivepaper

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1. HavestudentsplacetheirSunPrintPaper,bluesideUP,intheshallowtuborpinthe cornerstoapieceofcardboardforstability. 2. Placetheobjectsyouwishto"print"ontopofthepaper.Ifyourobjectsareparticularly lightweight,youcanholdtheminplacewithapieceofclearplasticwrap. 3. Exposethepapertothesunfor24minutes,untiltheSunPrintPaperturnsverypale blue. 4. Removethepaperfromthetrayorcardboardandsoakitinwaterforaboutone minute.Inthevideo,SteveusestheSplitDemoTanktobetterobservethechangethat occurswhenthepaperisplacedinwater. 5. Removethepaperfromthewaterandletitdryflat.Theimagewillsharpenasitdries. NowTryThis! AnotherinterestingwaytoseethechemicalreactionthatoccurswithSunPrintPaperistotest theeffectofdifferenttypesoflightsourcesonthepaper.Youcantestdifferentlightsources andtheeffectthatvariousexposuretimesplayintheprocess. Somelightsourcestotry:

100,60,40,25and15Wattlightbulbs Gradeeen,Red,Blue,YellowandBlacklight Fluorescentlight Buglight Infraredheatlamp

Tryexposingthepapertoeachlightsourceforsetintervalsoftime,withzeroexposurebeing yourcontrolintheexperiment.Recordyourdataandcompareresultsbetweenthelight sourcesandexposuretimes. Observations Learnaboutthenatureofsunlightandhowlightsensitivechemicalswork.Fromhere,launcha discussionabouthowcolorphotosaredeveloped,aseachlayerofchemicalsonthefilmreact tophotonsofdifferentcolor. Howdoesitwork?


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Thesunprintpaperiscoatedwithlightsensitivechemicals,whichreacttolightwavesand particleswhenexposedtolight.Whenyouplaceobjectsonthepaper,theyblockthelightand turnwhitewhilethepaperaroundthemremainsblue.Waterstopstheprocessandfixesyour imagesonthepaper. Inthelab,photosensitivepaperismadebycoatingasheetofpaperwithawatersoluble, bluishGradeeencompoundcallediron(III)hexacyanferrate(III),Fe[Fe(CN)6].Thecommon nameforthischemicalisBerlinGradeeenawellknownphotosensitivechemical.When exposedtoultravioletlight(UV),achemicalreactiontakesplacewherethewatersolubleBerlin Gradeeenchangesintoawaterinsolublechemicalcallediron(III)hexacyanoferrate(II), Fe[Fe4(CN)6]3ThecommonnameforthischemicalisPrussianblue.Whenyourinseyourprint inwater,thewatersolubleBerlinGradeeenwashesaway,butthewaterinsolublePrussian Blueremainsfixedonthepaper.TheintensityofthePrussianBluedependsontheamountof timethepaperisexposedtothelightsourceandtheintensityofthelightsource.Forexample, SunPrintPaperdoesn'tworknearlyaswellonacloudydayasitdoesonasunnyday. AdditionalExperimentstoTry Testyoursunscreen! 1. Cutasheetofsunsensitivepaperintosquares. 2. Puteachsquareintoanindividualzipperlockbag. 3. CollectsunscreenswithdifferentSPFsandspreadadifferentsunscreenoneachzipper lockbag. 4. ExposethebagswiththeSunPrintPaperinsidetothesun,andseewhathappens! 5. Recordyourdataanddocumentyourresearch.Isasunscreenwith45SPFmore effectivethanonewithaSPF15?

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Experiment:SolarBag
FilltheSolarBagwithairandletsolarenergymakeitfloat SolarBagmeasures15meters(50ft)longand74cm(29in)indiameter.Thethin,blackplastic bagholdsover60cubicmeters(200cubicft)ofair.Simplyfillwithairbyrunning,tieoffthe ends,andletthesolarenergyofthesunheattheairinsidethebag.Withinminutes,thebag risestotheskyandfloatslikeagiantsciencesausage.Bettertieitdownoryou'llbeflyingas well!Includesacompletescienceactivityguide. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: 4th7.11.4Planandexecuteaninvestigationthatdemonstrateshowfrictionaffectsthe movementofanobject. 4th7.11.2Designandinvestigationtoidentifyfactorsthataffectthespeedanddistance traveledbyanobjectinmotion. 5th7.10.3Describethedifferencesamongconduction,convection,andradiation. 6th7.8.2Designanexperimenttoinvestigatedifferencesintheamountofthesun'senergy absorbedbyavarietyofsurfacematerials. 6th7.8.1Recognizehowconvectioncurrentsintheatmosphereproducewind. 8th8.10.3Identifyvariousenergysources. 8th8.13.1Distinguishbetweenphysicalandchemicalchanges. 8th8.11.1Recognizethatforcescausechangesinspeedand/orthedirectionofmotion. What'sincluded?

1.5meter(50ft)longSolarBag Activityguidewithstudentworksheets

NOTE:SolarBagStringNOTincluded Howdoesitwork? Afterrollingoutthebagandtyingoneoftheends,youhavetorunaroundandfillthebagwith air.Onceitisfull,tietheotherendsothataircantescapeandwatchthepowerofthesunat work!Thesolarenergywillheatuptheairinsidethebagcausingthemoleculestomove aroundandbumpintoallsidesofthesolarbagandmakeitrise!Thisisaperfectexperimentto learnaboutthepropertiesofair,buoyancyandconvection.It'samazingscienceatwork!


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Whatdoesitteach? Learnaboutthepropertiesofairandairpressure.Discoverthesciencebehinddensityand buoyancyandhowtheyareaffectedbyheat.Exploretheenergybehindtheflight.Doesit matterifthereareclouds? Howhighcanitfloat? Theskysthelimitonthisone.Wehaveletasolarbagortwogoanditsbeenobservedby satellitesatover120,000feetintheair!!Thisisthemainreasonthatitisbesttohavesome stringattachedsothatyoucaninflateit,watchitfloat,andbringitbackinordertouseittime andtimeagain

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Experiment:ShrinkWrapThatKid!
Beforeyoustartblastingmewithcommentsletmeexplain.Thisisaverycoolsciencedemo, notaclassroommanagementtechnique(althoughitmightjustwork).Thedemowasoriginated byWayneGoates,andIsawhadthefortuneofseeingBobBeckerperformitliveataChemEd conferenceyearsago.YoullseewhytheVacuumPackedKidbecameaninstantfavorite.Peggy McCallfromHoustonCounty,GeorgiaattendedourScienceintheRockiessummerworkshopin 2007andimmediatelytookhometheideatosharewithher6thhonorsscienceclassroom. Rememberthebagdoesntgooverthekidsheadyoureshrinkwrappingfromtheneck down! ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: 1st7.1.3Makediagramstorecordandcommunicateobservations ThepremiseofthesciencedemonstrationisquitesimpleHoldingoneendofavacuum cleanerhose,thebravevolunteerstepsintoagiantbagthatispulledupandaroundthebase oftheneck(toformagoodseal).RememberthebagNEVERgoesoverthepersonshead! Withoneflickoftheswitch,theairisremovedandthebagwillshrinkandmolditselftightly aroundthecontourofthepersonsbody.Itsgreattowatchthereactiononthepersonsface ashebecomesimmobilizedbyaplasticstraightjacket(sotospeak). Butwhatdoesitteach?AsWayneGoatesdescribes,thecommonmisconceptionisthatairis suckedoutofthebag,butasallgoodstudentsofscienceknow,Newtonneverusedtheword suctioninanyofhiswritings.Instead,heusedwordslikepushandpulltodescribeforces.The vacuumcleanerpullstheairoutofthebagandallowsatmosphericpressure(14.7poundsper squareinch)topushinwardonthebodyofthepersoninsidethebag.Beforeturningonthe vacuumcleaner,thepressureinsidethebagwasthesameasthepressureoutsidethebag.The vacuumcleanerpullstheairoutofthebagandallowstheformfittingplastictotightlymold itselftothepersonsbody.Thepressureinsidethebagislessthantheairpressureoutsidethe bag.Feelingtheeffectsofthisreducedatmosphericpressurepushingonyourbodyisquite amazing.

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Experiment:Elephant'sToothpaste
ThisisakidfriendlyversionofthepopularElephant'sToothpastedemonstration.Achildwitha greatadulthelpercansafelydoitonhisorherownandtheresultsarewonderful. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.9.2Observe,discussandcomparecharacteristicsofvarioussolidsandliquids First7.9.2Compareliquidsaccordingtotheircolor,abilitytoflow,solubilityinwateranduse. 1st7.9.3Investigateanddescribetheresultsofmixingdifferentsubstancessuchassaltand pepper,waterandsand,waterandoil,andwaterandsalt. 2nd7.9.3Investigateanddescribetheresultsofmixingdifferentsubstancessuchassaltand pepper,waterandsand,waterandoil,andwaterandsalt. 2nd7.12.2Describewhathappenswhenanobjectisdroppedandrecordtheobservationsina sciencenotebook 3rd7.9.1Usephysicalpropertiestocompareandcontrastsubstances. 3rd7.9.2Compareandcontrasteventsthatdemonstrateevaporation,crystallization,and melting. 3rd7.9.3Makepredictionsandconductexperimentsaboutconditionsneededtochangethe physicalpropertiesofparticularsubstances. 3rd7.9.4Classifycombinationsofmaterialsaccordingtowhethertheyhaveretainedorlost theirindividualproperties. 4th7.9.1Useappropriatetoolstomeasureandcomparethephysicalpropertiesofvarious solidsandliquids. 4th7.9.2Comparethecausesandeffectsofvariousphysicalchangesinmatter. 5th7.9.1Comparethesimplechemicalpropertiesofcommonsubstances. 5th7.9.2Investigatehowdifferenttypesofmaterialsfreeze,melt,evaporate,ordissipate. 5th7.9.3Usedatafromasimpleinvestigationtodeterminehowtemperaturechangeaffects therateofevaporationandcondensation. 8th8.13.1Distinguishbetweenphysicalandchemicalchanges. 8th8.13.4Determinehowtemperatureandconcentrationmightaffecttherateofachemical reaction. 8th8.13.5Classifyareactionasexothermicorendothermic.
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Materials

16oz.emptyplasticsodabottle(preferablywithanarrownecksuchasthosemadeby CocaCola) 1/2cup20volumehydrogenperoxide(20volumeis6%solution,purchasedfroma beautysupplystore) SquirtofDawndishdetergent 34dropsoffoodcoloring 1teaspoonyeastdissolvedin~2tablespoonsverywarmwater Funnel Foilcakepanwith2inchsides Labgoggles Labsmock

1.Ateachstudent'splace:cakepan,plasticbottle,Dawninsmallcup,foodcoloring,funnel, gogglesandsmock,1/2cupperoxide,dissolvedyeastmixture. 2.Standupbottleinthecenterofthecakepan.Putfunnelinopening.Add34dropsoffood coloringtotheperoxideandpourtheperoxidethroughthefunnelintothebottle.Showa watermoleculediagramandaperoxidemoleculediagram,pointingtotheextraoxygenthat willbesetfree. 3.AddtheDawndetergenttotheperoxideinthebottle. 4.Pourtheyeastmixtureintothebottleandquicklyremovethefunnel. 5.Thestudentscantouchthebottletofeelanychangesthattakeplace. Observations Thereactioncreatesfoamthatshootsupoutofthebottleandpoolsinthepan.Afteraminute orso,itbeginstocomeoutinamovingstreamthatlooksliketoothpastebeingsqueezedourof atube.Thestudentscanplaywiththefoamasitisjustsoapandwaterwithoxygenbubbles. Thebottlewillfeelwarmtothetouchasthisisanexothermicreaction. Howdoesitwork? Talkabouttheadditionoftheyeastasacatalystwhichmakestheperoxidemoleculerelease theoxygenatomfaster.Theteacherwhosubmittedthisexperimentclaimstohavedonethis withhundredsofstudentsfromkindergartenthroughfifthgradeandsomeadultswhoallloved theexperiment.Itisveryeasyandsafetodoagainathomeusingregularhydrogenperoxide fromthedrugstore.

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DryIce:AHistory
Accordingtomadehow.comdryicewasnotinvented,ratherthepropertiesofsolidcarbon dioxidewerediscoveredintheearlytwentiethcentury.Itwasfirstproducedcommerciallyin the1920sintheUnitedStates.Acommercialventuretrademarkedthenamedryicein1925 andsolidcarbondioxidehasbeenreferredtoasdryiceeversince.Untilfairlyrecently,dryice wasoftenreferredtoashotice,areferencetothefactthatwhenonetouchedthecoldsurface thehandfeltburned. ItappearsthatthePrestAirDevicesCompanyofLongIsland,NewYorkfirstsuccessfully produceddryicein1925.Alsointhatyear,Schrafft'sofNewYorkCityfirstusedtheproductto keepitsfamousicecreamfrommeltinginsidetheirparlor.Dryicewasfarmoreextensively usedforrefrigerationandfreezingoffoodsinthemidtwentiethcenturythanitistoday. Virtuallyeveryicecreamparlorintheworlduseddryiceforkeepingicecreamfrozenuntilwell aftertheWorldWarII,whenelectricrefrigerationbecameaffordableandefficient.The manufacturingofdryicehasnotchangedsignificantlyinmanydecadesandisarelatively simpleprocessofpressurizingandcoolinggaseouscarbondioxide.Usesfordryicehave diminishedsomewhatwiththeadventofbetterelectricrefrigeration.Somerecent developmentsforitsuseincludeusingthepelletsinblastingorcleaninganditsincreasinguse intransportingmedicalspecimens,includinghearts,limbs,andtissues,forreattachmentand transplantation. RawMaterials Theonlyrawmaterialusedinthemanufactureofdryiceiscarbondioxide.Thisrawmaterialis thebyproductoftherefinementofgasesemittedduringthemanufactureorrefinementof otherproducts.MostcarbondioxideusedinthemanufactureofdryiceintheUnitedStatesis derivedfromrefinementofgasesgivenoffduringtherefinementofpetroleumandammonia. Thecarbondioxideemittedduringtheseprocessesissuckedoffand"scrubbed"toremove impuritiesforfoodgradecarbondioxidethatwilleventuallybecomedryice. TheManufacturingProcess Carbondioxideisliquefiedbycompressingandcooling,liquefyingatapressureof approximately870lb/in2(395kg/cm2)atroomtemperature.Liquidcarbondioxideispumped, viapiping,intohugeholdingtankssothatdryicemanufacturerscanremovetheliquid required. Theliquidcarbondioxideisshippedinhugequantities,sometimesweighingmanytons.Thus, mostdryicemanufacturerschoosetolocatetheirfactoriesclosetothepetroleumorammonia
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refineriestokeeptransportationcostsaffordable.Thepressurized,refrigeratedliquidcarbon dioxideispipeddirectlyintoapressurizedtankorrailcarownedbythedryicemanufacturer andheadsfortheplant. Thetanktrunkpullsuptothefactoryanddumpstheliquidcarbondioxideintohugetankson thepremises.Thesetanksholdtheliquidunderpressure,keepingitrefrigeratedsothatit remainsinliquidstate.Thesetanksaresituatedadjacenttothefactorywalland,through piping,theliquidisbroughtdirectlyinsidewhenrequiredformanufacturing. Theliquidcarbondioxideisreleased,againviapiping,fromtheadjacenttanksthroughthe factorywallandintothedryicepress.Whentheliquidmovesfromahighlypressurized environmenttoatmosphericpressure,itexpandsandevaporatesathighspeeds,causingthe liquidtocooltoitsfreezingpointwhichis109F(78.3C).Anozzleputstheliquidintothetop blockofadryicepress,whichstandsapproximately16ft(4.9m)tall.Thispressincludesalarge blockatthetopthatcanexertextremepressureontheproductthatisbroughtintoit.When theliquidcarbondioxidehitstheblockofthedryicepress,itimmediatelysolidifiessinceitis nowatroomtemperature.Thecarbondioxidenowresemblessnow. Thissnow,nowintheupperportionofthepress,mustbecompressedintoablockofdryice. Thus,thistopportionofthepressgoesupanddownwithextraordinarypressure(about60 tons),squashingthesnowintoasolidblockofdryice.Thisisapproximatelyafiveminute process.Whentheblockissolid,itisgenerallyabout2ft(61cm)wideand10in(25cm)high, weighingabout220lb(100kg). Thisblockofopaquewhitedryiceispushedoutofthepressandontoaroller.Apneumaticsaw cutstheblockinhalfandtheblocksarepushedtoanothersawthatcutsthesmallerblocksyet again.Thus,thesingleblockmadeinthedryicepressisnowinfourpieces,eachweighing about55lb(25kg). Thesmallerblocksareputintocontainersthatkeeptheblockscoldsosublimationiskepttoa minimum.Ifshippedasunwrappedpiecestheymustbetightlypackedinacontainer, Theformationofdryiceisaseriesofchemicalreactions.generallyincludingfourblocks,with verylittleairallowedinsidetoreducesublimation.Ifablockisremovedduringshipping,the otherblockswillquicklybegintodissipate.Manydryicemanufacturerswraptheblocksin paperusingmachines(itiswisenottotouchtheverycoldsurface)andsenditdistributorsor wholesalers.

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Experiment:DryIceCrystalBallBubble
It'stheworld'scoolestcrystalball. GreatspookyScienceIt'stheworld'scoolestcrystalball.Createa soapfilmontherimofthebucketandyou'llhavewhatappears tobeacrystalballfilledwithacloudlikemixtureofwatervapor andcarbondioxide.Whenthegiantbubblebursts,thecloudof "smoke"fallstothefloorfollowedbyanoutburstofooohs& ahhhsfromyouraudience! ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.9.2Observe,discussandcomparecharacteristicsofvarioussolidsandliquids Kindergarten7.2.2Usethesensestoinvestigateanddescribeanobject 1st7.9.2Describewhathappenswhenicechangesfromasolidtoaliquid 2nd7.9.3Investigateanddescribetheresultsofmixingdifferentsubstancessuchassaltand pepper,waterandsand,waterandoil,andwaterandsalt. 2nd7.12.2Describewhathappenswhenanobjectisdroppedandrecordtheobservationsina sciencenotebook 3rd7.9.1Usephysicalpropertiestocompareandcontrastsubstances. 3rd7.9.2Compareandcontrasteventsthatdemonstrateevaporation,crystallization,and melting. 3rd7.9.3Makepredictionsandconductexperimentsaboutconditionsneededtochangethe physicalpropertiesofparticularsubstances. 3rd7.9.4Classifycombinationsofmaterialsaccordingtowhethertheyhaveretainedorlost theirindividualproperties. 4th7.9.1Useappropriatetoolstomeasureandcomparethephysicalpropertiesofvarious solidsandliquids. 4th7.9.2Comparethecausesandeffectsofvariousphysicalchangesinmatter. 5th7.9.1Comparethesimplechemicalpropertiesofcommonsubstances. 5th7.9.2Investigatehowdifferenttypesofmaterialsfreeze,melt,evaporate,ordissipate. 5th7.9.3Usedatafromasimpleinvestigationtodeterminehowtemperaturechangeaffects therateofevaporationandcondensation. 8th8.13.1Distinguishbetweenphysicalandchemicalchanges. 8th8.13.4Determinehowtemperatureandconcentrationmightaffecttherateofachemical reaction.
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8th8.13.5Classifyareactionasexothermicorendothermic. Materials

Largebucketwithasmoothrim Solutionofdishsoapandwater Apieceofcloth18incheslong,gloves,safetyglasses Afewpiecesofdryice

DryIceGrocerystoresusedryicetokeepfoodcoldduringshipping.Somegrocerystoresand icecreamshopswillselldryicetothepublic(especiallyaroundHalloween)forapproximately $1perpound.It'sagoodideatotakeabeveragecoolerwithyoualongwithapairofglovesto protectyourhands.Ifyouareplanningtoperformanumberofdryicedemonstrations,planto purchase5to10pounds. Selectabucketorcontainerthathasasmoothrimandissmallerthan12inchesindiameter. Cutastripofclothabout1inchwideand18incheslong.Anoldtshirtworkswell.Soakthe clothinasolutionofDawndishsoaporuseyourfavoriterecipeformakingbubblesolution. Makesurethattheclothiscompletelysoaked.Fillthebuckethalffullwithwater.Havetongsor glovesreadytotransferthedryicetothebucket. Placetwoorthreepiecesofdryiceintothewatersothatagoodamountoffogisbeing produced.Removethestripofclothfromthedishsoapandcarefullypullthestripacrossthe rim.Thegoalistocreateasoapfilmthatcoversthetop.Italsohelpstohavetherimwet beforeyoustart.Thismaytakesomepracticeuntilyougetthetechniquemastered.Remember thatabubble'sworstenemiesaredirt,oil,androughedges.Yourpatiencewillpayoffinthe longrun. Ifyouaccidentallygetsoapinthebucketofwater,you'llnoticethat zillionsofbubblesfilledwithfogwillstarttoemergefromthebucket. This,too,producesagreateffect.Placeawaterproofflashlightinthe bucketalongwiththedryicesothatthelightshinesupthroughthefog. Drawtheclothacrosstherimtocreatethesoapfilmlidandturnoffthe roomlights.Thecrystalbubbleswillemitaneerieglowandyou'llbeable toseethefogchurninginsidethetransparentbubblewalls.Takeyour bowsastheclassroomeruptsinachorusofooohs&ahhhs! AllAboutDryIce Firstofall,here'sthebackgroundinformationandsafetylessonondryice.Dryiceisfrozen
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carbondioxide.Insteadofmelting,dryiceturnsdirectlyintocarbondioxidegasbutdoesnot meltlikerealice.Dryicemustbehandledwithcareasitis110oF(78oC).Itmustbehandled usingglovesortongs,asitwillcausesevereburnsifitcomesincontactwithyourskin.Never putdryiceintoyourmouth.Whenyoudropapieceofdryiceinabucketofwater,thegasthat youseeisacombinationofcarbondioxideandwatervapor.So,thegasthatyouseeisactually acloudoftinywaterdroplets. Materials DryIceGrocerystoresusedryicetokeepfoodcoldduringshipping.Somegrocerystoresand icecreamshopswillselldryicetothepublic(especiallyaroundHalloween)forapproximately $1perpound.It'sagoodideatotakeabeveragecoolerwithyoualongwithapairofglovesto protectyourhands.Ifyouareplanningtoperformanumberofdryicedemonstrations,planto purchase5to10pounds.

Experiment:DisappearingIce
Here'saquickexperimenttohelpchildrenbetterunderstandwhyit'scalleddryice.Askthe children,"Whydoyouthinktheycallthisdryice?"Placearegularicecubeononeplateanda similarsizepieceofdryiceonasecondplate.Keepbothplatesoutofthereachofthechildren. "Let'strytoguesswhatisgoingtohappentotheicecubeandthepieceofdryiceifweleaveit ontheplateforonehour."Ofcourse,thechildrenarelikelytotellyouthatbothpiecesofice willmelt,turningintoapuddleofwater. Allowthechildrentoviewtheplatesafteronehourandtodiscoverthedifferencebetween realiceanddryice.Thereshouldbeapuddleofwaterontheplatewheretherealicewas,but thedryiceplatewillbe"dry."Wheredidthedryicego?Dryiceisnotmadefromwater,it's madefromsomeoftheairthatwebreathe...it'sfrozencarbondioxide.Thedryiceturnedinto invisiblecarbondioxidegasthatdisappearsintotheair.Magic!

Experiment:Burping,Bubbling,SmokingWater
Usethetongsorglovestoplaceapieceofdryiceinaglassofwarmwater.Immediately,the dryicewillbegintoturnintocarbondioxidegasandwatervapor,formingareallycoolcloud! Thiscloudisperfectlysafeforthechildrentotouchandfeelaslongastheydonotputtheir fingersfarenoughdownintothewatertoaccidentallytouchthedryice. Tocreatethebesteffect,besuretousewarmwater.Overtime,thedryicewillmakethewater coldandthe"smoking"willslowdown.Replacethecoldwaterthewarmwaterandyou'reback inbusiness!

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Experiment:OoohAhhhAwesomeBubbles
Whowouldhaveguessedthatyoucouldhavethismuchfunwithsoapywaterandachunkof dryice?Fillatallglassorplasticcylinderwithwarmwaterandaddasquirtofliquiddishsoap likeDawnorJoy.Useglovesorthetongstoplaceapieceofdryiceintothesoapywater.Get readyforaroomfullofooohs&ahhhs! Insteadofthedryicejustbubblinginthewatertomakeacloud,thesoapinthewatertrapsthe carbondioxideandwatervaporintheformofabubble.Thechildrenwillseethebubblesclimb outofthecylinderofwarm,soapywaterandexplodewithaburstof"smoke"astheycrawl overtheedge. Addsomefoodcoloringtothewatertomakethedemonstrationmorecolorful.Ifyouwantto givetheexplodingsudsaneerieglow,dropaglowinglightstickintothewateralongwiththe dryice.Thelightstickwillgivetheburstingbubblesaneerielook.

Experiment:FloatingBubble
You'llnoticethatwhenyouadddryicetowater,thecloudofcarbondioxideandwaterdoes notgoupintotheair,butinsteadfallstowardstheground.Why?Thiscloudlikemixtureof carbondioxideandwaterisheavierthanthesurroundingair.You'llusethislittlepieceof sciencetriviatoperformtheamazingFloatingBubbletrick. Asmallfishaquariumworkswellforthisactivity.Fillthebottomoftheaquariumaboutaninch deepwithwarmwater.Useglovesorthetongstoaddafewpiecesofdryice.Ofcourse,the dryicewillbegintosmoketurningintocarbondioxideandwatervapor. Usingabubblewandandabottleofbubblefluid,blowafewbubblesintotheaquarium(it'sa littledifficultsobepatient).Toeveryone'samazement,afewbubbleswillappeartofloatin midairintheaquarium.Thebubbleisreallyjustfloatingonacushionofinvisiblecarbon dioxidegas.Ofcourse,thespookyHalloweenstoryisuptoyou...butI'malmostcertainthat theaquariumisthehomeofaghostwhohasbeenknowntoplaywithsoapbubbles!

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Experiment:FloatingBalls&FlyingToiletPaper
Makeobjectsfloatinmidair.Believeitornot,thesecrettothismysteryoflevitationisrightin frontofyournose. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: 5th7.10.1Designandconductandinvestigationtodemonstratethedifferencebetween potentialandkineticenergy. 5th7.11.3Designandconductexperimentsusingasimpleexperimentaldesigntodemonstrate thatrelationshipamongmass,force,anddistancetraveled. 6th7.10.1Comparepotentialandkineticenergy. 6th7.10.3Designamodelthatdemonstratesaspecificenergytransformation. 8th8.11.3Recognizetherelationshipbetweenmass,force,andacceleration. 8th8.11.4Identifytherelationshipbetweenhemassofobjects,thedistancebetweenthem, andtheamountofgravitationalattraction. 8th8.11.6IdentifyNewton'sthreelawsofmotionandrelatethefirsttwolawstotheconcepts ofinertiaandmomentum. Materials

Hairdryer Anemptytoiletpapertube Apingpongball/balloon/beachball Arolloftoiletpaper Aleafblower! 1. Setthehairdryertocool,switchiton,andpointitattheceiling. 2. Carefullyputthepingpongballinthestreamofair.Holdthehairdryerverysteadyand watchasthepingpongballfloatsinthestreamofair. 3. Carefullymovethehairdryerfromlefttorightandwatchhowtheballmovesaswell, stayinginthestreamofair. 4. Tryfloatingotherlightweightobjectsintheairstreamatthesametime!Withthehair dryeron,placeaninflatedballoonoveryourlevitatingpingpongball.Youmightwant toplaceapennyintheballoonbeforeyoublowituptogiveitsomeaddedweight.

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5. Trytofloattwoormoreballsinthesameairstream.Howmanycanyoufloatatonce? Howdotheybehavewhenthereismorethanone? 6. Needmorepower?Tryusingaleafblowerinplaceofthehairdryer.Nowyoucanfloat largerobjectslikebeachballs. FlyingToiletPaper!Justholdarolloftoiletpaperinthestreamofairandwatchthepapertake off!Besuretoholdthetoiletpaperrollonalongstick(pieceofdowel)inorderforittospin fastandunrollthepaper.AlwaysconcludethisdemowithathankstoBernoulli(seebelowif youdon'tgetit). Howdoesitwork? ThefloatingpingpongballisawonderfulexampleofBernoulli'sPrinciple,thesameprinciple thatallowsheavierthanairobjectslikeairplanestofly. Bernoulli,an18thcenturySwissmathematician,discoveredsomethingquiteunusualabout movingair.Hefoundthatthefasterairflowsoverthesurfaceofsomething,thelesstheair pushesonthatsurface(andsotheloweritspressure). Theairfromthehairdryerflowsaroundtheoutsideoftheballandifyoupositiontheball carefully,theairflowsevenlyaroundeachside.Gravitypullstheballdownwardswhilethe pressurebelowtheballfromthemovingairforcesitupwards.Thismeansthatalltheforces actingontheballarebalancedandtheballhoversinmidair. Airplanescanflybecauseofthisprinciple.Airrushingoverthetopsofairplanewingsexertsless pressurethanairfromunderthewings.Sotherelativelygreaterairpressurebeneaththewings suppliestheupwardforce,orlift,thatenablesairplanestofly. YoucanmaketheballfollowthestreamofairasyoumovethehairdryerbecauseBernoulli's principlesaysthatthefastmovingairaroundthesidesoftheballisatalowerpressurethan thesurroundingstationaryair.Iftheballtriestoleavethestreamofair,thestill,higher pressureairwillpushitbackinsotheballwillfloatintheflownomatterhowyoumove. Whenyouplacetheemptytoiletpapertubeintotheairstream,theairisfunneledintoa smallerarea,makingairmoveevenfaster.Thepressureinthetubebecomesevenlowerthan thatoftheairsurroundingtheball,andtheballispushedupintothetube.

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Experiment:WalkingOnWater
Mixcornstarchandwaterinthisclassroomexperimenttoformagooeyliquidandsolid materialthatbehaveslikequicksand.SomepeoplerefertothisastheOobleckrecipe,others callitaNonNewtonianfluid.Afterwatchingthesevideosegments,you'llcallitagreatscience lessonasyourstudentslearnabouttheamazingpropertiesofthiscornstarchandwater mixture. Andyes...youcanperformthe"CornstarchWalkonWater"onamuchsmallerscaleusing only100boxesofcornstarchinasmallpooland10gallonsofwaterinsteadofthe2,500 poundsheusedontheEllenShow. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: 1st7.9.1Classifysolidsaccordingtotheirsize,shape,color,texture,hardness,abilitytochange shape,magneticattraction,whethertheysinkorfloat,anduse. 1st7.9.2Compareliquidsaccordingtotheircolor,abilitytoflow,solubilityinwateranduse. 1st7.9.3Investigateanddescribetheresultsofmixingdifferentsubstancessuchassaltand pepper,waterandsand,waterandoil,andwaterandsalt. 2nd7.9.1Usetoolssuchashandlenses,measurementdevices,andsimplearmbalancesto gatherdataaboutthephysicalpropertiesofdifferentobjects.

MakingNonNewtonianCornstarchGoo
1. Pourapproximately1/4oftheboxofcornstarchintothemixingbowlandslowlyadd about1/2cupofwater.Stir.Sometimesitiseasiertomixthecornstarchandwaterwith yourbarehandsofcourse,thisonlyaddstothefun. 2. Continueaddingcornstarchandwaterinsmallamountsuntilyougetamixturethathas theconsistencyofhoney.Itmaytakealittleworktogettheconsistencyjustright.Asa generalruleofthumb,yourelookingforamixtureofroughly10partsofcornstarchto1 partwater.Noticethatthemixturegetsthickerormoreviscousasyouaddmore cornstarch. 3. Sinkyourhandintothebowlofcornstarchgooandnoticeitsunusualconsistency. Comparewhatitfeelsliketomoveyourhandaroundslowlyandthenveryfast.You cantmoveyourhandaroundveryfast!Infact,thefasteryouthrasharound,themore likeaSOLIDthegooeystuffbecomes.Sinkyouentirehandintothegooandtrytograb thefluidandpullitup.Thatsthesensationofsinkinginquicksand!

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ImportantREADTHIS!
Ironically,thecornstarchwillnotstaymixedwiththewaterindefinitely.Overtime,thegrains ofcornstarchwillseparatefromthewaterandformasolidclumpatthebottomoftheplastic storagebag.Itisforthisreasonthatyoumustnotpourthismixturedownthedrain.Itwillclog thepipesandstopupthedrain.Pourthemixtureintoazipperlockbaganddisposeofitinthe garbage.

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Experiment:SkewerThroughaBalloon
Somethingsinthisworldjustdontmixdogsandcats,oilandwater,needlesandballoons. Everyoneknowsthataballoonsworstfearisasharpobject...evenasharpened,wooden cookingskewer.Withalittlescientificknowledgeaboutballoonsunderyourbelt,youllbeable toperformaseeminglyimpossibletask...pierceaballoonwithawoodenskewerwithout poppingit.Piercingtakesonawholenewmeaning! Materials Severallatexballoons(9inchsizeworkswell) Bamboocookingskewers(approximately10incheslong) Cookingoilordishsoap Sharpiepen Nervesofsteel 1. Thefirststepistoinflatetheballoonuntilitsnearlyfullsizeandthenletaboutathird oftheairout.Tieaknotintheendoftheballoon. 2. Ifyoucarefullyexaminetheballoonyoullnoticeathickareaofrubberatbothendsof theballoon(whereyoutiedtheknotandtheoppositeend).Thisiswhereyouwill piercetheballoonwiththeskewerbutnotyet.Keepreading. 3. Dipthetipofthewoodenskewerintothecookingoilorsoap,whichworksasa lubricant. 4. Placethesharpenedtipoftheskeweronthethickendoftheballoonandpushthe skewerintotheballoon.Becarefulnottojabyourselfortheballoonwiththeskewer. Justusegentlepressure(andmaybealittletwistingmotion)topuncturetheballoon. 5. Pushtheskewerallthewaythroughtheballoonuntilthetipoftheskewertouchesthe oppositeendoftheballoonwhereyoullfindtheotherthickportionoftheballoon. Keeppushinguntiltheskewerpenetratestherubber.Breatheahugesighofreliefand takeabow!TaDah! 6. Gentlyremovetheskewerfromtheballoon.Ofcourse,theairwillleakoutofthe balloon,buttheballoondidntpop. Letsdoitagain,butthistimeyoullseethehiddenstressinaballoon. 1. Beforeblowinguptheballoon,usetheSharpiepentodrawabout1015dotsonthe balloon.Thedotsshouldbeaboutthesizeoftheheadofamatch.Besuretodrawthem atbothendsandthemiddleoftheballoon. 2. Inflatetheballoonhalfwayandtietheend.Observethevarioussizesofthedotsall overtheballoon. 3. Judgingfromthesizeofthedots,whereontheballoonarethelatexmolecules stretchedoutthemost?Wherearetheystretchedouttheleast?
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4. Carefullyexaminethewoodencookingskewer.Dipthetipinthevegetableoilanduse yourfingerstocoattheskewerwithoil. 5. Usetheobservationsthatyoumadepreviouslywiththedotsontheballoontodecide thebestspottopuncturetheballoonwiththeskewer.Ofcourse,theobjectisnotto poptheballoon! Howdoesitwork? Thesecretistouncovertheportionoftheballoonwherethelatexmoleculesareunderthe leastamountofstressorstrain.AfterdrawingontheballoonwiththeSharpiemarker,you probablynoticedthatthedotsoneitherendoftheballoonwererelativelysmall.Youvejust uncoveredtheareaofleaststress...theendsoftheballoon.Whenthepointoftheskeweris positionedattheendsoftheballoon,thesolidobjectpassesthroughtheinflatedballoon withoutpoppingit. Ifyoucouldseetherubberthatmakesupaballoononamicroscopiclevel,youwouldseemany longstrandsorchainsofmolecules.Theselongstrandsofmoleculesarecalledapolymer,and theelasticityofthesepolymerchainscausesrubbertobestretchy.Blowinguptheballoon stretchesthesestrandsofpolymerchains.Evenbeforedrawingthedotsontheballoon,you probablynoticedthatthemiddleoftheballoonstretchesmorethaneitherend.Youwisely chosetopiercetheballoonatapointwherethepolymermoleculeswerestretchedoutthe least.Thelongstrandsofmoleculesstretchedaroundtheskewerandkepttheairinsidethe balloonfromrushingout.Itseasytoaccidentallyteartherubberifyouuseadullskeweror forgettocoattheendoftheskewerwithvegetableoilorsoap.Whenyouremovetheskewer, youfeeltheairleakingoutthroughtheholeswherethepolymerstrandswerepushedapart. Eventuallytheballoondeflatesbutitneverpopped.Thankstochemistry,youreamazing! Oh,justtoproveyourpoint,trypushingtheskewerthroughthemiddlepartofaninflated balloon.Atleastyouwentoutwithabang.

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Experiment:PracticalPolymersandhelpfulHydrogels
Wateriseverywhereinthesky,intheground,andinourhomes.However,caringforthisvital resourceisoftenachallengeforeachofus.Conservationmeansusingwaterwisely.Protecting ourgroundwaterisimportantbecauseitisasourcefordrinkingandirrigation.Consequently, scientistsandengineershavedevelopedamazing,superabsorbentpolymers,calledhydrogels, thatcanhelp. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: K5thT/E.1Explainhowdifferentinventionsandtechnologiesimpactpeopleandotherliving organisms. K5thT/E.4Evaluateaninventionthatsolvesaproblemanddeterminewaystoimprovethe design. 6th8thT/E.3Explorehowtheunintendedconsequencesofnewtechnologiescanimpact society. 6th8thT/E.4Researchbioengineeringtechnologiesthatadvancehealthandcontributeto improvementsinourdailylives. 8th8.10.5Inferthathumanactivitiesmaybehelpfulorharmfultotheenvironment. Inthisseriesofinvestigations,youwillstartbylookingforaparticularpolymeratwork.Once youdiscoverwhatthistypeofpolymercando,youwillexperimentwithotherusesforthe samepolymer.Afinalstepcanbetakentoconsidersolutionsforwaterconservationand groundwatercontamination. Apolymerisalongchainofmolecules.Polymersareallaroundus,andtheymakeupmaterials likebicyclehelmets,CDs,tires,plasticwaterbottles,rubberbands,andglue.Thisexperiment focusesonspecialkindsofpolymersthataresuperabsorbent:hydrogelpolymers.Hydrogel polymersarelongmoleculechainsthatgrabontowatermolecules.Somecansoakupasmuch as500timestheirweightinwater!Thissuperabsorbentcharacteristicmakeshydrogel polymersusefulinwaterconservationandinsolvingotherenvironmentalissues. Materials

1Disposablediaperperstudent Water Newspaper Scissors Measuringcupandspoons

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2Zipperlockbags,3.78liters(1gallon)size Plasticcup,266mL(9oz) 2Clearplasticbottleswithscrewoncaps,355mL(12oz) 1Packet(6.2grams/0.22oz)ofunsweetenedpowdereddrinkmix,redworksthebest Pottingsoil(notthe"moisturecontrol"type),475mL(2cups)

Wherearethepolymers? Collectasampleofhydrogelfromthecottonandplasticliningofa disposablediaper. 1. Placeanewdiaperonthepieceofnewspaper.Carefullycut throughtheinsideliningandremoveallthecottonlikematerial. Putallthestuffingmaterialandplasticliningintoaclean,zipper lockbag. 2. Scoopupanyofthepowderymaterialthatmayhavespilledonto thepaperandpouritintothebagwiththestuffing.Blowalittle airintothebagtomakeitpuffuplikeapillow,thensealthebag. 3. Shakethebagforafewminutestoremovethepowderyhydrogel polymerfromthestuffing.Noticehowmuchpowderfallstothe bottomofthebag. 4. Carefullyremovethestuffingandtheplasticliningfromthebag, andcheckoutthepowderypolymerleftinthebag.Repeatsteps 14withanotherdiaper,ifneeded,toget15mL(1tbsp)ofthe hydrogelpowder. 5. Nowitstimetomixthepowderwithwatertoseewhathappens. Pour15mL(1tbsp)ofhydrogelpowderintoa266mL(9oz) plasticcup.Measure118mL(cup)ofwaterandpouritintothe cupalongwiththepowder. 6. Afterabout30seconds,observethatthewaterhaschanged itsnolongeraliquiditsagooeysolid! Takeacloserlookatthegelbyscoopingupsomeofthegelwithyour fingers.Youcanpokeholesinitandeventearitintosmallerpieces.This
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hydrogelissafeandnontoxic,soyoucantouchit,butremember:evensafechemicalsnever gointoyourmouth,ears,ornose! ThingstoThinkAbout...


Howdoesthiswaterslurpingpowderwork?Doesitonlyabsorbwater? Howmuchwaterwilltheaveragediaperabsorb? Whatwouldhappenifyouletthegeldryout?Isthispowderreusable? Besidesdiapers,howelsecouldthispowderbeused? Howdoestheabsorbencyofthehydrogelcomparewithothermaterialsthatare absorbent:cottonballs,papertowels,sponges? Howcouldaddingotheringredients(likesalt)affectahydrogelswaterabsorbing properties?

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Experiment:SoilSoakers
Canhydrogelshelpimprovetheenvironment? Asyoudiscovered,ahydrogelisasuperabsorbentpolymerwhichcanholdupto500timesits ownweightinwater.Couldhydrogelsbeusedtoaddresswaterconservationandgroundwater contamination?Createanexperimentthattestshowhydrogelscouldworkinsoil. Setuptwosoilsoakers,whicharetheexperimentaldevicesyouwilluseforyourexperiment. 1. PreparetwoSoilSoakersbycuttingoffthebottomsoftheclearplasticbottles.Putone holeineachscrewoncapusinga3/16diameternailandhammerorusea3/16drill bit(seedrawing).Thinksafetythisstepmightrequireadulthelp. 2. LabelonebottleastheControlSoilSoakerandtheotherbottleastheExperimentalSoil Soaker. 3. Put1cupofpottingsoilintotheControlSoilSoakerandplacebottleintotall,narrow drinkingglass,lidsidedownandopensideup. 4. Obtainabout1tablespoonofhydrogelpowder(seetheEngageactivityifyouare harvestinghydrogelpowderfromdiapers). 5. Mix1cupofpottingsoilwith1tablespoonofhydrogel,andplaceintotheExperimental SoilSoaker.Placebottleintotall,narrowdrinkingglass,capsidedownandopensideup. 6. Mix1packetofunsweetenedpowdereddrinkmixinto1cupofwater.Thissolution representsawatersolublefertilizerapplication.(Watersolublemeanscapableofbeing dissolvedinwater.) 7. Recordyourresultsforthefollowingsteps:

Step1Pour1/4cupredsolutionintoEACHoftheSoilSoakers.Observe.Doesany waterdrainthroughthesoilintotheglasses?FortheControl:YesorNo?Forthe Experimental:YesorNo? Step2Addanother1/4cupredsolutionintoeachSoilSoaker.Observetheamountof waterthatseepsthroughthesoil.WhichSoilSoakerallowedtheleastamountofwater toseepthrough?ControlorExperimental? Step3Wait5minutesandcompareandcontrastthesolutionfromeachSoilSoaker. Answerthefollowingquestions:

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Isthereadifferenceintheamountofwaterineachglass?Yesorno? Isthereadifferenceincolor?Yesorno? Isthereadifferenceinsmell?Useawaftingtechnique(fanningtheairovertheglass)to checkthesmell.Yesorno?

Howdoesitwork? Didtheadditionoftheabsorbenthydrogelpolymerimpactthemovementofwaterthroughthe soil?Ifyes,how? Iftheredsolutionrepresentedawatersolublefertilizerorchemicalpesticide,whatconclusions canbedrawnaboutthiscontaminationenteringthegroundwater? Ifmorewaterisretainedinthesoil,whatconclusionscanbedrawnabouttheamountof wateringneededtohelptheplantsgrow?Howmightthisaffectwaterconservationissues? FAQsaboutpolymersandotherusefulinformation. Whatarepolymers? Polymersareoneoftheclassesofmaterialsthatweencounterthroughouttheday.Polymers (commonlyknownasplastics)areeithernaturallyoccurring(rubber,RNAandDNA,proteins, starch,andcellulose)orsynthetic(manufactured). Whatarehydrogels? Hydrogelpolymersarelongmoleculechainsmadeupofrepeatingunitsthatgrabonto watermolecules.Thischaracteristicmakesthemagreatsolutionforsoakingupwater. Howarehydrogelshelpingtheenvironment? Manyenvironmentalapplicationsforhydrogelshavebeenfoundforagriculture,aswellasthe constructionandhorticultureindustries.Hydrogelshelpreducewaterrunoffandsoilerosion, thusimprovingthequalityoflakes,streams,andrivers.Hydrogelsalsohelpwithmoisture retentionandwaterconservationbyhelpingsoilincreasewaterholdingcapacity,allowing plantstosurviveduringdroughts.Erosioncontrol,soilmanagement,andenvironmentalclean upsarealsowayshydrogelscanhelptheenvironment.Manyscientistscontinuetostudythe effectofhydrogelsontheenvironment. AdditionalInfo Gobeyond...howmuchhydrogelworksforyou?
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Usewhatyouknowabouttheenvironmentalimpactofaddinghydrogeltosoil.Followthe engineeringdesignprocesstocreateabettersoilforyourgarden. Ask1:HowcanIconservewaterinmygarden?HowcanIpreventcontaminationof groundwaterfromfertilizers?Canhydrogelhelpmeaccomplishthis?Aretheredifferentkinds ofhydrogelswithdifferentproperties?Dodifferentsoilsabsorbwateratdifferentrates?What isthetypeofsoilinmygarden?CanIdesignabettersoilthatwouldconservewaterand protectthewatertablefromcontamination? Imagine:Designersoilthatreducesthenumberofwateringsand,therefore,conserveswater. Thissoilwouldretainthefertilizerfortheplantsinsteadofenteringthegroundwaterand contaminatingit. Create:Tocraftadesignersoilprofile,findoutaboutyoursoiltype*:Isitclay,sandyor loamy?Whichsoilisthemostabsorbent?Whichistheleastabsorbent?Whichoneneeds morehydrogel?Whichneedslesshydrogel?** Test:UsingtheSoilSoakersexperiment,testyourownsoilwithvaryingamountsofthe agriculturalversionofhydrogel(Polyacrylamide),availableinthegardeningsectionofstores. Thisformofhydrogelisfrequentlyusedasasoilconditioneronfarmlandandconstructionsites forerosioncontrol,andtoprotectthewaterqualityofnearbyriversandstreams.Whatisthe optimumamountthatholdswaterwithoutsaturatingthesoil,makingittoosoggyforplants? Whatamountisnecessarytoretainwaterandreducethenumberofwateringtimes? Ask2:Whatistheoptimumamountofhydrogel?CanIuseothertechniquestoimprovemysoil conditions?WhatotherwayscanIconservewaterinmygarden?

Whataresoiltypes?Therearethreebasicdifferenttypesofsoils:claysoils,loamysoils andsandysoils.Loamysoilsarethebest;theothertwosoilspresentirrigation challenges.Buthowdoyoufindoutwhichtypeofsoilyouhave?Hereisthesimplest waytocheckyourownsoil: Takeamarblesizedchunkofmoistsoilandrollitbetweenyourthumbandfinger;tryto shapeitintoasmallball. Withaclaysoil,youcandoitandyouendupwithaballthesizeofamarble. Withasandysoil,youcannotdoittheballwillfallapart. Withaloamysoil,youwillbeabletodoitbuttheballwillfallapartwhenyouquit applyingpressure.

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Whatdifferentkindsofhydrogelsarethere?Thehydrogelpolymersfoundinmost disposablediapersarejustonekind.Somescientistshavefoundthathydrogelslike thesedontworkwellinsoilandagriculturaluse.New,superabsorbentpolymersare rapidlybecomingoneofthemostexcitingtopicsinenvironmentaleducation.Takeatrip toyourlocalgardencenter,andasktheplantspecialistiftheycarrywaterpolymer crystalsorwaterjellycrystals. Shareyourideasforotherapplicationsofhydrogels.Forexample,hydrogelshavebeen usedtopreserveandrestoreasubmarinerecoveredfromtheCivilWarera,andto makecooltiesthatsoldierscantiearoundtheirneckstobeatthedesertheat.What canyoufindoutabouttheseuses?Whatotherideasdoyouhave?

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Experiment:SlimeTheRealRecipevs.WhiteGluePutty
It'soneofourmostaskedquestions...Howdoyoumakerealslime?Askanyspecialeffects artistaboutslimeandyou'resuretohearthetermpolyvinylalcohol(PVA).Combinedwitha Boraxsolution,thisslimeisthebestintheworld,andforwhateverreason,youhavevoluntarily chosentomakeslimeinyourclassroom.Itstoolatetoreconsiderbecauseyouvealreadytold thekidsaboutitandyouknowhowtheycanbewhenyoudontdeliveronthefunscience stuff.Dontdespair,however,becauseeverystepisoutlinedforyourighthere.Youllnodoubt addquiteafewideasofyourown.Slimeisanunforgettableexperiencethatlendsitselftoany classroomandanyagestudent.AsyoudotheYearEndReviewwiththemandrevisitthe incrediblelessonsandstimulatingdiscussionsyoucarefullyplannedandexecuted,theyll rememberthedaytheslimewasdiscoveredintheprincipalsoffice.Gameon!

Materials
You'llneedasupplyofpolyvinylalcohol(PVA)(stevespanglerscience.com)andaboxofBorax soap. You'llalsoneedtheusualsupplies... Afewplasticcups Astirringstick Measuringcupsandspoons Somepapertowel(fortheinevitable). MakingtheBoraxsolution: Measure1cupofwarmwaterintoalarge,plasticcupandaddatablespoonofBoraxpowderto thewater.Stirthesolutiondon'tworryifallofthepowderdissolves.ThisBoraxsolutionisthe secretlinkingagentthatcausesthePVAmoleculestoturnintoslime. MakingtheSlime: 1. Measure2ouncesofPVAintoaplasticcup. 2. Add1teaspoonofBoraxsolutionandstir.Afterseveralminutesofstirring,allofthe PVAshouldbestucktogetherinonelargeclumpstucktothestirringstick.It'sjustthat simple. 3. Theslimecanbestoredinthezipperlockbagforsafekeeping.Cleanupiseasyifyou havewaterandpapertowelsforslimyhandsandforsurfacesthathavebeen accidentallyslimed.Whenyourefinished,youcanjustthrowtheslimeandmaterials intothetrash.Or,youcouldtosstheslimebackintothezipperlockbagandsendit homewithyouryoungscientist.

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Okay,thereisonelastsecret.Theslimefromthetoystorehasashinyalmostmetalliclike appearance.Howdotheydothat?ThesecretisamaterialcalledPearlSwirlwhichcontainsan ingredientcalledtitaniumdioxide.JustalittlesquirtofPearlSwirlinthePVAsolutionandyou'll havecrackedthecodetomakingtheperfectbatchofslime!

Howdoesitwork?
Becauseyoumixedtwoliquidstogether,theresagoodchancethatslimeisacolloid,anditis! But,theresmoretoitthanthatandyourkidsneedtounderstandhowthemoleculesbehaved inordertograspitall.Forstarters,mostliquids,suchaswater,aremadeupofsmall, unconnectedmoleculesbouncingaroundandtumblingoverandintooneanother.Single moleculesarecalledmonomers.Monomerliquidsfloweasilyandareseldomgooeyorstickyto thetouch.Inothersubstances,themonomersarelinkedtogetherinidentical,repetitive segmentsthatformlongchainsofmoleculesknownaspolymers.Theselongchainsdontflow overandacrossoneanotherveryeasily.Likeabowlofcookedspaghetti,theysortofrollover andaroundoneanotherbuttheyrenotlinkedtoeachother.Liquidpolymerstendtobegooier andflowmoreslowlythanliquidmonomers.ThePVAusedinthisactivityisaliquidpolymer. Youmightusethisanalogytohelpthekidsunderstandwhathappened.Pictureaboxfullof tiny,steelchainsthatslipandslideeasilyacrossoneanother.Eachchainismadeupof hundredsofindividuallinksbutonechainisnotconnectedtoanotherchain.Ifyoureachinand grabonechainandpullitout,thatswhatyouget:onechain.Supposeyoustirawholebunch oftinymagnetsintotheboxofchains.Themagnetsrandomlyconnectthechainstogetherin manylocations,makingasingle,largeblobofchains.Nowifyoureachinandgrabonechain, youdliftouttheentirepile.AddingBoraxsolutiontothePVAdoesprettymuchthesamething (onlyitsachemical,notamagneticconnection).Boraxlovestoconnectwithwaterandbillions ofBoraxmoleculesrandomlylinktrillionsofwatermoleculesfoundanywhereonthechainsof PVA.NowwhenyoupulloutonePVAchain,alltherestcomewithitinablob.Inthechemical reactionthatthekidsmade,theygotaslowmoving,glisteningmassthatsknownasa hydrogenbonded,crosslinkedpolymergel.Slimeiswayeasiertosay. Inanefforttounderstandtheworldaroundthem,scientistsdesignmodelsofwhattheycant seeinordertounderstandandexplainwhattheycansee.Theideaistofigureouthowvarious moleculesinsidematerialsarearrangedtoproducetheobservableresults.Ingeneral, moleculescanbeseenonlywithsomeseriouselectronichelpandtheseimagesserveonlyto assistwiththeinferencesofthemodel.Ifyourkidsunderstandhowthisinferencemodeling works,thentheyrewayaheadofthegameintheirunderstandingofmolecules.

AdditionalInfo

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WhatisPVA(polyvinylalcohol)usedforanyway?PVAisusedbytheplasticsindustrytoform surfacecoatingsandtomakesurfacefilmsresistanttogasoline.Itsalsousedtomakeartificial sponges,hoses,andprintinginks.Also,ifyoulookattheingredientsofcontactlenswetting solutions,youmayfindthisstuffasalubricantandacleanser.ThePVAsolutioninthiskit containscoloringandaspecialdisinfectanttohelpresistpeskygermsonthosenotsoclean hands.

Experiment:WhiteGluePuttyYes,It'sSilly
Isitasolid?Isitaliquid?Justwhatisthisslimy,stringy,rubberystuff?Thisvariationonslime willprobablyremindyouofasimilarsubstancefoundinmanytoystores.Thisisthemost popularversionof"slime"amongteachersbecauseit'ssoeasytomakeandservesasagreat visualtoolforintroducingstudentstothepropertiesofpolymers.

Materials
ElmersGlue(8oz.bottleofElmersGlueAll) Borax(apowderedsoapfoundinthegrocerystore) Largemixingbowl Plasticcup(8ozsizeworkswell) Spoon Measuringcup Foodcoloring(thespiceoflife) Water Papertowel(hey,youvegottocleanup!) Zipperlockbag(dontyouwanttokeepitwhenyouredone?) Emptyplasticsodabottlewithcap Water HerestheeasiestwaytomakeabigbatchElmersSlime.Themeasurementsdonothavetobe exactbutitsagoodideatostartwiththeproportionsbelowforthefirstbatch.Justvarythe quantitiesofeachingredienttogetanewandinterestingbatchofgoo. Thisrecipeisbasedonusingabrandnew8ouncebottleofElmersGlue.Emptytheentire bottleofglueintoamixingbowl.Filltheemptybottlewithwarmwaterandshake(okay,put thelidonfirstandthenshake).Pourthegluewatermixtureintothemixingbowlandusethe spoontomixwell.Addthegluewatermixturetotheglueinthemixingbowl.Goaheadadda droportwooffoodcoloring.

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Measure1/2cupofwarmwaterintotheplasticcupandaddateaspoonofBoraxpowderto thewater.Stirthesolutiondontworryifallofthepowderdissolves.ThisBoraxsolutionis thesecretlinkingagentthatcausestheElmersGluemoleculestoturnintoslime. Whilestirringtheglueinthemixingbowl,slowlyaddalittleoftheBoraxsolution.Immediately youllfeelthelongstrandsofmoleculesstartingtoconnect.Itstimetoabandonedthespoon anduseyourhandstodotheseriousmixing.KeepaddingtheBoraxsolutiontotheglue mixture(dontstopmixing)untilyougetaperfectbatchofElmersslime.Youmightlikeyour slimemorestringywhileotherslikefirmslime.Hey,youretheheadslimemixologistdoit yourway! WhenyourefinishedplayingwithyourElmersslime,sealitupinazipperlockbagforsafe keeping. Howdoesitwork? ThemixtureofElmersGluewithBoraxandwaterproducesaputtylikematerialcalleda polymer.Insimplestterms,apolymerisalongchainofmolecules.Youcanusetheexampleof cookingspaghettitobetterunderstandwhythispolymerbehavesinthewayitdoes.Whena pileoffreshlycookedspaghetticomesoutofthehotwaterandintothebowl,thestrandsflow likealiquidfromthepantothebowl.Thisisbecausethespaghettistrandsareslipperyand slideoveroneanother.Afterawhile,thewaterdrainsoffofthepasta,thestrandsstarttostick together.Thespaghettitakesonarubberytexture.Waitalittlewhilelongerforallofthewater toevaporate,andthepileofspaghettiturnsintoasolidmassdropitonthefloorandwatchit bounce.Manynaturalandsyntheticpolymersbehaveinasimilarmanner.Polymersaremade outoflongstrandsofmoleculeslikespaghetti.Ifthelongmoleculesslidepasteachother easily,thenthesubstanceactslikealiquidbecausethemoleculesflow.Ifthemoleculesstick togetheratafewplacesalongthestrand,thenthesubstancebehaveslikearubberysolid calledanelastomer.Boraxisthecompoundthatisresponsibleforhookingthegluesmolecules togethertoformtheputtylikematerial.Thereareseveraldifferentmethodsformakingthis puttylikematerial.SomerecipescallforliquidstarchinsteadofBoraxsoap.Eitherway,when youmakethishomemadeSillyPuttyyouarelearningaboutsomeofthepropertiesof polymers. TheBoraxsolutionisusedinthewoodindustrytoprotectagainstfungusandtomakenew woodlookold.Itsalsousedtosoldermetals,toglazeandenamelpottery,towhitenyour wash,andservesasanexcellentsoapinthemedicalindustry.ThestudentscanaddmoreBorax toachieveafirmerslimebutthereisapointofdiminishingreturnsbeforetheslimebreaks downbecauseoftoomuchBoraxandturnsbackintoaliquid.

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AdditionalInfo
JeffHarkencontributedthis"history"ofSillyPutty. Thehistoryofsillyputtyisquiteamusing.In1943JamesWright,anengineer,wasattempting tocreateasyntheticrubber.Hewasunabletoachievethepropertieshewaslookingforand puthiscreation(latertobecalledsillyputty)ontheshelfasafailure.Afewyearslater,a salesmanfortheDowCorningCorporationwasusingtheputtytoentertainsomecustomers. Oneofhiscustomersbecameintriguedwiththeputtyandsawthatithadpotentialasanew toy.In1957,afterbeingendorsedonthe"HowdyDoodyShow",sillyputtybecameatoyfad. Recentlynewusessuchasagripstrengthenerandasanartmediumhavebeendeveloped.Silly puttevenwentintospaceontheApollo8mission.Thepolymersinsillyputtyhavecovalent bondswithinthemolecules,buthydrogenbondsbetweenthemolecules.Thehydrogenbonds areeasilybroken.Whensmallamountsofstressareslowlyappliedtotheputty,onlyafew bondsarebrokenandtheputty"flows".Whenlargeramountsofstressareappliedquickly, therearemanyhydrogenbondsthatbreak,causingtheputtytobreakortear. Elmer'sSlimeisveryeasytomake,butit'snotexactlywhatyou'llfindatthetoystore.So, what'sthe"real"slimesecret.It'saningredientcalledpolyvinylalcohol(PVA).Thecrosslinking agentisstillBorax,buttheresultingslimeislongerlasting,moretransparent...it'stherealdeal.

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Experiment:OilAbsorbingPolymer
Changingthewayenvironmentalscientistsapproachoil spills! Justimagineifthesolutiontoanoilspillwasthissimple: Sprinkleasmallamountofanontoxicpowderontothe layerofoilandinsecondsthepowderbondstotheoil, formingaspongelikematerialthatcanbeeasily removedfromthesurfaceofthewater.It'smorethan justadream...anewformofsuperabsorbentpolymer technologyischangingthewayenvironmentalscientists approachoilspillandwastemanagementproblems.The resultsareamazing!

Materials
EnviroBond403Polymerisaspeciallyformulatedchemicaldesignedtocleanupcrudeoil.The oilpolymerkitcomeswithaspecialtypeofoilthatissimilartocrudeoilfordemonstration purposes. Sprinkleasmallamountofthispolymerontothelayerofoilandinsecondsthepolymerbonds totheoil,formingaspongelikematerialthatcanbeeasilyremovedfromthejarofwater.This polymerisspeciallyformulatedtobondquicklyandsafelytomanytypesofliquidhydrocarbons includingcrudeoil,dieselfuelandgasoline.Thebondingissocompletethatitliterally encapsulatestheliquidhydrocarbonsinjustseconds.

Howdoesitwork?
Thechemicalformulationofthepolymeriscarefullyregardedasatradesecretandisunder applicationforpatent.However,theinventoragreedtosharesomelimitedinformationabout thepolymerforeducationalpurposes.Thehydrocarbonsource(crudeoil,dieselfuel,gasoline, etc.)consistsofthreebasiccomponents:Paraffinics,naptinics,andthearomatics.Thepolymer isspecificallyformulatedtobondtothesecomponents.Themechanismisthreedimensional withcrosslinkbonding,andthepolymerstructuresarereferredtoasdieblock,triblock, branched,radial,andliner,accordingtothemanufacturer. Whenthepolymercomesincontactwithaliquidhydrocarbon,thefreehydrocarbonsbondto thepolymerformingasolidmass.Thehydrophobicpropertiesofthepolymercauseittofloat onwater,butthedensityofthepolymerisgreatenoughtoallowittosinkthroughthe
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hydrocarbonandmaximizethebondingpotential.Thereisnoneedformixingsincethe polymerbondstothefreehydrocarbonsautomatically. EnviroBond403Polymerisalsousedintreatingoilysludge,effectivelyfilteringoildrilling fluids,andstabilizinganyotherspilledorleakedliquidhydrocarbonsthatposeathreattothe environment.

AdditionalInfo
Oilisamajorsourceofgroundwatercontaminationandoceanpollution.Thevastmajorityof thisoilenterstheoceanfromoilspillsonshipsthattransportpetroleumorfrommanufacturing operationsonland.However,oilcanalsoseepintotheoceannaturallyfromcracksinthesea floor.Oilwellandoiltankeraccidentsatseaaccountforasmallportionofoceanoilpollution. Yet,thelastingeffectsoftheseaccidentalspillscanbedisastrous. ApersonalnotefromSteveSpangler... EnviroBond403OilPolymerwastheinventionofagreatpersoninMichiganbythenameof LarryThompson.IfirstmetLarrywhileresearchingotherkindsofsuperabsorbentpolymersin 1992.IoftensharetheinspirationalstoryofhowLarryinventedthispolymerduringmyteacher workshopsandkeynotespeeches.Larrywastrulypassionateabouthisdiscoveriesanddid everythingpossibletoencouragechildrentobetterunderstandtheworldofchemistry. LarryThompsonpassedawayinMarchof2004fromarapidspreadingcancerinhisliverand pancreas.Upuntilthelastfewdaysofhislife,Larrywassendingemailsandtalkingwithpeople onthephoneaboutthebenefitsofhisoilabsorbingpolymers.IrecentlyspokeattheNational HonorsSocietynationalconventioninFlorida.Afterthepresentation,aninthgradegirlcame uptomeandsaid,"Idon'tthinkthatI'lleverbeasgoodascientistasthatmanwhoinvented theoilpolymer,butIcanonlyhopethatImakeadiscoverythathelpstheworldasmuchashis did."IsharedthiswithLarryinourlastemailcorrespondence.Hewillbegreatlymissed. SteveSpangler

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Experiment:MoonBlob:ASelfSiphoningGel
Everyoneknowsthatwatercan'tflowuphill.Notso fast...WhenasmallamountofPolyox(polyethylene oxide)ismixedwithwater,itdissolvesformingathick, slippery,gooey,mucouslikegel.Oh,thevisual imagery!Whenthegelispouredbackandforth betweentwobeakers,thegelmysteriouslysiphons fromthehigherheldbeakertothelowerone.Maybe watercanflowuphill.Youhavetoplaywiththestuffto believeit.

Materials

Polyox(polyethyleneoxidewithamolecularweightofatleast4,000,000)(intheGravi GooKit,seebelow) Rubbingalcohol(90%isopropylalcohol) Foodcoloring Twobeakersorclearcups Water Lotsofpapertowel

UsethefollowingmixinginstructionsifyouareusingPolyox. 1. Placeapproximately4gramsofthePolyoxpowderintothebottomofthebeaker. 2. Addabout10mlof90%rubbingalcohol(oranyotherextremelydrysolvent)tothe Polyox.Swirlthecuptowetallofthepolymerwithalcohol. 3. Fillthesecondbeakerwithapproximately400mLofwater.Addafewdropsoffood coloringforeffect. 4. PourallthewatermixtureintothebeakerwiththePolyoxinonecontrolled,swift motion.Ifyoupourtooslowly,thepolymerandthewaterwillgelblock(clumpup),and ifyoupourtooquickly,themixtureislikelytospilleverywhere.Remember,thisisthe partthattakesalittlepractice. 5. MixthewaterandPolyoxtogetherbypouringtheliquidfrombeakertobeakeruntilthe liquidbeginstothicken.Don'tattempttheselfsiphoningactivityjustyet.Continueto pourtheliquidfrombeakertobeakertomixitthoroughly.Afterjustafewminutesof mixing,you'llnoticethatthemucouslikegelflowsveryquicklyfrombeakertobeaker. Holdtheemptybeakerbelowthefulloneandstarttopouralittleoftheliquidintothe lowerbeaker.Whathappens?Theliquidwillsiphonitselffromthetopbeakertothe bottombeaker.Noticehowtheliquidappearstodefygravityasitcrawlsupandover thesidesofthefullbeakerina"selfsiphoning"kindofaction.
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WARNING:Don'tbesurprisedifyoubecomesotransfixedontheselfsiphoningactionofthe polymerthatyouforgettolineupthebottombeakerwiththetopbeaker.Inotherwords, you'reboundtomissthebottombeakerandyourhandswillbecoveredwithgoo.You'llfeel likethestandincreatureintheAlienmovies.Don'tworryiteasilywashesrightoffyourskin, butclothes,fabricandcarpetisalittletrickier.

Howdoesitwork?
Polyethyleneoxideisanontoxic,longchain,watersolublepolymer.Whatmakesthiswater basedpolymersospecialisitshighmolecularweightofapproximately4,000,000.The molecularstructureofPolyoxpromotesextensivehydrogenbonding,whichallowsittobe solubleinwaterdespitethehighmolecularweight.It'sbeensaidthatthelengthofthepolymer chainsinasingledropofthegelissome1,700,000mileslong(giveortakeafew).Overthe years,Polyoxgainedpopularitybyfirefighterswhoaddedverysmallamountsofthepolymer tothewatersupplyinpumpertrucks.IntheorytheadditionofthePolyoxreducedthefriction causedbythewatermoleculesrubbingagainsttheinsidewallofthehose.Thereductionof frictionmadethewaterflowmorequicklythroughthehose.True?Youbethejudge. InordertoillustratethemolecularstructureofPolyox,itmightbehelpfultopictureabowlof spaghettialltangledup.Thespaghettilikestructurecausesthepolymertothickenwaterand providesastrongelasticeffect.Althoughextremelyelastic,thePolyoxremainsfluidlike pancakesyrup.ThestraightchainformatofthePolyoxmoleculewithnosidechainstoattach toothermoleculestrandsallowstheseparatechainstoslidepasteachotherandstayfluid.

ExperimentResourceAvailable

GraviGooKit($19.95)availablefromstevespanglerscience.com

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NewandImproved!Everyoneknowsthatwatercan'tflowuphill.Notso fast...whenthisgooispouredbackandforthbetweentwobeakers,Gravi Goomysteriouslysiphonsfromthehigherheldbeakertothelowerone. Maybewatercanflowuphill.Youhavetoplaywiththestufftobelieveit. Thepossibilitiesforexplorationarenearlyendless...trycoloringyourgoo, addasquirtofPearlSwirlorevenapinchofClearSpheres.Andnow,weare providingyouwithawholenewgravitydefyingexperience...ournewand improvedGraviGoocomeswithanamazingnewpolymer...Orbs.Theroly, polypolymersarebrightlycoloredandgrabtheGraviGoo,providingthe ultimatevisualexperience!WellprovidetheGraviGoo,youprovidethe audiencetowowwithyouramazingscientificfeats!Recommendedfor childrenages6andup.

What'sincluded?

150gramjarofGraviGoo 2Plasticbeakers TrueColorsColorMixingtablets PearlSwirl 10gramsofClearSpheres 10gramsofOrbs Bluemeasuringscoop

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Experiment:VanishingJellyMarbles
Clearspherepolymersthatvanishlikemagicinaglassofwater Itlookslikeanordinaryglassofwater...crystalclearwater.But hidingjustbelowthesurfaceofthewaterareanamazing collectionoflarge,jellylikemarblesthatbecomeinvisiblewhen submergedinwater.TheJellyMarblesbecomeinvisibledueto anidenticalindexofrefractionwiththeliquid.Inotherwords, theyvanishlikemagic!Asyou'llsee,there'smoretothis experimentthanmeetstheeye.

Materials

JellyMarblesClearSpheres Plasticcup Clearglassbowl Water

JellyMarblesstartoutashardcrystals,butwhenyoudroptheminwater,they expandbyabsorbing300timestheirweightinwater. 1. Filltheplasticcup3/4fullwithwarmwater(warmerwaterhelpsto speeduptheabsorbingprocess). 2. MeasureapproximatelyoneteaspoonoftinyJellyMarblesintothe water. 3. Allowthespherestosoakforatleastthreehours,butdon'tbeafraidto pullafewoutwithaspooneverysooftentocheckontheirprogress. Makesuretonoticethechangesinshapeandsize.Astheygrow,the sphereswilltakesomeveryuniqueshapesalongtheway,butthey'll eventuallytakeontheshapeofaclearsphere.TheJellyMarblesshould reachtheirmaximumgrowthat56hours,butleavingthemovernightis evenbetter.Pouroffanyexcesswaterandyou'llbeleftwithaglass filledwithclearmarbles. 4. Herecomesthefunpart...Filltheclearglassbowlhalffullwithwater anddropthewaterfilledJellyMarblesintothewateroneatatime.The sphereswillvanishastheyhitthewater.Whenyou'refinished,you'll havewhatlookslikeabowlofwater.Reachintothewaterandgently removeahandfulofJellyMarbles.Fromthispointon,it'simpossibleto keepyourhandsoutofthebowlofwater! Anotherwaytopresentthisdemonstrationistostartbyshowingabowlora
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glassfilledwiththehydratedJellyMarbles.Slowlyfilltheglasswithwater(youwon'tneed much)andtheJellyMarblesseemtovanish. YoucanalsousetheJellyMarblestorevealahiddenmessage.You'llneedaglasspiepanora shallowglassdishofwaterforthistrick.Writethemessagethatyouwanttoappearonapiece ofwhitepaper,andplacethedishontopofthemessage.Fillthedishwithalayerortwoofthe hydratedJellyMarbles.Youwillnotbeabletoreadthemessagebecausetherefractedlight breaksuptheletter.Whenyouwantthemessagetoappear,pourwaterslowlyintothedishto coverallofthespheres.AstheJellyMarblesvanish,themessageappears.

Howdoesitwork?
JellyMarblesareactuallymadefromasuperabsorbentpolymerthatabsorbs300timesits weightinwater.Thesehydrophilicspheresareapproximately99%water.Ifyoulookclosely, youcanbarelyseetheoutlineofthesphereinthebowlofwater.Thatsbecauselightpassing throughthesphereisonlyrefracted(orbent)bytheedgeofthesphere.Withoutthisrefraction alongtheedges,theJellyMarbleswouldseemtovanishaltogether.Inotherwords,thewater filledJellyMarblesbecomeinvisibleduetoanidenticalindexofrefractionwiththewaterinthe bowl.ThesecretistokeeptheJellyMarblescleanandfreeofoilfromyourskin.Themoreyou touchthespheres,thelessinvisibletheybecomebecausedirtandoilonyourfingersis transferredtothesurfaceofthesphere,whichalsoreflectsthelightto revealthesphere. Inthehiddenmessagedemonstration,themessagelooksscrambled becausetheraysoflightarescatteredbythewaterfilledJellyMarbles. Itsliketryingtolookthroughbrokenglass.Whenwaterisaddedtothe dish,thelightrayspassrightthroughthewaterandthesphereswithout beingscatteredduetotheJellyMarble'sidenticalindexofrefraction withthewater.So,itlookslikeyourelookingthroughaplaindishof water.

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Experiment:InstantSnowTheEruptingSnow
Youwon'tbelieveyoureyes.Justaddwatertothemysteriouswhitepowderandinsecondsthe transformationbegins.Theliquidmagicallychangesintoafluffywhitepowderthatlooksjust likesnow.It'sactuallyasafe,nontoxicpolymerthatabsorbswaterandfluffsuptolooklike snow.

Materials
InstaSnowPowder(stevespanglerscience.com) Measuringcup 2plasticmixingcups Water 1.UsethebluescoopthatcameintheInstantSnowpackagetomeasureout1scoopofInsta Snowpowderintotheemptymixingcup. 2.Measure2ouncesofroomtemperaturewaterintoasecondcup. 3.QuicklypourallofthewaterintothecupwiththeInstantSnowpowder.Don'ttakeyour eyesofftheeruptingsnow! 4.Goahead...putyourfingersinthefluffyfakesnow.Itlookssorealthatspecialeffectsartists arenowusingitinmovies. 5.Ifyouletthesnowsitout,thewaterwillevaporateandtheoncefluffysnowwillturnback intothedrypowder.That'sright...it'sreusable!!!

Howdoesitwork?
InstaSnow,theoriginalInstantSnow,isanamazingsuperabsorbentpolymerthatturns ordinarywaterintoafluffysubstancethatlookslikerealsnow.Thisfauxsnowissorealistic thatitisnowbeingusedonmoviesetsandinindoorsnowboardingparks.Seethepicture aboveofanentirelawncoveredinInstantSnow. ThemixologistsatSteveSpanglerSciencecoinedthenameInstaSnow,theOriginalInstant Snow.Thisfakesnowisinaclassificationofchemicalscalledapolymer.Thewordpolymer simplymeanslongchainofmolecules("poly"meansmanyand"mer"isaunitormolecule). InstantSnowsoaksupwaterusingtheprocessofosmosis(watermoleculespassthrougha barrierfromonesidetotheother).Whenwatercomesincontactwiththepolymer,itmoves

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fromoutsidethepolymertotheinsideandcausesittoswell.Thepolymerchainshavean elasticquality,buttheycanstretchonlysofarandholdjustsomuchwater.

AdditionalInfo
GreatScienceFairIdeaUseSteveSpangler'sInstantSnowtolearnabouttheconservationof mass.Startbyaccuratelyweighing1bluescoopofthesnowpolymer(about3grams).Perform theexperimentdescribedabovebyadding2ounces(60mL)watertothepowdertomake snow.Accuratelyweighthesnow.Placethesnowinanopencontainerandallowthewaterto evaporate.Thismaytakeseveraldaysdependingonthehumidity.Whenallofthewaterhas completelyevaporated,accuratelyweightheremainingpowder.Ifthelawofconservationof massiscorrect,youshouldhaverecoveredthesameamountofInstantSnowpowderyou startedwithatthebeginningoftheexperiment.Thisprovesthatthereactionthattookplace wasaphysicalreactionandnotachemicalreactionsincetheInstantSnowpowdernever actuallychanged.

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Experiment:SchoolSpearIt!
Getintotheschoolspiritwiththisamazinghandsonscience activitythatisguaranteedtoproducearoomfullofooohs& ahhhs!Whowouldhaveeverthoughtthataplasticbag, somewater,andafewpencilswouldfrightenthethunder outoftheTeacher?Learnhowtopokeaholeinaplasticbag filledwithwaterandresealitlikemagic.Thesecrethastodo withabetterunderstandingofthechemistryofpolymers.

Materials

5pencilswithroundedges Aplasticbag Water Afewpapertowels

BeforeyougetstartedPracticethisoverasinkbeforeyoupresentitatthedinnertable. 1. Startbysharpeningthepencils. 2. Fillthebag1/2fullwithwaterandthensealthebagclosed.Posethisquestiontoyour dinnerguests,WhatwouldhappenifItriedtopushoneofthesepencilsthroughthe bagofwater?Willthewaterleakoutandmakeagiantmess?Yes...unlessyouknow thescientificsecret. 3. Herecomesthescarypart.Holdthepencilinonehandandthetopofthebaginthe otherhand.Believeitornot,youcanpushthepencilrightthroughonesideofthebag andhalfwayouttheothersidewithoutspillingadrop.Thebagmagicallysealsitself aroundthepencil.Soundsimpossible?Tryitoverthesinkforthefirsttime! 4. Continuetorekindleyourspearitforsciencebyjabbingtheremainingpencils throughthebag. 5. Whenyouarefinished,removethepencilswhileholdingthebagoverthesink.Throw awaythebaganddrythepencils.HereareafewhelpfulhintsMakesurethetipsof thepencilsaresharpenedtoapoint.Becarefulnottopushthepencilsalltheway throughthebag,oryourspearitexperimentwillturnintoabigcleanupthewater activity.

Howdoesitwork?
Theplasticbagismadeoutoflongchainsofmoleculescalledpolymers.Thisgivesthebagits stretchyproperties.Thesharpenedpencilslipsbetweenthemoleculestrandswithouttearing
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theentirebag.Believeitornot,thelongchainsofmoleculessealbackaroundthepencilto preventleaks.NowthatstheSpearItofscience!

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Experiment:ScreamingBalloons
Whatwouldlifebewithoutspookysounds?Here'saneasytodoexperimentusingonlya balloonandahexnutfromthehardwarestore.Besuretobuyenoughsuppliesforallofyour partyguestsbecauseeveryoneisgoingtowantascreamingballoon! ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.2.2Usethesensestoinvestigateanddescribeanobject 2nd7.11.1Useavarietyofobjectsthatvibratetodemonstratehowsoundsareproduced. 2nd7.11.2Describethesoundsproducedbydifferenttypesofvibratingobjects. 3rd7.11.2Useavarietyofmaterialstoproducesoundsofdifferentpitchandvolume. 3rd7.11.3Classifyavarietyoftapedsoundsaccordingtotheirpitchandvolume. 7th7.11.6Comparehowtransverseandlongitudinalwavesareproducedandtransmitted. 8th8.11.1Recognizethatforcescausechangesinspeedand/orthedirectionofmotion. Materials Youllneedgoodqualitylatexballoons(9"to11"insize)andsome1/4"hexnutsfromthe hardwarestore. Squeezethehexnutthroughthemouthoftheballoon.Makesurethatthehexnutgoesallthe wayintotheballoonsothatthereisnodangerofitbeingsuckedoutwhileblowingupthe balloon.Blowuptheballoon,butbecarefulnottooverinflatetheballoonasitwilleasilyburst. Tieofftheballoonandyourereadytogo. Griptheballoonatthestemendasyouwouldabowlingball.Theneckoftheballoonwillbein yourpalmandyourfingersandthumbwillextenddownthesidesoftheballoon.Whileholding theballoon,palmdown,swirlitinacircularmotion.Thehexnutmaybouncearoundatfirst, butitwillsoonbegintorollaroundtheinsideoftheballoon.Whatisthatsound?Couldthe balloonbescreaming?Oncethehexnutbeginstospin,useyourotherhandtostabilizethe balloon.Yourhexnutshouldcontinuetospinfor10secondsormore. Howdoesitwork? Thisisactuallya2for1experimentyourelearningaboutthescienceofinertiaandsound. Thehexnutcirclesinsidetheballoonduetocentripetalforce.Centripetalforceistheinward forceonabodythatcausesittomoveinacircularpath.Theoldconceptofcentrifugalforce (anoutwardorcenterfleeingforce)hasbeenlargelyreplacedbyamoremodernistic

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understandingofcentripetalforce(aninwardorcenterseekingforce).Thesoundismadeby thesidesofthehexnutvibratingagainsttheinsidewalloftheballoon. Toprovethis,repeattheexperimentusingapennyinplaceofthehexnut.Whilethepenny spinsbeautifullyinsidetheballoon,thespookysoundisgone.Experimentwithdifferentsizes ofhexnutsoranyothercircularobjectwhoseedgesmightvibrateagainsttheballoonand createaspookysound.TheScreamingBalloonmakesforagreatHalloweenpartygiveawayor afunscienceexperimentforteacherstodoinclassroom.

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Experiment:SingingGlasses
Whatdinnerpartyiscompletewithoutasongfrom theWineGlassSymphony?You'llneedafewwine glasses,somewater,andatuneinmindto demonstratethesoundsofscience.Amazeeveryone anddisplayincrediblybadmannersallatonce.

Materials
Roundupafewwineglasses(thethinwalledkindworkgreat),somewater,alittlevinegar (optional),andabunchofcrazydinnerguests. 1. Filltheglassabouthalffullwithwater.Dipyourpointerfingerintothewater(or vinegar)tocleanit.Useanapkintowipeoffanydirtoroilonyourfinger.Cleanisgood. 2. Youllneedalittlemoisturetohelp,sodipyourfingerintothewateragain.Setyour clean,moistfingerontherimoftheglass,pressdownslightly,andrubitalltheway aroundtherimwithoutstopping.Keepgoinginacircularmotionalongthelipofthe glasswhilemaintainingthepressure,andinalmostnotimeyoullhavedisplayeda newfoundmusicaltalent. 3. Severalthingshavetobejustrightforatonetobeproduced:pressure,moisture,glass type,etc.Keeptryingbecauseitsworthitandonceyougetthere,itshardtostop.

Howdoesitwork?
Youaredemonstratingtheprincipleofstickandslide.Asyourubyourfingerontherim,your fingerfirststickstotheglassandthenslides.Thisstickandslideactionoccursinveryshort lengthsandproducesavibrationinsidetheglasswhich,inturn,producesasound.Vinegar helpstocleandirtandoilfromyourfinger.Acleanfingerimprovesthestickandslideaction.As soonasthefirstfewvibrationsareproduced,theglassresonates.Thatmeansyourecausing thecrystalsintheglasstovibratetogetherandcreateonecleartone.Youcanchangethepitch (highnessorlownessofthesound)byaddingtoorsubtractingfromtheamountofwaterinthe glass.Thevolume(loudorquiet)canbechangedonlyalittlebitbyincreasingordecreasingthe pressurefromyourfinger.Justthinkaboutthejamsessionyou'llhavewithyourdinner guests!

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Experiment:PopBottleSounds
Whenyoublowonasodabottleorclinkitwithaspoon,the bottlemakesanoise.Sometimesthesoundishighand sometimesthesoundislow.Iwanttofindouthowtheliquidin thebottlemakesthesoundchange.Here'smyhypothesis... WhenIclinkthebottlewithaspoon,Ithinkthebottlewillmake alowsoundwhenitisfullandahighersoundwhenitisempty. Materials

8glassOrangeCrushbottles(allofthebottlesmustbe thesame!) Water Spoon Goodears

Test#1ClinkTwoBottles Youneedtwobottlesforthisexperiment.Fillonebottlefullwithwaterandleavetheother bottleempty.Clinkbothbottles.Arethesoundsdifferent? Test#2ClinkThreeBottles Youneedthreebottlesforthisexperiment.Fillthefirstbottlefullofwater.Fillthesecond bottlehalffull.Dontputwaterinthethirdbottle.Willthesoundofbottle#2(halffull)bein themiddleoftheothertwosounds? Test#3BlowingAir Thistestusedthethreebottlesfromtest#2.Insteadofclinkingthebottle,Iwanttoblowair acrossthem.Myhypothesisisthattheywillmakethesamesoundasclinkingthebottles. Howdoesitwork? WhatILearnedAboutSound Soundcomesfromvibrations.Whenyouhitthebottlewiththespoon,itmakestheglass vibrate.Whenyoufillthebottlewithwater,theglasscannotvibrateasmuch.Fastvibrations makeahighsoundandslowvibrationsmakealowsound.Afullbottlewillproduceaslow vibrationandalowsound.Anemptybottlewillhaveafastervibrationandahighersound.
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MyBigDiscovery Ithoughtthatblowingintothebottlewouldbethesameashittingitwithaspoon,butIwas wrong.Blowingintotheemptybottlemadealowsound.Ilearnedthatwhenyoublowintothe bottle,youaremakingtheairvibratenottheglass!Whenyouputmorewaterintothebottle, thereislessairtovibrate.Thismeanstheairwillvibratefasterandthesoundishigher.

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Experiment:WhirlyTheTwirlingSoundHose
Atfirstglance,itlookslikeyourordinaryplastictube.Holdoneendofthetubeandtwirlthe otherendinacircleoveryourhead.Itsmusictoyourears!Howdoesitwork? Materials

TheSingingTubeisapopularandinexpensiveitem intoystores.Thereisreallynothingtoita corrugatedplastictubemeasuringabout3feetlong and2inchesindiameter.

Spinthetubefasterandnoticehowthepitchofthenote goesup.Fasttwirlingcreateshighpitchnotesandslower twirlingcreateslowernotes.Amazing! TheBag"Whirly" 1. Attachaplasticbag,suchasagarbagebagorshoppingbagtotheendofyourSound Hosewithtapeorarubberband. 2. WithyourmouthafewmillimetersfromtheSoundHose,blowintotheopenend.The bagwillinflatewithjustafewbigbreaths. 3. Oncethebagisinflated,twirlyourSoundHose.Asthe"music"playsfromthehose, watchthebagdeflate! Howdoesitwork? Imaginethatthetubeisfilledwithtinypebbles.Twirlingthetubeoverheadwouldshootthe rocksoutofthetube.Thesamethinghappenswiththemoleculesofair.Asyoutwirlthetube, airmoleculesarelaunchedoutoftheotherend.Thefasterthetwirl,thefasterthemolecules comeflyingouttheotherend. TheBag"Whirly"experimentcreatesastunningeffectbecauseoftheairmoleculesquickly exitingtheSoundHose.Theplasticbaghelpsyouraudiencevisualizethemovementofthe moleculesbecauseyoucanseethebagdeflatingastheSoundHoseisbeing"played." Notallplastictubessing.Thetubemustbecorrugatedontheinside.Why?Theaerodynamics researchersinJapanputawhirlyinawindtunnelandusedverytinyhotwireanemometersto measuretheairflownearthecorrugations.Astheairflowsfirstoveroneridgethenovera secondittumblesintoavortex.Thefastertheairflowsthroughthetubethehigherthe
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frequencyofthesoundproducedbythevortex.Whenthefrequencyofthevortexmatchesone ofthenaturalresonantfrequenciesofthetubeitisamplified. NoticehowtheinsideofyourvacuumcleanerhoseinNOTcorrugated!Otherwise,your vacuumcleanerwouldplaymusic(maybeapoorchoiceofwords)wheneveryoucleanedthe house. InSearchofMoreTubes...WhilethetoystoreTwirlyisfun,youllsoonwanttoexperiment withdifferentsizetubes(long,short,fat,skinny)toseehowthesizeandshapechangethe sound.

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Experiment:SingingRod
Heresaclassroomsciencedemonstrationthatissuretowakeyou up...andthepeopledownthestreet...andeverydoginthe neighborhood!Withalittlepracticeandsomescienceknowhow, you'llturnanordinarypieceofaluminumrodintoasinging virtuoso. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.2.2Usethesensestoinvestigateanddescribean object 2nd7.11.1Useavarietyofobjectsthatvibratetodemonstratehowsoundsareproduced. 2nd7.11.2Describethesoundsproducedbydifferenttypesofvibratingobjects. 3rd7.11.2Useavarietyofmaterialstoproducesoundsofdifferentpitchandvolume. 3rd7.11.3Classifyavarietyoftapedsoundsaccordingtotheirpitchandvolume. 7th7.11.6Comparehowtransverseandlongitudinalwavesareproducedandtransmitted. Materials You'llneedasolidaluminumrodapproximately5/8"indiameterand24"long.Youcan experimentwithdifferentlengthsofrodtoproducedifferentsounds.You'llalsoneedsome violinrosin...andsomepatience. Holdtherodinthemiddlewithyourfirstandsecondfingersontopandthethumb supportingtherodfrombelow.Thekeyistomakeaslittlecontactwiththerodaspossibleso asnottodampenthevibrations. Applysomerosintothethumbandfingersofyourotherhandandlightlycoatthealuminum rodwithrosin. Useyourrosincoatedfingerstopinchthemetalwhileslidingyourfingersfromthemiddleto theendoftherod.Dontstop.Assoonasyourfingersreachtheend,repeatthispinchnsliding process...andagain...andagain...maybeupwardsof20timesbeforethemetalbarbeginsto resonate.Dontgiveup. Becauseofthestickynatureofrosin,yourfingersshouldstickandslideacrosstherod causingittoresonate.

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Thesoundofthevibrationswillbesoftatfirstbutwillstrengthenwitheachsuccessive stroke.Theresultinghighpitchsoundwillbeearpiercing!Eachstrokereinforcesthevibrations ofthelast.Pinchandslide,pinchandslide,pinchandslide...dontgiveup! **Tryholdingthebarinthemiddleandtappingonthesides.Comparethissoundtothesound producedbyhittingthebardirectlyontheend.Howdoesthissoundcomparetothesound madebystrokingthebar? Howdoesitwork? Vibrations...thereasonthebarmakesthesoundisbecauseofvibrations.Yourstudentsmight beinclinedtoofferthissimpleexplanationbeforeyouincreasetheirlevelofunderstandingby askingthesequestions:

Whydidthepitchofthebarsounddifferentwhenyoutappedthebarinsteadof strokingthebar? Whydoesthemetalbarvibratewhenyourubitwithyourfingers?Whyistherosin necessary? Whereisthehighpitchsoundcomingfrom(middle,sides,orendsofthebar)andwhy?

Intermsofmakingthebarvibrate,therosinisresponsibleformakingyourfingersstickand slideastheymoveacrossthebar.Inturn,thisrepeatedstickandslideactionsetsupvibrations inthebar. Youprobablynoticedthatholdingthebarinthemiddleandtappingslideproducedalower pitchsoundandstrikingthebarontheveryendcreatedahigherpitchsound.Thesamehigh pitchsoundisalsomadebystrokingthebarwithyourfingers.Ineithercase,thehighpitch soundresultedfromtheformationofcompressionwavesorlongitudinalwavesthroughoutthe bar.Eachsuccessivestokeofthebarreinforcesthestrengthofthepreviouslyestablished longitudinalwave,resultinginaloudersound. HeresawaytoillustratealongitudinalwaveusingaSlinkytoy.PictureaSlinkystretchedout onthefloorwithanotherpersonholdingtheSlinkyattheotherend.Compressasectionofthe springandletgo.Noticehowtheenergyofthereleasedcoilmovesupanddownthelengthof thespring.Seetheillustrationbelow.Thisisanexampleofacompressionorlongitudinalwave. Thehighpitchsoundofthemetalrodistheresultofalongitudinalwavewhichtravels throughouttheentirelengthofthebar.

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Ittherodisheldinthemiddleandtappedontheslidewithasolidobject,atransversewaveis created.Thesewaveshavemuchlongerwavelengthsand,asaresulthaveamuchlowertone orpitchcomparedtothehigherpitchedlongitudinalwave.Atransversewaveismadeby movingtheSlinkyinanupanddownmotion,creatingnodesandantinodes.Noticethe formationofstandingwaves. Practicehittingthebarwithasolidobjectclosetotheendwithaslightdiagonalstroke.By doingso,youcanactuallycreatebothlongitudinalandtransversewavesatthesametime,and youllbeabletohearbothsoundsatonce. AdditionalInfo Overtheyears,thisactivityhasbeenpublishedinanumberofdemonstrationbooks,andmy initialeffortstoperformtheSingingRodalwaysresultedintiredfingersandnosound.Success cameafterseeingDr.AlbertBaezpresentthedemonstrationinSanAntonioin1995.The motionofrepeatedlyslidingyourhanddownthebarissmoothandgraceful.Dr.Baez effortlesslycausedthemetalbartoresonateahighpitchedsoundthatfilledtheauditoriumto everyonesamazement.Socanyou!

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Experiment:MusicalStraws
There'sastraw...andstrawsareinteresting.Isthereanythingyou candowithastrawto"beamazing?"Keepreadinginamatterof minutesyou'llhavetheentireroomupsetbyyourscienceantics. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.2.2Usethesensestoinvestigateanddescribean object 1st7.11.1Usefamiliarobjectstoexplorehowthemovementcanbechanged. 2nd7.11.1Useavarietyofobjectsthatvibratetodemonstratehowsoundsareproduced. 2nd7.11.2Describethesoundsproducedbydifferenttypesofvibratingobjects. 3rd7.11.2Useavarietyofmaterialstoproducesoundsofdifferentpitchandvolume. 3rd7.11.3Classifyavarietyoftapedsoundsaccordingtotheirpitchandvolume. Materials You'llneed: Astraw,unwrapped Scissors Anaudienceofmusiclovers 1. Flattenthelastinchofthestrawwithyourteeth,makingsurethatyoudon'tcurlthe end.Flatterisbetter,soreallypressdownhard.Cutthecornersoffthestraight, flattenedendofthestraw. 2. Nowyou'rereadytomakemusic(andannoyeveryone)!Placethecutendofthestraw intoyourmouth,sealyourlipsaroundit,andblowuntila"sound" isproduced.You'll feeltheentirestrawvibrateasthesoundismade.Don'tgiveupifyoudon'tmakemusic rightaway;youmayneedtorepositionthestrawandtryitagain.You'vejustmadea "doublereed" mouthpiece,similartoanoboe. 3. Cutsmallsectionsoffthebottomofthestrawwhileyou'remakingthesound.Listenfor changesinthepitchasyoucutthestrawshorterandshorter.Watchoutforyourlips! Howdoesitwork? Whenadjustedproperly,theflattenedendsofthestrawwillvibrateasairflowsoverthem.The vibrationispassedontothecolumnofairinsidethestraw.Thisisjustlikethedoublereedon somewoodwindinstruments.Thevibratingreedproducestheoboelikesoundinthestraw
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basedonthelengthofthestraw.Bycuttingoffpiecesofthestraw,youalterthelengthofthe aircolumnandthuschangethepitch.TheEnglishhorn,oboe,andbassoonallusethissame principleofvibrationtomakesound.Theseinstruments,however,changethelengthofthe columnofairwithholes,stops,andpads.Scissorsareimpractical. Here'savariation:Findtwostraws,onesmallerthantheother(thesmallershouldfitsnugly insidethelargerstraw).Usingthesmallerstraw,repeatStep1above.Slidethebiggerstrawup overthesmallerstrawandstartblowing.Movethelargerstrawbackandforthtochangethe pitchofthesound.It'sastrawtrombone(althoughanybrassplayerworthhisorhersaltwill tellyouit'salameattempt).Brassrules!

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Experiment:BouncingBubbleSolution
There'ssomethingmagicalaboutabubble.It'sjustalittlepuffofairtrappedinathinfilmof soapandwater,butitsprecisesphericalshapeandbeautiful,swirlingcolorsmakeitatrue wonderofscience.Abubble'slifeexpectancyisusuallymeasuredinsecondsunlessyouknow howtomakeaSUPERBUBBLE! ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kinder7.11.1Useavarietyofobjectstodemonstratedifferenttypesofmovement(e.g., straightline/zigzag,backwards/forward,sidetoside,incircles,fast/slow). 3rd7.9.1Usephysicalpropertiestocompareandcontrastsubstances. 4th7.10.3Gatherandorganizeinformationaboutavarietyofmaterialstocategorizethemas translucent,transparent,oropaque. Materials 1cupofdistilledwater(240mL) 2tablespoonsofDawndishsoap(30mL) 1tablespoonofGlycerin(15mL) MakeupabatchofBouncingBubbleSolution(seeabove). Purchaseapairofinexpensivechildren'sglovesfromyourlocal departmentstore(100%cottonglovesorsocksalsoworkwell). Blowabubbleaboutthesizeofabaseball. Bouncethebubbleoffofyourglovesorsocks.Trybouncingthe bubbleoffofyourshirtorpants.Asyou'llsoonsee,somefabrics workbetterthanothers. AbouttheIngredients... WaterThesinglemostimportantpartofthebubblesolutionisthewater.Goodqualitywater thatdoesnotcontainhighlevelsofironormineralsisbest.Ifyou'reuncertainastothequality ofyourtapwater,investinagallonofdistilledwaterfromthegrocerystore. SoapWhenitcomestosoap,Dawndishsoapjustseemstoworkthebestforhomemade bubblesolutions. GlycerinGlycerinisthesecretadditivethatgivesabubbleitsextrastrength.Don'tbetoo shockedbythepriceonabottleofhighqualityGlycerin.Contactthepharmacistatyourlocal
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grocerystoreforavailability.(Note:SomebubblerecipessubstituteKaroSyrupforGlycerin duetotheexpenseandavailabilityofGlycerin.) BubbleColorsSimilartothewayweperceivethecolorsinarainboworanoilslick,weseethe colorsinabubblethroughthereflectionandtherefractionoflightwavesofftheinnerand outersurfacesofthebubblewall.Youcan'tcolorabubblesinceitswallisonlyafewmillionths ofaninchthick.Abubblereflectscolorfromitssurroundings. BouncingBubblesExperiencetellsyouthatregularbubblesburstwhentheycomeincontact withjustaboutanything.Why?Abubble'sworstenemiesareoilanddirt.A"super"bubblewill bounceoffofasurfaceifitisfreeofoilordirtparticlesthatwouldnormallybreakdownthe soapfilm. Howdoesitwork? TheScienceofBubblesCheckoutthesewebsitestolearnmoreaboutthefascinatingscienceof bubbles

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Experiment:BooBubbles
Bubblesarecool,butbubblesfilledwithfogareevencooler. Justimaginethecoolfactorgoinguptenfoldifyoucould bounceandplaywiththesebubbles.BooBubblesarewhat yougetwhenyoufillabubblewithacarbondioxidecloud usingSteveSpanglerscloudbubblegenerator.Buthesaved thebestuntillastbecauseyoulllearnhowtorollandbounce thebubblesinyourhands.Itsthecombinationofscience andperformanceart! Materials DryIceCloudGenerator(seebelow) DryIce Liquidsoap(Dawn) Knitgloves Bathtowel MakingtheDryIceCloudGeneratorTheversionoftheDryIceCloud Generatorfeaturedinthevideowasconstructedoutofagallonsize plasticjarwitha3footlongpieceofrubbertubingattachedtotheside. Thegoalistoattachthetubingtothetoppartofthejarsothatthefog createdbymixingdryiceandwaterblowsoutofthetubewhenyoutwist onthelid.Thefreeendoftherubbertubingisattachedtoasmallfunnel orsomethingsimilartohelpblowbubbleswhenitsdippedintoasoapy watersolution.Thebestadviceistostartwiththeplasticjarandspend sometimewalkingthroughtheplumbingaislesofyourlocalhardwarestore. Experiment Youllneedsomethickglovestohandlethedryice.Theknitglovesused laterintheactivitydonotgiveenoughprotectiontoyourhands.Finda goodpairofleatherglovestoprotectyourhandsagainstthecold temperatureofthedryiceandyoureset. Fillthejarhalffullwithwarmtohotwater.Dryiceproducesthebestfog whenyouusewarmwater.Attachtherubberhosetothesideofthejar (ifitsnotalreadyattached).

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Dropafewgoodsizepiecesofdryiceintothejar.Immediatelythefogwillrolloutofthejar. Practicecoveringthetopofthejarwiththelidtocontroltheflowoffogoutofthetube.You donthavetoscrewthelidontothejarjustholditontopofthejartoforceormorelessfog throughtherubbertubing.Makeasoapysolutionbymixingasquirt(thatsatechnicalterm!) ofliquidsoapwithabout4ouncesofwater.Forevenstrongerbubbles,useExtremeBubble Solution. Dipthefreeendoftherubbertubingintothebubblesolutiontowetthe endofthetube.Removethetubefromthebubblesolutionwithone handwhilecoveringthejarwiththelidintheotherhand.Thiswilltakea littlepractice,butitseasyonceyougetthehangofit.Thegoalistoblow abubblefilledwithfog.Whenthebubblereachestheperfectsize,gently shakeitoffofthetubinganditwillquicklyfalltotheground(itsheavierthananormalbubble becausethebubbleisfilledwithcarbondioxidegasandwatervapor).Whenthebubblehitsthe ground,itburstsandthecloudoffogeruptsfromthebubble.Verycool. TouchableBooBubbles Purchaseapairofinexpensivechildrensglovesfromyourlocal departmentstore(100%cottonglovesalsoworkwell). Blowabubbleaboutthesizeofabaseball.Bouncethebubbleoffof yourgloves.Trybouncingthebubbleoffofyourshirtorpants.Asyoull soonsee,somefabricsworkbetterthanothers.Trybouncingbubbleson ahandtowel. SteveSpanglercombinedtheideaoffillingbubbleswithdryicefogwith hisBouncingBubbleactivitytocreateaBouncingBooBubble.While blowingbubblesindoors,youmighthavenoticedtheoccasionalbubble thatfelltothecarpetbutdidntpop.Regularbubblesburstwhenthey comeincontactwithjustaboutanything.Why?Abubblesworst enemiesareoilanddirt.BooBubbleswillbounceoffofasurfaceifitis freeofoilordirtparticlesthatwouldnormallybreakdownthesoapfilm. Thatswhyyourewearingknitgloves. AdditionalInfo TheoriginalideaofcreatingfogfilledbubblescamefromademonstrationpresentedbyBob Beckerin1995calledaLeakyFaucet.Fogfilledbubblesdroppedfromafaucetmadeoutof PVCpipe.SteveSpanglercombinedupdatedthisideabybeingabletocontroltheflowofthe
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carbondioxidegaswithhisDryIceCloudGenerator.StevealsoaddedhisBouncingBubble demousingknitglovestocreateaghostlylookingtouchablebubblethatvanisheswitha burstofsmoke.

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Experiment:GiantBubbles
Everyoneknowsthatsmallbubblesareamazing...youcanblow them,bouncethem,catchthem...thefunneverends!Butwhat ifyoucouldamakeagiantbubbleover1meter(3ft)tall?Once youknowthesecretbehindthesesuperbubbles,youcanamaze youraudiencebysurroundingtheminahumansizedbubble! Materials

Pipetteorotherbubbleblowingdevice Dawndishsoap(notantibacterial) DistilledWater HulaHoops,smallandlarge PVCpipe String Scissors Children'sswimmingpool Glycerin(optional)

BubbleSolutionRecipe Intheswimmingpoolmix19L(5gallons)ofdistilledwaterwith2.5L(10cups)ofDawnDish Soap.Thebestbubblesolutionageswithtime,soallowyourmixturetositovernightbefore usingit.Forevenstrongerbubbles,add1.2L(5cups)ofGlycerintothesolution. BlowingBubbleswithaPipette Anordinaryplasticeyedropper,calledapipette,makestheperfectbubbleblower.Justsnipthe roundendoffofthepipetteanddipitinthebubblesolution.Blowthroughtheskinnyendof thepipetteandyouwillgetaperfectbubblenearlyeverytime! MakingaBubbleWall 1. TaketwopiecesofPVCpipe(availableatahardwarestore...theywillevencutitfor you)3060cm(12ft)long.

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2. Attachthetwopipeswithalongloopofstring.Threadthestringthroughthetoppipe, downintotheotherpipeandbackuptotheoriginalpipe.Tietheendsstringtogether. Thetwopiecesofpipeshouldbehangingabout90cm(3ft)apart.Diptheentire contraptionintothebubblesolutionandslowlypullitbackout.Youwillfindthatthe bubblesolutionisinbetweenthepipeslikeabubblewall! 3. Ifyoublowlightlyintothewall,abubblewillpopout.Or,tryputtingyourhandinthe bubblesolutionsoitiscoatedwithsolution.Now,putyourhandthroughthebubble wall....itgoesrightthroughwithoutbreakingthewall!Becauseyoucoatedyourhand withbubblesolutionfirst,theoilsonyourskinwon'tbreakthebubble. 4. Youcanalsotrythistrickwithasmallhulahoop.Youwillhaveabubbleringthatyou canputyourhandthroughorblowoutsmallerbubbles. 5. Youraudiencewillalreadybeontheirfeetandyouhaven'tevenmadeittothegrand finale! 6. GIANTBubbles 1. Placethelargerhulahoopinthebottomoftheswimmingpool. 2. Askforoneortwobravevolunteerstotakeofftheirshoesandstepintotheswimming poolandintothecenterofthehulahoop. 3. Now,veryslowly,andwithasteadyhand,pullthehulahoopstraightoutofthepool andtothetopofyourvolunteer(s)head. 4. Beforetheycansay"Noway!"Yourvolunteeristrappedinsideahumansizedbubble! 5. Youraudiencewillgowildwithapplauseandyoucantakeyourwelldeservedbow... afteryoureleaseyourvolunteerfromtheirbubblecage! Howdoesitwork? BubblesformbecauseoftheSURFACETENSIONofwater.Hydrogenatomsinonewater moleculeareattractedtooxygenatomsinotherwatermolecules.Theylikeeachotherso much,theyclingtogether.NormalbubblesenclosetheMAXIMUMVOLUMEOFAIRwithTHE MINIMUMAMOUNTOFBUBBLESOLUTION,sotheyarealwaysround.Whenyoustretchyour bubblesacrosscontraptionsliketheBubbleWallorahulahoopbubblesclingtothesidesas youdipintothesolution,makingthebubblesallsortsofshapes.Thesurfacetensionofwater, alone,isTOOSTRONGtomakegoodbubbles,ADDINGSOAPREDUCESTHESURFACETENSION.
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Italsoaddsoilyfilmthatslowsdowntheevaporationprocess,soyougetlongerlasting bubbles!

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Experiment:ChillyBubbles
Ifyouaskyourstudentshowmuchaircanfitinabottle,they'llprobablysayitdependsonthe sizeofthebottle.True,butthere'sanotherfactortoconsider,andthat's temperature.Abottlecanholdmorecoldairthanwarmair.Withthissimple activity,yourchildcanseeforherself. YOUWILLNEED: Anempty20ounceplasticsodabottle,withoutthecap Aglassofwater(wideenoughforthetopofthesodabottletofitin) Bubblesolution(youcanmakeyourownbymixingafewdropsofdishsoapwith Ncupofwater) STEPS: Placethesodabottlemouthdownintheglassofwaterandwatchwhathappens:notmuch. Drythebottleandchillitinthefreezerfor5minutes.Onceagain,placeitintheglass.Without beingsqueezed,thebottlewillblowunderwaterbubbles. Returnthebottletothefreezerforanother5minutes.Meanwhile,pouralittlebubblesolution intoashallowbowl.Whenthebottleisready,dipthemouthinthebubblesolution,thenset thebottleuprightonatable.Abubbleshouldstarttoformalmostimmediately.Whenthe bubblebursts,redipthebottle;itshouldkeeponblowingbubblesuntilitnearsroom temperature. WHAT'SHAPPENING: Whenyouputthebottleinthefreezer,theairinsideitgetscold.That'sbecauseair,justlike everythingelse,iscomposedofmolecules(tinybitsofmatter)thatreacttochangesinthe environment.Thecoldertheair,theclosertogetherthemoleculesget.Becauseit'sdenserthan warmair,youcanfitmoreofitinthebottle.Whenyoutakethebottleoutofthefreezer,the airinsideitstartstowarmupandexpand.Thebottlecan'tcontainitall.Asitescapes,theair pushesagainstthewaterintheglass(or,instep3,thebubblesolutionontherim),creating bubbles.

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Experiment:BallooninaBottle
Howhardwoulditbetoinflateaballooninaplasticsodabottle? Somethingslooksoeasyuntilyoutrythem.Caseinpoint...Howhardwoulditbetoinflatea ballooninaplasticsodabottle.Hey,nobigdeal.Justputtheballoondowninsidethebottle andpuffaway.That'suntilyourealizesomethingaboutthepropertiesofair.Don'tworry... SteveSpanglerwillshowyouhowtobeamazing. Materials

1Literbottle Latexballoons Rubberstopperorcork Water Nail Hammer

Sliptheballooninsidetheneckofthebottleandstretchthemouthofthe balloonoverthebottletop.Takeadeepbreathandtrytoblowupthe ballooninsidethebottle.Goodluck! Removetheballoon,fillthesodabottletothebrimwithwater,thenseal itwithacap.Askanadulttopunchasmallholewithanailandhammer inthesideofthebottle,closetothebase.Removethenail,uncapthe bottle,andemptythewateroutthetop. Placetheballooninthebottleagain(Step1)andtrytoblowuptheballoon.Quiteadifference! Blowharduntiltheballoonfillsmostofthebottle(alittlewaterleftinthebottlehelps).Placea finger(orthumb)overthenailholewhenyoustopblowing.Youaretoocool!Now,moveyour finger. Howdoesitwork? Theballoonwon'tinflatemuchthefirsttimebecausethebottleis alreadyfilledwithair.There'snoroomfortheballoontoexpandinside thebottle.However,whenyoupunchaholeinthebottle,theair moleculesinthebottlehaveanexit.They'repushedoutastheballoon
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fillsthespaceinside.Aslongasyouplugthehole,theballoonstaysinflated.Whenyoutake yourthumboffthehole,outsideairflowsbackintothebottleastheballooncollapses.Because oftheelasticityoftherubberorlatex,theballoonshrinkstoitsoriginalsizeastheairrushes outthetopofthebottle.Bytheway,whenyoufilledthebottlewithwater,youmadeitswalls morerigidanditwaseasiertopushthenailthroughtheflexibleplastic.Who'deverthinkthat flowing,softwatercouldgivethatmuchsupport? Trythis!Inflatetheballooninthebottleagainandcoverthenailhole withyourthumb.Pourwaterintotheballoonwhilekeepingyourthumb overthehole.Gooutsideorholdthebottleoverasinkbeforeyou removeyourthumb.Watchoutforthatstreamofwatergushingoutof thebottletop!Youmightdecidetohandafullwaterballoonbottletoa friendandjust"forget"totellthemaboutthehole. Supposeyourthumbgetstiredwhiletheballoonisinflated.Putacaptightlyonthebottleand removeyourthumb.Fortheairtoflow,bothholeshavetobeopen.Howwouldmoreholesor evenonelargeholechangethespeedofinflatinganddeflatingtheballoon?Whatwouldmore orbiggerholesdotothestreamflowingfromthewaterballoonbottle?Tryitout!Balloonsand bottlesmakeagreatsciencecombo!

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Experiment:DoNotOpenBottleSodaPrank It'stheultimateprankusingthesimplestofprops...aplasticsodabottlefilledwithwater.Even thoughthewords,"DONOTOPEN"areprintedonthebottle,peoplejustcan'tresistthe temptation.Watchout,thefunisjustbeginning. Materials Twoplasticsodabottles(1litersizeworkswell) Cap Largenail Sharpiepen Thumbtack Hey,ifyou'reakidwhoistryingtodothisexperiment,getanadulttohelpyoupoketheholes inthebottle.Youdon'twanttohurtYOURhand! TheLeakProofBottle 1. Usethenailtopokeaholeonthesideofthebottleclosetothebottom. 2. Covertheholewithyourfingerwhileyoufillthebottlewithwaterallthewaytothe top.Screwonthecap. 3. Slowlytakeyourfingerawayfromthehole.Areyoureadyforthewatertocomerushing out.Hey,there'snoleak? 4. Unscrewthecapandwatchwhathappens.Okay,nowit'stimetostandback! The"DoNotOpen"BottleTrick 1. Startwithanewplasticsodabottle(don'tusetheonefromthepreviousexperiment). UsethepermanentmarkertowriteDONOTOPEN!infatlettersonthebottomhalfof thebottle. 2. Useasharppushpin(thumbtack)andcarefullypoketinyholesthroughthebottleat thebottomoftheletters(theletterswillhelphidetheholes). 3. Placethebottleinadeepsinkorpanandfillitwithwater.Thetrickypartisthatthe waterwillleakoutoftheholesasyou'refillingthebottle.Keepthewaterrunningas youscrewonthecap.Don'tsqueezethebottleoritwillstartleakingbeforeyou're ready.

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4. Setthebottleontheclassroomcounter(wordsideout)wheresomeonecanseeitas theypassby.Staycloseenoughtowatchwhathappens.Eventually,someoneisbound toaskaboutthebottle.Playdumbwith,Idunno,whentheyaskaboutit.Letthem unscrewthecapandyou'llwitnessscienceinaction! Howdoesitwork? Thinkaboutwhythebottlespewswaterwhenthecapisloosened.It'skindofatagteam combobetweengravityandairpressure.Gravityispushingdownwardonthewaterwhether thelid'sonthebottleornot.Airpressurecan'tdoanythinguntilitsomehowgetsintothe bottle.Whenthelidison,airpressurecan'tgetintothebottletopushonthesurfaceofthe water.Itdoes,however,pushagainsttheoutsideofthebottleonallsides.Sincetheoutside atmosphericpressureisgreaterthantheforceofgravity,mostofthewaterstaysinthebottle. Whenthelidisuncapped,though,theoutsideatmosphericpressure(14.7poundspersquare inchatsealevel)andtheforceofgravitypushdownonthewateratthesametime.Thewater shootsoutandthenosypersongetsascientific(butwelldeserved)soaking.

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Experiment:TheUnpoppableBalloon
Often,physicsrevealsthatwhatseemstobethemostlikelyexplanation isn'talwaysthecorrectone.(Rememberthatoldtheoryaboutthesun movingaroundtheearth?)Takesomethingassimpleaspiercingaballoon withapin.It'slogicaltoassumethattheballoonpopsbecauseairescapes throughthehole.Butasthissimpleexperimentproves,there'ssomething muchmoreinterestinggoingon. YOUWILLNEED: Latexballoon Cleartape Straightpin STEPS: Blowupaballoonandsticktwo2inchpiecesoftapetothesurfaceinanX. Usethepintopuncturetheballoonatthecenterofthecross.Eventhoughyou'llbeabletofeel airleakingthroughthehole,theballoonwillstubbornlyrefusetopop(atleastforquitea while). Watchtheholethroughthetape.Itwillwidenintomoreofacrack(ifitdoesn't,trysqueezing theballoontohelpthingsalong).Whenthecracknearstheedgeofthetape,theballoonwill suddenlypop. WHAT'SHAPPENING: Whenyoupuncturetheballoon,it'snotairrushingouttheholethatcausesittopop.Instead, whatactuallyoccursissomethingthatphysicistscallacatastrophiccrackpropagation.Thehole spreads,ineffectrippingopentheballoon.Thetape,however,slowsdowntheprocess dramatically,postponingthepop. Ifyouthinkthat'scool,considerthis:whenthetearintheballoonfinallymakesitpastthetape, itstartstoripthroughthelatexfasterthanthespeedofsound.Sothatpopyouhearisactually asonicboom.

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Experiment:SevenLayerDensityColumnThinkofitasaScienceburrito
Everyoneknowsthatvegetableoilfloatsonwater.Thatsbecausethetwoliquidshave differentdensities.Densityisbasicallyhowmuchstuffissmashedintoaparticularareaora comparisonbetweenanobjectsmassandvolume.So,theexactsamevolumeoftwoliquids mayactuallyhavedifferentmasses,sotheywouldhavedifferentdensities.Thatswhy vegetableoilfloatsontopofwater. But,vegetableoilandwaterarejustonewaytoexploredensity.Whatifyoucouldfloatseven differentliquidsinsevendifferentlayers?Wellshowyouhowtobeamazingandmakea sevenlayerdensitycolumn! Materials

LightKaroSyrup Water VegetableOil Dawndishsoap(blue) Rubbingalcohol LampOil Honey Graduatedcylinder FoodColoringorTrueColorColoringTablets Foodbaster 9oz.portioncups 1. Measure8ouncesofeachtypeofliquidintothe9oz. portioncups.Youmaywanttostarttheexperimentby coloringeachoftheliquidstomakeamoredramatic effectinyourcolumn.LightKarosyrupiseasiertocolor thanthedarksyrup.Theonlyliquidsthatyoumaynotbe abletocolorarethevegetableoilandthehoney.
2. Startyourcolumnbypouringthehoneyintothecylinder.Now,youwillpoureachliquid

SLOWLYintothecontainer,oneatatime.Makesureyoupourtheminthefollowing order. a. Honey b. Karosyrup


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c. Dishsoap d. Water e. Vegetableoil f. RubbingAlcohol g. Lampoil


3.

Note:ItisVERYimportanttopourtheliquidsslowlyandintothecenterofthecylinder. Makesurethattheliquidsdonottouchthesidesofthecylinderwhileyouarepouring. Also,itsokayiftheliquidsmixalittleasyouarepouring,thelayerswillalwayseven themselvesoutbecauseofthevaryingdensities.


4. Asyoupour,theliquidswilllayerontopofoneanother.Afteryoupourintheliquids

youwillhaveaSevenlayerscienceexperiment.Densityistoocool! Observations We'vehadlotsofteachersandscientistshelpcontributetothisexperiment.Weinadvertently madeanerrorinverbiageintheveryfirstlineofourexperiment!It'strue,vegetableoiland waterarecloseenoughindensitythattheyactuallydon'tmixbecauseofthepolarityoftheir molecules,notbecauseoftheslightdifferenceintheirdensities.Oilmoleculesarenonpolar andwatermoleculesarepolar,sothenonpolarmoleculesliketohangoutwithothernon polarmoleculesandthepolarmoleculesliketohangoutwithotherpolarmolecules. SpecialthankstoJoeF.andCathyV.forhelpinguswiththecorrectiontoourexplanation! Howdoesitwork? Thesameamountoftwodifferentliquidswill havedifferentweightsbecausetheyhave differentmasses.Theliquidsthatweighmore (haveahigherdensity)willsinkbelowtheliquids thatweighless(havealowerdensity).Totest this,youmightwanttosetupascaleand measureeachoftheliquidsthatyouarepouring intoyourcolumn.Makesurethatyouare measuringtheweightsofequalportionsofeach
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liquid.Youshouldfindthattheweightsoftheliquidscorrespondtoeachdifferentlayerof liquid.Forexample,thehoneywillweighmorethantheKarosyrup,etc.Byweighingthese liquids,youwillfindthatdensityandweightarecloselyrelated. Herearethedensitiesoftheliquidsusedinthecolumnaswellasothercommonliquids: Haveyoufoundawaytomakemorethansevenlayersinyourcolumn?Letusknow,wewould lovetohearyousuccessstory!Emailusatwebteam@stevespanglerscience.com AdditionalInfo So,we'vehadthedensitycolumnsittinginourofficeforafewdaysnowandhavenoticeda veryinterestingchange...thelayersofvegetableoilandrubbingalcoholhaveswitchedplaces. Therubbingalcoholisnowbelowthevegetableoil,indicatingthatthedensityhaschanged.We arenotexactlysurewhythechangeoccurred.

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Experiment:LiquidLayersStrawStackofColor
Whowouldhavethoughtthatplayingwithyourfoodasakidwouldleadtoacoolscience experimentasanadult?Betteryet,itwillkeepthekidsoccupiedforhours.Thechallengestarts withfourdifferentcupsofcoloredwaterandaclearstraw.Whenyoumixredandblueliquid together,yougetpurpleright?Notsofast.Howaboutalayerofblueliquidsittingontopof thered?Addtwomorecolorsandyouhavefourlayeredliquidsinonestraw.Thesecretis densityandasteadyhand. Materials 5clear,plasticcups(1216ounces) Salt Measuringspoons Foodcoloring Clear,plasticstraw 1. Fillfouroftheplasticcups3/4fullwithwater 2. Usefoodcoloringtocoloreachcupadifferentcolorblue,red,greenandyellow.Youll wantthecolorstobefairlydark,soadd1520dropoffoodcoloringtoeachcup. 3. Add1tablespoonofsalttothebluewaterandstir. 4. Add2tablespoonsofsalttotheredwaterandstir. 5. Add3tablespoonsofsalttothegreenwaterandstir. 6. Add4tablespoonsofsalttotheyellowwater,andyouguessedit,stirthewater.Notall ofthesaltwilldissolveimmediatelyandthatsokay.Overtimethesaltwillcompletely dissolve,butyoudonthavetowaitforthattohappentogetstarted. 7. ThislaststepinpreparingthesolutionsisveryimportantAddalittlewatertoeachcup sothatthewaterlevelisthesameinallfourcups. 8. Letspracticethestrawdroppertechniqueusingplainwaterinthefifthcup.Placeone endofthestrawintothewateraboutaninchandplaceyourindexfingeroverthe otherendofthestraw.Pullthestrawoutofthewaterandnoticehowthewaterstays inthestraw.Ifyoureleaseyourfinger,thewaterwillfalloutofthestraw.Remember doingthisasakidwithyourdrink?Hey,maybeyou'restillakidandyoureanexpert! Makesureyoucandothiswellbeforemovingontothenextstep.
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9. Itstimetolayersomeliquids.Placetheemptystrawintothebluewater(aboutaninch belowthesurface).Sealtheotherendofthestrawwithyourindexfingerandremove thestraw.Thereshouldbeaboutaninchofbluewaterinthestraw.Keepyourfinger firmlypressedagainstthetopsothebluewaterdoesntfallout. 10. Withoutreleasingyourfinger,lowerthestrawintotheredliquidaboutaninchlower thantheblueliquidinthestraw.Slowlyreleaseyourfingerfromthetopofthestraw andtheredliquidwillpushthebluelayeruptothelevelofthewaterinthebluecup. Pressyourfingerfirmlyontopofthestrawandremovethestraw.Lookyouhavetwo layers!Dontgetsoexcitedthatyoureleaseyourfingerfromthetopofthestraw youllhavetostartalloveragain!Also,besuretoholdthestrawstraightupanddown (vertically)becausetiltingthestrawwillcausetheliquidstomixandyoullhavetostart again. 11. Lowerthestrawwiththetwocoloredlayersintothegreensaltwatersolutionaboutan inchlowerthantheredsolutioninthestraw.Slowlyreleasepressurewithyourfinger andthegreensolutionwillpushtheredandbluelayersupaboutaninch.Sealthetop ofthestrawwithyourindexfingerandmoveontotheyellowsolution. 12. Lowerthestrawintotheyellowsolution(thesuspenseiskillingyouitfeelslikeyour fingerisgoingtofalloffbutyoucontinue!).Lowerthestrawaboutaninchbelowthe topofthegreenlayerandreleaseyourfinger.Theyellowliquidwillpushthetoplayers up.Putyourindexfingeroverthetopofthestrawonelasttimeandremovethestraw fromthewater.Toeveryonesamazement,youhavefourlayersofcoloredwaterin yourstraw!Theonlookerswhohavegatheredtoseewhatyouredoingstartchanting, Werenotworthy!Werenotworthy! 13. Allgoodthingsmustcometoanend.Whenitfeelslikeyourindexfingerisgoingtofall off,releasethepressureandyourmasterpiecewillfallintothefifthcup.Thecrowd yells,Doitagain!andyoucantresistthetemptation. Howdoesitwork? Theresreallynotricktolayeringliquidsaslongasyouunderstandtheconceptofdensity.In simplestterms,densityisthequantityofsomethingperunitmeasure(assumingthat everythingisatthesametemperatureandpressure).Forexample,youadded1tablespoonof salttothebluewater,butyouadded4tablespoonsofsalttotheyellowwater.So,theyellow solutionhasagreaterdensityofsaltthanthebluewater.Thedensityoftheyellowsolutionis greaterthanthegreensolution,whichisgreaterthanthered,whichisgreaterthantheblue. Byincreasingtheamountofsaltineachcupofwater(andkeepingthevolumeortheamount
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ofwaterineachcupthesame),eachliquidhadadifferentdensity.Thesolutionwiththe highestdensity(yellow)stayedatthebottomofthestrawwhilethesolutionwiththeleast amountofsalt(andthelowestdensity)remainedatthetop.

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Experiment:SmokeRings
Createasmallblastofairoragiantringofsmoke! Yearsago,toymanufacturerslikeWhamOusedtosellairblastersthatsentburstsofairsailing acrossaroomtothesurpriseanddelightofanyinnocentvictim.Withalittlepractice,itwas quiteeasytoshootacupoffofsomeone'sheadfrom20feetaway.Whetheryoubuyonefrom yourfavoritetoystoreormakeyourown,you'llhaveablastwiththisretrosciencetoy. Materials 5gallonbucket Bungeecord Plasticshowercurtainorthickplasticsheet It'seasytomakeyourownairblasterusingmaterialsthatyoucaneasilyfindatthehardware store.Startbyfindinga5gallonplasticbucket(about$3inanyhardwarestore).Carefullycuta 2to3inchholeinthebottomcenterofthebucket.Theonlythingleftistostretcha membrane acrossthetopofthebucket.Believeitornot,apieceofclearplasticshower curtainworksgreat.Juststretchapieceoftheshowercurtainoverthetopofthebucketand secureitinplaceusingabungee typecord.That'sit!Whenyoulightlyhittheshowercurtain withyourhandortheendofastick,aninvisibleblastofairshootsoutofthehole.Justaimthe aircannonatsomeoneorsomethingacrosstheroomandsendablastofairwithawhackof themembrane. Howdoesitwork? Thisactivitydemonstratesthefactthatairoccupiesspace.Astherubbersheetispushedinto theinteriorofthebucket,thevolumedecreasesandpressureincreases.Theincreasein pressureforcessomeoftheairoutofthehole.Thevelocityatwhichtheairleavesthebucketis inverselyproportionaltothediameterofthehole;thesmallertheholethegreaterthevelocity oftheair.Studentsmayhaveexperiencedasimilarphenomenonastheyconstrictagarden hosetoincreasethevelocityoftheflowingwater. Thepropernamefortheaircannondeviceisvortexgenerator.The"ball"ofairthatshootsout ofthecannonisactuallyaflatvortexofair,similartoringsofsmokeblownbyatalentedcigar smoker.
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AdditionalInfo SmokeRingLauncherStartbyfindingaround,plastictrashcan.Rubbermaidmakestrashcans thatworkquitewell.Carefullycuta25cmholeinthebottomofthetrashcan.Theonlything leftistostretchamembrane acrossthetopofthecan.Istretchapieceofclearplasticshow curtainoverthecanandsecureitinplaceusingabungee typecord.That'sit!Whenyou lightlyhittheshowcurtain,atransparentringofspinningairshootsoutofthehole.Justaim theaircannonatsomeoneorsomethingacrosstheroomandsendablastofairwithawhack ofthemembrane. Howcanyoumaketheinvisibleringofsmokevisible?Withalittlesmoke,ofcourse.Thebest smokeringsaremadebyfillingthetrashcanwiththeatricalsmoke.Smokemachines(foggers) arecommonlyusedinstageproductions.Checktoseeifyourtheaterdepartmenthasone,or seeifyoucanborrowonefromthediscjockeywhoplaysforyourschooldances! Thebestsmokeringsaremadebygentlytappingtheshowercurtain.Ahardsmackresultsina fast,blastofairthatisdifficulttosee.Theflyingvorticesarebestseenagainstadark backgroundwithlightcomingfromeitherside. Avortexisgeneratedbecausetheairexitingthebucketatthecenteroftheholeistraveling fasterthantheairexitingaroundtheedgeofthehole.Thatswirlingorvortexmotioncanbe observedifalittlesmokeisblownintothebucketjustbeforegivingtherubbermembranea gentlepush.

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Experiment:ColorChangingMilk
It'sanexplosionofcolor!Someveryunusualthingshappen whenyoumixalittlemilk,foodcoloring,andadropofliquid soap.Usetheexperimenttoamazeyourfriendsanduncover thescientificsecretsofsoap. Materials

Milk(wholeor2%) Dinnerplate Foodcoloring(red,yellow,green,blue) Dishwashingsoap(Dawnbrandworkswell) Cottonswabs

1.Pourenoughmilkinthedinnerplatetocompletelycoverthe bottomandallowittosettle. 2.Addonedropofeachofthefourcolorsoffoodcoloringred, yellow,blue,andgreentothemilk.Keepthedropsclose togetherinthecenteroftheplateofmilk. 3.Findacleancottonswabforthenextpartoftheexperiment. Predictwhatwillhappenwhenyoutouchthetipofthecotton swabtothecenterofthemilk.It'simportantnottostirthemixjusttouchitwiththetipofthe cottonswab. 4.Placeadropofliquiddishsoap(theDawnbrandworkswell)onthetipofthecottonswab. Placethesoapyendofthecottonswabbackinthemiddleofthemilkandholdittherefor10 to15seconds.Lookatthatburstofcolor!It'slikethe4thofJulyinabowlofmilk:mini explosionsofcolor. 5.Addanotherdropofsoaptothetiptothecottonswabandtryitagain.Experimentwith placingthecottonswabatdifferentplacesinthemilk.Noticethatthecolorsinthemilk continuetomoveevenwhenthecottonswabisremoved.Whatmakesthefoodcoloringinthe milkmove? Howdoesitwork?
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Milkismostlywaterbutitalsocontainsvitamins,minerals,proteins,andtinydropletsoffat suspendedinsolution.Fatsandproteinsaresensitivetochangesinthesurroundingsolution (themilk). Whenyouaddsoap,theweakchemicalbondsthatholdtheproteinsinsolutionarealtered.It's afreeforall!Themoleculesofproteinandfatbend,roll,twist,andcontortinalldirections.The foodcolormoleculesarebumpedandshovedeverywhere,providinganeasywaytoobserveall theinvisibleactivity.Atthesametime,soapmoleculescombinetoformamicelle,orclusterof soapmolecules.Thesemicellesdistributethefatinthemilk. Thisrapidlymixingfatandsoapcausesswirlingandchurningwhereamicellemeetsafat droplet.Whentherearemicellesandfatdropletseverywherethemotionstops,butnotuntil afteryou'veenjoyedtheshow! There'sanotherreasonthecolorsexplodethewaytheydo.Sincemilkismostlywater,ithas surfacetensionlikewater.Thedropsoffoodcoloringfloatingonthesurfacetendtostayput. Liquidsoapwrecksthesurfacetensionbybreakingthecohesivebondsbetweenwater moleculesandallowingthecolorstozingthroughoutthemilk.Whataparty! Repeattheexperimentusingwaterinplaceofmilk.Willyougetthesameeruptionofcolor? Whyorwhynot?Whatkindofmilkproducesthebestswirlingofcolor:skim,1%,2%,orwhole milk?Why? AdditionalInfo Detergent,becauseofitsbipolarcharacteristics(hydrophilicononeendandhydrophobicon theother),weakensthemilk'sbondsbyattachingtoitsfatmolecules.Thedetergent's hydrophilicenddissolvesinwateranditswaterfearingendattachestoafatglobuleinthe milk.

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Experiment:SupersaturatedSolution
Justonetinycrystalturnsthisliquidintoasolid DidyoueversneakanextraspoonfulofsugarintoyourKoolAidasakidbutgotcaughtwhen Momsawtheundissolvedsugaratthebottomoftheglass.Ifyouhadonlyknownhowto makeasupersaturatedsolution,Momwouldhaveneverbeen thewiser.Ifyouattempttodissolvesugarinwater,youreach apointwhereyoucannotdissolveanymoresugar.Thisis calledasaturatedsolution.However,ifyouheatthissolution, moresugarwilldissolve.Whenthesolutioniscooled,the sugarwillremaininsolution.Thisiscalledasupersaturated solution,whichisveryunstableandwillcrystallizeeasily. Materials Thisisapopulardemonstrationperformedbychemistryteachersthatillustratesanexothermic reactionortheheatofcrystallization.Asimilardemonstrationcanbeperformedusing rechargeablehandwarmers.

Sodiumacetatetrihydrate Flask Hotplate Water

Thisexperimentrequiresadultsupervision. Commerciallyavailablehandwarmersuseasupersaturatedsolutionofsodiumacetate. Chemistryteachersoftendemonstrateasupersaturatedsolutioninthefollowingmanner: 1. Put160gramsofsodiumacetateinaflaskandadd30mLofwater. 2. Heatgentlyandstiruntilthecrystalsofsodiumacetatedissolve.Useasmallamountof watertorinsedowntheinsideoftheflask. 3. Removetheflaskfromtheheatandletitcoolslowlywithoutdisturbingit.

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4. Addoneortwocrystals(thatsright,itonlytakeasinglecrystal)totheliquidinthe flask.Donttakeyoureyesoffoftheliquidasbeautifulcrystalsbegintoforminsidethe flask. 5. Feeltheflaskitswarm!Theprocessofcrystallizationgivesoffheat.Itssaidtobe exothermic.Thatswhythesolutionisusedinhandwarmers. Howdoesitwork? HowdoHandWarmersWork? Theseproductsconsistofaconcentratedaqueoussaltsolutiontogetherwithaflexiblemetallic activatorstrip(usuallystainlesssteel)inasealed,flexiblecontainer.Sodiumacetateand calciumnitrateareexamplesofsuitablesalts.Thesesaltsaremuchmoresolubleinhotwater thanincoldwater. Theflexiblemetalstripisbentbackandforthafewtimes,whereuponawhitecloudofcrystals beginstoprecipitate.Withinseconds,theentirepackisfilledupwithsolidcrystallineneedles ofsodiumacetatewithoutanysolutionleft,andthetemperatureraisesto130Fforabout30 minutes.Becauseheatisreleaseduponthisprecipitation,itiscalledanexothermicreaction (theoppositeiscalledanendothermicreaction). Supercooledliquidscanbecooledbelowtheirnormalfreezingpointwithoutturningsolid. Then,attheflickofbutton,thesupercooledliquidistriggeredtosolidify(crystallize)andatthe sametimereleaselargeamountsofheat.Saltsolutionsthathavebeenprocessedinsuchaway thattheirtemperaturecanbeloweredwellbelowtheirsolidification(ormelting)temperature andstillremaininliquidaredefinedassupercooledormetastableliquids. Thetriggeringdeviceinitiatestherapidsolidificationofthesolution.Inthecaseofsaltsolutions thatreleaseorabsorblargeamountsofenergyduringphasechanges(commontablesalt sodiumchloridedoesnotdothis),thesolidificationprocessisarapidcrystallizationthat releaseslargeamountofheatatthesaltsolution'snormalmeltingtemperature. Theactivatorisathinmetalpiecewithridgesandaspeciallyroughenedsurface.Theflexing causesmetaltometalcontactthatreleasesoneormoreverytinyparticlesofmetalfromthe roughenedsurface.Thisactsasanestingsiteforonecrystaldepositedfromthesolutionand (voila!)allofthecrystalsfalloutinstantly.Theseheatpacksarereusablebecause,byreheating thepackinboilingwaterforafewminutes,thesaltredissolvesandthepackagaincontainsa clearsolution.Bestofall,theactivatorstripcanbereuseddozensoftimes!
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Experiment:VanishingStyrofoam Styrofoamvanisheslikemagic...ormaybenot Youwon'tbelieveyoureyeswhenyouseewhathappenstoordinarypackingpeanutswhen theycomeincontactwithasolventcalledacetone.Theyseemtojust"disappear"likemagic.In fact,theStyrofoamreactswiththesolventtorevealthefactthatStyrofoamismadeupoflong strandsofstyrenemoleculeswithlotsofairpockets.Thisdemonstrationalsoremindsusabout theimportanceofreducingouruseofStyrofoamandreplacingitwithmoreEarthfriendly packingmaterials. Materials ForthetraditionalVanishingPeanutsdemo,you'llneedsomeStyrofoampackingpeanutsanda fewStyrofoamcups.Gatherupaglassjarandsomeacetonesolvent(thischemicalcanonlybe usedbyadults.Readallwarningsanduseasdirected). FortheEnviroHeaddemo,you'llneedtofindaStyrofoamheadusedtodisplaywigsanda sheetofStyrofoaminsulation.YoucanfindtheStyrofoamsheetatyourlocalhardwarestorein theareawhereinsulationissold.ThisproductcomesinavarietyofthicknessesSteveused 3/4"forthedemointhevideo. Thefinalpartofthedemonstrationusesstarchpeanutsthateasilydissolveinwater. WARNING:Pleasefollowallofthemanufacturer'ssafetyprecautionslistedonthecontainerof acetone.Thissolventisveryflammable.Keepawayfromallflames. VanishingPeanuts Useasolventlikeacetonetoshowthatpolystyrenepackagingmaterialis mostlyair.Theacetoneeasilydissolvesthepolystyrene,leavingverylittle residue.EventhoughtheexperimentiscalledMeltingPeanuts,the packagingmaterialisactuallydissolving(notmelting)intheacetone (meltingrequiresheat).Engagestudentsinapeanutracebyseeingwhich teamcanfillabowlfirstwithpolystyrenepeanuts.Ofcourse,onebowl willsecretlycontainacetone!Useextremecarewhenhandlingacetone followthemanufacturersdirectionsforproperuseanddisposal. AirHeadVanishingStyrofoamStrips AStyrofoamheadusedtodisplaywigsisplacedonthetablealongwith longstripsofStyrofoamboard,approximately4cmwideand70cmlong
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(butthiscanvary).ThedemonstratorusingaSharpiepentowritedownanythingimportant shewantsthe"head"toknow.Forthisdemo,thethreeR'sofrecyclingwerewrittendownon eachofthreestripsREDUCE,RECYCLEandREUSE.You'llalsoneeda250mLbeakerorsimilar sizeglass. 1. Thefirststepisthetrickiestonetocarveahugeholeinthetop oftheStyrofoamhead.Youwanttheholebigenoughtoholdthe 250mLbeaker.Forthosenonmetricpeople,you'llwantaglass thatholdsabout8ouncesofliquid.Youcanuseanelectricdrill withadoorknobholecutterbladetogettheholestarted,butit's goingtotakealittlepatienceuntiltheholeisjusttherightsize. 2. Fillthebeakerwith200mLofacetone(about6oz.)andcarefullylowerthebeakerinto thehole.BecarefulnottospillanyacetoneonStyrofoamheadorittoowilldissolve! 3. You'llneedasharpknife(andanadulthelperifyou'reakid readingthis)tocuttheStyrofoamboardintolongstrips.The widthofeachstripisdeterminedbythediameteroftheglass containerinthehead(250mLbeakerorotherwise).Cutasmany stripsasyoufeeltheurgetomakedisappear. ImportantNoteSomeoftheStyrofoamboardmaterialhasa thin,plasticcoveringonbothsides.Removeanyplasticwrappingbeforedoingthe demo. 4. UseaSharpiepentowritedownanywordsorphrasesor whateveryouwantto"cram"intotheStyroHead. 5. It'sshowtime!Thestorylineisuptoyou...becreative.Whenit's timetomakethestripvanish,slowlypushthestripintothe beakerofacetone,beingcarefulnottomaketheacetoneerupt ontotheStyrofoamhead.Theillusionisgreatasitlookslikethe stripis"melting"intothehead. StarchbasedPackagingMaterial Asascienceteacheroranenvironmentalist,youarealsoawareofthebadeffectsthat Styrofoamhasonourenvironment.Thatswhymanycompanieshaveturnedtostarchpacking peanutsasasubstituteforStyrofoam.Insteadoftakingupspaceinthelandfills,starchpeanuts dissolveinwatertomakelandfillgravy!
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MagicNoodles TheresaproductcallMagicNoodlesthathelpstudentslearntheimportanceof environmentallyfriendlypackingmaterialwhileusingtheircreativity.Hereshowitworks... Simplywetoneendofthecoloredstarchpeanutwithadabofwaterandstickittoanother peanut.Buildhouses,hats,glasses,letters,people,amedievalcastlewithflyingbuttresses... justbuildanything!Usethecoloredstarchpeanutsasanicebreakerorteambuildingactivity withadultsorkids.Theyregreatforstaffmeetings! Howdoesitwork? Currentlyabout200millioncubicfeetperyearofpolystyrene"loosefill"(packagingmaterial)is usedintheUnitedStates.Althoughsomecompaniestryandreusethepackingmaterial,most ofthepolystyreneloosefillisdisposedofinalandfill.Asstudentsofscience,weneedto carefullyexaminesuchproductsandaskthesequestions:Howisthematerialmade,andwhat happenstoitafteritisused?Oneofthepropertiesofpolystyreneloosefillisthatitdoesnot compresseasily.Whilethisisbeneficialwhentryingtoprotectsomethingfrombeingcrushed orbroken,itposesaproblemwhentryingtodisposeofitinalandfill.Asaresult, environmentallyconsciouscompaniessoughtasolutiontotheseproblems.Onesuchsolutionis calledEcoFoamloosefill.Itprovidestheeaseofuseandcushioningofpolystyrene,butgives usmanyotherreuseordisposaloptionsforthefuture.Itreadilydecomposesinwaterandcan bereusedforyourownpackages,oryoucandisposeofitbyputtingitinyourcompostpile, wateringitintoyourlawn,orwashingitdownthesink. EcoFoamisalmostentirelymadefromanannuallyrenewableresource corn!Theremainingingredientisawatersolubleorganicpolymercalled "polyvinylalcohol."Thisorganicpolymerismadefromcarbon,hydrogen, andoxygenthebuildingblocksoflife.Whenpolyvinylalcoholis exposedtowater,naturallyoccurringbacteriafeedonthisorganic polymer.Underwetconditions,thebacteriawillusethestarch(whichis alsocomposedofcarbon,hydrogen,andoxygen)andpolyvinylalcoholas foodtobeginthecycleoflifeagain. Manypeoplefeelthattheanswertooursolidwasteproblemisrecycling. Whilethismethodwillgoalongwaytohelpoursolidwasteproblems,it isnotthewholesolution.Onegoodsuggestionistouseaslittleofthe materialaspossible.Secondly,itismakessensetouseanaturalproduct

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(insteadofasyntheticproduct)thatwillbreakdownwhenwearefinishedusingit.Wemust rememberhowtoreuse! AdditionalInfo SteveSpanglerfirstsawtheStyrofoamheaddemonstrationperformedbyPattiDuncanatthe NSTAConventioninBoston.Pattiisahighschoolchemistryteacherwhoattributestheactivity toDougDeLaMatterfromCanada.

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Experiment:ColorChangingMilkofMagnesia:HowAntacidsWorkinYour Stomach
Sometimesgreatfoodandheartburngohandinhand.ManypeoplerelyonproductslikeMilk ofMagnesiatosettletheirstomachs,buthaveyoueverwonderedhowthoseantacidsreally work?ThishighlyvisualdemonstrationwillshowyouexactlyhowMilkofMagnesianeutralizes theacidsinyourstomachusingsomecoolcolorchangingchemistryandsavesthedayaftera greatmeal. Materials

MilkofMagnesiaalmostanybrandwillwork.Makesuretheprimaryingredientis magnesiumhydroxideMg(0H)2 UniversalIndicatorthisisavailablefromachemicalsupplier.CabbageJuiceIndicator willworkinplaceofUniversalIndicator,butthecolorchangeisnotasdramatic. Vinegar Magneticstirringbarandstirringplate

1. Placeabout100mLofMilkofMagnesiaina500mLbeakerand

dilutewithtapwateruntilthebeakerisabout1/2full.
2. Addabout10mLofUniversalIndicator.(TheUniversalIndicator

willprovidethesharpcolorchangeyousawonTV).Remember thatUniversalIndicatorwillturnredonthefaracidicendofthe scaleanddarkblueonthealkalineside.


3. Usethemagneticstirrertocreateasteadymixoftheliquids.If

youdon'thaveamagneticstirrer,hireakidtostiritbyhand. You'llseethatthesolutionturnsalightblueindicatingthatitis slightlybasicduetothesmallamountoftheMg(OH)2.


4. Whilestirringthesolution,adda1020mLofvinegar(itdoesn't

havetobeprecise)andobservetherapidcolorchange.The mixturequicklychangesredbecausetheaciddisperses throughoutthebeaker.

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5. TheacidneutralizesthesmallamountofhydroxideionfromtheMg(0H)2thathas

dissolvedfirst,thenturnsthesolutionacidic.However,asmoreoftheMg(0H)2from thesuspensionsgraduallydissolvesintosolution,theacidisneutralizedandeventually thesolutionbecomesbasic.


6. You'llhearscreamsof"Doitagain!"...andwhynot?Addmorevinegarandwatchasthe

liquidgoesfromredtoorangetoyellowtogreenandeventuallysettlesatthebluish purplecolor.Inotherwords,themixturechangesthroughtheentireUniversalIndicator colorrange!


7. Intime,allofthevinegar(acid)willreactwiththemagnesiumhydroxideandthe

solutionwillremainred.Takeyourwelldeservedbowandcollectthecheck. Howdoesitwork? Milkofmagnesiaisaliquidusedasanantacidand,sometimes,alaxative.Alsoknownas magnesiumhydroxideorMg(OH)2,thesolutionistakenorally.Theoriginalconcentrated formulawasconcoctedbyamannamedCharlesHenryPhillipsin1880,andsoldunderthe brandPhillips'MilkofMagnesia.Today,therightstothename"milkofmagnesia"appeartobe ownedbyBayerCorporationand,interestingly,"Phillips'MilkofMagnesia"isownedbySterling Drug. Milkofmagnesiaisanalkalinesuspension,meaningthatitundergoesaneutralizingreaction whenencounteringanythingacidic.Thismakesitaneffectivecombatantofexcessstomach acidwhentakeninternally.Toomuchhydrochloricacid(HCl)excretedbytheparietalcellsin thestomachcanleadtoindigestion,heartburnandstomachulcers.Milkofmagnesiainthe formofanantacidisdosedfrom500mg1.5mg(0.020.05oz)andreadilyentersthestomach, wherethehydroxideionsinmilkofmagnesiacombinewiththehydrogenionsinHCltocalm overactivityinthestomach.

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Experiment:SpinningTrayofGlassesandHoop
Whocanresistthetemptationofswingingapailofwaterovertheirhead?Thissciencestunt isn'tjustforkidsasSteveSpanglerproveswithhisswingingtrayofglasses...filledwithcoffee. Stevehasamostunusualwaytomixhismorningcoffee.Thankstoalittlehelpfromgravityand centripetalforce,acupofcoffeenevertastedsogood.Where'sastirringstickwhenyouneed one? Thisdemoisaslightmodificationoftheclassroomswingingpailof waterdemo.Thepictureshowstheconstructionofthe"spinning platform".ThebaseismadefromasquarepieceofPlexiglas measuringapproximately12inches.Drillholesinallfourcorners largeenoughtoaccommodateapieceofrope.Theropesattached toeachcorneroftheplatformandarejoinedtogetherinaknot about2feetabovetheplatform. Nowthatallofthedifficultworkisfinished,it'stimetoswingthetrayandplasticcup(several plasticcupsifyou'refeelinglucky)aroundinacompletecirclewithoutspillingtheliquidor flingingthecuparoundtheroom.It'sthetendencyfortheplasticcupanditscontentstogoina straightlinethatallowsittoseeminglydefygravity.Thecentripetalforceprovidedbythe tensioninthecordsislargeenoughtocreateenoughfrictiontoholdtheplasticcup(s)inplace. Here'salittleadvice...practiceswingingthetrayaroundwithoutthecupsinordertogetthe feelofasmooth,circularmotion.Thenaddthecupfilledhalffullwithwater.Theliquidadds masstothecupandtokeepthecupsinplace.Somedemonstratorsevenglueathinpieceof rubbertothebottomofthecuptogiveitalittlegrippingpower(okay,friction)tohelpthecups stayin place. Shhhh! That'sa littlesecret between youand me. Spinning Hoop& CupTrickThisisyetanothervariationontheclassroom"swingthepailoveryourheadtrick", butthisversionusesalargehoopandacupof...whateveryouwantspilledonthefloor!Steve
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SpanglerlearnedthisjugglingstuntfromMikeCaveny,aworldclassroomentertainerwhogave Stevethisadvice:"There'sreallynotricktoit...juststartpracticingyourspinsandhooptwirls untilthecupdoesn'tfallonthefloor.Goodluck."Whenaskedabouttheoriginsofthestunt, MikerecallsreadingaboutthetrickdonebyaRussiancircusperformerattheturnofthe century.ToseeMikeCavenyperformthehooptrickispoetryinmotion. Howdoesitwork? Here'stheheavydutyscienceforpeoplewhoreallycare... AccordingtoNewton'sfirstlawofmotion,objectsinmotiontendtoremaininmotionunless acteduponbyanexternalforce.Inthiscase,Newton'slawrequiresthewatertocontinue movingalongatangenttothecircle.Thusaforceisrequiredtokeepitalwaysturningtoward thecenterofthecircle.Theinterpretationofthisdemonstrationispotentiallyconfusingwhen oneconsidersthatatthetopofitsarc,thewaterisacceleratingdownwardbecauseofthe motion,butthattheforceofgravityisalsodownward.OnecanexplainthatF=maisthus satisfiedwithoutthewaterleavingthebucket.Thisdemonstrationprovidestheopportunityto discussnoninertial(accelerated)framesofreferenceandinertial(fictitious)forces(suchasthe centrifugalforce). AdditionalInfo Okay,thelawyersremindustoinformyouthattwirling,spinningorotherwisethrowingcupsof wateraroundcanbeharmfultothewalls,furniture,flooringandanylivingbeingwitha30foot radius.It'sbesttoperformthisdemooutdoorsawayfromallcivilization.Youshouldbewearing ahelmetandprotectivebodyarmoraswell.Havefun.

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Experiment:IncredibleGrowingMarshmallows
TheClassroomVacuumPackerisanamazingdevicethat vacuumpacksfoodtosealinthefreshness...accordingtothose latenightinfomercials.It'salsoagreatdevicetoexplorethe amazingpropertiesofairpressure.Fillthespecialstorage containerwithmarshmallows(okay,apoorlittlemarshmallow bunny)andremovetheair.Watchout!it'stheincredible growingmarshmallowtrick! Materials ClassroomVacuumPackermachinefromyourlocaldepartmentstore(FoodsaverorBlack& DeckerFreshGuarddevicesworkwell) ClassroomVacuumPackerstoragecontainers Marshmallowsofvarioussizes Marshmallowchickens,bunniesoranythingelsethat'sinseason Notmanykidshavetheirownclassroomvacuumpacker,soitgoeswithoutsayingthatadult supervisionisrequired.Heykidsyou'llhavetofightfortimewiththevacuumpackermachine afterMomandDadfigurethisoneout!Besuretoreadandfollowthemanufacturer'sdirection forusingyourspecificclassroomvacuumpacker. 1.Fillthestoragecontainerjaraquarterfullwithmarshmallowsandreplacethelid. 2.Attachthespecialvacuumhosethatcamewiththeunit. 3.Placethehoseoverthevacuumportonthelidandstartthevacuumpacker. 4.Don'ttakeyoureyesoffthosemarshmallows!Whyaretheygettingsobig?Whentheunit turnsoff,removethehoseandstareatthemarshmallowsinamazement. 5.Makesureeveryoneiswatchingwhenyoureleasethevacuum.Watchasthemarshmallows shrinkwhentheaircomesrushingbackintothecontainer. 6.Repeattheexperimentusingamarshmallowbunnyortryfillingthecontainerwith marshmallowPeeps.Wakethekidsthoselittlechickensaregettinghuge! Howdoesitwork? Thejobofthevacuumpackeristoremovetheairfrominsidethestoragecontainer.Under normalconditions,moleculesofairfromtheatmosphere(calledatmosphericpressure)are pushingontheoutsideofthemarshmallow.Whenthevacuumpackerremovestheairthatwas oncepushingontheoutsideofthemarshmallow,theairtrappedinsidethemarshmallow
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pushesout(expands)causingittogetlarger.Themarshmallowsshrinkwhenthevacuumsealis brokenandairrushesbackintothecontainer. READTHIS!Pleasenotethatnomarshmallowbunnieswereactuallyharmedwhileconducting thisexperimentexceptforthefactthatakidintheaudiencebitthebunny'searsoffafterthe experiment.Ontheadviceofmywife'shusband,besuretoreturntheClassroomVacuum Packerhomebeforesomeonenoticesthatit'sgone. AdditionalInfo Nowthatyouunderstandtheconcept,tryusingasmallballooninplaceofthemarshmallows orfillthestoragecontainerwithsoapbubbles.Whatwouldhappenifyouplacedasmallbagof potatochipsintoalargestoragecontainerandremovedtheair?Let'ssaythegoalwastoshrink themarshmallowshowwouldyoudoit?Placethemarshmallowsintooneoftheplastic storagebagsthatcamewiththevacuumpacker.Whentheairisremovedfrominsidethebag, yougettoseehowthepowerfulpropertiesoftheairintheatmosphereasitcompressesthe marshmallows.AlsoseetheMarshmallowMasherexperiment. ThankstoPattiDuncanfromHighPointHighSchoolinSussexCountyNewJerseyforsharing thisidea.

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Experiment:LemonSuds
Here'satwistonaclassroomchemicalreactionmadeforyoungchildren.Justsqueezealittle lemonjuiceintothecontainerandstirtheconcoctionlemonsudsappearlikemagic!It'sso simpletodoandkidsscream,"Doitagain!"Whenyou'refinishedmakingamountainof bubbles,usethelemonscentedsudsasagreatcleaner.

Materials
Lemon(cutintoquarters) Plasticcup(8oz.) Liquidsoap(IvoryorDawn) Bakingsoda Measuringspoon Straw Safetyglasses Papertowel(youcan'tbeamessyscientist)

Measure1teaspoonofbakingsodaintotheemptycup. Addasquirt(okay,aboutateaspoon)ofliquidsoaptothecup.Usethestrawtostirthe mixture.Yoursetupiscomplete! It'sshowtime!Holdthecupinyourlefthandbeingcarefultoconcealthesecret mixtureinthebottomofthecupwithyourhandandpickupthepieceoflemonwith yourrighthand."SomepeopleuselemontoflavortheiriceteaIuselemontomake soap.Watchthis" Putonyoursafetyglasses(thisonlyaddstothesuspense!)Squeezethelemonintothe cup(squeezehardtogetasmuchlemonjuiceaspossible)andstirthemixturewithyour straw.Injustafewseconds,achemicalreactionoccursandthecupfillswithlemon suds!"CanyouguesswhatImade?No,notadrinkit'slemonsudssoap!" Scoopoutsomeofthesudswithyourhandstoshowtheincrediblecleaningpowerof yournewconcoction."So,whatdoyouthinkIusedtomakethelemonsuds?"After youraudiencehasexhaustedalloftheirguesses,pulloutanewcupandshowthem yoursecretrecipe. Whenyou'refinished,thismixturecanbepoureddownthedrain.

Howdoesitwork?
Thisisasimplebutelegantexampleofaclassroomchemicalreactionbetweenbakingsodaand citricacid(lemonjuice).Whenthecitricacidcombineswiththebakingsoda,achemical

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reactiontakesplaceproducingcarbondioxidegas(thosearethebubbles)andwater.Youalso produceasmallamountofsodiumcitrate(justincaseyouwerewondering).

AdditionalInfo
ThiswasafavoritedemonstrationofthelateDr.BabuGeorgefromSacredHeartUniversityin Connecticut.Dr.Georgewasahighlyrespectedorganicchemistwhohadapassionforgetting elementaryteachersexcitedaboutteachingscience.Dr.Georgeusedsimpledemonstrations like"LemonSuds"tointroducebothstudentsandteacherstothemagicofchemistry.Thanksto LauraSlocumfromUniversityHighSchoolofIndianaforsharingthisidea.

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Experiment:ThinkInk!TheClockReaction
Twoclearliquidsaremixedtogetherandtheaudienceistoldtowatchclosely..."Don'ttake youreyesofftheliquidoryou'llmissit!"Then,inaflash,theclearwaterchangestoink(orso theythink!).Clockreactionslikethisneverfailtocapturethestudentsattention,andthe IodineClockReactionisoneofthemoststartlingchemicaldemonstrationsyou'lleversee. Howdidthathappen?isalmostalwaysthereaction,andwhenstudentsaskHow?,theyre readytolearn. ThinkInk!illustratestheamazingchemistrybehindtheclassroomclockreactionwhere moleculesmeetupandchangeovertimetocreatethisstartlingreaction.Unliketheclassroom iodineclockreactionfromyourhighschoolchemistryclassroom,ournewThinkInk!formula usesaclassroomchemistryapproachtoachieveevenbetterresults.Andyes...thisisthesame reactionthatSteveSpanglersharesinhisliveperformancesandrecentlyfeaturedontheEllen DeGeneresShow. What'sincluded? Thiskitincludesenoughmaterialstodothedemonstration30times!

2MegaTestTubesandRack TimingMixture TriggerPowder Starchpellets RecyclingPowder 3Whitemeasuringscoops 2Stirringrods 1Pairofsafetyglasses

Whatdoesitteach? TheThinkInk!kithelpsteachthefollowingchemicalconcepts...

Rateofreactionasafunctionoftemperature

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Rateofreactionasafunctionofreactantconcentration

Howdoesitwork? ThisreactionisreferredtoastheLandoltClockReaction,namedafterTherearethreestepsin theprocessthatcausethisamazingreaction.WhenyoupreparetheSolutionsA,BandC,the chemicalsbegintomixandformnewchemicalcompounds.Thisisaveryslowreaction,though, soyoudontseeanyoutwardchanges.Whenyoubegintopourthesolutionstogetheramuch fasterreactionoccurs,whichleadstothethirdreactionwhichisinstant.Suddenly,and immeasurablyquickly,theclearliquidsturnintoajetblackiodinestarchcomplex.These reactionshappenatdifferentintervalsbecausedifferentchemicalsreactatdifferentspeeds. AdditionalInfo DiscussionoftheChemistry... Thesuddenchangefromacolorlesssolutiontotheblueblacksolutionistheresultoffour sequentialreactions.First,thebisulfiteions(HSO3)reducesomeoftheiodateions(IO3)to formiodideions(I).Next,theiodideions(I)areoxidizedbytheremainingiodateions(IO3)to formtriiodideions(I3).Thesolutionnowconsistsoftriiodideions(I3)andsolublestarch.In thethirdreaction,thetriiodideions(I3)getreducedbythebisulfiteions(HSO3)tobecome iodideions(I).Thatcontinuesuntilallofthebisulfitehasbeenconsumed.Finally,thetriiodide ionsandstarchcombinetoformthedarkblueblackstarchcomplexthatlookslikeink.

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Experiment:MakeYourOwnBubblingLavaLamp
Learnhowtomakeaninexpensivesciencetoythatwillbe aguaranteedhitwiththekids!Okay,soeveryoneknows thatoilandwaterdon'tmix.Tryaddingafewdropsof foodcoloringandalittleAlkaSeltzerfizztothesolution andthebubblingconcoctionisguaranteedtoprovokea fewooohs&ahhhs! Materials Oneclean,plasticsodabottle(16oz.sizeworkswell) Sodabottlecap Vegetableoil(thecheaperthebetter) Foodcoloring AnAlkaSeltzertablet Water

Fillthebottle3/4fullwithvegetableoil. Filltherestofthebottlewithwater(almosttothetopbutnotoverflowing). Addabout10dropsoffoodcoloring.Besuretomakethewaterfairlydarkincolor. Noticethatthefoodcoloringonlycolorsthewaterandnottheoil.Hmmm? DividetheAlkaSeltzertabletinto8pieces. DroponeofthetinypiecesofAlkaSeltzerintotheoilandwatermixture.Watchwhat happens.Whenthebubblingstops,addanotherchunkofAlkaSeltzer.Itsjustlikea lavalamp! WhenyouhaveusedupalloftheAlkaSeltzerandthebubblinghascompletelystopped, screwonthesodabottlecap.Tipthebottlebackandforthandwatchthewaveappear. Thetinydropletsofliquidjointogethertomakeonebiglavalikeblob.

Howdoesitwork? Firstofall,youconfirmedwhatyoualreadyknew...oilandwaterdonotmix.Themoleculesof waterdonotliketomixwiththemoleculesofoil.Evenifyoutrytoreallyshakeupthebottle, theoilbreaksupintosmalllittledrops,buttheoildoesntmixwiththewater.Foodcoloring onlymixeswithwater.Thatswhyitdoesnotcolortheoil.


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Whenyoupouredthewaterintothesodabottlewiththeoil,thewatersanktothebottom. Thatsbecausewaterisheavierthanoil.Scientistssaythatthewaterismoredensethanthe oil.Ifoilfromashipspillsintheocean,theoilfloatsontopofthewater. Heresthesurprisingpart...TheAlkaSeltzertabletreactedwiththewatertomaketinybubbles ofcarbondioxidegas.Thesebubblesattachedthemselvestotheblobsofcoloredwaterand causethemtofloattothesurface.Whenthebubblespopped,thecolorblobssankbacktothe bottomofthebottle.Nowthatsaburstofcolor!

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SoftDrinksandCocaCola:AHistory
Softdrinkscantracetheirhistorybacktothemineralwaterfoundinnaturalsprings.Bathingin naturalspringshaslongbeenconsideredahealthythingtodo;andmineralwaterwassaidto havecurativepowers.Scientistssoondiscoveredthatgascarboniumorcarbondioxidewas behindthebubblesinnaturalmineralwater. Thefirstmarketedsoftdrinks(noncarbonated)appearedinthe17thcentury.Theyweremade fromwaterandlemonjuicesweetenedwithhoney.In1676,theCompagniedeLimonadiersof Parisweregrantedamonopolyforthesaleoflemonadesoftdrinks.Vendorswouldcarrytanks oflemonadeontheirbacksanddispensedcupsofthesoftdrinktothirstyParisians. In1767,thefirstdrinkablemanmadeglassofcarbonatedwaterwascreatedbyEnglishmen DoctorJosephPriestley. Threeyearslater,SwedishchemistTorbernBergmaninventedageneratingapparatusthat madecarbonatedwaterfromchalkbytheuseofsulfuricacid.Bergman'sapparatusallowed imitationmineralwatertobeproducedinlargeamounts. In1810,thefirstUnitedStatespatentwasissuedforthe"meansofmassmanufactureof imitationmineralwaters"toSimonsandRundellofCharleston,SouthCarolina.However, carbonatedbeveragesdidnotachievegreatpopularityinAmericauntil1832,whenJohn Mathewsinventedhisapparatusforthemakingcarbonatedwater.JohnMathewsthenmass manufacturedhisapparatusforsaletosodafountainowners. Thedrinkingofeithernaturalorartificialmineralwaterwasconsideredahealthypractice.The Americanpharmacistssellingmineralwatersbegantoaddmedicinalandflavorfulherbsto unflavoredmineralwater.Theyusedbirchbark,dandelion,sarsaparilla,andfruitextracts. Somehistoriansconsiderthatthefirstflavoredcarbonatedsoftdrinkwasthatmadein1807by DoctorPhilipSyngPhysickofPhiladelphia.EarlyAmericanpharmacieswithsodafountains becameapopularpartofculture.Thecustomerssoonwantedtotaketheir"health"drinks homewiththemandasoftdrinkbottlingindustrygrewfromconsumerdemand. Over1,500U.S.patentswerefiledforacork,cap,orlidforthecarbonateddrinkbottletops duringtheearlydaysofthebottlingindustry.Carbonateddrinkbottlesareunderalotof pressurefromthegas.Inventorsweretryingtofindthebestwaytopreventthecarbondioxide orbubblesfromescaping.In1892,the"CrownCorkBottleSeal"waspatentedbyWilliam Painter,aBaltimoremachineshopoperator.Itwasthefirstverysuccessfulmethodofkeeping thebubblesinthebottle.
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In1899,thefirstpatentwasissuedforaglassblowingmachinefortheautomaticproductionof glassbottles.Earlierglassbottleshadallbeenhandblown.Fouryearslater,thenewbottle blowingmachinewasinoperation.Itwasfirstoperatedbytheinventor,MichaelOwens,an employeeofLibbyGlassCompany.Withinafewyears,glassbottleproductionincreasedfrom 1,500bottlesadayto57,000bottlesaday. Duringthe1920s,thefirst"HomPaks"wereinvented."HomPaks"arethefamiliarsixpack beveragecarryingcartonsmadefromcardboard.Automaticvendingmachinesalsobeganto appearinthe1920s.ThesoftdrinkhadbecomeanAmericanmainstay. FascinatingfactsabouttheinventionofCocaColabyJohnS.Pembertonin1886. ATAGLANCE: TheproductthathasgiventheworlditsbestknowntastewasborninAtlanta,Georgia,onMay 8,1886.Dr.JohnStithPemberton,alocalpharmacist,producedthesyrupforCocaCola,and carriedajugofthenewproductdownthestreettoJacobs'Pharmacy,whereitwassampled, pronounced"excellent"andplacedonsaleforfivecentsaglassasasodafountaindrink. TheStory: Itwasaprohibitionlaw,enactedinAtlantain1886,thatpersuadedphysicianandchemistDr. JohnStithPembertontorenameandrewritetheformulaforhispopularnervetonic,stimulant andheadacheremedy,"Pemberton'sFrenchWineCoca,"soldatthattimebymost,ifnotall,of thecity'sdruggists. SowhenthenewCocaColadebutedlaterthatyearstillpossessing"thevaluabletonicand nervestimulantpropertiesofthecocaplantandcolanuts,"yetsweetenedwithsugarinstead ofwinePembertonadvertiseditnotonlyasa"delicious,exhilarating,refreshingand invigorating"sodafountainbeveragebutalsoastheideal"temperancedrink." Dr.JohnStithPemberton,alocalpharmacist,producedthesyrupforCocaCola,andcarrieda jugofthenewproductdownthestreettoJacobs'Pharmacy,whereitwassampled, pronounced"excellent"andplacedonsaleforfivecentsaglassasasodafountaindrink. Carbonatedwaterwasteamedwiththenewsyruptoproduceadrinkthatwasatonce "DeliciousandRefreshing,".Dr.Pemberton'spartnerandbookkeeper,FrankM.Robinson, suggestedthenameandpennedthenowfamoustrademark"CocaCola"inhisuniquescript. ThefirstnewspaperadforCocaColasoonappearedinTheAtlantaJournal,invitingthirsty
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citizenstotry"thenewandpopularsodafountaindrink."Handpaintedoilclothsignsreading "CocaCola"appearedonstoreawnings,withthesuggestion"Drink"addedtoinformpassersby thatthenewbeveragewasforsodafountainrefreshment. Dr.Pembertonneverrealizedthepotentialofthebeveragehecreated.Hegraduallysold portionsofhisbusinesstovariouspartnersand,justpriortohisdeathin1888,soldhis remaininginterestinCocaColatoAsaG.Candler.AnAtlantanwithgreatbusinessacumen,Mr. Candlerproceededtobuyadditionalrightsandacquirecompletecontrol. OnMay1,1889,AsaCandlerpublishedafullpageadvertisementinTheAtlantaJournal, proclaiminghiswholesaleandretaildrugbusinessas"soleproprietorsofCocaCola... Delicious.Refreshing.Exhilarating.Invigorating."Soleownership,whichMr.Candlerdidnot actuallyachieveuntil1891,costatotalof$2,300. By1892,Mr.Candler'sflairformerchandisinghadboostedsalesofCocaColasyrupnearly tenfold.Hesoonliquidatedhispharmaceuticalbusinessandfocusedhisfullattentiononthe softdrink.Withhisbrother,JohnS.Candler,JohnPemberton'sformerpartnerFrankRobinson andtwootherassociates,Mr.CandlerformedaGeorgiacorporationnamedTheCocaCola Company.Initialcapitalizationwas$100,000. Thetrademark"CocaCola,"usedinthemarketplacesince1886,wasregisteredintheUnited StatesPatentOfficeonJanuary31,1893.(Registrationhasbeenrenewedperiodically.)That sameyearthefirstdividendwaspaid;at$20pershare,itamountedto20percentofthebook valueofashareofstock. Afirmbelieverinadvertising,Mr.CandlerexpandedonDr.Pemberton'smarketingefforts, distributingthousandsofcouponsforacomplimentaryglassofCocaCola.Hepromotedthe productincessantly,distributingsouvenirfans,calendars,clocks,urnsandcountlessnovelties, alldepictingthetrademark.Thebusinesscontinuedtogrow,andin1894,thefirstsyrup manufacturingplantoutsideAtlantawasopenedinDallas,Texas.Otherswereopenedin Chicago,Illinois,andLosAngeles,California,thefollowingyear. WhileMr.Candler'seffortsfocusedonboostingsodafountainsales,anotherconceptwasbeing developedthatwouldspreadtheenjoymentofCocaColaworldwide.In1894,inVicksburg, Mississippi,JosephA.BiedenharnwassoimpressedbythegrowingdemandforCocaColaathis sodafountainthatheinstalledbottlingmachineryintherearofhisstoreandbegantosell casesofCocaColatofarmsandlumbercampsupanddowntheMississippiRiver.Hewasthe firstbottlerofCocaCola.

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Largescalebottlingwasmadepossiblein1899,whenBenjaminF.ThomasandJosephB. WhiteheadofChattanooga,Tennessee,securedfromMr.Candlertheexclusiverightstobottle andsellCocaColainpracticallytheentireUnitedStates.Withcontractinhand,theyjoined anotherChattanoogan,JohnT.Lupton,andbegantodevelopwhatistodaytheworldwide CocaColabottlingsystem. Avarietyofstraightsidedcontainerswasusedthrough1915,butassoftdrinkcompetition intensified,sodidimitation.CocaColawantedauniquepackage,andin1916,thebottlers approvedthecontourbottledesignedbytheRootGlassCompanyofTerreHaute,Indiana. ThenowfamiliarshapewasgrantedregistrationasatrademarkbytheU.S.PatentOfficein 1977,anhonoraccordedonlyahandfulofotherpackages.Thebottlethusjoinedthe trademarks"CocaCola,"registeredin1893,and"Coke,"registeredin1945. In1919,theCandlerinterestssoldTheCocaColaCompanytoAtlantabankerErnestWoodruff andaninvestorgroupfor$25million.ThebusinesswasreincorporatedasaDelaware corporation,and500,000sharesofitscommonstockweresoldpubliclyfor$40pershare. TheCompanypioneeredtheinnovativesixbottlecartonintheearly1920s,forexample, makingiteasierfortheconsumertotakeCocaColahome.Thesimplecardboardcarton, describedas"ahomepackagewithahandleofinvitation,"becameoneoftheindustry'smost powerfulmerchandisingtools.Bytheendof1928,CocaColasalesinbottleshadforthefirst timeexceededfountainsales. During1886,CocaCola'sfirstyear,salesaveragedamodestninedrinksperday.In2004,over 1.3billionbeverageservingsaresoldeachday.AlthoughCocaColawasfirstcreatedinthe UnitedStates,itquicklybecamepopularwhereveritwent.Today,theyproducenearly400 brandsinover200countries.Morethan70percentoftheirincomecomesfromoutsidethe U.S.,makingTheCocaColaCompanyatrulyglobalcompany.

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Experiment:MakingLemonadeFizzyDrink
Whatyou'llneed: Lemon Drinkingglass Water 1teaspoonofbakingsoda Somesugartomakeitsweet Instructions: 1. Squeezeasmuchofthejuicefromthelemonasyoucanintotheglass. 2. Pourinanequalamountofwateraslemonjuice. 3. Stirintheteaspoonofbakingsoda. 4. Givethemixtureatasteandaddinsomesugarifyouthinkitneedstobesweeter. What'shappening? Themixtureyoucreatedshouldgobubblyandtastelikealemonade,soda,fizzyorsoftdrink,if youaddedsomesugaritmighteventastelikealemonflavoredsoftdrinkyou'veboughtata store.Thebubblesthatformwhenyouaddthebakingsodatothelemonmixturearecarbon dioxide(CO2),thesearethesamebubblesyou'llfindinfizzydrinks.Ofcoursetheyaddafew otherflavoredsweetenersbutit'snotmuchdifferenttowhatyoumade.Ifyouarewondering howthecarbondioxidebubblesformed,itwasbecauseyoucreatedachemicalreactionwhen youaddedthelemon(anacid)tothebakingsoda(abase).Now,experimentwithotherjuices, willtheyworkthesame?

Experiment:TryaSpooky,BubblingBeverage
Thenexttimeyouhaveacravingforasparklingbeverage,makeyourownbatchusingwhat youknowaboutdryice.Fillabowlorpitcherwithapplejuiceanduseglovesortongstoadda fewlargepiecesofdryice.Whilethemixtureisbubblingandburping,theapplejuiceisbeing carbonatedbythedryice.Thatis,carbondioxidegasismixingwiththejuicetomakea "sparkling"drink.Waituntilthedryiceiscompletelygonebeforeservingtheapplejuice.It'sa spooky,carbonateddrink.
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AdditionalSodaRecipes: HomemadeGingerAle Serves6 3c.ginger,peeledandsliced 3c.sugar 3c.water 2qts.sodawater limewedges 4mintsprigs Mixginger,sugar,andwaterinasaucepanandbringtoaslowsimmer.Reducebyhalfand strain.Astheliquidcoolsitwillbecomethickerandsyrupy. Inatallglassofice,addmintsprigandaratioof1partgingersyrupto7partssodawater. Squeezealittlejuicefromthelime,stir,andaddalimewedgetothedrink. Variations: ForaGingerAleFloataddascoopofvanillaicecream. HomemadeBlackberrySoda Withsomefruitysyrupandseltzerwateryoullhaveadelicioushomemadesodapop! 11/4cupsgranulatedsugar 1cupwater 12oz(about11/2cups)frozenblackberriesorraspberries,thawed Inamediumsaucepancombinealloftheingredientsandbringtoaboilovermediumhigh heat.Reduceheatslightlyandsimmer5to7minutes,gentlystirringonce,ifneeded,to separatetheberries. Setsyrupasidetocool.Strain. Addacoupleoftablespoonsofsyrup(ortotaste)toglassofsparklingwater.Stirandserve.Try otherflavorsaswell.
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Experiment:BrewYourOwnFlavoredSodaorRootBeer(Kit)
Beforepeoplecouldbuyrootbeer(theoriginalAmericansoda),theymadeitthemselvesusing sugar,herbs,and(ofcourse)roots. Manykitsprovidepremixedrootbeerextract,specialbrewingyeast,funnel,blanklabels,and completeinstructionsforuptofourgallonsofrootbeer,bottledinrecycledsodabottleswith yourowncustomdesignedlabels.

Experiment:BrewSodawithoutaKit
Makingsodaisreallyveryeasyandmuchlessexpensivethanstoreboughtsodaandmakesfor adeliciousexperiment.Itiscarbonatedjustlike"regular"sodafromastoreandyoucancontrol theflavors.Theyeastinthesodaconsumessomeofthesugarandcreatesnaturalcarbonation or"fizz". Materials: Severalemptyscrewtop2litersodabottlestoholdyourcreation Sugar Acontainertomixalltheingredientsin(ex.aonegallonjug) Yeast(ex.regularRedStarorFleischmannsyeast) afunneltofillthe2literbottles, ameasuringspoonset acuptodissolvetheyeastin sodaflavorings(SupermarketsselltheminRootBeer,GingerAle,Cola,CreamSoda, Orange,Grape,andDr.P.)

Basicrecipe:Dissolve1/8teaspoonofyeastinacoffeecupofwarmwaterforabout5minutes. Yeastshouldbefreshandthewatershouldbeaboutbabybottlewarm(98110degreesF).Too littleyeastwillnotyieldenoughcarbonation,toomuchwillgivethesodaa"yeasty"tasteand mightburstyoursodabottles.Watertoohotortoocoldwillhavethesameeffectasnot enoughyeastbecauseincoldwateritwillstaydormantandintoohotwateritwillbekilledoff. Thenmix2cupsofwhitesugar,1tablespoon+1teaspoonofflavoringextract,thedissolved yeastandenoughextrawatertomake1gallontogetherinthegallonjug.Shaketomixfor


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about2minutesuntilthesugariscompletelydissolvedinthewater.Pourthemixintoeach ofthetwo2literbottles,captightlyandwait46days.Youcantellhowyourcarbonationis comingalongbyjustsqueezingthebottles.Iftheygettoofirmopenthecapandletoffalittle ofthecarbonation.

Experiment:SinkingSodaSurprise
Plugthedrain,fillthesinkwithwater,andtakethe plungewithSteveSpanglersfloatingscience challenge.Weallknowthatcertainthingsfloatin waterwhileotherthingssink,butwhy?Doallheavy thingssink?Whydoesapennysinkandanaircraft carrierfloats?Thinkyouknowtheanswers?Well,get readyforafewamazingsurprises! Materials Anassortmentofunopenedsodacans(diet,regular,brandname,generic) Alarge,deepcontainerofwaterlikea5gallonbucketoranaquarium 1.Askyouraudiencethequestion:Willthiscanofregularsodafloatorsinkinthebucketof water?Aftergatheringeveryonesanswer,placethecanofregularsodainthewaterand noticethatitsinkstothebottom.Note:Ifthecanofregularsodafloats,youmighthaveanair bubbletrappedunderthebottomofthecan.Makesurethatyouselectacanofregularsoda thatsinks. 2.Pickupacanofdietsodaandposethesamequestion.Besuretopointoutthefactthatthe cansareexactlythesamesizeandshapeandcontainthesameamountofliquid(comparethe numberofmillilitersprobably355ml).Placethecanofdietsodainthewaterandnoticethat itfloats!Showyouraudiencethattherearenobubblestrappedunderthebottom.Itstillfloats. Why? 3.Letyourgroupexperimentwithdifferentkindsofsoda.Whydothedietsodasfloatandthe regularsodacanssink? Howdoesitwork? Thisisafascinatingdemonstration,andisanexcellentwaytolearnaboutdensity.Weareall familiarwiththebasicconceptofsinkingorfloating.Objectslessdensethanwaterfloat,and
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thosemoredensethanwatersink.Emptycansfloat,rockssink.Thisisonlypossiblebecauseof differencesindensity.Ifbothcanscouldbeplacedonadoublepanbalance,itwouldbeclear thattheregularsodaisheavierthanthedietsoda.Thisdemonstratesthedifferencebetween massandvolume. Massreferstohowmuchstuffexistswithinanobject.Ifsomethingisheavierthananother object,itcontainsmoremass.Massismeasuredingrams.Volume,ontheotherhand,refersto howmuchspaceanobjectoccupies.Forfluids,volumeisusuallymeasuredinliters(L)or milliliters(ml).Thereare1000mlinoneliter.Sincebothcanshavethesamevolume,the heaviercanmusthaveagreatermass.Wecannowconcludethattheheaviercanisdenser thanthelightercan. Dietsodasusuallycontainaspartame,anartificialsweetener,whileregularsodasusesugar. Takealookatthenutritionalinformationonthesideofthecans.Noticehowmuchsugarisina regularsoda(lookundercarbohydrates).Mostregularsodashaveabout41gramsofsugar. Howmuchis41grams?Try18packetsofsugarliketheonesyoumightfindatarestaurant! Dietsodaisflavoredwitharelativelysmallamountofanartificialsweetener(likeaspartame) whichis200timessweeterthananequalamountofsugar.Therefore,onlyatinyamountof aspartameisneeded.Bothsugarandaspartamearedenserthanwater,whichcanbeeasily demonstratedbyaddingsmallamountsofeachtoacontainerofwater.Soitisactuallya matterofhowmuchofeachisused.The41gramsorsoofsugaraddedtoacanofregularsoda makesitsink.Therelativelytinyamountofaspartameusedindietsodaswillhaveanegligible effectonthemass,enablingthecantostillfloat. Sowhythendocansofdietsodafloat?Itisallduetothefactthatthereisalittlebitofspace, called"headspace,"abovethefluidineachcanofsoda.Thisspaceisfilledwithgas,whichis muchlessdensethanthesoda,itself.Itisthisspaceabovethesodathatlowersthedensityof dietdrinksjustenoughtomakethemfloat.Sugareddrinksstillhavethisheadspace,butthe excessiveamountsofsugaraddedmakesthecandenserthanwater. Forthisexperiment,thereisaneasywaytocalculatethedensityofthetwotypesofsoda,to furtherexaminewhyonefloatsandtheothersinks.Mathematicallyspeaking,densityismass perunitvolume.Therefore,theformulaforcalculatingdensityis: Density=mass=g/mL _____ volume
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Now,youcancalculatethedensityinboththeDietSodaandRegularSodabydividingthemass (weight)ofthesoda,ingrams,bythevolumeofthesoda,inmilliliters.Youwillquicklyseethat thedensityoftheRegularSodaisgreaterthanthedensityoftheDietSoda...so,onesinksand onefloats!

ExperimentInstantFreezeSodaIce
Itmighthavehappenedtoyou...Youputabottleofsodainthefreezerforafewminutesjust togetiticecold.Whenyoutakethesodaoutofthefreezer,it'sstillaliquid(nothingunusual hashappenedjustyet).However,thesecondyoutwistoffthecap,thesodainstantlyfreezes! Theprocessisamazingtowatch...butit'sarealbummerifyouwerethirsty(becauseit'stough tosuckiceoutofthebottle).Thisisagreatillustrationofhowcarbondioxidecanlowerthe freezingpointofwater.Getsomeice,somesaltandsomeplasticbottlesofsodawaterandtry thisverycoolsciencedemo. Materials

Seltzerwaterflavoredorplaininplasticbottles.Donotuseglassbottlesastheliquid mayaccidentallyfreezeinthebottle,causingittoexplode. Largebucket Ice Rocksalt Thermometer

1. Thedemonstrationworksbestifyouplacetheunopened bottlesofsodaintherefrigeratorforafewhoursbefore attemptingtheactivity. 2. Startbyfillingthebucketorcontainer3/4fullwithice. 3. Covertheicewithathinlayerofrocksalt. 4. Placethecooledbottlesofsodaintheicesaltmixture. 5. Placethethermometerintheicemixturepositionthe thermometerasclosetooneofthebottlesaspossibletogetthemostaccuratereading ofthebottletemperature.

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6. Watchthethermometerclosely.Thetemperatureofthe sodaneedstogetdowntoabout17oF(that's8oC)for approximately10minutes.Ifthesodagetsanycolder, theliquidwillfreezeprematurely. 7. Oncethesodahasbeenattheappropriatetemperature for10minutes,gentlyremovethebottlefromtheice saltmixtureandopenthebottle.Icecrystalsshould immediatelyformatthetopofthebottleandquickly maketheirwaydowntothebottle,creatinganinstant freeze. Again,neveruseglassbottlesforthisdemonstrationasthesodamayaccidentallyfreeze, causingthebottletoexplode. Howdoesitwork? Weoffertwoexplanationsforthisphenomenonbesureto readthesecondone! Explanation#1 Whensodaisproduced,largequantitiesofadditives(likesugar andflavoring)andcarbondioxidebubblesarepumpedinto watertocreatebubbly,sugarysodapop.Theseadditivesare calledsolutesandwhensolutesareaddedtoaliquidsuchas water,thefreezingpointofthewaterdecreases.Bylowering thefreezingpoint,thesodahastoreachamuchcolder temperaturetofreezethanwater.However,theconcentrationofcarbondioxideinthesodais onlymaintainedaslongasthebottleiskeptsealed.Assoonasthesodaisopened,andyou hearthatwhooshoffizz(carbondioxide)rushingoutofthebottle,theconcentrationof solutesinthewatergoesdown,andthefreezingpointgoesup.Now,withoutallthatextra carbondioxide,thesodawillfreezemuchquicker. AnotherExplanation? Well,that'stheexplanationthatmanyscienceteachershaveusedovertheyears.ButJoe FranekfromtheDepartmentofChemistryattheUniversityofMinnesota,offersanother explanation...

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"Themorelikelyexplanationisthatyouhaveasupercooledsolutionthatissimplywaitingfor somethingtoallowittobeginfreezing.Openingthebottleallowscarbondioxidebubblesto formandthesebubblesprovideaplaceforthenucleationoftheicecrystalstobeginoccurring. Youcantestthisexplanationbytappingthechilledbottlewithoutopeningit.Youshould managetogetsomebubbleformationfromthetappingandyoushouldseethefreezing occur." WethinkJoeFranekisprettysmartsincewe'venoticedthatsomeofthebottleswillfreeze withoutopeningthecaps.Hmmm?JoeFranekhitthenailonthehead!Openingthecapsand releasingthebubblesisjustonewaytoallowthefreezingtobegin.Tapingorgigglingthebottle willalsoreleaseafewbubblesjustenoughforicecrystalstobegintoform. ThankstoJoeFranekandtheChemistryDepartmentattheUniversityofMinnesotafortheir help.

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Experiment:SodaCanShakeup
Haveyoueverwonderedwhyshakingasodaresultsinagreat explosionwhenit'sopened?Whatcausesa2literbottleofsoda togoflat?Isthereanythingthatcanbedonetokeepfizzina bottleofsoda?Getreadytouncoversomeamazingsoda secretsthatwillchangeyoursodadrinkinghabits. Materials: Cansofunopenedsoda.It'sbesttopracticewithclearliquids! Tryclubsoda.IMPORTANT:Dietsodadoesnotwork...you'll learnwhylater.

Sincethefizzinthesodaisactuallydissolvedcarbondioxidegas,thegoalistokeepasmuchof thegasinthebottleaspossible.Sodafizzeswhendissolvedcarbondioxidegasisreleasedin theformofbubbles.Atthebottlingplant,carbondioxidemoleculesareforcedintothesodain anamountthatisgreaterthanwouldordinarilydissolveunderatmosphericconditions.Assoon asyouopenthebottle,mostoftheexcessgasescapesintotheroomthat'sagiven!So,it's yourjobtofindawaytokeeptheremaininggasintheliquid. Experiment:


Vigorouslyshakeasealedcanofsoda. Inviteadinnerguesttoimmediatelyopenthecan!Ofcourse,mostsanepeoplewill refusetheoffer. Withalittlescienceknowhow,you'llbeabletoopenthecanwithoutspillingadrop. Thesecretistouseyourfingertosnapthesideofthecan.Thisactiondislodgesthe bubblesattachedtothesideofthecanandtheyfloattothetop.Whenthecanis opened,thegassimplyescapes.Asyouwillsoondiscover,tappingthetopofthecan doesnothing.

HowDoesItWork: Shakingtheunopenedcanofsodacausesbubblesofcarbondioxidetolinetheinsidewallsof thecan.Whenyouopenthecan,thepressureinthecangoesdownandthevolumeofeach


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bubblegoesup(Boyle'sLaw).Thequicklyexpandingbubblesforcetheliquidthatrestsaboveit outofthecan. AdditionalInformation: Mostpeoplehavelearnedtotapthetopofthecanbeforeopeningit.Scientificallyspeaking, THISDOESNOTHING!However,tappingthesideofthecanknocksbubblesoffthebottomand sidesofthecan,atwhichpointtheyrisetothetop.Thetrickistodislodgethebubblesfrom thesidewallsandbottomofthecansotheycanfloattothetopofthecan(becausegasis lighterthanliquid)andthereisonlyasmallamountofliquidblockingtheirescapewhenyou openthecan.Remember,SNAPtheSIDEinsteadoftappingthetop.

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Experiment:MentosGeyserDietCokeEruption
Mentos+Pop=Fun.Wordscannotbegintodescribetheawesomeeruptionthatiscreated fromaddingMentoscandiestoa2literbottleofsoda.Theeruptionisenormous...andsois thelearningifyouconsiderthechemistry. Materials ArollorboxofMentos(candymints)anda2literbottleofdietsoda.Eitherdietorregular sodawillworkforthisexperiment,butdietsodaislessstickywhenyou'recleaningitup! Steve'snewGeyserTubeisavailable! 1. Thisactivityisprobablybestdoneoutsideinthemiddleofan abandonedfield,orbetteryet,onahugelawn. 2. Carefullyopenthebottleofsoda.Positionthebottleonthe groundsothatitwillnottipover. 3. UnwrapthewholerollofMentos.Thegoalistodropallofthe Mentosintothebottleofsodaatthesametime(whichistrickier thanitlooks).Onemethodfordoingthisistorollapieceofpaper intoatubejustbigenoughtoholdthelooseMentos.You'llwant tobeabletopositionthetubedirectlyoverthemouthofthebottlesothatallofthe candiesdropintothebottleatthesametime. 4. Don'tdropthemintothebottlejustyet!Warnthespectators tostandback.Okay,you'regoingtodropalloftheMentosinto thebottleatthesametimeandthengettrucking'(moveoutof theway...solong...byebye...hastalavista!) 5. It'sjustlikefireworksonthe4thofJuly.Thespectatorserupt, ofcourse,inachorusofooohsandahhhs.Someoneyellsout, "Doitagain"andyoudo. Howdoesitwork? Here'sthequestionoftheday...WhydoMentosmixedwithsoda producethisincredibleeruption?Youshouldknowthatthereis considerabledebateoverhowandwhythisworks.
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Whileweofferthemostprobableexplanationsbelow,wealsounderstandandadmitthat otherexplanationcouldbepossible...andwewelcomeyourthoughts. Asyouprobablyknow,sodapopisbasicallysugar(ordietsweetener),flavoring,waterand preservatives.Thethingthatmakessodabubblyisinvisiblecarbondioxidegas,whichis pumpedintobottlesatthebottlingfactoryusingtonsofpressure.Untilyouopenthebottle andpouraglassofsoda,thegasmostlystayssuspendedintheliquidandcannotexpandto formmorebubbles,whichgasesnaturallydo. Butthere'smore...Ifyoushakethebottleandthenopenit,thegasis releasedfromtheprotectiveholdofthewatermoleculesandescapes withawhoosh,takingsomeofthesodaalongwithit.Whatotherways canyoucausethegastoescape?Justdropsomethingintoaglassof sodaandnoticehowbubblesimmediatelyformonthesurfaceofthe object. Forexample,addingsalttosodacausesittofoamupbecause thousandsoflittlebubblesformonthesurfaceofeachgrainofsalt. Manyscientists,includingLeeMarek,claimthattheMentos phenomenonisaphysicalreaction,notachemicalone. Watermoleculesstronglyattracteachother,linkingtogethertoformatightmesharoundeach bubbleofcarbondioxidegasinthesoda.Inordertoformanewbubble,oreventoexpanda bubblethathasalreadyformed,watermoleculesmustpushawayfromeachother.Ittakes extraenergytobreakthis"surfacetension."Inotherwords,water"resists"theexpansionof bubblesinthesoda. WhenyoudroptheMentosintothesoda,thegelatinandgumarabicfromthedissolvingcandy breakthesurfacetension.Thisdisruptsthewatermesh,sothatittakeslessworktoexpand andformnewbubbles.EachMentoscandyhasthousandsoftinypitsalloverthesurface. Thesetinypitsarecallednucleationsitesperfectplacesforcarbondioxidebubblestoform.As soonastheMentoshitthesoda,bubblesformalloverthesurfaceofthecandy. CouplethiswiththefactthattheMentoscandiesareheavyandsinktothebottomofthe bottleandyou'vegotadoublewhammy.Whenallthisgasisreleased,itliterallypushesallof theliquidupandoutofthebottleinanincrediblesodablast.Youcanseeasimilareffectwhen cookingpotatoesorpastaareloweredintoapotofboilingwater.Thewaterwillsometimes
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boiloverbecauseorganicmaterialsthatleachoutofthecookingpotatoesorpastadisruptthe tightmeshofwatermoleculesatthesurfaceofthewater,makingiteasierforbubblesand foamtoform. Whenascoopoficecreamisaddedtorootbeer,thefloatfoamsoverforessentiallythesame reason.Thesurfacetensionoftherootbeerisloweredbygumsandproteinsfromthemelting icecream,andtheCO2bubblesexpandandreleaseeasily,creatingabeautifulfoamontop. Nextquestion...WhyshouldyouusedietCokeordietPepsi?Thesimpleansweristhatdiet sodajustworksbetterthanregularsoda.Somepeoplespeculatethatithassomethingtodo withtheartificialsweetener,buttheverdictisstillout. Moreimportantly,dietsodadoesnotleaveastickymesstohavetocleanup.Hey,that's important. What'stherecordforthebiggestMentosfountain?Myofficialrecordisa18footblastthat shotupandalmosttookoutahalfmilliondollar,highdefinitiontelevisioncamera. Youmightbethinkingtoyourself,CanIusetheMENTOSGeyserformyupcomingscience projectinschool?TheanswerisYES,butyou'llneedtolearnhowtoturnacoolscience activityintoarealscienceexperiment.Thesecretistofocusyourattentionawayfromthe flyingsodaandconcentrateonsettingupanexperimentwhereyouisolateasinglevariableand observetheresults.Testsandtrialswillleadyoutomoreandmorequestions,whichwill eventuallyuncoveradiscovery.Theexamplesbelowareagoodstartingplace,butyou'll stumbleuponevenmorequestionsandideasonceyougetstarted. Ifyoudon'tknowhowtheMentosGeyseractivityworks,readtheexperimentfirst. Materials Thematerialsyou'llneedwillchangedependingonwhichvariablesyou'retesting,butit'ssafe tosayyou'llneedsodaandMentoschewymints.It'sveryimportanttousefreshsodaforyour experiment.Twoliterbottlesofsodawilllosetheirfizz(carbonation)overtimeandyou'llget poorresults.Gotothestoreandbuyfreshsodatogetthebestresults. TheFairnessFactor BeforetheinventionoftheGeyserTube,everyonehadadifferentmethodfordropping MENTOSintothebottleofsoda.Youmighthaveusedthetesttubemethodwhilesomeone elsemadeatubeoutofnotebookpaper.Unfortunately,themethodfordroppingtheMENTOS wasneverconsistent.TheGeyserTuberemovestheinconsistency(makethedropthesame
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everytime)andletsyoufocusonthetruevariables(whatyouretryingtotest). Whenyoureconductingthetestbelow,youmightwanttoremovethetopcapoftheGeyser Tube.Thiswillmakeiteasiertorecordhowhighthesodashootsupintotheairbecausethe columnofsodaisbiggerandstaystogetherbetter.Makesense? TheScale Youwanttobeabletoeasilyrecordhowhighyourgeysergoes.Onemethodistoselecta launchingsitethatisupagainstthesideofatallbuilding.Youllalsoneedanadulttohelpyou withthenextpart.Withpermissionfromtheownerofthebuilding,usechalk(andanadult helper)tomarkoffonefootincrementsonthesideofthebuilding.Sinceyoureascientist,its besttousemetricsforallofyourmeasurements. Youmightwanttoenlistthehelpofanotheradultwhoownacamcorder.Byrecordingevery launch,youllbeabletoreplaythetapeinslowmotioninordertogetthebestmeasurement possible.Yousee...scienceandtechnologygohandinhand. HowManyMENTOS? Itsaquestionthateveryonewhodoesthisprojectasks.WhatisthebestnumberofMENTOS tousetomakethehighestshootinggeyser?Thisisagreattopicforascienceproject,butyoull needlotsofsodaandMENTOSandafewfriendstohelprecordallofthedata. LetsstartwithonesingleMENTOS.Allofthebottlesofsodashouldbethesameandthey shouldalsobethesametemperature.UsetheGeyserTubetomakesureeverylaunchisthe same.Youllalsoneedawaytomeasurehowhighthesodashootsupintotheair.Useascale attachedtothesideofabuildingasonewaytomeasuretheheight.Itsalsoagoodideato recordeachlaunchonvideoinordertogobackandwatchthelaunchinslowmotion.Nowyou knowyourdatawillbeaccurate. AttachtheGeyserTubetothetopofthe2literbottleofdietsoda.Pushthetriggerpinthrough theholesandloadoneMENTOSintothetube.Youmightdecidenottoattachthetopcapthis makesiteasiertorecordhowhighthesodagoesbecauseitsnotsprayingeverywhere.The launchsiteisready...theMENTOSisloaded...thevideocameraisrecording...andyoupullthe pin!Recordtheheight(atleastyourbestguessforrightnow).Repeatthissameprocedurefor 2MENTOS,3MENTOS...yougettheidea.Basedonyourdata,howmanyMENTOSdoyouneed tomakethehighestshootingsodageyser?
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TheBrandTest Youguessedit...itstimetoputyourfavoritesodatothetest.Doesonebrandproducehigher flyinggeysers?Howdoesgenericsodastackupagainthebignamebrands?Usingthe procedureoutlinedinthepreviousexperiments,itseasytodeterminetheclearwinner. Remember,itsimportantconducteachtestthesamewayusingtheGeyserTubeandthesame numberofMENTOSforeachlaunch.Youllalsowanttomakesureallofthesodaisatthesame temperaturebecausetemperatureplaysanimportantroleinthereaction. Justthink...yourresultscouldhelpdeterminethenextMENTOSGeysercraze. TheTemperatureTest Howdoesthetemperatureofthesodaaffecttheheightofthegeyser?Doesawarmsodashoot uphigherthanacoldsoda?Thekeytokeepeverylaunchfairandtomakesuretheonly variableisthetemperatureofthesoda.Youllalsoneedathermometertorecordthe temperatureofthesodajustbeforeyoulaunchitintospace. Itsbesttostickwithonebrandofsodafortheentiretest.LetsdecidetouseDietCoke.Youll wanttopurchasethreebottlesofDietCokeandseveralrollsofMENTOS.Youregoingtosetup threetests:Warmsoda,roomtemperaturesodaandcoldsoda.PlaceonebottleofDietCokein therefrigeratorandletitsitovernight.Placethesecondbottleinaplacewhereitcanreach roomtemperatureovernight.Therearetwosafewaystowarmthebottleofsoda.The simplestmethodistolettheunopenedbottlesitinthesunforseveralhours.Youcanalso placethebottleofunopenedsodainabucketofwarmwater.Neveruseastoveormicrowave toheatabottleofsoda. Itstimetoreturntoyourlaunchingsite.Checktomakesurethescaleisinplaceandthevideo cameraisloadedwithtape.LetsstartwiththebottleofcoldDietCoke.Openthebottleand dipthethermometerdownintothesoda.Recordthetemperatureonyourdatatable.Attach theGeyserTubewiththetriggerpininplace.LoadsevenMENTOSintothetubeandgetready tolaunch.Pullthepinandrecordthedata.Repeatthesameprocedureforthesodaatroom temperatureandthewarmsoda. BeyondtheFizz Warmsodatendstofizzmuchmorethancoldsoda.Why?Theanswerliesinthesolubilityof gasesinliquids.Thewarmertheliquid,thelessgascanbedissolvedinthatliquid.Thecolder theliquid,themoregascanbedissolvedinthatliquid.Thisisbecauseastheliquidisheated,
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thegaswithinthatliquidisalsoheated,causingthegasmoleculestomovefasterandfaster. So,theywilldiffuseoutoftheliquid,leavinglessgasdissolvedinthatliquid.Incolderliquids thegasmoleculesaremovingveryslowly,causingthemtodiffuseoutofsolutionmuchmore slowly,andmoregastendstostayinsolution. DidyouknowAtthebottlingplant,carbondioxideispumpedintothecansorbottleswhen thefluidisverycoldaround35degreesFahrenheit.Thislowtemperatureallowsthe maximumamountofcarbondioxidetodissolveinthesoda

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Experiment:GlowingTonicGeyser
Tonicwatermightnotbeyourfirstchoiceforabeverage,butit'sthesecretingredientyou'll needtomakeaglowinggeyser.Itturnsoutthattonicwater willglowunderablacklightbecausetonicwatercontains quinine,achemicalthatwasoriginallyaddedtotonicwaterto helpfightoffmalariainplaceslikeIndiaandAfrica.Whilethe tonicwaterwedrinktodayonlycontainsasmallamountof quinine,it'sstillenoughtomakeyourdrinkglowunderblack light.CombinethiswithSteveSpangler'sjoyofshootingoff sodageysers,andyouhaveyourselfaverycoolHalloween partyidea. Materials

Portableultravioletlight Bottleoftonicwater(unopened) Drinkingglass,clear Darkenedroom

IfyouwanttodoSteve'sMentosGlowingGeyserdemo,you'llneedarollofMentos,a2liter bottleoftonicwaterandaGeyserTube(oranothercreativewaytodroptheMentosintothe soda). 1. Openthetonicwaterandpoursomeintoalarge, cleardrinkingglass. 2. Placeawhitesheetorposterboardbehindtheglass tocreateawhitebackground. 3. Turnoffallthelightsandcompletelydarkentheroom. Turnontheblacklightandshineitonthetonicwater. Hey,whathappened?Thewaterisglowingblue! GlowingTonicGeyser ThefollowingexplanationusestheGeyserTubeasatriggeringdevicefortheglowinggeyser.
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1. Youllneeda2literbottleoftonicwaterandanoutdoorlo locationforyourgeyser. 2. Startbytyingoneendofthestringtothetriggerpin(thestringmightalreadybe attachedtothepin). 3. OpenthebottleofsodaandattachtheGeyserTube.Putthetriggerpinintotheholeat thebaseoftheGeyserTube. 4. TwistoffthetopcapontheGeyserTubeanddrop7MENTOScandiesintothetube.The triggerpinwillkeepthecandyfromfallingintothesodabeforeyoureready.Replace thetwistoncap. 5. Warneveryonetostandbackandturnonyourblack light.Countdown321andpullthetrigger.The MENTOSwilldropandthetonicwaterwillgoflying intotheair! Rememberthatelectricityandflyingsodadonotmix!It's besttouseabatterypoweredblacklightinsteadofanything thatrequiresregularelectricityfromthewall. Howdoesitwork? TheblacklightgivesoffUVlightwhichisahigherenergylight thanvisiblelightandthehumaneyeisnotabletoseeitwell.So,ifultravioletlightisvirtually invisible,howcanthetonicwaterglowsobrightly?Thetonicwater'scolorundertheUVblack lightisfluorescentbluebecauseitcontainsquinine,asubstancethatchangeswhenitabsorbs UVlight.Whentheblacklightshinesonthetonicwater,thetonicwaterabsorbsthelightand excitestheelectrons.Sincetheelectronsnaturallywanttoreturntotheiroriginalrelaxedstate (whowouldnt?),theygiveoffenergythathasawavelengthinthebluepartofthevisible spectrum.Thatswhythetonicwaterhasaneerieblueglowinthepresenceofultravioletlight!

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Experiment:TornadoinaBottle
Howlongdoesittaketoemptyasodabottlefullofwater? You'llamazeyourdinnerguestsandexploresomeofthe scientificpropertiesofairandwaterwhenyoulearnhowto emptyafullbottleofwaterinjustafewseconds! Materials

Twoplasticsodabottles(1or2litersize) Pitcherofwater Stopwatchorwatchwithasecondhandtorecord yourtimes TornadoTubeconnectortoy

1. Fillthesodabottletothetopwithwater.Ifyoudonothave accesstoasinknearbyoryoudon'twanttomovethedinner partytotheclassroom,usealargepitchertofillthebottle. 2. Here'sthechallenge:Howlongwillittaketoemptyallofthe waterinthebottleintothepitcheronthetable?Recordyour predictiononapieceofpaper. 3. Withoutsqueezingthesidesofthebottle,timehowlongittakes toemptyallofthewater.Youmightwanttorepeatthisseveral timestovalidateyourtime. 4. Fillthebottletothetopwithwaterjustasyoudidbefore. However,thistimeswirlthewaterbymovingthebottleina clockwiseorcounterclockwisemotionwhilethewaterispouring out.Keepswirlingthewateruntilyouseetheformationofwhat lookstobeatornado!Thewaterbeginstoswirlinshapeofa vortexandflowsoutofthebottleveryquickly.Toeveryone's amazement,youaretheQuickPourSodaBottleMaster. Howdoesitwork? Swirlingthewaterinthebottlewhilepouringitoutcausestheformation ofavortex.Thevortexlookslikeatornadointhebottle.Theformationofthevortexmakesit
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easierforairtocomeintothebottleandallowsthewatertopouroutfaster.Ifyoulook carefully,youwillbeabletoseetheholeinthemiddleofthevortexthatallowstheairtocome upinsidethebottle.Ifyoudonotswirlthewaterandjustallowittoflowoutonitsown,then theairandwaterhavetoessentiallytaketurnspassingthroughthemouthofthebottle. AdditionalInfo The"TornadoTube"isaverypopularsciencetoythatconnectstwosodabottles,onefilledwith water,theotherfilledwithair.Simplyswirltheliquidinthebottlesandinsecondsatwisting, turning,spiralingvortexappears. TwistofColorTryadding2ouncesofcoloredlampoiltothewater.Lampoilisavailableat mostdepartmentstoreswereoillampsaresold.Theoilwillfloatonthesurfaceofthewater sinceoilislessdensethanwater.Whentheoilandwaterswirltogether,thelessdenseoil travelsdownthevortexfirstandcreatesa"coloredtornado"effect. AdditionalInfo ThefollowinginformationisexcerptedfromTheTornadoTubeBook. HowDoesaHurricaneStart?ThehurricanetakesitsnamefromtheWestIndianwordhuracan whichmeans"bigwind."StormsthatoccurovertheAtlanticortheeasternPacificOceansare calledhurricanes.ThesamekindofstormthatformsoverthewesternPacificorIndianOceans iscalledatyphoon.ThisnamecomesfromtheChinesewordtaifunorgreatwind. Hurricanesandtyphoonsarenotjustviolentwinds.Theyaregiant,whirlingstormsthat developinaspecialway.Hurricanesformonlyinthetropicswhereextremelymoistairand heatareconcentratedovertheocean,neartheequator.Thewatertemperaturemustbeat least80oFahrenheitbothdayandnight.Awetseasonwithincreasedrainfallbeginsinlate springandlaststoearlyautumn.Thisisthetimeofyearwhenhurricanesdevelop.Evaporation ofthewarmwaterintotheatmosphereovertheoceanmakestheairverymoist.Winds blowingacrosstheoceanindifferentdirectionsbegintopushmassesofwarm,moistair towardeachother.Thiseventiscalledconvergence.Whentheairmassescollide,theairinthe centerstartstorise,forminganupdraft.Athighaltitudes,themoistairoftheupdraftbeginsto coolandwaterdropletsform.Thesewaterdropletsformclouds.Largecumulonimbusclouds begintogrowandthunderstormsdevelop.Morethunderstormsformasmoreconvergence andupdraftsoccur.Ifthethunderstormsdonotdissipate,theymaystarttogathertogether. Thisformationiscalledatropicaldisturbance.Manymorethunderstormsjointhedisturbance. ThisweathereventbecomeslargeenoughtobeinfluencedbyforcescreatedfromtheEarth's rotation.
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Thetropicaldisturbancebeginstoswirlandbecomesavortexofthunderstorms.Updraftsare continuouslypullingmoreairintothedisturbance.Whenthewindsbegintoblowcontinuously at23milesperhour,thestormbecomesatropicaldepression.Thetropicaldepression continuestogainpowerandbecomesatropicalstormwhenthewindspeedbecomes40miles perhour.Atanytime,thedisturbance,depression,orstormcanrunoutofhot,moistairand weakenordieout.Ifitcontinuestogainstrengthandreaches74milesperhourwecallita hurricane. Hurricaneshavetopwindspeedsofatleast74milesperhour,butwindspeedcanreach180 milesperhour.Thecloseryouaretothestorm'scenter,thefasterthewindwillbe.Thetop windspeedwillbereachedwithin60milesfromthecenterofthehurricane.Asyoumoveaway fromthecenter,windspeedisslower.At300milesfromthecenter,thewindspeedmaybe only18milesperhour.Theenergyofahurricanecomesfromtheheatreleasedwhenwater vaporcondensestoliquidwater.Theatmosphereaboveatropicaloceanistheonlyplace enoughwarm,moistairisavailabletoproducetheenergynecessarytocreateahurricane. Themovementofahurricaneissomewhatpredictable.Itissolargethatitmoveswiththe Earth'swindcurrentsthatsurroundit.Thesewindcurrentsareverylargeandsteadyanddon't changecourseabruptly.Therefore,hurricanesusuallytravelinoneofthesewindcurrentsuntil theymeetanotherwindcurrent,thentheymaychangedirection.Ifahurricanechanges course,itcouldpassoverthesameareatwice.Sometimesoneofthesestormsstallsoveran areafordays. Ahurricanecoversaverylargearea.Sometimesatropicalstormcanhaveacloudsystemthat is2,000milesindiameter.Typically,ahurricaneisabout300milesacross.Thatisaboutthe distancefromChicago,IllinoistoColumbus,Ohio.Anaveragehurricaneisabout800to5,000 timesaswideasanaveragetornado.Hurricanesusuallytravelacrosstheseaandlandat10to 32milesperhour.Somemaytravelatspeedsupto50milesperhour.Thepathofahurricane usuallycoversthousandsofmiles,mostofitovertheocean. Itisveryimportanttotrackthesehugestormsandtomakeaccuratepredicationsabouttheir movements.Manypeopleliveinareasaffectedbyhurricanes.IftheNationalHurricaneCenter scientistsbelieveahurricaneisthreateningtoreachapopulatedareawithin24hours,theywill issueahurricanewarning.Peoplepreparebygatheringandshelteringpropertyandboarding uphomesandbusinesses.Sometimespeoplewillevenbeevacuatedfromanareaifthe forecastcallsforanextremelystrongstorm.Manyliveshavebeensavedbythesepreparations. Tostudyconditionsinsidehurricanes,teamsofpilotsandweatherscientistsflyregularmissions intothesestorms.Theygetmeasurementsofwindspeed,temperature,airpressure,andother
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weatherconditionsatdifferentaltitudes.Theseinvestigationshelpscientistsmakepredictions abouthurricaneformationandmovement.TheNationalWeatherServicenameshurricanesto quicklyidentifythem.Thenamesareassignedinalphabeticalorderalternatingbetweenfemale andmalenames.ThereareseparatelistsofnamesforhurricanesintheAtlanticandPacific oceans.

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Experiment:FloatingWater
Turntheglassoverandnothingspills Filltheglassjarwithwaterandcoveritwithacard.As youturnthewholethingupsidedown,theaudience canhardlycontainthemselves.Theroomquietsdown asyouprecariouslypositiontheinvertedjarandcarda fewfeetabovesomeone'shead.Justastheythought, nowaterspillsoutbecausethecardmagicallysticksto themouthoftheupsidedownjar.Butwait...there's more. Materials Masonjar(pintsize)withtwistonlid Circularplasticscreeninsert Indexcards Placetheplasticscreenmaterialovertheopeningofthejarandscrewonthelid(sealingban). Removethelidandusescissorstocutaroundtheindentation"ring." Whatyou'releftwithis thescreeninsertthatfitsperfectlyintothetopofthesealingband. Placethescreenovertheopeningofthejarandtwistonthelid.Makesurethatyoudonot accidentallyshowtheaudiencethesecretscreen.Whenyou'rereadytoperformthetrick,fill thejarwithwaterbysimplypouringwaterthroughthescreen. Covertheopeningwiththeindexcard.Holdthecardinplaceasyouturnthecardandthejar upsidedown.Carefullyremovethecardfromtheopeningandthewatermysteriouslystaysin thejar!Replacethecard,turnthewholethingover,removethecardandpouroutthewater. That'samazing! Howdoesitwork? AirPressure:Theatmosphereexertsabout15poundsofpressurepersquareinchofsurfaceat sealevel.Becauseit'sagas,itnotonlypushesdown,butalsoupwardsandsideways.Thecard remainsinplacebecausetheairpressureispushingupwardharderthanthewaterispushing downward.
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SurfaceTension:Thesurfaceofaliquidbehavesasifithasathinmembranestretchedoverit. Aforcecalledcohesion,whichistheattractionoflikemoleculestoeachother,causesthis effect.Thesurfacetension"membrane" isalwaystryingtocontract,whichexplainswhyfalling dropletsofwateraresphericalorballshaped.Thewaterstaysinthejareventhoughthecardis removedbecausethemoleculesofwaterarejoinedtogethertoformathinmembrane betweeneachopeninginthescreen.Becarefulnottogigglethejarortouchthescreen becauseyou'llbreakthesurfacetensionandsurpriseeveryonewithagushofwater! AdditionalInfo Usethedemonstrationtoexplorethepropertiesofair,airpressureandsurfacetension.For theolderstudents,youcanhavethemcalculatetheamountofforcebeingappliedtothe circularopeningofthejarbytheairpressureascomparedtothedownwardforceresulting fromtheweightofthewater.Forexample,ifthediameterofthejar'sopeningis3inches,then thesurfaceareaisfoundbymultiplying(pi)timesthesquareoftheradius,or3.14"x1.5" x 1.5" =6.75squareinches.Multiplythattimes15poundspersquareinchtodeterminethe totalforceexertedbytheairpressure(6.75squareinchesx15poundspersquareinch=101.25 pounds).Yourjarcontainsaboutapint(16ounces)ofwater.Theweightofthewaterisabout 448gramsorslightlylessthan1pound,soit'seasytoseewhythecardstaysinplacewhenthe jaristurnedupsidedown.Anotherinterestingstatistictoponderisthatthedensity (mass/volume)ofairatsealevelisabout1/800ththatofwater. TheMysteriousWaterSuspensionprovidestheframeworkforahandsonlabthat'sboth,fun andeffective.Kidscanworkaloneorinteams,applyingthescientificmethodtoformulate theories,doresearch,deviseandconductexperiments,gatherdata,andpresenttheir conclusions. Experimentwithdifferentscreens,somewithfinemeshandsomewithcoarsemeshtoobserve howsurfacetensionandairpressureworktogethertoaccomplishthefeat.Fordifferent screens,trymaterialssuchascloth,plasticmeshfromproducebags,etcetera.Seewhat happenswhendifferentsizesandshapesofbottlesareused. Haveyourstudentsexplainwhythecardsticksbettertotheinvertedjarwhenit'scompletely filledascomparedtowhenit'sonlypartiallyfilled.Discusstheelasticpropertiesofthetrapped airinsidethejar. Let'srecap.Thejarwasfilledwithwater,acardcoveredthemouthofthejar,andthewhole thingwasturnedupsidedown.Voila!Thecardheldthewaterinplace.Herecomesthescience
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magic.Youdotheunthinkable.Youremovethecard!Yourvolunteerdivesforcover!Fearnot, thewatermagically"floats"intheupsidedownjar.Kidsscream,"Howdidyoudothat?"Take yourwelldeservedbowasyouturnthejarrightsideupandemptythewaterbackintothe pitcher.Nowthat'ssciencemagic!

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Experiment:AntiGravityWater
Amazeyourfriendsbymakingwaterdefygravity.It'sa simpleexperimentthatdramaticallydemonstratesthe amazingphysicalpropertiesofwater. Materials

Tallglasswitharoundedge Ahandkerchief Apitcherofwater

1.Drapethehandkerchiefovertheglassmakingsurethatyoupushthe centerofthehandkerchiefdownintotheglass. 2.Filltheglass3/4fullwithwaterbypouringwaterintothemiddleofthe handkerchief. 3.Slowlypullthehandkerchiefdownthesidesoftheglassmakingittaut (stretchedtightlyacrossthesurfaceoftheglass).Griptheendsofthe handkerchiefatthebottomoftheglass. 4.Placeonehandoverthemouthoftheglassandturnitoverwiththe otherhand. 5.Pullthelowerhandawayfromtheglass(slowly)andthewatershould stayintheglass!Thisjustgoestoprovethatthehandkerchiefhasanti gravityproperties.Thethunderousapplausewilldrownedoutthecriesof,"Howdidyoudo that?" 6.Forthebigfinish,putyourhandoverthemouthoftheglassandturn theglassrightsideup.Removethehandkerchieffromtheglassandpour thewaterbackintothepitcher.Ofcourse,takeyourwelldeservedbow. Howdoesitwork? Mostpeoplepredictthatthewaterwillleakthroughtheholesinthe handkerchiefbecausethewaterleakedthroughtheholesasitwas pouredintotheglass.Theholesinthehandkerchiefliterallydisappearedwhentheclothwas
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stretchedtightlyacrossthemouthoftheglass.Thisactionallowedthewatermoleculesto bondtootherwatermoleculescreatingwasitcalledsurfacetension.Thewaterstaysinthe glasseventhoughtherearetinyholesinthehandkerchiefbecausethemoleculesofwaterare joinedtogethertoformathinmembranebetweeneachopeninginthecloth.Becarefulnotto tiptheglasstoomuchbecauseyou'llbreakthesurfacetensionandsurpriseeveryonewitha gushofwater!

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Experiment:FireWater:CoolestConductorofHeat
Commonsensetellsyouthatit'simpossibletoboilwaterina paperbag,butthisclassicparlortrickwasafavoriteofthe Victorianmagician.Therealdifficultlyinperformingthis effectismakingitlookharderthanitis!Asyoumight imagine,thesecretliesinyetanotheramazingpropertyof waterit'sabilitytoconductheat.Insteadofusingapaper bag,thismoderndayversionofthedemonstrationusesan ordinaryballoon,somewaterandacandle.It'sa combinationthat'sguaranteedtomakepeoplestandback. Materials

Safetyglasses Balloons Water Matches

Warning!Thisscienceactivityusesmatcheswhichmeansyouneedtofindaverycool supervisingadulttohelpwiththisexperiment. Blowupaballoonjustasyounormallywouldandtieitoff.Lightacandleandplaceitinthe middleofthetable.Putonyoursafetyglassesbecauseit'stimetopoptheballoon.Holdthe balloonafootortwooverthetopoftheflameandslowlymovetheballooncloserandcloser totheflameuntilitpops.You'llnoticethattheflamedoesn'thavetoeventouchtheballoon beforetheheatmeltsthelatexanditpops.Let'sjustsayyouhadtoprovewhatyoualready know. Let'srepeattheexperimentbutthistimethebottomoftheballoonwillhavealayerofwater. Todothis,filltheballoontothetopwithwateritprobablyholdsafewounces(60mLforthe scientists)andthenblowitupwithair.Ifyouaccidentallyletgooftheballoonbeforeyoutie itoff,you'llsprayyourselfandyourfriendswillloveit.Justtieofftheballoonandgetreadyfor thenextstep. You'regoingtoslowlylowerthewaterfilledballoonoverthecandleandwatchaspeoplestart torun.Everyoneknowsthatit'sgoingtopop...butforsomestrangereasonitdoesn't.Ifyou're
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verybrave,youcanactuallyallowtheflametotouchthebottomoftheballoonanditstill doesn'tpop. Removetheballoonfromtheheatandcarefullyexaminethesootonthebottom.Yes...there's sootandtheballoondidn'tpop.Beforereadingtheexplanation,trytofigureoutwhythelayer ofwaterkepttheballoonfrompopping. Howdoesitwork? Waterisagreatsubstanceforsoakingupheat.Thethinballoonallowstheheattopass throughveryquicklyandwarmthewater.Asthewaterclosesttotheflameheatsup,itbegins toriseandcoolerwaterreplacesitathebottomoftheballoon.Thiscoolerwaterthensoaksup moreheatandtheprocessrepeatsitself.Infact,theexchangeofwaterhappenssooftenthatit keepstheballoonfromeverpopping! Thesootonthebottomoftheballoonisactuallycarbon.Thecarbonwasdepositedonthe balloonbytheflame,andtheballoonremainsundamaged. Usingwatertocontrolheatisavaluableprocess.Infact,firefightersinColoradooftenusea polymerfoamtocontrollargewildfires.Sincepolymerssoakupatremendousamountof water,theyareusefulincontrollingandstoppingtheheatenergyinthefire. Yourbodyevenuseswatertocontrolheat.Whenyouexercise,whatsthatdrippingfromyour armpits?EWWW...itssweat!Butyourbodyactuallyusesthewaterinyoursweattocontrol yourinternaltemperaturesoyoudontgetoverheated.

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Experiment:StrongSand
Howcansandbeusedtostopaspeedingbullet?JusttaketheStrongSandchallengeand youlldiscoveranamazingfactaboutthescienceofsand. Materials Cardboardtubefromarollofpapertowel Sand(saltcanbeusedinplaceofsand) Sheetoftissuepaper Rubberbands Scissors Stickdowelrodapproximately1footinlengthoradrumstick workswell

1.Cutapieceoftissuesothatitmeasuresapproximately8inches square. 2.Coveroneendofthecardboardtubewiththetissuepaperandholditinplacetightlywitha rubberband. 3.Challengesomeonetopokeaholeinthepieceoftissuepaperusingthestick.Hey,thats easy!Dontworryletstryitagain. 4.Replacethetornpaperwithanewpieceoftissuepaper.Fillthecardboardtubethree quartersofthewayfullwithsand.Thismakesforevenabetterchallengeinthemindsofmany peoplebecausenotonlywillbepaperbreakbutthesandwillspillouteverywhere! 5.Instructyourvolunteertopushthestickintothesandandkeeppushinguntilthestickbreaks throughthetissuepaper.Whatsthematter?Thistimeitsnotsoeasytobreakthroughthe paper.Infact,itsimpossible!Howdidthetissuepapergettobesostrong? Howdoesitwork? Thesecretisliterallyinthesand.Asyoupushthestickintothesand,thegranulesofsandare pushedawayfromthestickinalldirections.Contrarytowhatseemslogical,thesandpushes againstthesidesofthecardboardtubeinsteadoftheentireforcepushingdownwardagainst thetissuepaper. Thisdemonstrationisagoodillustrationofwhyseismicwavesmoveslowlythroughsand. Whenthevibrationsfromseismicwavestravelthroughsand,thesandredistributesthe forwardenergyfromthewavesandpushesitoutinalldirections.
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Experiment:TheBrazilNutEffect
Wanttoshakeupagroupofphysicists?Justshowthemsomethingthatactsin anunexpectedway.That'swhatledtothediscoveryofaphysicsprinciplecalled theBrazilnuteffect.Forsometime,hungryphysicistshadnoticedthatwhenyou shakeajarofmixednuts,thebig,denseBrazilnutmovestothetopofthejar. (You'dthinkitwouldsinktothebottom.)Checkitoutbyperformingthe experimentwithsomemixednutsofyourown,ortrythiscolorfulvariation. YOUWILLNEED: Marble Anemptytransparentplasticjarwithalid Cornmeal,salt,orsand(enoughtofillthejar1/2to2/3full) STEPS: 1.Putthemarbleinthejar.Addthecornmeal,salt,orsand. 2.Sealthejar,thenshakeitupanddown.Itmaytakealittletime,buteventuallythemarble willrisetothetop.Youmightevenhearitpopagainstthelidbeforeyouspotit. WHAT'SHAPPENING: You'dexpectsomethingdenserthancornmeal,salt,orsandtostayatthebottomofthejar. Instead,whenyoushakethejar,boththecornmealandthemarblemoveupanddown,anda bitofthecornmealfillsthespacebelowthemarblebeforeitcanfallbacktoitsoriginal position.Oncethemarblereachesthetopoftheheap,itgetsbuffetedaroundandsometimes fallsjustbelowthesurface.Butkeepshaking,anditwillresurface.

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WhatwillSinkandWhatWillFloat?
Experiment:FloatingBowlingBalls
Todaywewillfinallyanswerthequestionthathas puzzledviewersforyears:dobowlingballsfloat?Notso fastyou'llhavetoseeittobelieveit!Plugthedrain,fill thesinkwithwater,andtaketheplungewithSteve's floatingsciencechallenge.Weallknowthatcertain thingsfloatinwaterwhileotherthingssink,butwhy? Doallheavythingssink?Whydoesapennysinkandan aircraftcarrierfloats?Thinkyouknowtheanswers?Well,getreadyforafewamazing surprises! Ifyou'veeverbeenbowlingyouknowthatbowlingballsrangefromabout8to16pounds. Howevertheyareallthesamesize!Accordingtotheofficialbowlingrules,"Thecircumference ofaballshallnotbemorethan27.002inchesnorlessthan26.704inches,norshallitweigh morethan16Ibs(nominimumweight). "Thismeansthattheaveragedensityofan8pound ballmustbeHALFtheaveragedensityofa16poundball.Ingeneral,bowlingball manufacturersvarythesize,shapeandmaterialofthecoreoftheballtoadjusttheweight. Enoughaboutbowlingballs!Let'strytheexperiment. Materials Abowlingballweighing9poundsorless Abowlingballweighing11poundsormore Alargeaquariumorabathtubfilledwithwater 1.Thenexttimeyou'reatthebowlingalley,sneakanaquariumfilledwithwaterinunderyour coat.Toorisky?Ok,justcollectafewbowlingballsofvariousweights(from8to16pounds). 2.Filltheaquariumthreequartersfullwithwater. 3.Carefullyplace(donotdrop!)thebowlingballinthewater.Doesitfloatorsink?Repeatthis experiment,notingtheweightofeachbowlingball,untileveryballhastakentheplunge. 4.Whatdidyoudiscover?Itseemsthatanythingheavierthat12poundswillsink,butbowling ballsbetween8and12poundsfloat.Amazing!
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Howdoesitwork? Let'sstartwithsomepropertiesofwater.Howheavyis8pounds?Itjusthappenstoworkout thatonegallonofwaterweighs8pounds.Hmmm?Somethingsmellsalittlefishybecause8 poundbowlingballsfloat.Ifonegallonofwaterweighs8poundsandan8poundbowlingball takesupmorespacethanagallonofwater,theballwillfloat!WhatdidArchimedesayabout allofthis?Whenanobjectisplacedinwateritwilldisplaceit'sweightinwater.The8pound ballisdisplacing8poundsofwater.However,theballalsotakesupmorevolumethan8 poundsofwater,soitfloats.Itmightbelessconfusingtosimplysaythe8poundballisless densethanwaterandthe16poundballismoredensethanwaterwheredensityisthemassof theballdividedbyitsvolume.Hey,areyoupullingmyleg?NO!Thebowlingballsthatweused ontelevisionwerelegitimate,competitionsanctionedbowlingballs.Forthosedisbelievers,the waterwasreal,too.Wesuggestusingan8poundballforyourlessdenseballsinceitfloats fairlyhighbuta9poundballwillworkjustaswell.A10poundballwillalmost"hover"inthe water!Anythingheavierthan11poundswillsink.Youmightwanttostopbyyourlocalbowling alleytoseeiftheproshopisthrowingawayanyoldbowlingballsthatyoumightbeabletouse foryourscienceentertainmentpleasure.

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Experiment:FloatingLemonsandSinkingLimes
Whydolemonsfloatinwaterbutlimesdon't? Scientistsseemtobeinfatuatedwithobjectsthat floatandsink.Evennonscientistsfindgreatjoyin droppingstuffinwatertoseeifitfloatsorsinks.Fans ofDavidLettermanarequicktopointoutoneof Dave'sfavoritesegmentscalled"WillItFloat?"Here's thelatestfloatorsinkchallenge:Whydolemonsfloat inwaterbutlimessink?Thinkyouknowtheanswer? Notsoquick... Materials Takeatriptoyourlocalgrocerystoreinsearchoffewlemonsandlimesthatareroughlythe samesizeandweight.Abiglemonandatinylimewillthrowoffyourtestresults.You'llalso needadeepcontainerlikealargebowltoconductthefloatandsinktest. 1. Fillabowlwithwateranddropinthelemons.Floatorsink?Theyshouldfloat. 2. Tossthelimesintothewater.Floatorsink?Youmightgetafewthatfloatbutjust barely.Thelimesinourtestsanktothebottom. 3. Nowit'stimetofigureoutwhy.Yourfirstguessmightbetherindsofbothfruits.Peel therindoffofthelemonandyou'llfindthatitisthickandporoussimilartotherindof anorange(thatalsofloatsinwater).Thelimerindismuchthinnerthanthelemonand doesnotcontainthesameporousmaterial. 4. It'stimetotestthepeeledlemonandlime.Dropbothinthewaterandyoumightbe surprised.Thelemonfloatsandthelimesinks!So,it'snottherind. 5. That'sasfaraswe'regoingtotakeyou.Keepexperimentingandexploringbefore readinganyfurther. Howdoesitwork? Atfirst,ourteamoflemonlimeresearcherswerecertainthatithadeverythingtodowiththe rindbecauseoftheirexperiencewithfloatingandsinkingoranges.Dropanorangeintowater anditfloats,butremovethepeelfromthatsameorangeanditwillsink.Theunpeeledorange floatsbecausetherindisveryporousandfilledwithtinypocketsofair.Eventhoughyou're removingmasswhenyoupeeltheorange,thepeeledorangeismoredenseandsinksinthe
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water.Butthelemonlimemysteryisalittledifferent. WehavetoturntotheInternetformoreinformation.AccordingtotheUSDAwebsite,alimeis 88.26%waterbyweightandalemonis87.4%.Thiscouldmeanthatlemonshaveahigherair content,butwe'restillnotsure. So,ournextstepwastoweighthelemonandthelime.Diggingthroughourgrocerybagof lemonsandlimes,wefoundtwothatwereverysimilarinsizeandweight.Boththelemonand thelimeweighedexactly101grams.Ifyouknowtheweight,itonlymakessensetodetermine thevolumeofeachfruit.Usingdisplacementofwater,wedeterminedthatthatthelemonhad avolumeof99mLandthelimehadavolumeof90mL.Youmightrememberdoingthisin schoolwhenyoulearnedaboutvolume.Fillacontainertotheverytopwithwaterandthen submergetheitem(thelemoninthiscase).Collectandmeasurewhateverwaterspillsoutover theedgeofthecontainerandyou'vegotthevolume. So,usingthedensityformula(D=M/V)itwaseasytodeterminethedensityofeachfruit. TheLemonDensity=101g/99mL=1.02g/mL TheLimeDensity=101g/90mL=1.12g/mL Sincethedensityofwaterisapproximately1g/mL,itmakessensetheatthelemoninour experimentfloatedandthelimesank. Butwe'restillalittleconfusedastowhylimessinkandlemonsfloat.Somepeoplehave suggestedthatlimefleshismuchmoredensethanlemonflesh,andasaresultitholdsitsjuice better.Peoplewho"juice" fruitsknowaboutthisphenomenon.Ifyouwanttogetmorejuice fromalime,warmitupinthemicrowavebrieflyandthenfirmlyrollitalongtheworktop beforeslicingitlengthwaysandjuicingit.Itmakesahugedifference. Sincethedensityofthelemonandlimeareveryclosetowater,evenverysmallchangesin compositioncouldmeanthedifferencebetweensinkingandfloating.

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Experiment:AmazingEggExperiments
Squeezeaneggashardasyoucanwithoutbreakingit. Learnhowtotellaraweggfromahardboiledeggwithout crackingtheshell.Performtheamazingfloatingeggtrick. It'sEggOlympicsinyourveryownclassroom! Theoldegginthebottletrick! Materials

Eggs Salt Water Twotallcontainerstoconductthefloatandsinktest

SqueezeanEggWithoutBreakingIt Eggsareamazinglystrongdespitetheirreputationforbeingsofragile.Placeanegginthepalm ofyourhand.Closeyourhandsothatyourfingersarecompletelywrappedaroundtheegg. Squeezetheeggbyapplyingevenpressureallaroundtheshell.Toeveryone'samazement (mostlyyourown)theeggwillnotbreak.Ifyou'realittlenervousabouttheoutcome,try sealingtherawegginazipperlockbagbeforeputtingthesqueezeonit,orholdtheeggover thesinkifyou'reinthesuperbravecategory. Eggsaresimilarinshapetoa3dimensionalarch,oneofthestrongestarchitecturalforms.The curvedformoftheshelldistributespressureevenlyallovertheshellratherthanconcentrating itatanyonepoint.Bycompletelysurroundingtheeggwithyourhand,thepressureyouapply bysqueezingisdistributedevenlyallovertheegg.However,eggsdonotstandupwellto unevenforceswhichiswhytheycrackeasilyonthesideofabowl.Becarefulnottoweararing whileperformingoursqueezingact.Theunevenpressureoftheringagainsttheshellwillresult inanamusingdisplayofflyingeggyolkforyouraudiencemembers. HardboiledorRaw? Theanswerisonlyaspinaway.Simplyspintheeggandpaycloseattentiontohowwellitspins. Iftheeggspinswell,it'shardboiled.However,iftheeggwobblesandspinsslowly,it'stheraw one.Ahardboiledeggissolidinsidewhereasaraweggisfluid.Whenyouspintherawegg,its centerofgravitychangesasthefluidinsidetheeggmovesaround.Thisresultsinthewobbling motionyounoticedintherawegg.Assoonastheraweggstartsspinning,touchitbrieflywith
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yourfingerjustlongenoughtostopit.Whenyoutakeyourfingeraway,theeggwillcontinue tospinforjustaquicksecond.Thisisduetotheinertiaofthefluidinsidetheegg.Whenthe hardboiledeggisspun,thesolidcenterimmediatelymoveswiththeshell,causinglittle resistancetothespinningmotion. TheFloatingEgg It'ssosimpleandamazing.Araweggwillfloatinverysaltywaterbutwillsinkinplaintap water.Why?Saltwaterismoredensethanregularwater.You'llneedtomakeaverysaturated saltsolutionbydissolvingroughly4tablespoonsofsaltinabout2cupsofwater.Usepicklingor Koshersalttomakeaclearsaltsolution.Tablesaltmaybeused,butthesolutionwillbe somewhatcloudyduetotheadditivesusedtomakethesaltfreeflowing. Fillaglasshalffullwiththesaltwater.Slowlyaddplainwaterbypouringitdownthesidesof theglassbeingcarefulnottomixthetwoliquids.Gentlydroptheeggintothewaterandwatch asitsinksthroughtheplainwateronlytoabruptlystopwhenithitsthesaltwater.It'samazing toseehowtheeggfloatsonthetoplayerofthesaltwater(evenmoreamazingifyoudon't knowaboutthebottomlayerofsaltwater!). TheRisingEgg Fillthebottom1/5ofatallglasswithsalt.Addjustenoughwatertomakeawetsaltlayer. Carefullyloweraneggdownontopofthewetlayerofsalt.Slowlyaddmorewaterbypouring itdownthesidesoftheglasssoasnottodisturbthebottomlayerofwater.Coverthetopof theglasswithcellophaneandarubberband.Noticehowtheeggrestsonthelayerof undissolvedsaltonthebottomoftheglass. Overthecourseofthenextseveralweeks,thebottomlayerofsaltwillbegintodissolveinthe wateraboveit.Asthesaltdissolves,theeggwillriseoffthebottomandfloatonthelayerof saltwater.Asmoretimepasses,thesaltlevelcontinuestodropandtheeggcontinuestorise. Besuretoputthistheglassinaplacewherenoonewillbeabletodisturbit.Youcaneven recordtheegg'sprogressbymarkingontheoutsideoftheglassusingafelttipmarker. Remember,thisprocessissupposedtotakealongtime(months!)whichiswhyitisso interesting. Youmightwishtosubstituteagolfballinplaceoftheeggtoavoidthedecayoftheegg'sshell overtime.The"golfball"ideawasoriginallypublishedbyBobBecker,agreatchemistryteacher fromSt.Louis,Missouri.

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Experiment:DancingRaisinsTheBubbleLifter Chemistryyoucaneat!
Whotaughttheseraisinstodance,anyway?Goongather upsomeraisins,turnupthemusic,andgetreadyforaraisin romp.Justwhenyouthoughtyouweredoneatthedinner table...hereissomekitchenchemistrythatyoucaneat! Materials

Cleardrinkingglasses Raisins Clearcarbonatedbeverages,i.e.7Up,TonicWater, etc. Macaroni Spaghetti Lentils Craisins Corn 1. Filltheglasswithsoda. 2. Drop1015raisinsintothesoda. 3. Focusallofyourattentiononthoseraisins.Aretheymoving?Yes!Theyrefloating, theyrebobbingupanddown,theyredancing!OK,maybeithassomethingtodowith thosebubblesattachedtothesurfaceoftheraisins.Watchcloselyasyoureadthe explanation. DancingRaisinsVariation 1. Setupyourdrinkingglasseswithdifferenttypesofsoda. 2. Seewhichtypeofsodamakesthebestdancingraisins. 3. Tryusingallofthesametypeofsodabutdifferentkindsof"dancers." 4. Throwincorn,macaroni,noodles,lentils,craisins,evencorn! 5. Whichcombinationofsodaanddancers"performs"thebestshow? 6. Keepexperimentinguntilyoufindthebestcombination!
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Howdoesitwork? Youcanguesswhythisisanextremelypopularactivityamongelementaryteachers.Witheach riseandfallofthedancingraisinsanewchorusofooohsandahhhhseruptfromthestudents. Theraisinswillbobupanddownforseveralminutes.Thisraisindanceiscaptivatingto watch.Sincethesurfaceoftheraisinsissorough,tinybubblesofCO2willbeattractedtoit. Thesebubbleswillincreasethevolumeoftheraisinsubstantially,butcontributeverylittleto itsmass.Asaresult,theoveralldensityoftheraisinislowered,causingittobecarriedupward bythemoredensefluidsurroundingit. ArchimedesPrinciplestatesthatthebuoyantforceexertedonafluidisequaltotheweightof fluiddisplaced.Sincetheraisinsnowhaveagreatervolume,theydisplacemorewater,causing thefluidtoexertagreater buoyantforce.Thebuoyantforceofthesurroundingfluidiswhatpushestheraisinstothetop. Oncetheraisinsreachthetop,thebubblespopuponexposuretotheair.Thismakesthe raisinsmoredense,causingthemtosink.Asmorebubblesadheretotheraisins,theyagain becomelessdenseandarepushedbackupbythefluid.Thisexperimentveryclearlyshowsthat anincreaseinvolume(aslongas themassincreaseisnegligible)willleadtoadecreaseindensity.Thebubblesthatattach themselvestotheraisinscanbethoughtofaslittlelifejacketsthatmaketheraisinsmore buoyantbyincreasingtheirvolume. Iftheraisinsareaddeddirectlytothebottle,replacethecaponthebottleaftertheyhave madeseveralcycles.Afterafewminutes,alloftheraisinswillrestatthebottom.Thisis becausecarbondioxidegasispreventedfromleavingthebottle.Asaresult,pressurebuildsup inthespaceabovethefluid.Thispressureistransmittedthroughoutthefluid,andthebubbles cannotgrowaslarge.Therefore,thevolumeoftheraisinsdoesnotincreaseenoughtolower theirdensitytothepointwheretheyarelessdensethanthefluid.Whenthecapisremoved, thepressureabovetheraisinsisdecreased,allowingthebubblestogrowlarger,causingthe raisinstoresumethecycleoftheirdance. YoucanseethesamethinghappeningwithsetofinflatedWaterWingsoraninnertube.The volumeoftheWaterWingsincreasesthepersonsvolumeconsiderably.However,themassof theWaterWingsisverysmall.TheoveralleffectistolowerthedensityoftheWaterWings personcombotolessthanthatofwater,sothatthepersoncanfloat.Deflating(donttrythis

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withsomeonewhocantswim!)theWaterWingswouldreversetheprocessandcausethe persontosink.

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Microwaves:AHistory
January24markstheanniversaryofthegrantingofthepatentforthemicrowaveoven, Methodoftreatingfoodstuffs. Dr.PercyL.Spencernotedthatachocolatebarinhisshirtpockethadmeltedwhenhewas workingaroundanoperatingradartube,atRaytheonCorp.,duringWorldWarII(thepatent applicationformicrowavecookingwasfiledonOctober8,1945).Withalittleexperimentation, hedeterminedthemicrowavesfromtheradartubewererapidlycookingthingsthink explodingegg,thinkpoppingcorn. Therestofthestory: It'struethatSpencerwasaRaytheonengineerinvolvedincreatingthemicrowaveoven.But likeanyengineer,hedidn'tneedameltedchocolatebartoknowabouttheconnection betweenheatandmicrowaveradiation.Afterall,sunlightisradiation. Spencerproposedthecreationofamicrowavetechnologybasedovenin1945asacommercial operationforRaytheontopursueafterthelapseoftheirmilitarycontracts.Theideawas enthusiasticallyreceived,andateamofengineersbeganworkingonaprototypemicrowave oven.OneoftheproblemsSpencerandtheteamhadtoovercomewasthatradartubescooked foodswaytoofast.Theyhadtotunethemagnetrontubestoproducewavelengthswithless energy,toheatfoodmoreslowlysothecookingcouldbecontrolled.Thedesignerandbuilder ofthisnewmicrowaveovenwasaRaytheonengineernamedMarvinBock. Bock'scarefulexperimentationwithmicrowaveheatingtechnologyisthereasonwhysome peoplecredithimasbeingtheinventorofthemicrowaveoven.Thechallengeswerenumerous: amicrowaveovenhadtobesmallenoughforcommercialuse;federalregulationsprohibited Bockfromusingmicrowavesthatwerenoteither915or2450megahertz;andhehadtofigure outhowtodealwithunevenheating. Bock'sinitialsolutionwastouseasmallmotortomoveonewallofthemicrowavebackand forthduringcooking.Butthisdevicewastooexpensiveandcausedradiationleakage.Bock's eventualanswertounevenheatingwastheuseofhanging,rotatingrods. ThenotesBocktookoncehemovedontocookingexperimentsprovideahumorousinsightinto theengineeratwork."Refreshingcornpoppedtakes20secondsisgood,"hewrote.Andon anotheroccasion:"NotedthatchickenFricasseetookaminuteandtastedgood."

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EventuallyBock'sexperimentationledtotheproductionofthefirstmicrowaveoven.Itwas over5feettall,weighed670pounds,andrequireda220voltpowerlineandseparatewater pipeforcoolingtheradartube.RaytheonbegansellingtheirRadarangemicrowaveovenin 1948,butmicrowaveswouldbeamoneylosingbusinessuntiltheendofthe1960s.

Experiment:IvorySoapScienceFloatsandGrows
Themicrowaveovenisnotjustforwarmingleftovers! Themicrowaveovenisnotjustforwarmingleftovers.It's anothertoolinSteveSpangler'sbagofsciencetricks.Wrangle upabarofsoap,clearoutthemicrowaveandgetreadyfor theexpandingsoaptrick. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.2.2Usethesensestoinvestigateanddescribeanobject Kindergarten7.9.2Observe,discussandcomparecharacteristicsofvarioussolidsandliquids 1st7.9.1Classifysolidsaccordingtotheirsize,shape,color,texture,hardness,abilitytochange shape,magneticattraction,whethertheysinkorfloat,anduse. 2nd7.9.3Describewhathappenswhenwaterisheatedtothepointofevaporation 2nd7.9.1Classifysolidsaccordingtotheirsize,shape,color,texture,hardness,abilityto changeshape,magneticattraction,whethertheysinkorfloat,anduse. 3rd7.9.1Usephysicalpropertiestocompareandcontrastsubstances. 3rd7.9.3Makepredictionsandconductexperimentsaboutconditionsneededtochangethe physicalpropertiesofparticularsubstances. 3rd7.9.4Classifycombinationsofmaterialsaccordingtowhethertheyhaveretainedorlost theirindividualproperties. 4th7.9.2Comparethecausesandeffectsofvariousphysicalchangesinmatter. 4th7.9.1Useappropriatetoolstomeasureandcomparethephysicalpropertiesofvarious solidsandliquids. 5th7.9.1Comparethesimplechemicalpropertiesofcommonsubstances. 5th7.9.2Investigatehowdifferenttypesofmaterialsfreeze,melt,evaporate,ordissipate. 5th7.9.3Usedatafromasimpleinvestigationtodeterminehowtemperaturechangeaffects therateofevaporationandcondensation. Walkdownthedetergentisleandyou'llseedozensofdifferentkindsofsoap.Greensoap, smellysoap,bigsoap,evensoapthatfloats.Ivorysoapisfamousforfloating.Howdothey makesomebarsofsoapfloatandotherssink?Believeitornot,we'regoingtocookthesoapin
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themicrowaveoventouncoverthesecret.Justwaituntilyouseewhathappenswhenthesoap thatfloatsalsocooks.Yougetabarofsoapthatgrowsbiggerthanafootball. Materials BarofIvorysoap Variousbarsofanotherbrandsofsoap Deepbowlofwater(oraplastictub) Papertowel Microwaveoven 1. Fillthebowlwithwater. 2. Dropthebarsofsoapinthebowlofwater.Noticehowallofthebarsofsoapsink exceptfortheIvorybrandsoap.Why? 3. RemovetheIvorysoapfromthewaterandbreakitinhalftoseeifthereareany pocketsofairhidinginthemiddleofthebar.(Bytheway,therearenopocketsofair! Hmmmm?) 4. PlacethebarofIvorysoapinthemiddleofapieceofpapertowelandplacethewhole thinginthecenterofthemicrowaveoven. 5. CookthebarofsoaponHIGHfor2minutes.Don'ttakeyoureyesoffthebarofsoapas itbeginstoexpandanderuptintobeautifulpuffyclouds.Becarefulnottoovercook yoursoapsouffl. 6. Allowthesoaptocoolforaminuteorsobeforetouchingit.Amazing...it'spuffybut rigid. Howdoesitwork? Ivorysoapisoneofthefewbrandsofbarsoapthatfloatsinwater.Ifitfloatsinwater,itmust meanthatit'slessdensethanwater.Whenyoubrokethebarofsoapintoseveralpieces,no largepocketsofairwerediscovered.Ivorysoapfloatsbecauseithasairpumpedintoitduring themanufacturingprocess.Theairfilledsoapwasactuallydiscoveredbyaccidentin1890byan employeeatProctorandGamble.Whilemixingupabatchofsoap,theemployeeforgottoturn offhismixingmachinebeforetakinghislunchbreak.Thiscausedsomuchairtobewhipped intothesoapthatthebarsfloatedinwater.Theresponsebythepublicwassofavorablethat ProctorandGamblecontinuedtowhipairintothesoapandcapitalizedonthemistakeby marketingtheirnewcreationastheSoapthatFloats! Whydoesthesoapexpandinthe
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microwave?Thisisactuallyverysimilartowhathappenswhenpopcornpops.Here'sthesecret: Allsoapcontainswater,bothintheformofwatervaporinsidetrappedairbubbles(particularly importantinthecaseofIvory)andwaterthatiscaughtupinthematrixofthesoapitself.The expandingeffectiscausedbytheheatingofthewaterthatisinsidethesoap.Thewater vaporizes,formingbubbles,andtheheatalsocausestrappedairtoexpand.Likewise,theheat causesthesoapitselftosoftenandbecomepliable.Thiseffectisactuallyademonstrationof Charles'Law.Whenthesoapisheated,themoleculesofairinthesoapmovefastercausing themtomovefarawayfromeachother.Thiscausesthesoaptopuffupandexpandtoan enormoussize.Charles'Lawstatesthatasthetemperatureofagasincreasessodoesits volume.Otherbrandsofsoapwithoutwhippedairtendtoheatupandmeltinthemicrowave. AdditionalInfo Thisexperimentrequiresadultsupervisionandpermissiontousethemicrowaveoven.

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Experiment:DivingKetchup
Causeapacketofketchuptoriseandfalloncommandinabottleofwater.Peoplewillthink thatyouhavetheabilitytomoveobjectwithyourmind!Telekinesis?No,justcoolscience! Materials Plasticsodabottle(1litersizeworksgreat) Ketchuppacketsfromarestaurant Talldrinkingglass Sodabottlecap Water 1.First,you'llneedtoperformafloatorsink testtoseehow theketchuppacketworks.Fillthebowlwithwateranddrop thepacketintoit.Ifitfloats,great!Ifitsinkstothebottom,nosweat.Thisshowsthat atmosphericpressureinthepacketispressinghardenoughontheairbubbleinsidethepacket tosinkit.Ifthishappens,yougettomakemoretripstoyourfavoritefastfoodrestaurantto findaketchuppacketthatjustbarelyfloats! 2.Scrunchthepacketinhalflengthwiseandcarefullypushitintothesodabottle.Fillthebottle fulltothebrimwithwaterandscrewonthecap.Squeezethesidesofthebottleandholdthe squeezetomakethepacketsink.Letgoanditrises. Howdoesitwork? Thepacketfloatsbecauseanairbubblegetstrappedinsidethepacketwhenit'ssealedatthe factory.Ifthepacketsinkswhenyoutestfloatit,thentheairbubbleistoosmalltomakeit float.That'stheeasypart. Asyousqueezethebottleandpushthewateragainstthefloatingpacket,youcompresstheair bubbleintoasmallerspace.Thishappensbecausegasesaremoresquishablethanliquids. Whenyoudecreasethevolume(makingthebubbleofairsmaller),youincreasethedensityof thepacketanditsinks!Whenyoureleasethepressureonthebottle,thecompressedair expandsinsidethepacketandthediverfloatstothetopofthebottle.

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Experiment:FunFlyStick
NEWBatterypoweredstaticelectricitygeneratorthat makesobjectsflyORmakeyourown TheFunFlyStickisaningenious,batteryoperatedstatic electricitygeneratorthatallowsyoutofloattinselshapes onacloudofelectrons.PressthebuttonontheFunFly Stickforafewsecondstogenerateastaticcharge.Drop thetinselshapeontothesticktoquicklytransferthe negativechargetothetinsel.Sincelikechargesrepeleach other,thenegativelychargedtinselshapefloatsabovethe negativelychargedstick.Thelearningcurveisabouttwo minutesandyou'rereadytoamazeeveryonewiththeFunFlyStick. Materials

FunFlyStick 5TinselshapesincludedwithFunFlyStick Pieceoffurorwoolsweater GolfBagPlasticTubeTheseflexibleplastictubesareavailableatsportinggoodsstores andareusedtokeepclubshaftsscratchfreeandthegolfbagmoreorganized.These tubesareaboutameter(3ft)long.

TheHomemadeStaticStick ThisactivitywasoriginallydevelopedbyourgoodfriendBruceYeanywhousesittoteachthe scienceofstaticelectricitytohisstudents. TryIt! 1.Rubthefurupanddownonthegolfbagplastictubetobuildupanegativestaticcharge.Be carefulnottotouchthetubetoanythingoryou'lllosethestaticcharge. 2.Holdthetubeinonehandandpickupthetinselintheotherhand. 3.Holdthetinselintheairanddropitontotheplastictube.Youdon'twanttobetouchingthe tinselwhenittouchesthetubeoryou'llstealawaythestaticcharge. 4.Ifitworkedcorrectly,you'llimmediatelyseethetinselshape"puffup"andfloatabovethe tube.Thestaticchargethatyoubuiltupontheplastictubewillslowlydissipate,butitstayson thetubelongenoughtofloattheobjectforaminuteortwo.
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HowDoesitWork? Rubbingthefuragainsttheplastictubebuildsupanegativechargeonthetube.Touchingthe tinseltothetubetransfersthenegativechargetobothobjects.Thetinselfloatsabovethe wandbecausethelikechargesrepeloneanother. IfyoubuytheFunFlyStick TipsandTricks Hereareafewtipsandtricksthatwe'velearnedfromplayingwiththe FunFlyStick...

SpendafewminuteswiththeaccompanyingtutorialintheFun FlyStickbox.It'swellworthyourinvestmentoftime. TheAAbatteriesgointothehandlewiththe(+)endfirst.This detailisnotexplainedwellintheinstructions.IftheFunFlyStick doesn'tbuzzwhenyoupressthebutton,thebatteriesareloaded backwardsandneedtobereversed. Thetinselshapesarevery,verydelicate!Useextremecarewith theseshapesastheytearveryeasily.Westronglyencouragean adulttohelpyoungchildrenwithhandlingthesetinselshapes. Storethetinselinaheavydutyzipperlockbagforsafekeeping. Rememberthetwosecondrule.Asyou'relearninghowtofloat thetinselshapes,rememberthatyoudon'thavetoconstantly pressthebutton.Justpressthebuttonforafewsecondstobuild upastaticcharge.Pressingthebuttoncontinuouslybothdrains thebatteriesandlessenstheeffectivenessoftheFunFlyStick.

Howdoesitwork? WhenyoupressthebuttonontheFunFlyStickforafewsecondsa negativestaticchargeisgenerated.Whenyoudropthetinselshapeonto thestick,thenegativechargeisquicklytransferredtothetinsel.Since likechargesrepeleachother,thenegativelychargedtinselshapefloats abovethenegativelychargedstick.Ifyouwanttoimpresssomeonewith


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yournewlyacquiredknowledge,justtellthemthattheFunFlyStickisademonstrationof "electrostaticpropulsionandtherepulsionoflikecharges."Okay,ifyoureallywanttoimpress someone,justmaketheshapesfloat!

Experiment:StaticElectricityZingers
Rinseouta1litersodabottleandletitcompletelyairdry.Fillthebottlewith1/4cupof Styrofoambeadsandsealthebottlewithacap.Rubthebottleonyourhead(orbetteryet, yourfriend'shead)oronawoolsweater.Observetheeffectsofstaticelectricityonthebeads. Simplyrunyourhandovertheplasticbottleandbuildupastaticcharge.Watchthestaticbeads insidejumpfromsidetosidetostayawayfromyourfinger. Chargeaballoonandbringitclosetoapingpongball.Theballwillbegintomoveveryslowly towardtheballoon.Movetheballoonaroundandtheballwillfollow. FillaballoonwithsmallStyrofoamballsandtheninflatetheballoon.Becarefultoblowandnot inhaleotherwiseyou'llgetamouthfuloftinyStyrofoamballs!Tieofftheballoonandrubit onyourhead.Observethemovementofstaticballsintheballoonasthestaticchargejumps fromplacetoplace. Chargeaballoonandthenblowsoapbubbles.Bringtheballoonclosetothebubblesandthey riserapidlytowardtheballoon.Nowyoucanteasethebubblearoundtheroomwiththe balloon.

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Space,aScienceFrontier
Rockets:AHistory
EverythingonEarthincludingusishelddownbytheforceofgravity.Withoutgravity,we wouldallfloatoffintospace.ItissaidthatIsaacNewtondiscoveredgravitywhenanapplefell onhishead. Inordertoreachspace,weusearocketpoweredlaunchertoovercomethepullofEarths gravity.Otherideashavebeenputforwardfromtimetotime.In1865,thesciencefiction writerJulesVernesuggestedusingapowerfulguntosendpeopletotheMoon.Morerecently, scientistshavebeenstudyingtheuseofpowerfulmagnetstosendaspacecraftintoorbit. Rocketshavebeenaroundalongtime.TheywereinventedinChina,morethan800yearsago. Thefirstrocketswereverysimpleacardboardtubepackedwithgunpowderandattachedto aguidesticksimilartothefireworksweusetoday. In1232,theChineseusedthese'firearrows'todefeattheinvadingMongolarmy.The knowledgeofhowtomakerocketssoonspreadtotheMiddleEastandEurope,wherethey werealsousedasweapons.Later,theyalsobecamepopularforspectacularfireworkdisplays. Howdoesalauncherwork? Haveyounoticedwhathappensifyoulettheairoutofaballoon?Theairgoesonewayandthe balloonmovesintheoppositedirection.Rocketsworkinmuchthesameway.Exhaustgases comingoutoftheenginenozzleathighspeedpushtherocketforward. Mostmodernlaunchers,suchasthoseusedbyNASA,areverycomplicatedandweigh hundredsoftonsatliftoff.Mostofthisweightisfuel,suchasliquidhydrogenandliquid oxygen. RocketsneedsomuchfuelinordertoovercomeEarthsgravity.Onlywhentheyreachaspeed of28000km/haretheytravellingfastenoughtoenterorbit.

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Experiment:SqueezeBottleRocket
It'seasytoturnajuicebottleintoarocketlauncher. How?Grabafewstraws,somemodelingclayandan emptyjuicebottletomakealauncherthatwillsendthe strawrocketsoaringacrosstheroom.Ok,you'lllearn somethingaboutNewton'sThirdLawofMotionatthe sametime. ThisexperimentwasdesignedusingtheKoolAidBursts juiceproduct.Whileotherflexiblejuicebottlesmay work,theKoolAidproductworksverywell.Thelargerofthetwostrawsshouldfixlooselyover thesmallerstraw.Thereshouldbenofrictionorresistanceatallorthestrawwillnotbeableto launch.Ifyou'retiredofsearchingforstraws,juststopbyStarbuckstoenjoyadrinkandpick upafewstraws.

Materials
KoolAidBurstjuicebottle(flexibleplasticbottle) Modelingclay 2strawsonelargeandonesmall.Thelargerdiameterstrawmustbeabletoslipoverthe smallerstraw.ThelargeandsmallstrawsfromStarbucksworkgreat. 1. Drinkthejuice!Cleananddrythebottle. 2. Pushthesmallerstrawintotheopeningofthebottle.Thestrawshouldfitsnugglyinthe holeatthetopofthebottle. 3. Usemodelingclaytosealanypossibleleaksbetweenthestrawandtheholeinthe bottle.Theclaywillalsomakethestrawmorestableandlesslikelytowobble. 4. Pushoneendofthebiggerstrawintoanotherpieceofmodelingclay.This"plug"will sealtheendofthestraw.CoverthepluggedendwithsomethingsoftlikeaStyrofoam packingpeanuttokeepthestrawrocketfromhurtinganyoneincasetheyaccidentally gethit. 5. It'stimetolaunch...Placethelargerstrawoverthesmallerstraw.Ready,aim,squeeze! Thelargerstrawlaunchesoffthesmallerstrawandtheroomeruptsinachorusofoohs &ahhhs!

Howdoesitwork?

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Whileyou'rehavingfunlaunchingstraws,you'reactuallylearningaboutNewton'sThirdLawof Motion.AccordingtoNewton,foreveryactionthereisanequalandoppositereaction.Asyou squeezethebottle,airisforcedoutofthestrawandpushesagainsttheclaypluginthelarger straw.Theresultingforcecausesthestrawto"launch"throughtheair.

AdditionalInfo
Becareful!Neverpointthestrawrocketatanyone.Thegoalhereistolaunchtherocketupin theair(notatsomeone).Besuretocoverthepluggedendofthestrawwithsomethingsoft androundtoprotectsomeonefromaccidentallygettinghurtbyasharpedge.Becreative! Onceyou'vemasteredthesimplestrawrocket,challengeyourfriendstoastrawrocketdesign contest.Addanosecone,somefins,afewdecorations,anddon'tforgettonameyourstraw rocket!

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Experiment:PVCRocketLauncher
HowtomakeanamazingrocketlauncheroutofPVCandcompressedair. ExamplesofCorrelatingStandards: Kindergarten7.11.1Useavarietyofobjectstodemonstratedifferenttypesofmovement(e.g., straightline/zigzag,backwards/forward,sidetoside,incircles,fast/slow). 1st7.11.2Investigateandexplainhowdifferentsurfacesaffectthemovementofanobject 4th7.11.2Designandinvestigationtoidentifyfactorsthataffectthespeedanddistance traveledbyanobjectinmotion. 5th7.10.5Demonstratedifferentwaysthatenergycanbetransferredfromoneobject another. 5th7.11.1Predicthowtheamountofmassaffectsthedistancetraveledgiventhesame amountofappliedforce. 5th7.11.3Designandconductexperimentsusingasimpleexperimentaldesigntodemonstrate thatrelationshipamongmass,force,anddistancetraveled. 5th7.12.1Explainandgiveexamplesofhowforcesactatadistance. 5th7.12.2Demonstratehowtheshapeofanobjectaffectshowitfallstowardtheearth. 5th7.12.3Designandexplainaninvestigationexploringtheearth'spullonobjects. 7th7.11.3Summarizethedifferencebetweenspeedandvelocitybasedonthedistanceand theamountoftimetraveled. 7th7.11.4Recognizehowanetforceimpactsanobject'smotion. Iwasfirstintroducedtothisincredibleteachingtool in2001whilespeakingtheU.S.SpaceCampfor Educators.Aspartoftheweeklongexperience, teacherslearnedhowtouseHomerHickam'sRocket Boyswithmultigradelevelsandinavarietyof subjectareastonotonlyinspirestudentstowork hardtoseethattheirdreamscometrue,buttoalso introduceandreinforceskillsandconceptsinsome verycreativeways.Thedocumentsbelowareoffered bytheU.S.SpaceCampandtheSpaceAcademyforEducatorsinanefforttobringthewonder, discoveryandexplorationofspaceandrocketryintoawidevarietyofclassrooms.

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Magnets:AHistory
Magnetshavebeeninuseforthousandsofyears.Thefirstknownreferencetomagnetism datesbacktothe4thcenturyB.C.E.fromaChineseliteraryworkcalled"BookoftheDevil ValleyMaster."Inthisbook,itwaswrittenthat"lodestoneattractsirontoit." Magnetsaremysteriousobjects.Theyhaveaninvisibleforce,bywhichtheycanattractorrepel otherobjects.Magnetsarebeingusedbypeopleinmanydevices.Forexample,youcanfind magnetsinhairdryers,telephones,vacuumcleaners,electricmowers,andcassetterecorders. Computersusemagnetstosaveinformation.Hugemagnetsareusedtoseparatedifferent kindsofgarbage.Theearthitselfisahugemagnettoo.Nowpeopleuseelectromagnetsin trains.Thisisatrainwithoutwheels.Itmoveswithouttouchingtherails.Inthetrainandinthe railsaremagnetsthatrepeleachother.Thetrainiskeptintheairbythemagneticpowerandis movedforwardbyittoo. Didyouknow... Thecolorsofthenorthandsouthpolearemadebythemagnetismoftheearth. Someacademicpeoplethinkthathomingpigeons,birdsusedtocarrymessages,find theirwayhomebythemagneticfieldoftheearth. Magnetsaremadebypouringhotliquidsteelintomoldsandthenlettingitcooldownin anareathathasastrongmagneticfield. Atonepointinhistory,itwasthoughtthatlodestonecouldbeusedtokeeptheskin lookingyouthful.Infact,Cleopatrawasreportedtohavesleptonanaturalmagnetfor manyyears.ThetherapeuticreputationoflodestonewaspassedontotheGreeks,as well,whobeganusingmagnetsforhealingaround2500B.C.E.AristotleandPlato frequentlywroteofthebenefitsoflodestonesintheirworks.

Theblackisometricmineral,magnetite,isamongthemostabundantoftheEarth'sminerals andcanbefoundinbeachsand,inmeteorites,andinthenaturalabrasiveemery.Thenaturally magneticvarietyisknownasalodestone,firstdiscoveredintheChinesedesertaround3000 B.C. ThemagneticpropertyoflodestonewasfirststudiedbytheGreekphilosopherThales(624 B.C.546B.C.);hissampleswerefoundintheregionofMagnesia,undoubtedlygivingrisetothe name"magnet."

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Magnetswereusefulinmakingcompasses,theinventionofwhichiscreditedtotheChinese. Chinesesailorsusedcompassestohelpthemnavigatearoundtheworld.Thenextadvancedid notoccurfornearly2,000yearswhenFrenchscholarPetrusPeregrinus(1240?)consideredthe possibilityofusingmagneticforcetorunamotor.InthisheanticipatedMichaelFaradayand JosephHenrybynearly600years. In1269Peregrinusdiscoveredthatmagnetshadanorthandsouthpole,andhewasableto determinenorthfromsouth(identicalpolesrepelledeachother;oppositesattracted).Healso showedthatbreakingamagnetinhalfdidnotisolatethetwopoles;eachhalfbecamea completemagnethavingbothpoles. ItwasPeregrinus'beliefthatamagnetizedneedlepointedtothepoleoftheearth,whichlater ledWilliamGilbert(15441603)tospeculateabouttheearthhavingamagneticfield. Peregrinusalsosuggestedanimprovementtothecompassbymountingtheneedleonapivot, asopposedtomountingitonacorkfloatinginwater. HansChristianOersteddiscoveredthatanelectriccurrentproducedamagneticfield,paving thewayfortheinventionofartificialmagnetscalledelectromagnets.

Experiment:MakeaCompass
Makeacompass,andyou'llalwaysknowwhichdirectionyou'reheaded.Youcanmakea floatingcompassoraChinesehangingcompassorboth! WhatYou'llNeed:

2needles(oneforeachcompass) Magnet Straightpin Cork Scissors 2clearplasticcups(oneforeachcompass) Water Thread Pencil

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MagnetizedNeedleforBothCompasses Step1:Rubthepointedendoftheneedlealongonesideofthemagnet,alwaysrubbinginthe samedirection.Dothisabout30timestomagnetizetheneedle. Step2:Testthemagnetizedneedlebytryingtopickupthestraightpinwithit.Ifyoucanpick upthepin,theneedleisready. Step3:Ifyouwillbemakingbothcompasses,repeattheprocesswiththeotherneedle. FloatingCompass Step1:Cutasmallpieceofcork,andpushthemagnetizedneedlethroughit. Step2:Fillaplasticcupwithwater. Step3:Carefullyplacethecorkwiththemagnetizedneedleintothecupsothecorkfloatsin thecenter.Themagnetizedendwillalwaysfacenorth. ChineseHangingCompass Step1:Tieanendofashortpieceofthreadtothecenterofthemagnetizedneedle. Step2:Tietheotherendofthethreadtoapencil. Step3:Placethepencilovertherimoftheplasticcup.Again,themagnetizedendoftheneedle willpointnorth.

Experiment:MagnetizedPaperClipChain
Amagnetizedpaperclipchainshowshowmagnetismcanbecreatedbyinduction.Thatmeans anobjectcanbecomemagnetizeditselfifitisplacednexttoamagnetizedobject.Trythisto seehowonepaperclipinthechainmagnetizesthenext. WhatYou'llNeed:

Strongmagnet Paperclips

Step1:Takeastrongmagnet,andholdapapercliptoit.
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Step2:Touchasecondpapercliptothefirstonethatishangingfromthemagnet.Thesecond paperclipwillbeattractedtothefirstonebecausethefirstcliphasbecomeamagnet. Step3:Continueaddingpaperclipsinthiswaytoseehowlongofachainyoucancreate. Step4:Takethefirstpaperclipoffthemagnet.Dotheotherpaperclipsstayjoinedtogether, ordotheyimmediatelyfall?

Experiment:AMeteoriteHitYourHouse!
Itstrue.Yourhomeorschoolwashitbyameteoriteandyousurvivedtheimpact.Okay,so maybethemeteoritewassmallinsizeverysmallsosmallyoudneedamicroscopetosee itbutyouwerehit.Chancesareyourschoolhasbeenhitbyafewthousandmicrometeorites, andyoullbeabletofindafewifyouknowthesecretplacetolook.Thenexttimeitrains,place abucketunderadrainspoutinordertocollectagoodquantityofrain.Getridoftheleaves androofingmaterialsandthensifttheremainsthroughabitofoldwindowscreen.What youreafterissosmallthatyoullneedaverystrong magnet(neodymiummagnet)tofindthem.Usethissuper strongmagnettodetermineifanyoftheremaining particlescontainiron.Thoseparticlesmaybespacedust, alsoknownasmicrometeorites.Placethecollected particlesunderamicroscopehighpowerwillberequired toseethemclearly.Themicrometeoriteswillshowsignsof theirfierytripthroughtheatmospheretheywillbe roundedandmayhavesmallpitsontheirsurfaces.Most meteoritesfallingthroughearthsatmospherewillburnupbeforelandingonearth,butsome willreachtheearthinmicroscopicsizes. PiecesofrockandmetalfrequentlycollidewithEarthsupperatmosphere.Mostoftheseare nobiggerthanagolfballbutaretravelingattensofthousandsofkilometersperhour.The atmosphereisverythinatthisaltitudeof80to100kilometers(50to62miles),however,it createsenoughfrictiontocausethesetravelersfromspacetoheatuptotemperaturesthat makethemburnbrightly.Thesearethefireballsintheskythatarerightlycalledmeteors, althoughtheyareoftenreferredtoasshootingstars. Mostmeteorsburnupcompletelyintheatmosphereandneverreachtheground.Thosethat survivethetripandreachthesurfaceofEartharecalledmeteorites.Whileitisgenerally believedthatmeteoritesarefairlyrare,inrealityabout30,000tonsofextraterrestrialmaterial
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aredepositedonEartheachyear;bitsofcomets,chunksofasteroids,debrisfromthe formationofoursolarsystemmorethanfourbillionyearsago.Sowhyarentmeteoritesseen moreoftensittingontheground?Firstofall,thelargestportionofthismaterialfallsintothe oceans,andsecondly,mostofthematerialthatreachesthesurfaceismicroscopic,muchtoo smalltobenoticed.Thesearethetinyspecimensknownasmicrometeorites.Astonsof micrometeoritesfalleachyear,theygentlylandinourfields,onourhomes,andonus. OneofthebestplacestostudymicrometeoritesisAntarctica.Inthisisolatedenvironment,very littleearthborndebrisfalls,soanyparticlesfoundonthecleanSouthPoleicehaveagreater likelihoodofbeingextraterrestrial.Infact,whatmaybethelargestcollectionof micrometeoritesisinthehandsoftheColdRegionsResearchandEngineeringLaboratories. SincemostofuscantarrangeafieldtripAntarctica,hereisawaythatyoucancollect micrometeoritesinyourhometownwiththehelpoftherain.Micrometeoritesfalleverywhere, butcollectverynicelyonroofs.Whenrainfalls,spacedustiswashedofftheroofandthrough thedownspouts.Positionadeepbowlorbucketunderadownspout.Manythingswillcollectin yourbucket;leaves,twigs,sands,etc.Collectthismaterialfromyourbucketanddryitout. Removethelargerpiecesofdebris,suchasleaves,andspreadtheremainingmaterialona sheetofpaper(orplastic).Slowlyrunastrongneodymiummagnetbackandforthunderthe paper.(Note:Wheneverusinganeodymiummagnettocollectparticles,itsalwaysagoodidea toplaceitinaplasticbagtokeepitclean.)Whenyoufeelyouhaveattractedmostofthe metallicparticles,tiltthepaperupsothatthenonferrousmaterialsfallfromthesheet. MuchofwhatyouhavecollectedwillbeEarthborndebris.Tofindthemicrometeoritesyouwill needtoexaminethecollectedparticlesunderamicroscope.Highpowerwillberequiredtosee themclearly.Lookforparticlesthatareroundedandmayhavesmallpitsontheirsurface.This isevidenceofamicrometeoritesfierytripthroughtheatmosphere.

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Experiment:MagneticMoney
It'strue,moneyismagnetic!You'llneedtogetyourhandsonasuper strongneodymiummagnettouncoveranamazingsecret. Materials SuperStrongNeodymiumMagnet Believeitornot,dollarbillsareprintedwithmagneticinksasaway toreducecounterfeiting.Foldthedollarbillinhalfasshownandhold theneodymiummagnetnearthebottomofthebill.Noticehowthe bottomofthebillmoveswhentheironinthebillisattractedtothe magnet.BobBecker,ateacherinKirkwood,Missouri,taketheexperimentonestepfurtherby turningadollarbillintosoupinablender.Thatsright,heblendsadollarbillwithabout200mL (1cup)ofwater.Themagnetisheldontheoutsideoftheblenderwhiletheslurryiswhirling around.Theblenderisstoppedandthemagnetisslowlypulledawayfromtheblenderto revealthespotofiron.Besuretoperformtheexperimentwithaborrowedbill!Justremindthe lenderthatyoureincreasinghisliquidassetsorthatyouvefoundawaytoincreaseher cashflowproblems.Yes,BobBeckerisafunnyguy...oratleastthatswhathisattorneysays. Howdoesitwork? Neodymiummagnets(NdFeB)arecomposedofneodymium,iron,boronandafewtransition metalsmakingthemsomeofthestrongestmagnetsintheworld.Magnetsofalltypescreatea magneticfield,withbothanorthandsouthpoles.Themagneticfieldcreatedbythe neodymiummagnetsissostrong;itwilllineuptomatchthemagneticnorthandsouthofthe earth.Itmakesagreatcompass! Onamoreseriousnote,thelargemagnetsaresostrongthattheymayevenbedangerousif nothandledproperly.Apairofthesemagnetswillleapintoadeadlyembracefromover6 inchesapartandmayknockchipsoffthemselvesfromtheforceoftheimpact.You'llbeamazed atthesuperstrengthofthemagnets,butwemustwarnyoutobecareful.Anytypeof magneticmediawillbehistoryinthepresenceofoneoftheselargeneodymiummagnets.

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Experiment:MoneyinaBlenderAMoneySmoothie
U.S.dollarbillsareprintedwithspecialinksthatcontaintracesofironandothermagnetic materialinanefforttopreventcounterfeiting.So,theonlylogicalquestionthatfollowsis,"Can yougettheironoutofadollarbill?"SteveSpangleracceptedthechallengewiththehelpofhis friend,BobBecker,whofoundamostunusualwaytoextracttheironfromadollarbill.You'll beamazedathowmuchironisinasingledollarbill.

Materials
You'llneed: A$1bill(besuretoborrowitfromafriend) Akitchenblender Water Azipperlockbag SuperStrongNeodymiumMagnet Someadultsupervision. 1. You'llneedadollarbill.Nowyoucouldjustdigdown deepintoyourownpockettofindabilloryoucantake BobBecker'sadviceandborrowthebillfromafriend. Hey,whyshouldyouhavetoprovidetheentertainment andpayforittoo? 2. Filltheblenderhalffullwithwater(between3and4 cups). 3. Afterthebillhasbeenthoroughlyexaminedtoverify thatit'sreal,dropthedollarbillintotheblenderandput onthelid. 4. What'snext?Makedollarbillsoup!Grindit,blendit, liquefyitjustmakesureit'stornintothousandsoflittlepieces.Oh,bytheway,theU.S. TreasuryhasanunofficialcommentonthisactivityAslongasyoudon'ttrytospend yourliquidmoney",youcandowhateveryouwantwithyourdollarbill,Iguess ."So, don'ttrytospendthemoneyafteryoublendit. 5. Afterthemoneyhasbeengrindingawayforatleastaminute,stoptheblenderand pourthecontentsintoaquartsizezipperlockbag. 6. PlacetheSuperStrongNeodymiumMagnetinthepalmofyourhandandplacethebag ofmoneysoupontopofthemagnet.Placeyourlastremaininghandontopofthebag androcktheslurrybackandforthinanefforttodrawalloftheirontothemagnet.Flip yourhandsoverandlookcloselyattheironthatisattractedtothemagnet.Youcan slowlypullthemagnetawayfromthebagtorevealtheiron!
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Howdoesitwork?
Neodymiummagnets(NdFeB)arecomposedofneodymium,iron,boronandafewtransition metals.Thesemagnetsareextremelystrongfortheirsmallsize.Asitturnsout,atleastsomeof theironinthedollarbillsiselemental.Theinksaremagneticwhichmakesiteasytoreadthe billswithmachines.BobBeckersharedthefollowinginformationtohelpstudentsbetter understandtherealworldapplication: 1. Whatevidenceistherethattheinkinadollarbillismadeofiron,insteadofsomeother metal?Theinkisstronglyattractedtoamagneticfield.Ironisoneofonlyafewmetals thatisattractedtoamagnet. 2. Istheironincurrencypresentasionsorelementaliron?Elementaliron.Theionsare notthatstronglyattractedtoamagneticfield. 3. Whataretheadvantagestohavingmagneticmaterialsincurrency.Thebillmayberead bymachinesmoreeasily.Itmayalsohelppreventcounterfeiting. BobBeckeradds,"Oncetheblenderhasbeenturnedon,thedistraughtstudentcanbe comfortedwithsuchremarksas'Don'tworry,I'mjustincreasingyourliquidassets!'or'Just think,you'llneverhaveaproblemwithcashflowagain!'"

AdditionalInfo
Wait...isn'titillegaltodestroymoney?WhenSteveSpangleroriginallydemonstratedthis experimentontelevision,hecontactedtheU.S.MintofficialsinDenver,Coloradoandaskedfor clarificationonthislaw... Section333.Mutilationofnationalbankobligations Whoevermutilates,cuts,defaces,disfigures,orperforates,orunitesorcementstogether,or doesanyotherthingtoanybankbill,draft,note,orotherevidenceofdebtissuedbyany nationalbankingassociation,orFederalReservebank,ortheFederalReserveSystem,with intenttorendersuchbankbill,draft,note,orotherevidenceofdebtunfittobereissued,shall befinedunderthistitleorimprisonednotmorethansixmonths,orboth. TheofficialsattheU.S.Minttellusthatthelawonlyprohibitsyoufromdestroyingordefacing moneyifyoustillintendtouseitasmoney.Ifyou'redestroyingitforsomeotherreason,it's legal.That'showthecompaniesthatmakethesouvenircoinflatteningmachinesormagicians whomakespecialcoinsgetawaywithit.Infact,thislawisactuallyprintedonthesideofsome ofthecoinflatteningmachinesasaresultofsomanyquestionsfrompeoplewhohaveheard aboutthelawbutdonotreallyunderstandit.Destroyingaonedollarbillforthesakeof
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extractingthemagneticinkprobablymeansthatyouarenotgoingtotrytoreturntheliquefied billintocirculation.So,there'syourgetoutofjailfreecard.

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Experiment:MagicSand
Howcansomethingsubmergedinwaterstaydry?Whenordinarysandgetswet,theresultisa clumpymess.However,"MagicSand"beginsasnormal lookingsand,untilit'scoatedwithasubstancethatrepels water.Thisspecialcoatingkeepsthesanddryevenafterit hasbeendumpedintoacontainerofwater.Buildcastles andotherstructuresunderthewater,thensimplypourthe wateroffwhenyou'refinishedandthesandisstilldry! Materials

MagicSand Regularsand Water,cups Plasticsodabottle Vegetableoil Foodcoloring Plasticspoons.

WhatMakesMagicSandMagic? 1. Fillacup3/4fullwithwater. 2. SlowlypourMagicSandinacontinuousstreamintothewater.Lookcloselyatthesand. Whatisthatsilverlikecoatingonthesand? 3. Pouroffthewaterfromthesandintoasecondcontainer.Letthemtouchthesandand seewhattheyfind.Toeveryonesamazement,thesandiscompletelydry!Tobetter understandhowMagicSandworks,trythisdemonstration


o o

Fillaplasticsodabottle(16oz.workswell)3/4fullwithwater. Filltheremainingportionofthebottlewithvegetableoilormineraloil. Immediately,thestudentswillnoticethattheoilandwaterdonotmix.

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Addafewdropsoffoodcoloringtothemixture.Noticehowthefoodcoloring onlycolorsthewaterandnottheoilevenwhenthebottleisshaken.

Howdoesitwork? Thisisagreatdemonstrationtointroducestudentstothepropertiesofsubstancesthatare hydrophobicandhydrophilic.Hydrophobicsubstancesdonotmixwithwater.Thetermwater fearingisoftenusedtodescribethewordhydrophobic.Hydrophilicsubstances,ontheother hand,arewaterloving.Noticehowthedropsoffoodcoloringcoloronlythewaterandnot theoil.Sinceoilishydrophobic,theoildidnotmixwiththefoodcoloringorthewater.What areotherexamplesofoilandwaternotmixing?Anewlywaxedcarwillmakewaterformbeads onitssurface.Oilfromcarswillfloatontopofpuddles.Oilandvinegarsaladdressingsneedto beshakenupbeforeusing.So,howdoesMagicSandwork?Thesurfaceofsandgrainsismade wetbywater,whichmeansthatwatermoleculesareattractedtosandgrains.Remember,this waterlovingpropertyofsandiscalledahydrophilicproperty.MagicSandisregularsandthat hasbeencoatedwithanoillikesubstancethatiswaterhatingorhydrophobic. AdditionalInfo RegularSandvs.MagicSand ForthisactivityyoullneedasmallamountofregularsandandMagicSand.Fill2cupswith water.Useaspoontosprinkleasmallamountofregularsandintooneofthecups.Noticehow thesandimmediatelysinks.SprinkleathinlayerofMagicSandonthesurfaceofthewaterin thesecondcup.WhydoestheMagicSandfloatonthesurfacewhereastheregularsandsinks? Thesurfaceoftheregularsandgrainsismadewetbywater,whichmeansthatwatermolecules areattractedtosandgrains.MagicSandisregularsandthathasbeencoatedwithanoillike substancesoitiswaterhating.TheMagicSandgrainsliketostayincontactwitheachother. Also,thesurfacetensionofthewatermakestheMagicSandfloat. MakingMagicSandWet PourasmallamountofMagicSandinacupofwater.Asexpected,theMagicSandstaysdry. Addabout12dropsofliquiddetergenttothewateranduseaspoontostirthemixture.Soap breaksdowntheoilcoatingonthesandandlowersitshydrophobicproperties.Addingsoap removesthemagicfromMagicSandandcausesittobehavelikeregularsand.Thesecretis revealed! OtherUsesforMagicSand ThecoatingonMagicSandislikeScotchguard,whichissprayedonfabrictoprotectitfrom stains.MagicSandwasoriginallydevelopedasawaytotrapoilspilledfromoiltankersnearthe shore.TheideawasthatwhenMagicSandwassprinkledonfloatingpetroleum,itwouldmix
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withtheoilandmakeitheavyenoughtosink.Thiswouldpreventtheoilfromcontaminating beaches.However,itisnotbeingusedforthispurpose,perhapsbecauseoftheexpenseof makingMagicSand.AnotherpotentialuseofMagicSandistoburyjunctionboxesforelectric andtelephonewiresintheArcticinordertoprotecttheutilitiesfromtheextremecold temperaturesbutmakeiteasytodigupforrepairs.Normalearthisfrozensohardbecauseof moisturecontentthatitisdifficulttodig.However,MagicSandremainsdryandiseasytodig, regardlessofhowcolditis. ScienceandLiteratureConnection ExperimentationwithMagicSandisfascinating.YoumightbeginbyreadingthestoryJohnny CastleseedwrittenbyEdwardOrmondroyd.Afterintroducingthestory,havethestudents experimentwithdifferenttypesofsand(beachsand,coloredsand,etc.).Letthemmixsandand waterandfeelthesand.Askthemwhyitfeelswet.Thenit'stimetointroduceMagicSand.

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Experiment:BounceNoBounceBalls
Youmightbesurprisedtofindballsthatdon'tbounce,squish,changecolororevensplatonthe floor.It'sagreatwaytoexplorethescienceoftoys.

Materials

BounceNoBounceBallslookandfeelthesame,butonebouncesandtheotheroneis completelydead! Popperscaneitherbemadeusingtheinstructionsbeloworpurchasedfrom stevespanglerscience.com.

BounceNoBounceBalls Theblackrubberballslookandfeelidenticalineverywayexceptinthewaytheybounce.One ballbounceslikeasuperballwhiletheotherballis"dead ."Sincetheballslookandfeelthe same,it'seasytocleverlyswitchthe"nobounce" ballfortheonethatbounceswhichresults inquestionsandlaughter. Thesecretisinthetypeofmaterialusedtomaketheballs.Theballthatbouncesismadeoutof anaturalrubberthatishighlyresilientandveryelasticit'sgreatforbouncing.The"no bounce "ballismadeoutofaspecialtypeofrubber(usuallybutylrubber)thatabsorbsthe kineticenergyofthefallingballinsteadofchangingitintopotentialenergy.This"nobounce" rubberwasconsideredforuseinmakingcarbumperslessresilientinacrash.Inrunningshoes, thesuperiorshockabsorbingabilityofthe"nobounce"rubberhelpsalleviateproblemscaused bythetremendouspoundingsufferedbyfeet,legsandankles. RacquetBallConservesEnergy! Thisactivityrequiresanadultonewhoissmartandonewhocanusesharpobjects! Withasharpknifeorrazorblade(caution!!!),slicearacquetballintotwohalves.Trimeachhalf sothatitisslightlysmallerthanahemisphere.Turnthehehemisphereinsideoutanddropit, bulgesideup,onahardsurface.Theballwillsnapandreboundtoaheightmuchgreaterthan thatfromwhichitwasdropped. Workisrequiredtoturnthehemisphereinsideoutandthisworkisstoredaspotentialenergy. Asthedroppedballhitsthehardsurface,thispotentialenergyisreleasedandconvertedto kineticenergy,allowingtheballtoreboundtoagreaterheight. Ifyoudon'twanttoruinaperfectlygoodracquetball,tryourPoppers.Theyarecolorfulfun andgiveyouthesameeffect!
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Experiment:DisappearingInk It'sajokeshopclassic...disappearingink.There'sjust somethingfunnyaboutsquirtingdarkblue"ink"on someone'sshirtonlytohaveitdisappearlikemagic.Best ofall,there'sactuallysomegreatacidbasechemistry behindallofthepranksterfun. Materials It'sprobablycheapertobuy99bottlesofdisappearinginkfromthetoystorethantopurchase thechemicalsrequiredtomakethesolution. Ifyoudodecidetomakeyourownink,you'llneed:

thymolphthalein(acommonacidbaseindicatorintheformofapowder) ethylalcohol 3molarsodiumhydroxide water safetyglasses.

Safetyfirst...Neverspraydisappearinginkintoanyone'sface. 1. Add1gramofthymolphthaleininto100mLofethylalcohol.Thesolutionwillrequire stirringtodissolveallofthepowder. 2. Add900mLofwatertothesolutionandstir.Don'tworryifthesolutionlookswhite that'sbecausethethymolphthaleinindicatorisnotsolubleinwater.Noworries,the nextstepwillfixeverything. 3. Slowlyadd10mLof3molarsodiumhydroxidetothesolutiontoturntheliquidadark blue. Caution:Sodiumhydroxide(commonlyknownaslye)isacausticsolutionandmustbehandled byanadult.Oncethesodiumhydroxideisdilutedwithwater,thesolutionissafetouseas disappearingink,butcaremustbetakenbecausethepHoftheinksolutionisabout10(basic). Besuretowashyourhandswellwithwaterafterhandlingthemoreconcentratedsolution.
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Alwaystestthedisappearinginkonasmallpieceofwhitefabrictomakesurethatitactually disappears.Inafewseconds,theinkstainwilldisappear.Thecolorwillvanishmorequicklyif youapplyacottonballdampenedwithvinegarorifyoublowonthespot(thecarbondioxidein yourbreathisthesecret!).ThepHoftheinksolutionis1011,butafterexposuretoairwill droptoapHof56.Thedampspotwilleventuallydry.Awhiteresiduemaybevisibleonsome darkfabrics.Besuretostorethedisappearinginksolutioninasealedcontainer.Allofthe materialsmaybesafelypoureddownthedrain. Howdoesitwork? Thesecrettomakingtheinkdisappeariscarbondioxideintheairwhichreactswiththewater inthesolutiontoformcarbonicacid.Thecarbonicacidthenreactswiththesodiumhydroxide inaneutralizationreactiontoformsodiumcarbonate.ThislowersthepHofthesolutionwith thealcoholactingasanacidtoturntheindicatorcolorlessandtheinkstainmagically disappears.The"fadingtime"canbeprolongedbyaddingasmallamount(usedropstomake theseadjustments)ofsodiumhydroxide.Butcareshouldbetakennottoaddtoomuchsodium hydroxide.Bytheway,didyouknowthatreddisappearinginkcanbemadeusing phenolphthalein(averycommonacidbaseindicator)inplaceofthymolphthalein. InSteve'sversionofthedemonstration,heusedacarbondioxidefireextinguishertomakethe stainvanishquicklyveryquickly.Thisshouldnotbedonebyanyonewhohasnotbeenproperly trainedinhowtoselecttherightfireextinguisherandhowtouseitforthispurpose.Thanksto LeeMarekforinspiringthousandsofscienceteacherstouseacarbondioxidefireextinguisher withthedisappearinginkdemonstration.

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Experiment:MakeaCO2Sandwich
Explorethepopfactorofvinegarandbakingsoda. Momalwayswarnedusnevertoplaywithourfoodbutno onesaidthatthewrapperswereofflimits.Here'safun activitythatusessomecommonitemsthatyou'llfindaround thehouseandalittlecreativitytoexplorethe"pop"factorof vinegarandbakingsoda. Thisactivityrequiressafetyglassesandadultsupervision. Why?Justbecause(thatssomethingMomsaidallofthe time). Materials Safetyglasses Measuringcupandspoons Vinegar Bakingsoda Reclosablebag(aquartsizezipperlockbag) ToiletPaper 1. Tearoffasquareoftoiletpaper. 2. Twistorfoldthetoiletpaperaroundthepileofbakingsodamakingasmallpacket. 3. Itsbesttohavesomeonehelpyouwiththenextfewsteps.Openthezipperlockbag andmeasurea1/4cupofvinegarintothebag.Adda1/4cupofwarmwatertothebag. 4. Zipthebagclosed,butnotalltheway.Youwantasmallopeningjustlargeenoughto sneakinthewrappedupbakingsoda. 5. IT'STIMEFORAFIELDTRIP.Movetheexperimenttothesink,orbetteryetOUTSIDE! Remember,itsallaboutteamwork.Dropthebakingsodabundleintothebagand quicklysealthebagclosed.Placethebagontheground(orinthesinkifyoureindoors) andgetoutoftheway.Watchcloselyasthebagbeginstopuffupitgetsbiggerand biggeruntilBAM!Popgoesthesandwichbag. Howdoesitwork?

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Sure,bubblingliquidsandpoppingbagsarefun,butwhatsthesciencebehindtheexploding lunchbag?Whenyoumixvinegarandbakingsoda,achemicalreactiontakesplaceproducinga gascalledcarbondioxide(CO2).Ifyoureallywanttoimpressyourfriends,usethechemical namesforeachoftheingredients.Aceticacid(thatsvinegar)plussodiumbicarbonate(baking soda)producescarbondioxidegasandwater.Thebagpuffsupbecausethecarbondioxidegas takesuplotsofspace,eventuallyfillingthebag.Iftheresmoregasthanthebagcanhold KABOOM!Ifyourelucky,thezipperlocksealwillbustopen,butthebagwillnotbreak.Now youcanreusethebagtomakeanotherCO2sandwich.Wrappingthebakingsodaintissue paperisacleverwayofslowingdownthereaction.Ittakesafewsecondsmorefortissuepaper todissolvesothatthevinegarandbakingsodamix. ButWait!TheresMore

Howdoesthetemperatureofthewateraffectthepop?Repeattheexperimentusing coldwaterinsteadofwarmwater. Trychangingtheamountofvinegarandbakingsodayouusetoseehowthereaction changes.Remembertoonlychangeonething(variableatatime).Forexample,youcan increasetheamountofvinegaryouuseto1/2cup,butbesuretokeeptheamountof bakingsoda(onetablespoon)andthewater(1/4cup)thesame.Bychangingonlyone variableatatime,youllbeabletodeterminewhichingredienthasthemostimpacton thePOP! Wrapthebakingsodaintwoorthreepiecesoftissue.Howwillthisaffectthereaction? Whatare3morevariablesyoucanchange?

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IceCream:AHistory
AccordingtoNationalGeographic.com,somebelievethaticecreamoriginatedinChinaaround 200B.C.,whenaconcoctionofmilkandricewaspackedinsnowtoharden.Anotherlegendhas itthattheRomanemperor,Nero,iscreditedasthefirstpersontomakeicecream.Nero commandedslavestobringsnowdownfromthemountains.Thentheslavessprintedbackto thekitchenbeforeitcouldmelt,wherecooksflavoredthesnowwithfruit,wine,orhoney. In1846,NancyJohnsoninventedthehandcrankedicecreamchurnandicecreamsurgedin popularity.Then,in1904,icecreamconeswereinventedattheSt.LouisWorldExposition.An icecreamvendorranoutofdishesandimprovisedbyrollingupsomewafflestomakecones. Americansloveicecream.TheUnitedStatesproduces1.6billiongallonsoffrozendesserts annually.Weexportabout40millionofthosegallonstoothercountries,especiallyJapan. Andtherest?Weeatit.EachyearAmericansspendalmost$20billiononicecreamandother frozendesserts. TheonethingAmericansdidn'tdowithicecreamwasinventit.Sowhodid?Nooneknowsfor sure.Thefollowinglistisatasteofthehistoryandmysteryofthispopularfood. OLDWORLD Atfirst,icecreamwasmainlyatreatfortherichandtheroyal.Beforerefrigeration,icewas rareandexpensive.Makingicecreamalsotookhours,soithelpedtohaveservantswhocould doit. SweetSnow A.D.54:NerobecameemperorofRome.Heknewhowtothrowafeast.Fordessert,heserved aoneofakindtreat:sweetsnow.Tomakeit,Nero'sslavesranupintothemountainsand gatheredsnow.Thentheysprintedbacktothekitchen,wherecooksflavoredthesnowwith fruit,wine,orhoney. CoolLegend 1295:ItalianexplorerMarcoPoloreturnedhomeafter17yearsinChina.HisDescriptionofthe WorldamazedEuropeans.Amongthestrangethingshesawwas"milkdriedintoakindof paste."Overtime,thatpieceofPolo'sstorygrewintothelegendthathebroughthomearecipe foricecream.Hedidn't. RareTreat 1660s:WealthyEuropeansenjoyedararenewtreat"waterices."Beforelong,creativecooks
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addedcreamtothemix.Tomakethingsreallyfancy,theyusedmetalmoldstoformicecream intoallsortsofshapes. COMINGTOAMERICA LikemostAmericans,icecreamwasanimmigrant.And,likemostimmigrants,itchangedalot afterarriving.Withtheriseoffactoriesinthe1800s,icecreambecameamassproducedtreat. By1900,almostanyonecouldaffordit. FoundingFans 1744:Inhisdiary,colonistWilliamBlackmentioned"fineIceCream"atadinnerpartyin Maryland.That'sthefirstrecordofAmericanicecream.Fansofthiscooltreatlaterincluded GeorgeWashingtonandThomasJefferson.Inthe1780s,JeffersonwasadiplomatinFrance.He becamefondofvanillaandprobablyintroducedittoAmerica.Vanillaisnowthebestsellingice creamflavor. MightyMachine 1843:Makingicecreamtookalotofmuscle.Thefirststepwasputtingapailofcreaminsidea bucketofice.Forthenextfewhours,cookshadtostirthecreamandshaketheice.Thingsgot mucheasierwhenNancyJohnsoninventedanicecreammachine.Turningacrankstirredthe ingredientsandmadetheicecreamfreezesmoothly. FirstFactories 1850s:JacobFussellopenedAmerica'sfirsticecreamfactories."Morethananyoneelse,"says onehistorybook,he"wasresponsibleforstartingtheAmericans'loveaffairwithicecream." Fussell'spartner,JamesHorton,lateropenedaNewYorkfactory. IceCreamSodas 1870s:"Soda,"orbubblywater,becamepopularduringthe1800s.Sweetsyrupsflavoredthe soda.Whothoughtofaddingicecream?That'samystery.Dependingonwhomyoubelieve,it happenedinPhiladelphiaorNewYorkorDetroit.Inanycase,goingoutforicecreamsodaswas stillafavoriteactivityinthe1950s. Sundaes 1880s:Thesundaeisprobablynamedforthefirstdayoftheweek.Onepopulartaleisthat manyplacesbannedsellingsodasonSunday.Inresponse,acraftymerchantputjusticecream andsyrupintoadish.Thegooeyresultwasahit.Atleastfivetownsclaimtobethesundae's birthplace.

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FirstCone? 1904:CountlessvisitorsattendedtheWorld'sFairinSt.Louis,Missouri.Manymarveledattheir firstsightofanicecreamcone.Butjustwhoinventedit?Severalfairvendorsclaimedthatthey hadmadethefirstcone.GenerallytheglorygoestoErnestHamwi,animmigrantfromSyria.He wassellingthin,waffleshapedcakes.Nexttohimwasanicecreamstand.Theicecreamseller ranoutofdishes.So,Hamwisaid,hequicklyshapedhiscakesintoconesthatcouldholdice cream. NEWTWISTSONANOLDTREAT Today90percentofAmericanhouseholdseaticecream.Everinventive,icecreammakers constantlyseeknewwaystokeepcustomersinterested. BrickonaStick 1919:DanishimmigrantChristianNelsonsoldcandyinIowa.Onespringafternoon,ayoung customerwantedsomechocolate.Thenhechangedhismind.Whathereallywantedwasice cream.ThatgaveNelsonanidea.HecreatedtheIScreamBarasmallbrickoficecream coatedwithchocolate.Nelsonthenplacedhiscreationonastick,justasfactoriesdotoday. HittingtheRoad 1934:ThomasCarvelas,aGreekAmerican,begansellingicecreaminNewYorkState.Heused hisprofitstoinventafreezerthatcouldproducesoft"Carvel"icecream.Carvelaspairedhis inventionwithafavoriteAmericanmachinethecar.Carefullyplacingshopsalonghighways, Carvelbuiltanicecreamempire. FarOutFlavors 2003:Somethingsabouticecreamhaven'tchanged.Backinthe1790s,aNewYorkcookbook includedrecipesforparmesan,ginger,andbrownbreadicecream.Today'sNewYorkerscantry rose,ketchup,spam,orpotatochipicecream.Americanicecreamlikethenationitselfisas flavorfulasever FunFactsfromicecream.com Ittakes12lbs.ofmilktomakejustonegallonoficecream.Wonderhowtheyfititallinone carton? TheU.S.enjoysanaverageof48pintsoficecreamperperson,peryear,morethananyother country.Maybeweshouldmakeicecreamthefifthfoodgroup! Ittakesanaverageof50lickstopolishoffasinglescoopicecreamcone.Challengeyourfamily toaLickaThon,andseewhofinishesfirst!
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Experiment:MakingRockandRollIceCream
Makingicecreamisafunanddeliciouswaytobuildscienceskills.Studentswillexperiencea changeinstatefromaliquidtoasolid.Theywilldiscoverthedifferenceoftemperature betweenicewithoutsaltandicemixedwithsalt.Theywillpracticefollowingdirectionsand measuringwithaccuracytocompletearecipe. Materials 1Largecoffeecanorplasticjar 2quartsizezipperlockbag Half&HalfCreamorWholeMilk Crushedice Salt(rocksaltworksgreat) Vanilla Sugar Towel(orwintergloves) 1. Fillthecoffeecanorlargeplasticjarhalffullwithcrushedice. 2. Addabout6tablespoonsofsalttotheice.Sealthecontainerandmixforafewminutes byrollingthecontainerbackandforthonthefloor.Hey,youmightevenhavetowear gloves!Why?Measurethetemperatureofthemixturewithathermometer.Thesalt andicemixturegetsdowntoabout14degreesF(10degreesC)! 3. Usethequartsizezipperlockbagtomixthefollowingingredients:
o o o

1/2cupofhalf&halfcream 1tablespoonsugar 1/2teaspoonvanillaextract

4. Sealtightly,allowingaslittleairtoremaininthebagaspossible.Toomuchairleftinside mayforcethebagopenduringshaking. 5. Placethebaginsidethecoffeecanwiththeicemixtureandsealandplacethelidon tightly.Herecomesthefunpart...findsomeonewhowillrollthecanbackandforthon thefloorwithyou.Onlythepeoplewhohelpgettoenjoytheicecream!Rollit everywhere...onthefloor,overthebed,underthetable,ontopofUncleBill...justkeep


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rollingit.Fivetoeightminutesisadequatetimeforthemixturetofreezeintoicecream. Youmightneedtocheckonyouricecreamconcoctionafter5minutestoseeifit's frozen.Ifnot,keeprolling. 6. Removethebagfromthecanandrinseitwellwithwater.Youdontwantanysaltwater accidentallygettingintoyouricecream. 7. Useyourspoontoeattheicecreamrightoutofthebag! Howdoesitwork? Whatdoesthesaltdo?Justlikeweusesaltonicyroadsinthewinter,saltmixedwithiceinthis casealsocausestheicetomelt.Whensaltcomesintocontactwithice,thefreezingpointof theiceislowered. Theloweringofthefreezingpointdependsontheamountofsaltadded.Themoresaltadded, thelowerthetemperaturewillbebeforethesaltwatersolutionfreezes.Forexample,water willnormallyfreezeat32degreesF.A10%saltsolutionfreezesat20degreesF,anda20% solutionfreezesat2degreesF. Whensaltisaddedtotheice,someoftheicemeltsbecausethefreezingpointislowered. Alwaysrememberthatheatmustbeabsorbedbytheiceforittomelt.Theheatthatcausesthe meltingcomesfromthesurroundings(thewarmercreammixture).Byloweringthe temperatureatwhichiceisfrozen,youwereabletocreateanenvironmentinwhichthecream mixturecouldfreezeatatemperaturebelow32degreesFintoicecream.

Experiment:HomemadeIceCreaminaBag
Forgetendlesslycrankingthehandleofanicecreammaker.Aftercombiningtheingredients, eachstudentcansimplyshakeuphisorherownpouchofsoftserveandit'sdoneinjust5 minutes. 2tablespoonssugar 1cuphalfandhalforwholemilk 1/2teaspoonvanillaextract 1/2cupsalt(Thebiggerthegranules,thebetter.Kosherorrocksaltworksbest,but tablesaltisfine.)

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Icecubes(enoughtofilleachgallonsizebagabouthalffull) 1pintsizeziplockbag 1gallonsizeziplockbag

Step1 Combinethesugar,halfandhalf,andvanillaextractinthepintsizebagandsealittightly. Step2 Placethesaltandiceinthegallonsizebag,thenplacethesealedsmallerbaginsideaswell. Sealthelargerbag.Nowshakethebagsuntilthemixturehardens(about5minutes).Feelthe smallbagtodeterminewhenit'sdone. Step3 Takethesmallerbagoutofthelargerone,addmixins,andeattheicecreamrightoutofthe bag.Easycleanuptoo!Serves1.

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Bubblegum:AHistory
In1928,bubblegumwasinventedbyamannamedWalterE.Diemer.Here'swhatWalter Diemer,theinventorhimself,saidaboutitjustayearortwobeforehedied:"Itwasan accident.""Iwasdoingsomethingelse,"Mr.Diemerexplained,"andendedupwithsomething withbubbles."Andhistorytookonegiantpopforward.WhatMr.Diemerwassupposedtobe doing,backin1928,wasworkingasanaccountantfortheFleerChewingGumCompanyin Philadelphia;whathewoundupdoinginhissparetimewasplayingaroundwithnewgum recipes.ButthislatestbrewofWalterDiemer'swasunexpectedly,cruciallydifferent.Itwas lessstickythanregularchewinggum.Italsostretchedmoreeasily.WalterDiemer,23yearsold, sawthebubbles.Hesawthepossibilities.Onedayhecarriedafivepoundglopofthestufftoa grocerystore;itsoldoutinasingleafternoon. Beforelong,thefolksatFleerweremarketingDiemer'screationandDiemerhimselfwas teachingcheekysalesmentoblowbubbles,todemonstrateexactlywhatmadethisgum differentfromallothergums.Theonlyfoodcoloringinthefactorywaspink.Walterusedit. Thatiswhymostbubblegumtodayispink. GilbertMustin,PresidentofFleernamedthegumDubbleBubbleanditcontrolledthebubble gummarketunchallengedforyears,(Hisbubblegumwassosuccessfulthatitsoldovera millionandahalfdollarsworthofguminthefirstyear.)atleastuntilBazookacamealongto sharethewealth.WalterDiemerstayedwithFleerfordecades,eventuallybecomingasenior vicepresident. Heneverreceivedroyaltiesforhisinvention,hiswifetoldthenewspapers,buthedidn'tseem tomind;knowingwhathe'dcreatedwasrewardenough.Sometimeshe'dinviteabunchofkids tothehouseandtellthemthestoryofhiswonderful,accidentalinvention.Thenhe'dhold bubbleblowingcontestsforthem. Makinggum Peoplehavebeenchewinggumforthousandsofyears.AncientGreeks,Mayas,andNative Americans,forexample,chewedonthesap,orresin,ofcertaintypesoftrees. Today,gumisalittlemorecomplicated,saysRonReam,afoodscientistinPlano,Ill.Gum manufacturersstartbymixingresin,wax,andamoleculecalledpolyvinylacetatetomakea gumbase.Byvaryingthetypesandamountsoftheseingredients,scientistscanmake thousandsofformulations.
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Giantmixersthencombinevatsofmeltedgumbasewithpowders,syrups,andsweeteners. Othermachinesrollthegoointosticksorpressthemintopellets.Packagingisthefinalstep. Americanschewabout1.8poundsofgumperpersoneachyear,accordingtotheU.S.Census Bureau.Byshowingthatgumchewingcanbehealthy,companiesthatmakeandsellgumhope thatwe'llchewevenmore. NutritionistGilLeveille,executivedirectoroftheWrigleyScienceInstitute,saysthatchewing gummightalsobegoodforyourbrain.OneJapanesestudyofnineparticipants,hesays,found thatchewinggumboostedtheflowofbloodtoparticipants'brainsbyupto40percent.Blood carriesoxygen,whichfuelsbraincells. Othersmallstudieshavefoundthatpeopleperformbetteronmemorytestswhilechewing gum.AndastudyintheUnitedKingdomfoundthatpeoplewhochewedgumwhilememorizing alistofwordsdidabout25percentbetteratrecallingthosewordsthanpeoplewhodidn't chewgum. FunFacts: TheancientGreekschewedmasticheachewinggummadefromtheresinofthemastictree. TheancientMayanschewedchiclewhichisthesapfromthesapodillatree. NorthAmericanIndianschewedthesapfromsprucetreesandpassedthehabitalongtothe settlers. EarlyAmericansettlersmadeachewinggumfromsprucesapandbeeswax. ThomasAdamsfirsttriedtochangechicleintoautomobiletires,beforeinventingachewing gumthattastedgood.

Experiment:BubbleGumScience
Getreadyforalessoninthescienceoffoodpolymers. Timeshavechanged.Atonetimechewingguminschool gotyouintobigtrouble.Notonlydidyouhavetospititout butyouhadtowrite,"Iwillnotchewguminschool"a hundredtimes.Today,kidsarelearninghowtomakegum inscienceclassasalessoninthechemistryoffood.Get
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readyforalessoninthescienceoffoodpolymers...orthesecrettomakingtheworld'sbest bubblegum. Materials Thebubblegummadeonaircontainedaspeciallyformulatedstarchpolymergumbase,sugar, highfructosecornsyrupandartificialflavoring.Alloftheseingredientsareincludedinthe BubbleGumKit. Thedifferencebetweenbubblegumandchewinggumisthegumbase.Chewinggumbaseisa naturalgumcalledchicleharvestedfromthesapofatropicaltreecalledasopapillatree.This kindofgumischewybutitwillnotblowalargebubble.Bubblegumbase,ontheotherhand,is amixtureofstarchesandpolymersmadeinalaboratoryandspeciallyformulatedtoblow bubbles. Believeitornot,chewinggumisactuallybeneficial.Itrelievesboredom,easestensionandaids inconcentrationtellyourteacherthatlittlefact!Italsohelpstopullfoodparticlesfrom betweenyourteethandevenfreshensbreath.Okay,sometimesitfreshenbreath.Astickof gumcontainingsugarhasabout10caloriescomparedtosugarlessgumwhichhasonly6 calories.Contrarytopopularbelief,swallowinggumwillnotdoanyharm...orsotheysay. AncientGreekschewedthegumoftheMastictree.Morethan1,000yearsagothenative peopleofCentralAmericaandNorthAmericachewedthesapandresinsfoundintrees.Today, theUnitedStatesistheworld'sleadingmanufacturerofgum(gofigure!).Withallofthis fascinationwithbubblegum,itonlystandstoreasonthatbubblegumwasinventedin1928by WalterDiemer,anaccountantfromPhiladelphia. Andnowyouknowtherestofthebubblegumstory.

Experiment:SpeediestChomper
Aspeedcalculationactivity. Havethestudentsworkwithpartners.Onepartnerchewsandtheotherpartnerhelpscount howmanytimeshis/herpartnercanchompona1pieceof bubblegum(thebigpinkonesworkwell)ina15secondperiod; then30second;then1minutetimeperiod. Theteacherkeepstrackofthetimeandtellsthemwhentostartandtoend.Thenthestudents switchroles.
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Thenumberofchompsrepresentsdistance.Whendividedbythetimethisequalstherateof speedinchompspersecond. Option:HoldaChompOffbetweenthefastestchewersintheclass,withtherestoftheclass doingthecalculations.

Experiment:BiggestBubble
Havestudentswritedirectionsonhowtheywouldadvisesomeonetoblowthebiggestmost bodaciousbubblepossible.Beclearandgostepbystep.Writecompletesentencesandbe suretousecorrectpunctuation. Then,puttheirtheoriestothetestbydividingthemintopairs.Asonepartnergetsapieceof gumandfollowstheirdirectionstheotherpartnerwillmeasuretheresultingbubble.Thenthey willswitchroles. Then,havestudentscomparetheirsuccesswiththerestoftheclassinabubbleblowing competition.Thebiggest,longestlastingbubbleblowerwins.Then,everyoneelsegetsto followthewinnersdirectionsandseeiftheysucceedinblowingagiantbubbletoo.

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Sunscreen/TanningLotions:AHistory
Intheearly1930's,SouthAustralianchemist,HAMiltonBlake,experimentedtoproducea sunburncream. ThefounderofL'Oreal,chemistEugeneSchueller,inventedthefirstsunscreenin1936. In1944,Floridapharmacist,BenjaminGreeninventedasuntancreaminhiskitchenthat became"CoppertoneSuntanCream." In1980,CoppertonedevelopedthefirstUVA/UVBsunscreen. InventionofSunscreen Whileit'stemptingtobaskinthesunlikeaFrenchfryunderaheatlamp,it'snotthebestidea sunburnsignificantlyincreasestheriskofdevelopingskincancer. TheancientGreeksusedoliveoilasaformofsunscreen,which(unfortunatelyforthem)would haveexacerbatedthesun'sharmfuleffects.Infact,itwasnotuntilthe1940sthataneffective sunscreenwasinvented.Ancienthumansdesiredtoavoidsunburnandlookattractive.For example,Egyptiansconsideredlightskinmorebeautifulthandarkskin.Egyptssundrenched environmentmadeitdifficulttomaintainlight,luminousskin.Recentlytranslatedpapyri scrollsandtombwallsrevealtheingredientsofpotionsusedtowardoffsunburnandheal damagedskin. SomeoftheingredientsusedbytheEgyptiansarealsousedbymodernscientists.Forexample, theEgyptiansusedricebranextractsinsomeoftheirsunscreenformulas.Today,gamma oryzanolisextractedfromricebranbecauseofitsUVabsorbingproperties.TheEgyptiansalso usedjasmine,recentlyshowntohealDNAatthecellularlevelintheskin,tomendskindamage. DuringWorldWarII,manysoldierssufferedfromserioussunburn,whichinspiredapharmacist namedBenjaminGreenetoinventasolution.Greeneconcoctedasticky,redsubstancethathe called"redvetpet"(redveterinarypetrolatum),anewproductsothickthatitworkedmainly byphysicallyblockingthesun'srays.Greenetriedtheinventiononhisownscanthairlineand foundittobereasonablyeffective. SunscreenestablisheditsrootsduringWWIIwhenairmanandfuturepharmacistBenjamin Greenhelpeddevelopasunprotectiveformulaforsoldiers.In1944,Greenusedhisinvention asthebasisforCoppertoneSuntanCreamtheveryfirstconsumersunscreenproduct.Infact,
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thismixtureofcocoabutterandjasminewasconcoctedonhiswife'sstoveandtestedonhis ownbaldhead. SunscreenwasfirstdevelopedtohelpprotectsoldiersstationedintheSouthPacificduring WorldWarIIfromobtainingseveresunburns. CoppertoneSunscreenLotion AphysicianfromMiaminamedDr.BenjaminGreenhadbeengivingcreditforinventingthe UnitedState'sfirstsunscreenalongwiththehelpofthemilitary.Afterthewar,Greenhad takenaninterestinthetouristsofMiami.Theyhadbeenusingallsortsofdifferenthomemade concoctionstotaninthesun.Dr.Greenhaddecidedtocomeupwithhisownformulawhile testingtheproductonhisownbaldhead.In1944,hehaddevelopedarecipeforhis Coppertonesuntancreamthatalsocontainedtheessenceofjasmine.Atthestartofitscareer, CoppertonehadapictureofanIndianchiefwiththeslogan"Don'tbeaPaleface."Theyhad laterreplacedhimwithLittleMissCoppertonein1953. Coppertonesunscreenlotionisoftenthoughtofashavingthesinglepurposeofprotection fromthesun.However,thereareahandfulofpeoplewhohavediscoveredwhatyoucanuse Coppertoneforaroundthehome.Withthisproduct,youcan: PreventchappedlipsbyreplacinglipbalmwithCoppertonetokeeplipsmoistandhealthy. Preventskindamagebyusingsunscreenwheneveryouhavetobeinthesun'sraysfor prolongedperiodsoftime.Withoutsunscreenyouareincreasingtheriskofdeveloping cancerouslesions,discoloration,andwrinkling. Moisturizeyourhandsbyrubbingthesunscreenintotheskin.Theemollientswillrejuvenate dryskin. RemoveoilandgreasefromtheskinbyrubbingCoppertoneintotheskinandthenwashing withcleanwarmwater. RepelInsectsbyrubbingCoppertoneontoyourskintokeepinsectsaway. RelieveitchingfrominsectbitesbyapplyingCoppertoneovertheaffectedareatoalleviatethe itch. EnjoyamassagebysubstitutingmassageoilwithCoppertone. TakeasoothingbathbyreplacingbathoilwithtwotablespoonsofCoppertonetowarmbath water. Cleangreaseanddirtbysquirtingthesunscreenontoasoftclothandwipingthesurfaces clean. RemovescuffmarksfromleathershoesbyapplyingCoppertonetoasoftclothandrubbing
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gentlyovertheleather. RemovetarspotsfromcarfinishesbyapplyingCoppertonetoaclothandthenrubbinguntil thetarisremoved. Modernsunscreenshavecomealongwaysincethen.Formulasofsunscreendesigned specificallyforathletes,swimmersandchildrenhavebeeninvented,andvariousSPF(Sun ProtectionFactor)levelsareavailable.: A:Forchildrensixmonthsofageandolder,werecommendsunscreenswithanSPF30or higher.Babiesundersixmonthsshouldbekeptoutofthesun.Adultsofallskintypesshould useasunscreenwithanSPFofatleast15. A:UVArayspenetratedeeplyintotheskinandcontributetoprematureskinagingandskin cancer.OurexposuretoUVAismoreconstantthantoUVBweencounterUVAraysnomatter whattheseasonortimeofday. UVBraysarethemaincauseofsunburn,buttheyalsocontributesignificantlytopremature skinagingandskincancer.HighSPFsunscreenproducts(thosewithanSPFhigherthan30)are designedprimarilytoabsorbUVBplustheshorterUVArays.

Experiment:UVBeads
UsetheBeadstotrytheseexperimentideas: Experiment:SunScreenTestWithalloftheSPF(SunProtectionFactor)numbersavailable, wewanttoknowwhatSPFlotionreallyworksbestatkeepingoutthesun'sharmfulUVrays? Startbycollectingvariousstrengthsofsunscreen(SPF4,15and50,forexample).SincetheUV ColorChangingBeadsareverysensitivetochangesinUVenergy,youcanusethebeadsto determinetheblockingpotentialofthesunscreen.Placethebeadsinazipperlockbagand applyalayerofsunscreentotheoutsideofthebag.UseapermanentmarkertowritetheSPF numberofthesunscreenyou'retestingontheoutsideofthebag.Besuretosetuponebag withoutanysunscreencoatingforcomparisonpurposes.Exposethebeadstodirectsunlightfor 5minutesandlookforanychangesincolor. #2TanningOilTest:FindoutiftanningoilsblockanyUVrayswhentheyclaimtodoso. #3LightTestPlaceahandfulofUVbeadsnearafluorescentlight.Doanyofthebeadschange color?Canyougetasunburnoratanbysittingnexttoafluorescentlight?

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#4BlackLight"Blacklight"(longwaveultravioletlight)canalsobeusedtochangethecolor ofthebeads.Youcanpurchaseablacklightatmanyspecialtystoresorhardwarestoresthat havealargesectionoflightbulbs.Sometimesthosehighintensitylights(mercuryvapor)found inagymnasiumemitjustenoughUVlighttomakethebeadsbarelychangecolor. #5CloudyDayTesttoseeifthebeadschangecoloroncloudyday.Iftheychangecolor,then youcanseewhydoctorswarnpeopletowearsunscreenevenonacloudyday.Observehow wellthebeadschangecolorwhenexposedtosunlightatdifferenttimesoftheday.According toyourdata,whattimeofdaydoesthesungiveoffitsmostintenseUVlight? #6SunglassesTesttheabilityofyoursunglassestoblockoutultravioletlightbycoveringa fewbeadswiththelensofyoursunglasses.Ifthebeaddonotchangecolor,yoursunglasses blockoutharmfulultravioletlightfromyoureyes.Ifnot,youpaidtoomuchforthatUV coating! #7WindshieldDoestheglassinyourcarshieldyoufromUVradiation?Istheglassinthe windshieldthesameastheglassonthesidewindows? #8DifferentMaterialsExperimentwhichdifferenttypesofmaterials,likepaper,sandwich bags,etctoseewhatblocksUVandwhatdoesnot. #9MakeaUVBeadBraceletThreadafewbeadsontoapieceofleatherrawhideorstringto makeabracelet.Remembertostayawayfromanydoororwindowswhereultravioletlight couldcomeintotheroom.Whenyou'refinished,coverthebraceletwithyourhandandwalk outsideintothesunlight.Don'ttakeyoureyesoffthebeadsasyouexposethemtosunlight. Likemagicthebeadschangefromwhitetoarainbowofcolors. Howdoesitwork? TheUVBeadscontaindifferentpigmentsthatchangecolorwhenexposedtoultravioletlight fromanysourceincludingthesun.Thebeadsareallwhiteinvisiblelight.InUVlight,depending onthepigmentaddedtoeachbead,youwillseedifferentcolors.Eachbeadwillchangecolor about50,000timesbeforethepigmentwillnolongerrespondtoUVlight. ThebeadswillalwayschangecolorregardlessofhowgoodthesunscreenblocksUVthe beadsareverysensitive!Thekeyistoratethecolorofthebeadsonascaleof15,with5 showingthemostcoloror"burning"and1showingtheleastcolor.Thebagwithoutany sunscreenisanautomatic"5".Youcanalsotestthedifferencebetweennewandoldsun screen.Sunscreenmanufacturerssuggestthatyouthrowawayoldsunscreenbecauseitdoes notblockoutharmfulUVlight.Doyourtestssupportthisclaim?
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PossibleResults(fromothertesters)...SPF4didnotdowellatall(gottheworstratingof5). SPF15didalittlebetterwitharatingof3(stillnotblockingtheharmfulUVraysverywell).SPF 30wasthebestblockerandreceivedthebestratingof1.Ourteachersalsotestedtanningoils (evencookingoil)andallofthemdidverylittletoblockanyUV(ratingof5onourUVblocker scale).Shorteningwasrateda5andoliveoilwasrateda4.SPF4doesn'tdomuchatall,while 15and30doaboutthesame.Thecookingfatsdidn'tdomuchatall,whichshowedusthat eventhoughtheshorteningisthickandopaque,itsuredoesn'tblockUVrays. AdditionalExperiments: Ifyouareable,takethebeadstoatanningparlorandexposethemtotheUVradiationfrom thetanninglamps.HowdoesthisUVradiationcomparetothesun'sUV? Ifyoutakeatripintothemountains,takethebeadsalongandseeifthereisanydifference betweencolorsathighaltitudesandatsealevel.

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Experiment:TeflonTapeSecretMessages
Makingsecretmessageswithpolymers! IfyouareafanofSteveSpanglersexperiments,youknowthathewilluseanyexcusetomake atriptothehardwarestoreforalittletoolboxscience.TodaywefoundStevewandering downtheplumbingaislelookingforjusttherightTeflonTapetomakesomeprettycoolsecret messages. PlumbersuseTeflonTapetoformawatertightsealandpreventleakingonpipes.Turnsout, thisplumberstoolisalsoaprettycoolexampleofapolymerthatgetslotsofuseineveryday situations. Materials

TeflonTape SharpieMarker Scissors Plasticshoppingbag

1. CutapieceofTeflonTapeabout10to15cm(46in)long. 2. Writeasecretmessageonthetape. 3. Nowstretchthetapefromtoptobottom,makingyourmessagetaller,notlonger.Pull carefullysothatyoudonttearyourmessage. 4. Suddenlyyoucantreadyourmessageanymore!Givethemessagetoafriendandseeif theycanfigureouthowtomaketheletterstheiroriginalshapeagain. 5. Justwhentheyareabouttogiveup,surprisethemwithalittlesciencemagic...Pullon thetapefromendtoendmakingthelettersshortagain. 6. Whenyouaredonepullingyourmessagewilllooknormalagainandyourfriendswillbe amazed. Howdoesitwork? TeflonTapeisatypeofpolymercalledpolytetrafluroethylene(PTFE).Thatsareallylongword forakindofpolymerthathaslongchainsofmoleculeslinedupsidebysideandnexttoeach
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other.Ifyoutrytostretchthetapeendtoendbeforestretchingitfromtoptobottom,you wontbeabletostretchmuchatall.Thatisbecausethepolymersarebondedtoeachother verytightly,buttherearelotsofchainsstackedontopofeachother.Thesestacksmakeit possibletopullthetapefromtoptobottomandstretchyoursecretmessage.Whenthe polymerchainsarepulledfromtoptobottomtheyslideoveroneanotherandreducethe numberofchainsinasectionwithoutbreakingthechainsthemselves.Whenthetapeispulled backendtoend,thechainsarerealignedandyourmessageislegibleagain.

AdditionalInfo WhatothermaterialsaremadefromPTFE?Trywritingamessageonaplasticgrocerybag.Now pullthebagfromtoptobottomjustlikethetape...doesyourmessagedisappear?Pullthe bagbackfromendtoend.Canyoureadyourmessageagain?

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SupplyList Day______

Teacher:___________________

____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________)

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SupplyList Day______

Teacher:___________________

____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________)

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SupplyList Day______

Teacher:___________________

____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________) ____________________________________________(Experiment:____________)

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ListofExperimentsIwanttoDo:
1. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 2. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 3. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 4. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 5. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 6. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 7. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 8. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 9. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 10. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 11. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 12. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 13. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 14. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 15. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 16. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 17. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 18. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 19. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 20. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 21. _______________________________________Page:_________________ 22. _______________________________________Page:_________________
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