Any Science Boffins out there ?

[vernon]

Demonstrate air pressure by using balsa wood 'planks' and sheets of newspaper. Lay a plank on a table/desk with a third of it projecting into the air over an edge. Hit the projecting piece smartly and the wood should cartwheel off the desk.

Repeat but this time cover the desk part of the plank with a sheet of newspaper, broadsheet is best. Hitting the projecting bit should result in it breaking off and the newpaper bit not moving because it has been held down by air presure - 15lbs per square inch - roughly a stone per square inch.


Alternatively use a ballon to lift a heavy book. Challenge the class to move a book with their breath and when they fail, use the ballon as an air bag to lift the ballon.

Alternatively

Demonstrate that air is approx 20% oxygen by sticking a candle to a shallow dish putting water in the dish, lighting the candle then turn a glass upside down over the candle and watch the water rise in the jar to take the place of the oxygen that has been used by combustion. My twenty two year old demonstrated this 'independant discovery' of his with a tea light, a casserole dish, a beer glass and a Chateau Neuf du Pape/orange juice mix - don't ask.

 

[MichaelM]

Air pressure trick:

 

[Night Train]

I really like this one:

Had I seen this done at school I might have had a far greater interest, and understanding, in chemistry.

This is a good one too:


I wonder how many coins would be needed to power a small motor?

 

[Sandra6]

My first choices would've been the rocket and volcano, most interesting to young children.
In middle school - so slightly older - we did one using various fruits and veg to power a light bulb.

 

[TVC]

Measure the speed of light using cheese. OK the principal of em waves might be a little above primary level, but it's surprisingly accurate.

Youtube will tell you how to do it.

 

[Arch]

I wonder how many coins would be needed to power a small motor?

How cool!

 

[Arch]

Measure the speed of light using cheese. OK the principal of em waves might be a little above primary level, but it's surprisingly accurate.

Youtube will tell you how to do it.

Place hungry Arch at one side of room.
Place covered platter on other side.
Uncover platter to reveal selection of cheese

Arch will then travel across the room at the speed of light.

 

[classic33]

Hi All,

My 8 years old son would like to take part in his school's annual science week; he would like to present a brief experiment, which is eye-catching, interesting, not too complicated and hopefully, entertaining.

The experiment must not be too slow to set up, since he will have to repeat it a few times; it also needs to be something that may be demonstrated in no more than 4 or 5 minutes.

Last year, we did the old pub trick, of lifting up a small table with a glass; the year before that, we made a baking soda and vinegar volcano. Before that, we made a home-made rocket launch, with some more baking soda.

Thing is, not being much of a scientist anyway (apart from making the odd cocktail ), I'm running low on ideas.

Can anyone suggest something which might be suitable ? (I draw a line at extreme suggestions, such as blowing-up the school).

Ta v. much.

Pity

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7fRCOBMZ_4

 

[User169]

A much-appreciated suggestion, probably a little too hard for kids of 8 to follow.

Maybe Pubbers, but it's quite easy. I gave it a go just now.

Ingredients..

Bashy bashy...

Filtration...

Huzzah - DNA!! It's the cotton wool stuff in the upper phase...

 

[User169]

3BMs crack cocaine recipe up next!

 

[Arch]

View attachment 20014

That looks like a rather nice cocktail - until you get a mouthful of the congealed DNA...

 

[02GF74]

demonstrate nothing travels faster than teh speed of light - ty to open a fridge door before the light insdie come on - you can;t do it no matter haow fast your are.

demonstrate air pressure. take a tin with a tight fitting lid or container with lid - put a samll amount of water in it and place on top of stove to boill water. the steam displaces the air in the container - put on the lid and leave to cool. as the steam condses, a vacuum is formed insdie so watch in amazment as the can gets crushed.

another vacuum experiment it to make a large area obx and fit hose from mvauum cleaner - place the box against a ceiling, tun on the vaccum clean and the whole caboodle is hanging off the ceiling,

another simple experiment - paper straw and apple. demonstrates inertia(?). hold straw in hand and slowly press into the apple - straw will fold but now take straw and rapidly strike it agaisnt the apple - if done quickly enough, the straw will not have time to bend and will pierce the apple.

ballon skewering

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO8OGkhsX6M

 

[G3CWI]

Measure the speed of light using cheese. OK the principal of em waves might be a little above primary level, but it's surprisingly accurate.

Youtube will tell you how to do it.

Physics warning. This experiment does not really do what is claimed.

 

[TVC]

Physics warning. This experiment does not really do what is claimed.

It demonstrations how wavelength x frequency = velocity. That wil do for me, getting a result the right order of magnitude is close enough given you're measuring soft spots in cheese.

 

[TheDoctor]

I prefer to think of it as an experiment to discover the frequency of operation of a microwave oven.
Still V= f lambda, but you're solving for f.

I suppose a potassium permanganate and glycerine volcano is a bit too exciting?