Calling all scientists.

[andyfromotley]

From where it came i know not but my daughter, aged 7, has got it into her head that the only thing she wants to be when she grows up is a scientist!

Any of you clever people out there know of any experiments i could do over the weekend with her? I am home alone with them as Mrs AFO is working.

Only rules are

• Must use easily available items.
• Must be exciting.
• Absolutely must not result in visit to A&E

Thanks andy

 

[wafflycat]

Here you go..

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html

 

[summerdays]

Don't ask Vernon ... (that might break the 3rd rule)

What about the coke bottle / mento sweetie experiment?
Coke and a 2p for a slower moving experiment

And felt tip pens / absorbent paper of some variety and water for a bit of chromatography.

Whilst they later two might not be exciting they are usually interested to see the results.

 

[Bman]

The Vinegar / Baking powder tricks were fun.

I cant remember exactly how we made them, but there was a few things we made.

A boat
a rocket
a few others that I cant remember

 

[TVC]

Make a hot air balloon

(not just for kids)

http://www.break.com/index/how-to-make-a-hot-air-balloon.html

 

[summerdays]

Make a hot air balloon

(not just for kids)

http://www.break.com/index/how-to-make-a-hot-air-balloon.html

I've done something similar when camping just with a black bin bag that we collected the hot air from over a stove, rather than having its own internal heating system.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I used to cut the heads of wasps and see how long they lived. There was one science experiment I used to enjoy which was to make rockets out of matchsticks by wrapping silver foil around the end and heating it up with another match. Lots of fun to be had, but it doesn't really work well with safety matches. You need Swan Vestas or something similar.

 

[rich p]

I remember doing one at primary school about 250 years ago where a hard-boiled egg was put on top of a milk bottle with some hot water in it (I think). The next morning when the water had cooled down and the air contracted(maybe?), the egg had been sucked whole into the bottle.
I'm going to have a go now I've thought about it.

 

[andyfromotley]

old style milk bottle iirc?

 

[Davidc]

Put a small amount of water in a bottle with a screw top (top offf) Metal is best.

Make the water boil

Put the lid on and take ita away from the heat source.

When the water condenses the container will implode.

The reason is that when the vapour condenses the gas it once was is gone, the pressiure drops, and it's the atmosphere that crushes the bottle.

If necessary use a plastic bottle with alcohol in it (Vodka, whisky, gin, meths) and put it in a saucepan with water boiling in it. The alcohol will boil - same procedure.

Fine ambition.

 

[rich p]

old style milk bottle iirc?

True! They had bigger necks, didn't they?

 

[dan_bo]

tip the contents of your car battery on to half a cup of sugar that's contained in a pint pot/vase/bit of old paint tin or whatever.


wear eye protection, and watch it grow.

 

[dan_bo]

tip a bit of custard powder in to a baloon, shake it up, and put a LONG lit taper to it. make sure you're wearing safety glasses.

 

[dan_bo]

breathe fire. wear safety glasses.

 

[Chris Sirrus]

Teabag rockets are quite a fun way to learn about convection currents. http://sciencesquad.questacon.edu.au/activities/tea_bag_rocket.html

I don't suppose you have a Tesla coil lying about?