Magical Science
Science tricks to use at home!
Tipping Can: Pour about 100 mL (about ½ cup) of water into an empty soda can. Gently tip the can on the rim. The can will balance on the rim. Trick your friends and ask them to try to balance another can.
What is happening: When we balance an object, we are finding its balance point, or center of gravity. When the soda can is full, notice where the center of gravity is pushing down. Because the center of gravity is not over the center of where we are trying to balance the can, the can tips over. When we lower the amount of liquid in the can, we also lower and move the center of gravity. Now the center of gravity is directly over where we are trying to balance the can.
Magic Candles: Using tea light candles, vinegar, and baking soda you can trick your friends into thinking you are pouring nothing on the candle to turn it off. Light several tea light candles. Take 2 tablespoon of baking soda and put it in a measuring cup. Pour 5 tablespoons of vinegar on the baking soda. Using your hand, cover the top of the measuring cup while the baking soda and vinegar react. Once the fizz from the reaction goes down, pour the measuring cup over the candles being careful not to let the liquid drop out of the cup.
What is happening: When the baking soda and vinegar react, it produces carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air. When you pour the cup, the carbon dioxide comes out of the cup and extinguishes the flame from the candle.
Pepper Scatter: Get a bowl of water and sprinkle pepper on the top of the water. Dip you finger in some dish washing soap like Dawn or Joy. Tell your friend to put their finger in the bowl without touching the pepper. They try and fail. Dip your soapy finger in the bowl and watch the pepper run away from it.
What is happening: The soap is breaking the surface tension of the water causing the pepper to move away from the soap.
Your ring finger doesn’t work!: Have your friend touch all five of their fingertips together. Tell them to separate each fingertip one by one from the other. They then will bend down their middle finger and separate their finger one by one again. The ring finger will not be able to move!
What is happening: These tendons in ring and middle fingers are connected, so that when your middle finger is folded down you cannot move your ring finger. It feels like your ring finger is stuck!
Can you draw a 6 with your finger and rotate your ankle?: While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.Now while doing this draw the number six in the air with your right hand.Your foot will change direction and there is nothing you can do about it.
What is happening:The left side of your brain, which controls the right side of your body, is responsible for rhythm and timing. The left side of your brain cannot deal with operating two opposite movements at the same time and so it combines them into a single motion.