Monthly Archives: January 2017

Aqua Neon Honeycomb Periodic Table - 2017 Edition — These neon hexagon periodic table wallpapers are made up of hexagons honeycombed together for an interesting and different layout. The text contains each element’s number, symbol, name, and atomic mass. You may remember these periodic tables as one of our first periodic table wallpaper styles. Since then, there has been […]

Neon Hexagon Periodic Table Wallpapers – HD Periodic Table Wallpapers

This entry was posted on January 31, 2017 by Todd Helmenstine (updated on May 17, 2021)

This Lichtenberg figure was made by shooting a beam of electrons (~2.2 million volts) through an insulator. The pattern is illuminated by blue LEDs. (Bert Hickman, Wikipedia Commons) — Lichtenberg figures are fern-like branching structures formed from an electrical discharge on or inside of an insulator. Like snowflakes, every Lichtenberg figure is unique – an intricate and beautiful natural work of art. Lichtenberg figures form naturally, sometimes in the skin of lightning strike victims, in lightning strikes into sand […]

Make a Lichtenberg Figure the Easy Way

This entry was posted on January 28, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 17, 2021)

Cobalt(II) chloride may appear either pink or blue in solution, depending on which ion is formed. (Chemicalinterest) — Make a color change thermometer that oscillates between pink and blue according to temperature. It's a simple and dramatic chemistry project.

Make a Color Change Liquid Thermometer

This entry was posted on January 27, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on December 20, 2021)

You can pull a length of wire through an ice cube thanks to the process of regelation. (Anne Helmenstine) — Pull a wire through an ice cube without cutting the cube! This trick works thanks to a phenomenon called regelation, in which the ice melts from the pressure of the wire and freezes up after the wire passes. Here’s how to put a wire through an ice cube or hang […]

Pull a Wire through an Ice Cube – Science Project

This entry was posted on January 27, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on September 18, 2021)

Pre-Columbian Peruvian mummy. (Emmanuelm, Creative Commons) — If you’ve ever seen a mummy in a museum, you might have thought the ancients went a little overboard with henna and other red dyes. While people have colored their hair practically forever, it’s more likely what you’re seeing is the change in hair color that occurs after a person […]

Your Hair Color Changes After You Die

This entry was posted on January 27, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 17, 2021)

Liquid smoke is a food seasoning that is made by passing smoke through water. Andrew Filer, Creative Commons License — Question: What Is Liquid Smoke? You may have used liquid smoke in a recipe or seen it on the grocery store shelf. Liquid smoke imparts a barbecued or smoky flavor to food. Here’s a look at what liquid smoke really is. Answer: Basically, liquid smoke is just what the name […]

What Is Liquid Smoke? Chemical Composition

This entry was posted on January 27, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 17, 2021)

This is the structure of sodium bicarbonate, also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate or baking soda. — These are facts, chemical properties and physical properties of sodium bicarbonate, which is also known as baking soda or sodium hydrogen carbonate. Baking soda makes baked foods rise, but the chemical has a lot of other uses. It’s a common, safe weak base. Sodium Bicarbonate Facts and Properties CAS number […]

Sodium Bicarbonate Facts – Baking Soda or Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

This entry was posted on January 27, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 24, 2021)

How to Boil Water in a Paper Bag — This science project shows how to boil water in a paper bag over an open flame. The bag won't catch on fire or leak water.

Boil Water in a Paper Bag – Science Project

This entry was posted on January 25, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 1, 2023)

Uranium glass exhibits a characteristic green fluorescence under black or ultraviolet light. Nerdtalker, Creative Commons License — Question: What Is Uranium Glass or Vaseline Glass? Uranium glass fluoresces with a characteristic green light under ultraviolet or black light. Uranium glass is sometimes known as Vaseline glass because its greasy appearance is akin to that of petroleum jelly. Here’s a look at what uranium glass is and how […]

What Is Vaseline Glass or Uranium Glass? Is It Radioactive?

This entry was posted on January 25, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on April 5, 2023)