Monthly Archives: March 2020

Brainstorm to get elementary school science project ideas. — Elementary school science projects are fun and educational, but coming up with a great idea can be challenging. If the project is for a science fair, there’s competition to win. But, the focus of the project should be on engaging a child in science and raising interest in how the […]

Elementary School Science Project Ideas

This entry was posted on March 22, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 10, 2021)

Green Crystal Needles — Grow a quick cup of crystal needles in your refrigerator. The whole project takes between 15 minutes and 2 hours, from start to finish. All you need is Epsom salt, water, and a little food dye if you want a pop of color. Materials Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) Water (hot […]

How to Grow a Cup of Quick Crystal Needles

This entry was posted on March 20, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 10, 2021)

Hand washing removes bacteria and viruses while hand sanitizer kills them. — Washing hands and using hand sanitizer are two important steps to take to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to other people. However, there is confusion about how they work and why washing hands is better than using hand sanitizer. Here’s what you need to know. Hand Washing vs Hand […]

Hand Washing vs Hand Sanitizer – Why Washing Your Hands ...

This entry was posted on March 19, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 2, 2021)

Everyone loves dinosaurs. Everyone also loves word searches. This dinosaurs word search scratches both itches. The dino hunt begins now!

Dinosaurs Word Search

This entry was posted on March 18, 2020 by Todd Helmenstine (updated on May 10, 2021)

Intensive and Extensive Properties — Intensive and extensive properties are the two classes of physical properties of matter. A physical property, in turn, is one which can be observed and measured without changing the chemical composition of the sample. Physical chemist and physicist Richard C. Tolman coined the terms “intensive” and “extensive” in 1917. Here […]

Difference Between Intensive and Extensive Properties of Matter

This entry was posted on March 18, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on November 28, 2021)

Mixing disinfectants is dangerous! Bleach and alcohol combine to produce chloroform. — Disinfectants are important for preventing the spread of diseases like coronavirus, but don’t mix them! Mixing bleach and alcohol forms chloroform, a sedative powerful enough to make you pass out or potentially die. Actually, you should avoid mixing bleach with any disinfectant or cleaner to avoid producing toxic fumes. Bleach […]

Bleach and Alcohol Make Chloroform – Why You Shouldn’t Mix ...

This entry was posted on March 17, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on November 23, 2021)

You can't use pH paper to measure negative pH. — Have you ever wondered whether a negative pH value is possible in chemistry? The answer is yes! The pH scale usually runs from 0 to 14, but if the molarity of hydrogen ions in a strong acid is greater than one you’ll calculate a negative pH value. For example, the […]

Is Negative pH Possible? How It Works and Where to ...

This entry was posted on March 16, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 5, 2021)

Difference Between Ethanol and Alcohol — The words ethanol and alcohol are not interchangeable. Put simply, ethanol is the only type of alcohol safe to drink. Ethanol is also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is one member of a larger class of molecules called alcohols. All ethanol is alcohol; not all alcohol is ethanol. […]

Know the Difference Between Ethanol and Alcohol

This entry was posted on March 15, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on July 26, 2021)

Customize the classic slime recipe by making green leprechaun slime to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The slime isn’t sticky, so it won’t work as a leprechaun trap, but the vibrant green color may lure them close. It’s a fun holiday chemistry project for kids of all ages. Materials Leprechaun slime […]

Green Leprechaun Slime for St. Patrick’s Day

This entry was posted on March 14, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 24, 2022)