How Stuff Works

Stink bombs either contain one smelly chemical or else two that create a stink when mixed together. — Stink bombs are products designed to release a stinky odor. Despite the name, they do not explode. Stink bombs are readily available as pranks, plus there are versions used for crowd control. Here is a look at how stink bombs work, the chemicals involved, and their safety. How Stink Bombs […]

How Do Stink Bombs Work? Are They Safe?

This entry was posted on July 26, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 1, 2020)

Salt makes ice water colder by lowering the temperature at which water freezes. So, more ice melts than forms. Melting ice absorbs energy, lowering the temperature.

Why Salt Makes Ice Colder – How Cold Ice Gets Recently updated !

This entry was posted on July 19, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on September 23, 2020)

Trick candles re-light themselves after you blow them out.

How Do Trick Candles Work?

This entry was posted on June 27, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 1, 2020)

Mixing bleach and ammonia produces toxic vapors that can incapacitate or kill you.

Mixing Bleach and Ammonia – Here’s What Happens

This entry was posted on June 3, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 1, 2020)

The shelf life of chlorine bleach is about 3 months. — Did you know chlorine bleach has a shelf life? Whether the container has been opened or not, bleach loses its activity over time. Using bleach past its shelf life results in reduced bleaching and disinfecting capacity. How Long Is Bleach Good? How long bleach lasts depends mainly on temperature. So, […]

Chlorine Bleach Shelf Life

This entry was posted on March 31, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on July 18, 2020)

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 March 19, 2020)