Science Notes Posts

Periodic Table of Native Elements — Get the definition and list of native elements. Print a periodic table showing all the elements that occur as natural minerals.
List of Native Elements and Periodic Table Recently updated !

Chemistry Scavenger Hunt — Learn chemistry concepts with this fun chemistry scavenger hunt. A list of clues and an answer key are provided, including PDF files.

Chemistry Scavenger Hunt – Clues and Answer Key Recently updated !

This entry was posted on March 4, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on March 4, 2021)

Valence Electron — Learn about valence electrons. Get the definition and a periodic table showing the number of valence electrons for each element.

What Are Valence Electrons? Definition and Periodic Table Recently updated !

This entry was posted on March 3, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on March 3, 2021)

Magnetic vs Non-Magnetic Metals — Here is a list of magnetic metals. Also, see which metals are non-magnetic and whether there are magnetic nonmetals.

List of Magnetic Metals Recently updated !

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

What Is Sterling Silver? — Learn about sterling silver, including how it differs from regular silver, its composition, how to test if it's real, and its uses.

What Is Sterling Silver? Recently updated !

This entry was posted on March 1, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on March 1, 2021)

What Is Galvanization? — Learn about galvanization. See the processes involved, galvanization uses, and learn whether galvanized steel rusts.

What Is Galvanization? Does Galvanized Steel Rust? Recently updated !

This entry was posted on February 28, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 28, 2021)

Noble Metals — Learn about the noble metals. Get their definition, see a list of noble metals, and learn about their properties.

What Are Noble Metals? – Definition and List Recently updated !

This entry was posted on February 27, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 27, 2021)

Why Doesn't Snow Melt Under Fire? — Is it true real snow doesn't melt when you put a lighter to it or try to set it on fire? Here's the answer and the science behind it.

Why Doesn’t Snow Melt When You Put a Lighter to ...

This entry was posted on February 25, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 25, 2021)

Amphoterism-Amphoteric Definition — Learn about amphoterism. Get the definition for amphoteric and see examples of amphoteric substances and reactions.

Amphoterism – Amphoteric Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on February 24, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 24, 2021)

Colligative Properties — Learn about colligative properties of matter. Get the definition, see examples, and get the equations for the properties.

What Are Colligative Properties? Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on February 23, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 23, 2021)

What Is a Combustion Reaction? — Get the combustion reaction definition and examples. See the general form of the reaction and learn about combustion without oxygen.

Combustion Reaction Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on February 22, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 22, 2021)

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Properties of Matter — Learn about intrinsic and extrinsic properties of matter. Get their definitions and see examples.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Properties of Matter

This entry was posted on February 21, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 21, 2021)

Silver and Gold Penny Chemistry Trick — Turn copper pennies silver and gold with this simple chemistry trick.

Silver and Gold Penny Chemistry Trick Recently updated !

This entry was posted on February 20, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 28, 2021)

Assigning Oxidation Numbers — Know how to assign oxidation numbers in elements, compounds, and ions. Learn the rules and see examples of how to apply them.

How to Assign Oxidation Numbers

This entry was posted on February 18, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 18, 2021)

Frozen Bubble - Dry Ice — See how to make frozen bubbles with dry ice. Examine frost patterns on the bubbles and learn about density, diffusion, and sublimation.

How to Make Frozen Bubbles With Dry Ice

This entry was posted on February 17, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 17, 2021)

How to Calculate Percent — Learn how to calculate percent. Follow the step-by-step tutorial and see example math calculations.

How to Calculate Percent

This entry was posted on February 16, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 16, 2021)

Examples of Organic Compounds — See examples of organic compounds in everyday life. Organic chemistry is all around us!

Examples of Organic Compounds in Everyday Life

This entry was posted on February 15, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 15, 2021)

Specific Volume — Learn about specific volume. Get its definition, formulas, and examples, See its uses in engineering and science.

Specific Volume Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on February 14, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 14, 2021)

Potassium Alum Crystal — It's easy to grow a big alum crystal using safe kitchen ingredients.

How to Grow a Big Alum Crystal

This entry was posted on February 13, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 13, 2021)

Gas Constant (R) — Get the definition and value of the ideal gas constant (R), which is also called the universal gas constant or molar gas constant.

Ideal Gas Constant (R) – Universal Gas Constant

This entry was posted on February 11, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 11, 2021)

Absolute, Relative, and Percent Error — Learn about absolute and relative error. See their formulas and get examples of how to calculate them in science.

Absolute and Relative Error and How to Calculate Them

This entry was posted on February 10, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 16, 2021)

Deuterium Facts — Learn about deuterium. Get facts about what it is, its properties, uses, and sources. See whether it's radioactive.

What Is Deuterium? Facts and Uses

This entry was posted on February 9, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 9, 2021)

Decomposition Reaction in Chemistry — Get the definition and examples of a decomposition reaction or analysis reaction in chemistry.

What Is a Decomposition Reaction? Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on February 8, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 8, 2021)

Ammonium Dichromate Volcano — Learn how to perform the ammonium dichromate volcano chemistry demonstration safely. See the chemical reactions for Vesuvius fire.

Ammonium Dichromate Volcano – Classic Vesuvius Fire Demo

This entry was posted on February 7, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 8, 2021)

Potassium Dichromate Crystals — It's easy to grow potassium dichromate crystals. These crystals are naturally vivid orange to red, without the use of any dyes.

How to Grow Orange Potassium Dichromate Crystals

This entry was posted on February 6, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 6, 2021)

Lanthanide Series (Lanthanoids) — Get facts about the lanthanides, which are also called the lanthanoids. Learn the similarities of elements in this group.

Lanthanides Facts (Lanthanoids)

This entry was posted on February 4, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 5, 2021)

Dry Ice Facts — Get cool dry ice facts. Learn how cold it is, why it's called dry ice, and whether it sinks or floats in water.

10 Cool Dry Ice Facts

This entry was posted on February 3, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 3, 2021)

Oxygen Bleach vs Chlorine Bleach — Learn about the difference between oxygen bleach and chlorine bleach. Compare the pros and cons of each type of bleach.

Oxygen Bleach vs Chlorine Bleach

This entry was posted on February 2, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 2, 2021)

Composition of Air — Learn about the chemical composition of air. See the gases in air and their percentages.

Chemical Composition of Air

This entry was posted on February 1, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 22, 2021)

Chemistry of Colored Glass — Learn about the chemistry of colored glass. See which elements and compounds produce certain glass colors.

Chemistry of Colored Glass

This entry was posted on January 31, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 31, 2021)

Physical Properties of Matter — Get the definition and examples of physical properties. Learn about extensive and intensive properties.

Physical Property of Matter – Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on January 30, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 30, 2021)

Naturally Radioactive Foods — Learn about the 10 most radioactive foods. See the type of radiation they emit and learn whether they are safe to eat.

10 Most Radioactive Foods

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

Nucleon Definition — Learn what nucleons are in chemistry and physics. See how nucleons relate to mass number and atomic mass.

What Are Nucleons? Definition and Examples

This entry was posted on January 27, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 28, 2021)

Avogadro's Number — Get the definition and value of Avogadro's number and learn about its importance in chemistry.

What Is Avogadro’s Number? Definition and Importance

This entry was posted on January 26, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 26, 2021)

Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) — It's easy to grow large monoammonium phosphate crystals. The crystals resemble quartz when clear, but may be colored to look like emeralds or amethyst.

Grow Monoammonium Phosphate Crystals (MAP) That Resemble Emeralds

This entry was posted on January 23, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 23, 2021)

Superacids World's Strongest Acids — Learn about the world's strongest acid. Meet the superacids and see why they are stronger than regular strong acids.

The World’s Strongest Acid – The Superacids

This entry was posted on January 21, 2021 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 21, 2021)

Litmus Test — Learn about litmus paper and how to perform and interpret the litmus test.

Litmus Paper and the Litmus Test

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

RNA vs DNA — Compare DNA vs RNA. Learn the similarities and differences between deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid.

DNA vs RNA – Similarities and Differences Recently updated !

This entry was posted on August 23, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 28, 2021)

The four main states of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. — Learn about the states of matter. Learn the four main states of matter, other states, and phase transitions between them.

States of Matter

This entry was posted on August 19, 2020 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 19, 2020)