physics
Wintry Science
Tweet Wintry Science Here’s a seasonally related temperature experiment exploring what happens when we freeze oil & water You will need: a clear plastic container, water, cooking oil food colouring (optional), use of a freezer. Instructions 1. Pour some water into the clear plastic container. You can add some blue or green food colouring [...]
Ketchup Volcano!
Tweet Ketchup Volcano! ( A longer-lasting volcano with ‘Natural Orange-Red Nontoxic Lava’ !) The acetic acid in ketchup reacts with baking soda to produce an extra-special type of lava for a chemical volcano. This non-toxic volcano recipe is sure to please! You will need: Small container (we used an empty travel-size bottle.) Volcano (You can [...]
Blue Sky – Red Sunset
Tweet Whenever it’s not completely filled with clouds, we can see that the sky is blue. As our world turns the sun rises and sets, and as it sets it looks red. These two observations are related. You will need: A torch a transparent container with flat parallel sides (a 10-litre [2½- gallon] aquarium is [...]
Watery Lenses
Tweet How to Make a Water Drop Magnifier You Will Need Styrofoam or polystyrene plate Cling Film Tape Scissors Eye dropper (optional) Bowl or container Small objects: blades of grass, flowers, coins, stamps, beetle, ant, fly etc Water Instructions Cut a hole out of the middle of the plate – about the size of [...]
Heat Transfer
Tweet Another simple thermal energy investigation. An important aspect of thermal energy is Heat Transfer, and older primary school students can begin to understand the concept of insulation and heat transfer as it relates to thermal energy. You will need: A number of different materials, perhaps including… a metal pie plate a fleece-lined sweatshirt an [...]
Thermal Things
Tweet A simple thermal energy experiment While our planet receives thermal energy from the sun, some devices consume energy, which is also given off in the form of thermal energy. This is a simple experiment which will demonstrate energy consumption as we measure how much thermal energy light bulbs give off. You will need a [...]
Electromagnet – the improved version
Tweet Making an electromagnet is fun and easy. You will need A large iron nail (about 3 inches) About 3 feet of THIN COATED copper wire A fresh D size battery Some paper clips Instructions 1. Leave about 8 inches of wire loose at one end and wrap most of the rest of the [...]
Water Molecules on the Move
Tweet This experiment is great for testing if hot water molecules really move faster than cold ones. Pour some water, drop in some food colouring and compare results. A simple classic experiment worth revisiting. What you’ll need: • A clear glass filled with hot water • A clear glass filled with cold water • Food [...]
Diving Ketchup!
Tweet There are many variations on this effect – we’ve covered the concept before. However this has to be the simplest to do with the best explanation. Place a ketchup packet in a bottle of water and make it rise and fall at your command, as if by magic. Of course, the magic involves some [...]
Sponge Rock
Tweet This experiment will show you how a piece of chalk can absorb a great deal of water in a short time. You will need: A piece of chalk Cup of water A Spring Balance or Newton Meter (either way it needs to show grams) Instructions 1. Weigh the chalk with the spring balance [...]