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The Delights of Chemistry

Posted by Hemos on from the ka-FOOM dept.

Dan Ormsby writes: "No news on this site, just great photos of chemical phenomena along with instructions on how to perform them yourself. Don't try this at home!"

7 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Great ways to get kids into science by RollingThunder · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I remember finding a book of chemistry experiments, and being fascinated with what I could do with just mixing a couple things.

    Not simple stuff like "wow, vinegar and baking soda" (although kitchen chemistry is very cool), but "wow, battery acid, zinc and limestone will make lethal chlorine gas! cool!". (iirc)

    While I don't want MOST kids getting that spin on it (:D), some golly-gee-whiz experiments at a YOUNG age, with some more every year, will help keep them interested in learning. And up here in Canada, at least, we've got a big problem with keeping boys interested in learning. But boys like things that go bang. Simple solution. :)

  2. Re:Google's cached site by smunt · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I think slashdot should have such a caching service too.

    *NEWS* is almost never in google's cache.

  3. The simple ones.. by GoNINzo · · Score: 4, Informative
    Most of these are somewhat complex and some require like +3% solutions of acids/bases, which are difficult to get at best. In fact, some of these chemicals are 'call in the EPA if there is a spill'. But there are a lot of easy ones with materials that easy to get. Maybe they'll tune it a bit so they can list the ones you can do at home. I don't think I'm allowed to own 100% Hydrogen perxoide. `8r)

    As far as explosives go, lots of cool things to do with chemicals like magnesium and nitrates. Just might have to search a bit harder. `8r) But hell, just making hydrogen is fun, from electricity and water.

    --
    Gonzo Granzeau
    "Nothing the god of biomechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for.." -Roy Batty
  4. Meet Mr. Wizard by ahknight · · Score: 3, Funny

    [BOOM]
    "We're going to need a new Timmy!"

    [Guess the source?]

  5. Invitation... by don_carnage · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Ok, is it just me or does the "don't try this at home" statement just make it all the more tempting.

    Not to plug my own site, but we have a really cool "fire in the bottle" how-to video.

    --
    Wooden armaments to battle your imaginary foes!
  6. Physics Demos by dragons_flight · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you liked that, you might also want to check out the physics demonstration archive at my old school (UMD).

    IIRC It's the largest in the country.

    Oh yeah, the Question of the Week is also very good.

  7. Best chemistry demonstation I've seen by NonSequor · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The best chemistry demonstration I've seen was at the end of the year in AP chemistry. My teacher put magnesium filings in between two slabs of dry ice and lit them. So the magnesium was burning in carbon dioxide rather than oxygen. This produced an *extremely* bright light that lasted quite a while (much longer than magnesium in oxygen any way). After it was done we played with the dry ice (not many people were there since most of the people in the class were seniors and had graduation rehearsal that day).

    I also remember another demonstration in which he blew the lid of a can. I can't remember what he did then though.

    Great teacher, if it weren't for his preparation I wouldn't have been able to get a 5 on the AP Chemistry test.

    --
    My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.