1. food and drink
2. desserts and baking

~A Book of Experiments~
Volume II
For use in teaching elementary
School science
Organized to support the Massachusetts Science and
Technology/Engineering Curriculum Frameworks
Compiled by Grade 11 Scientific and Technical Writing Students at
the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI
Fall 2010
Table of Contents
Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum
Framework: Physical Sciences Learning Standards--Grades 3-5
Differentiation between properties of objects (e.g. size, shape, and weight) and
properties of materials (e.g. color, texture, hardness):
Paper Chromatography
Black Rainbow
Compare and contrast solids, liquids, and gases based on the basic properties
of these states of matter:
Collapsing Cans
Dancing Raisins
Raisin the Roof
Floating Raisins Harney
Bouncing Raisins
Egg Suction
Egg in a Bottle
Moving Pepper
The Power of Pressure
Moving Drop
Dropping Pennies
Sugar Volcano
Sinking Sodas
Three Layer Float
Flubber
Rubber Egg
Tie Dye Milk
Suspended Egg
Slime!
Homemade Balloon Pump
Match Stick Speedboats
Quicksand
Identify the basic forms of energy (light, sound, heat, electrical, and magnetic).
Recognize that energy is the ability to cause motion or create change:
Anti-gravity Water
Can You Separate Salt and Pepper?
Excited Salt
Secret Bells
A Ruler Attracts Water
Disappearing Colors
Give examples of how energy can be transferred from one form to another:
Super Bouncy Tennis Balls
A Simple DC Motor
Good Conductors
Mini Hovercraft
Identify and classify objects and materials that conduct electricity and objects
and materials that are insulators of electricity:
Making a Series Circuit
Lemon Light
Make Your Own Flashlight
Recognize that magnets have poles that repel and attract each other:
Create a Compass
Recognize that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object or travels
from one medium to another, and that light can be reflected, refracted, and
absorbed:
Magnifying Lens Focus
Miscellaneous Science and Math Activities:
Growing Sugar Crystals
Crystalling Sugar
Tension Bridge
Magic Pop Cans
Floating Ping Pong Balls
Kite Aerodynamic
The Lincoln High Dive
Impulse
Paper Chromatography
Materials
Water
15 identical strips of paper
Ruler
Pencils
Three different types of markers (including one
permanent marker)
 A wide-mouth jar for the solvent





Procedure
1. Cut paper strips about two by ten centimeters in area (they
must all be the same size).
2. Take one of the paper strips and use a ruler and pencil to draw
a line across it horizontally two cm from the bottom. This is
the origin line.
3. Pour a small amount of water into your jar (there should be
barely enough for the paper strip to hang inside of the jar and
just touch the water).
4. Using one of the markers, place a small dot of ink onto the
line.
5. Use the pencil to label the strip, so that you know which
marker it represents.
6. Tape the paper to a pencil and hang it into the jar of solvent
so that the bottom edge is just barely touching.
7. Let the water rise up the strip until it is almost at the top.
8. Remove the strip from the jar and mark how far the solvent
rose with a pencil.
9. Analyze the ink component(s):
Measure the distance the solvent and each ink component
traveled from the starting position, then calculate the Rf value
for each component (some of the ink components might not
have moved at all).
10. Repeat this experiment for each marker five times.
The Scientific Explanation
Water is the mobile phase of the chromatography system, whereas
the paper is the stationary phase. These two phases are the basic
principles of chromatography. The adhesion force is larger than the
cohesion force, hence the water moves up the paper. The ink was
attracted to the paper and to the water differently, and thus the
various components moved to different distance depending upon
the strength of their attraction. To measure how far each
component traveled, the retention factor (Rf value) of the sample
was calculated. The Rf value is the ratio between how far the
component travels and the distance the solvent travels from the
origin.
Black Rainbow
Materials
 coffee filters
 washable black marker (may use
more colors)
 beaker of water
 easily washable surface
Procedure
1. Fold a coffee filter in half and then fold it in half again so that
it takes the shape of a cone.
2. With the black marker, color in the tip of the cone.
3. Dip the colored region in the water, and then place it on the
surface.
4. Wait and observe. What happens?
One step further: Experiment with different colors, make
different patterns, and fold the coffee filter into different
shapes. What happens?
The Scientific Explanation
Black pigments absorb every wavelength of light and thus reflect no
colors. The ink in a black marker is made up of various pigments,
each of which absorb specific wavelengths and reflect others.
When these different particles are combined, any color reflected by
one pigment is absorbed by another; therefore, the black reflects
nothing. When water is added to the black marker on the coffee
filter, the water spreads outward, taking with it the various colored
particles from the marker clusters. The lighter pigments are then
carried farther than others, leaving behind a trail of colors.
Collapsing Cans
Materials






1 empty regular soda can
1 hot plate
1 pair of standard metal or plastic tongs
1 bowl or pot
Ice (about 200mL)
Water (about 800mL)
Procedure
 Fill the can with a small amount (15-30mL) of water.
 Place the can on a hot plate.
 Heat the can until the water begins to boil and steam begins to
rise.
 Fill the pot or bowl with the remaining water and the ice and
wait for at least 30 seconds.
 Use the tongs to take the can off of the hot plate, flip it
upside down, and place it 1-2cm into the water so just the
opening of the can is covered as quickly as possible.
 What happened to the can?
The Scientific Explanation
The air around us is always exerting pressure upon everything. If
there is a large difference between the pressure on the outside of a
closed container and the pressure within, the container can no
longer support itself and it distorts. When the water was heated,
water vapor formed and pushed the air outside of the can. Then,
when the can was put into the cold water, the vapor in the can
condensed. Very little air was left in the can so the pressure inside
was far less than the outside pressure, and the outside air pressure
crushed the can.
Dancing Raisins
Materials






Two clear cups (same size)
Soda (preferably colorless)
Twelve raisins
Baking soda (1 teaspoon)
Water (1/2 cup)
Vinegar (1/4 cup)
Procedure
1. Fill one cup three quarters of the way with soda.
2. Drop six raisins into the same cup.
3. Fill the other cup half way with water.
4. Mix in a teaspoon of baking soda with the water until it dissolves.
5. Pour vinegar into the same cup until it is filled three quarters of
the way to the top.
6. Drop six raisins into that cup.
7. Watch as the raisins sink and float in both cups for the next
hour.
8. Try using other objects such as moth balls or uncooked pasta to
see if the experiment yields new results.
The Scientific Explanation
Carbon dioxide is in the soda, and it is produced by the mixture of
baking soda, vinegar, and water. The carbon dioxide is the gas that
causes the fizzing when a soda bottle is initially opened. The
bubbles formed from carbon dioxide are attached to the rough,
wrinkly skin of the raisins and cause them to become more buoyant
and float. The raisins sink to the bottom of the cups because they
are denser than the liquid in the cup. Once the raisins float up
again and reach the top of the surface, the carbon dioxide bubbles
will pop and make the raisins lose buoyancy and sink again.
Eventually the raisins will stay at the bottom when all of the carbon
dioxide escapes into the air or when the raisins become too soggy,
which makes them too heavy to be able to float to the top.
Raisin the Roof
Materials





1 tall clear glass
5 raisins
½ cup water
1 tbsp baking soda
3/8 cup vinegar
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Place 5 raisins in the bottom of the clear glass
Pour the ½ cup of water into the glass
Stir in 1 tbsp of baking soda
Slowly pour the red wine vinegar into the glass
Watch the raisins and record your observations
The Scientific Explanation
A chemical reaction occurs between the baking soda and vinegar,
releasing tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles are
attracted to the rough surface of the raisins and make the raisins
rise to the surface of the water. However, the density of the
raisins is greater than the density of the water, so they begin to
sink. Then the carbon dioxide bubbles push the raisins to the
surface again, causing them to “dance” in a repetitive rising and
sinking motion until all of the carbon dioxide has been released.
Floating Raisins
Materials
 plastic container (about 4 cup
size)
 vinegar (½ cup)
 water (3 ½ cups)
 baking soda (1 tablespoon)
 raisins (2 to 3)
Procedure
1. Fill the plastic container with the ½ cup of vinegar.
2. Add the 3 ½ cups of water.
3. Stir the water and vinegar together.
4. Add the tablespoon of baking soda.
5. Stir the baking soda, vinegar, and water together.
6. Drop the raisins in and wait a few seconds.
7. Observe what happens.
The Scientific Explanation
When the baking soda and vinegar are combined, a chemical
reaction occurs that releases bubbles of carbon dioxide. These
carbon dioxide bubbles are lighter than the water so they rise to
the top of the container. When the raisins are placed into the
mixture, the carbon dioxide bubbles attach themselves to the
raisins and cause them to rise. When the raisins reach the surface
of the water, the carbon dioxide escapes from the liquid, and the
raisin sinks back to the bottom until enough more bubbles cause it
to float again.
Bouncing Raisins
Materials
 An unopened bottle of Sprite (16.9 ounces
or 2 Liter)
 A box of raisins
 Clear plastic or glass cup
Procedure
1. Place the materials on a flat surface.
2. Open the bottle of Sprite, and pour it into the clear cup
about ¾ of the way.
3. Place 5-7 raisins in the cup.
4. What is happening to the raisins after a few minutes in the
soda?
The Scientific Explanation
The carbon dioxide gas bubbles released from the Sprite soda
attaches to the rough sides of the raisins. The bubbles decrease a
raisin’s density, thus the buoyancy of the raisins will increase. The
more buoyancy an object has, the more able it is to float. The gas
bubbles float the raisins to the top of the soda. Then the carbon
dioxide bubbles are released into the air, and the raisins float back
down to the bottom of the cup. The process keeps repeating itself.
Egg Suction
Materials
 1 hardboiled egg
 1 glass bottle or jar with an opening smaller than the egg
 Wooden kitchen matches
Procedure
1. Peel the shell off the egg.
2. Place the egg on top of the bottle opening. Notice how the
egg does not fall in.
3. Take the egg back off the bottle.
4. Light a match, drop it into the bottle, and quickly cover the
bottle with the egg again.
5. What happens to the egg?
The Scientific Explanation
At the beginning of the experiment, the air pressure is the
same both inside and outside of the bottle. The fire inside the
bottle) heats the air molecules inside the bottle, which makes them
expand. Some of the air molecules escape before egg is placed on
the opening. When placed on the opening, the egg seals the top of
the bottle, cutting off the supply of oxygen. This extinguishes the
flame, and the air on the inside of the bottle cools down. There are
fewer collisions of the air molecules, which decreases the air
pressure inside the container. But he air pressure remains the same
on the outside of the bottle, which causes the outside air pressure
to push the egg through into the bottle.
Egg in a Bottle
Materials
 Boiled Egg
 Paper towel
 Matches
 Erlenmeyer flask or glass
bottle
Procedure
1. Shell the hardboiled egg
2. Shred the paper towel
3. Stick the shredded paper towel inside the flask/ bottle
4. Light the match
5. Drop the match into the flask so the paper towel catches on
fire
6. Put the egg on the rim/opening of the flask so that it is sealing
off the air flow
7. Watch as the egg is sucked into the flask
The Scientific Explanation
At the beginning of the experiment, the air pressure is the
same both inside and outside of the bottle. The fire inside the
bottle) heats the air molecules inside the bottle, which makes them
expand. Some of the air molecules escape before egg is placed on
the opening. When placed on the opening, the egg seals the top of
the bottle, cutting off the supply of oxygen. This extinguishes the
flame, and the air on the inside of the bottle cools down. There are
fewer collisions of the air molecules, which decreases the air
pressure inside the container. But he air pressure remains the same
on the outside of the bottle, which causes the outside air pressure
to push the egg through into the bottle.
Moving Pepper
Materials





1 clear plastic bowl
1 ruler
Pepper (in shaker or grinder)
500 mL of water
Liquid dish soap
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pour 500 mL of water into the plastic bowl
Put 3 shakes of pepper into the water 10cm above the surface
Put one drop of liquid soap into the center of the water
What happens after adding the soap? Record your
observations.
The Scientific Explanation
Water molecules are highly attracted to one another and stick
to each other like magnets. This results in surface tension, meaning
that the water molecules on top of the liquid form a skin-like layer.
The reason for the movement of pepper to the outer edge of the
bowl is due to the spread of the soap along the top of the water.
The pepper will only remain afloat where there is no soap and
surface tension remains. Pepper is pushed to the edge where it
eventually sinks because of the lack of surface tension.
The Power of Pressure
Materials
 Mug
 Manila Folder
 5 Gallon Bucket
 Water
 Scissors
Procedure
1. Fill the bucket with water.
2. Place the bucket on a flat surface that can get wet without
any trouble.
3. Cut a manila folder into quarters, once on the seam, then
widthwise on the remaining pieces.
4. Dip the mug into the bucket and fill it halfway with water.
5. Place piece of manila folder over the mug rim making sure
none of the opening is exposed.
6. Keep constant pressure on the folder piece and flip the mug
upside down over the bucket.
7. Observe what the manila folder does.
8. Repeat for filling the mug quarter-way, three quarters-way,
and completely filled with water.
The Scientific Explanation
We are surrounded by air, which consists of various gases. Air
exerts a pressure on every single thing. On earth, air pressure is 14.7
psi (pounds per square inch). We can't feel this pressure because it
is everywhere. This experiment shows the presence of air pressure
using water. The water remains inside the glass, holding the manila
folder piece in place. This happens because the air pressure
outside, i.e., 14.7 psi, is greater than the combining pressure of the
water and air inside the glass.
Moving Drop
Materials
 1-foot sheet of wax paper
 Toothpick
 Eyedropper
 Water
 Liquid dish soap
Procedure
1. Spread the wax paper on a table
2. Use the eyedropper to position 3 or 4 separate small drops of
water on the paper.
3. Wet the toothpick with water.
4. Bring the tip of the wet pick near, but not touching, one of
the water drops.
5. Observe what happens to the water drop.
6. Repeat with one of the other drops
7. Repeat with the other two drops, but touch the tip of the
toothpick to the soap before touching the water drops.
The Scientific Explanation
Water molecules have an attraction to each other. This attractive
force is strong enough to cause the water drop to move toward the
water on the toothpick. The attraction of the water molecules
exists because each water molecule has a slightly positive side and a
slightly negative side. The positive area of one molecule attracts the
negative part of another molecule. The soap on the other hand has
molecules with two distinct ends. One half is attracted to water
particles and the other half repels water. These soap particles
break the strong forces that hold water molecules together,
thereby allowing the water to spread out.
Dropping Pennies
Materials
 A cup with a mouth 9 cm wide
 Water (enough to fill the cup
completely)
 Several (30 +) pennies
Procedure
1. Fill the cup with water until the water level is even with the
top of the cup.
2. Slowly drop a penny into the cup of water.
3. Observe what happens to the water level.
4. Continue dropping pennies slowly into the cup until the water
overflows down the side.
5. Record how many pennies are in the cup when the water
overflows.
The Scientific Explanation
A molecule of water is composed of three atoms: two
hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Because the oxygen atom
tends to have the electrons orbit it more than the hydrogen atoms,
the oxygen atom has a slight negative charge, and the hydrogen
atoms have a slight positive charge. Because of this property,
oxygen is called a polar molecule. This property also allows the
water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with each other, between
the positive hydrogen atoms and negative oxygen atoms. Because
the individual water molecules form these hydrogen bonds, water
has a very high surface tension. This high surface tension actually
allows the water level to rise up over the mouth of the cup before
the water overflows down the sides.
Sugar Volcano
Materials
 1 plastic cup (16 fl. oz.)
 1 Styrofoam plate
 1 can of seltzer water or
another carbonated beverage
(12 fl. oz.)
 1 tsp of sugar
Procedure
1. Place the plastic cup on the Styrofoam plate.
2. Pour the seltzer water into the plastic cup.
3. Take the sugar and dump it into the seltzer.
4. What happens?
The Scientific Explanation
The seltzer will overflow the plastic cup because of nucleation
sites. When the seltzer is sitting in a container, the fizz, or carbon
dioxide, is trying to escape. The sugar crystals have imperfections,
called nucleation sites, on their surfaces that look like dimples on a
golf ball or like craters on the surface of the moon. When the sugar
is dropped into the seltzer, the carbon dioxide, looking for a way to
escape the liquid, grabs onto these holes. Eventually, the carbon
dioxide builds up to a point in which it floats up to the surface and
is seen as fizz. The reaction becomes stronger until either all the
sugar is dissolved into the seltzer or all the gas has left the liquid.
Sinking Sodas
Materials





1 can of Coca-cola
1 can of Diet Coke
Cans of other assorted diet and regular sodas
Plastic cooler or container (about 6 liter size)
Water (about 5 ½ liters)
Procedure
1. Fill the plastic cooler or container with 5.5 liters of water.
2. Place the can of Coca-cola in the container. DO NOT OPEN
ANY OF THE CANS DURING THE EXPERIMENT.
3. What happens? Does it sink or float?
4. Remove the can from the container, and look at the
nutritional facts on the side of the can. How many grams of
sugar are there in the can?
5. Place the can of Diet Coke in the container.
6. What happens this time? Does it sink or float?
7. Remove this can from the container and look at the
nutritional facts on the side of the Diet Coke can. How many
grams of sugar are in this can?
8. Repeat the process for any other cans of soda you want, but
Diet Coke and Coca-cola should be enough.
The Scientific Explanation
This experiment is a demonstration of the scientific principles
of density. The can of regular Coca-cola should sink because the
sugar content in the can causes the soda to be denser than water.
The Diet Coke should float because there is no sugar in diet soda.
The cans of soda should not be opened when placed in container
because the water will displace the sugar.
Three Layer Float
Materials







Cup of water
Cup of vegetable oil
Cup of honey
A penny
A grape
A cork
Tall drinking glass
Procedure
1. Take a plastic cup and fill it to the top with water.
2. Take the second plastic cup and fill it with vegetable oil.
3. Take the third cup and fill it with honey.
4. Pour out the honey into the tall drinking glass. Do the same for
the vegetable oil. Notice what happens as that is done. Repeat
the step one more time for the cup of water.
5. Allow the liquids to settle for a few minutes and then drop the
penny, the grape, and the cork into the glass.
6. What do you observe happening as you drop each item into the
glass?
The Scientific Explanation
Density is a measure of how tightly packed the atoms or molecules
of a substance are. Density determines if an object floats or sinks
when placed in another liquid. If the object has a higher density
then the liquid, it will sink, and if the object has a lower density, it
will float. The three liquids in the glass arrange themselves by their
density. The densest liquid will sink to the bottom of the glass, and
the least dense liquid rests above the denser liquids. When the
items are dropped into the glass, they sink through any layers that
are less dense then the items, but the items float above any layers
that are denser. The penny is denser than all three liquids so it falls
to the very bottom. The grape is less dense then honey so it floats
above it, but it is denser than water and oil so it sinks below the oil
and water. Finally, the cork floats above the oil because it is less
dense then the oil.
Flubber
Materials
 4 teaspoons of
sodium borate
 ¼ teaspoons of food
coloring
 2 1/3 cups of water
 2 cups of glue
 3 wooden mixing
bowls
 1 wooden mixing
spoon
 1 Microwave
Procedure
 Pour 1 1/3 cups of water into the first mixing bowl.
 Heat the water in a microwave on the high setting for 35
seconds.
 Pour 2 cups of glue into the first mixing bowl.
 Mix the solution for 60 seconds with the wooden spoon.
 Pour .25 teaspoons of food coloring into the first mixing
bowl.
 Mix the solution for 60 seconds.
 Pour 1 ½ cups of water into the second mixing bowl.
 Pour 4 teaspoons of sodium borate into the second
mixing bowl
 Mix the second mixing bowl for 60 seconds.
 Pour the solution from the second mixing bowl into the
first.
 Mix the solution for 60 seconds.
 Pour excess fluid into the third mixing bowl.
 Explore the properties of the substance left in the first
mixing bowl.
The Scientific Explanation
A polymer is a large molecule made of repeating subunits. The
substance in this experiment is a silicon polymer made of sodium
borate, water, and white glue. It acts as a solid and a liquid under
different circumstances. Scientists call it a Maxwell solid, which
means it has properties of both elasticity and viscosity. When under
low stress, it acts as a Non-Newtonian fluid, which means it has a
viscosity without a direct relation to its shear stress.
Rubber Egg
Materials
• 1 egg
• 1 plastic cup
• Vinegar
Procedure
1. Put the egg inside the cup.
2. Pour vinegar into the cup until the egg is covered.
3. Put the cup aside in a safe place and wait 3 days, making sure
the egg is always covered by vinegar.
4. After 3 days, carefully take the egg out of the cup. What
does it look like now? What does it feel like?
The Scientific Explanation
What makes an eggshell rigid is the element calcium in the form of
the compound calcium carbonate. When you pour on vinegar
(acetic acid), it reacts with the calcium carbonate in the shell,
leeching most of the calcium out into the liquid. This reaction is
the reason for the flexibility of the egg after a few days; the shell
dissolves, leaving behind just the membrane. Another effect of the
reaction is the production of carbon dioxide, which makes all the
tiny bubbles around the egg.
Tie Dye Milk
Materials





2 cups of milk (half-and-half or whole milk work best)
A shallow dish
Liquid dish soap
Food coloring (4 different colors)
A Q-tip or toothpick
Procedure
1. Pour a half of a cup of milk into a shallow dish.
2. Pour roughly six drops of each type of food coloring in the
center of the dish. Each color should make a different circle.
Make sure that the circles are not touching. You can do this
by placing the drops in a square formation.
3. Dip the end of a Q-tip in some liquid dish soap.
4. Place the dish soap end of the Q-tip into the center of the
milk.
5. What do you observe?
The Scientific Explanation
When the food coloring is dropped onto the milk, it does not
sink or spread out. This is because the food coloring is less dense
than the milk. Because of this, it can just float on top, and the food
coloring and milk do mix together. When the soap is added, a
reaction takes place. The soap helps to break the surface tension of
the water in milk by breaking apart fat molecules. This is why it is
best to use whole milk rather than skim milk. The milk that has not
been touched by the soap has a higher surface tension than the milk
that touches the soap. Because of this, it is able to pull the surface
away from the soap. This is why it looks as though the color travels
away from the soap. The food coloring moves with the milk creating
a tie dye effect.
Suspended Egg
Materials
A tall glass
A raw egg
Tap water
Table salt (at least 10
table spoons)
 A plastic stirrer
 A teaspoon




Procedure
1. Fill glass about halfway with tap water.
2. Add salt and using the plastic stirrer mix it with the water!
3. Find how many tablespoons it takes for the egg to float.
4. Add fresh tap water into the glass carefully; make sure the salt
and fresh water do not mix.
5. Place the egg in the glass
6. What happens to the egg?
The Scientific Explanation
Why does the egg float in salt water but sink in fresh water? This
happens because of density, which defines how much mass an
object for a given volume. Density is expressed by the equation:
Density = Mass/Volume. The denser an object is the more compact
its molecules are. Salt water is denser than fresh water, which is
why the salt water sinks to the bottom. But because the egg has a
density between salt and fresh water the egg floats in between the
two liquids.
Slime!
Materials








1 Teaspoon Borax
1 ½ cups water
½ cup of Elmer’s glue
Food coloring
(optional)
Measuring Cup
Medium size bowl
A spoon
Small plastic bag
Procedure
1. Pour ½ cup water
into the measuring
cup and 1 cup of water into the medium size bowl.
2. Add the teaspoon of Borax to the medium bowl and stir.
3. Add the ½ cup of Elmer’s glue to the small bowl and stir it. It
probably won’t dilute completely, but most of it should be
diluted.
4. Add 1-3 drops of food coloring to the glue and water. You can
add more depending on the color you would like it to be (more
drops = brighter slime!)
5. Empty the glue and water mixture into the larger bowl with
the borax and water. What happens?
6. Use your hands to mix the slime! What does it feel like?
7. Pick up all the slime that you can from the bowl and start
squeezing it (over the bowl!) to get rid of any extra water that
is left in it. The more you play with it, the firmer it becomes!
8. You can store the slime in a plastic bag.
The Scientific Explanation
The slime that you just made is a material called a polymer, which is
a long chain of molecules that are connected to each other. Borax
links the glue molecules to each other. As more molecules become
linked together, the more putty-like the slime becomes.
Homemade Balloon Pump
Materials
 Empty plastic water bottle
 Party balloon
 Vinegar (about 1.5 cups)
 Baking Soda (3 teaspoons)
 Plain piece of paper
Procedure
1. Remove the cap of the water bottle.
2. Fill the water bottle with the vinegar.
3. Twist the paper into a funnel shape.
4. Use the paper funnel to pour the baking soda into the balloon.
5. Without letting the baking soda fall from the balloon, stretch
the opening of the balloon over the top of the water bottle.
6. Hold the balloon down to the water bottle firmly.
7. Tilt the balloon so the baking soda falls into the water bottle
with the vinegar.
8. Watch what happens to the balloon!
The Scientific Explanation
When the vinegar mixes with the baking soda, a chemical reaction
occurs. In this case, vinegar (CH3COOH) combines with baking soda
(NaHCO3) to make carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and sodium
acetate (CH3COONa). The carbon dioxide is a gas that is created
by the mixture of vinegar and baking soda, which fills up the balloon
in this experiment.
Matchstick Speedboats
Materials
 3 matches
 A large container full of water
 Dish washing liquid (one teaspoon)
Procedure
1. Place the container of water on a level surface.
2. Place the three matches on the surface of the water.
3. Pour a teaspoon of dish washing liquid into the water next to
one of the matches.
4. What happens to the matches?
The Scientific Explanation
The matches float because of surface tension, the attraction of
water molecules that forms a “skin” on the surface of liquid water.
Dish washing liquid is a surfactant, which means it lowers the
surface tension of the water. As the soap molecules spread, across
the water, the the matches are pushed outward, and the surface
tension of the water decreases.
Quicksand
Materials
 One (16 oz.) box of
cornstarch
 Plastic mixing bowl
 Water (1 ½ to 2
cups)
 Spoon
Procedure
1. In the mixing bowl, combine small amounts of cornstarch and
water until it has a honey-like consistency. The ratio is 1 ¼
cups of cornstarch to 1 cup of water, so for a 16 oz box use
approximately 1 ½ to 2 cups of water.
2. Try gently touching the mixture and then try punching it. What
does it feel like? (If the mixture splatters when you punch it,
add cornstarch.)
3. Put your hand in the mixture and try to remove. Does it help if
you pull your hand out slowly?
4. The cornstarch-water mixture must be disposed of in the
trash not the sink.
The Scientific Explanation
The water-cornstarch mixture is a unique substance called a nonNewtonian liquid. Viscosity is a liquid’s resistance to flow, and the
viscosities of non-Newtonian liquids are affected by the force
applied to it. Other viscosities, in more familiar liquids, are affected
by pressure and temperature. This is why when a high pressure
force, such as punching, was applied to the cornstarch-water
mixture it felt solid.
Anti-Gravity Water
Materials
 A graduated cylinder (250mL)
 Water
Procedure
1. Measure 100mL of water using the graduated cylinder.
2. Hold the graduated cylinder by its top, keeping your arm fully
extended downward.
3. Quickly move your arm in a circular motion so that the cylinder
is in your hand right side up when you start, then upside-down,
then right side up again when you finish.
4. Observe what happened. Did the water fall out of the
cylinder? (if it did, try spinning the cylinder faster)
5. Repeat this process for 150mL, 200mL, and 250mL of water.
Are the results the same? When do they change?
The Scientific Explanation
When you spin the cylinder, you exert a force on it. This means that
there is something pushing on the cylinder. This force points toward
the bottom of the cylinder, so the water is pushed against the
bottom. The faster you spin it, the greater the force. This means
that the faster you spin the cylinder, the more force is pushing on
the water to keep it from falling out. If you spin the cylinder fast
enough, the push on the water to stay in is greater than the pull of
gravity. This force is what keeps the water in the cylinder when you
spin it.
Can You Separate Salt
and Pepper?
Materials

Comb

Salt

Pepper

Wool (or hair)
Procedure
1. Pour or shake some salt onto a flat surface
2. Pour or shake some pepper on top of the salt
3. Use your finger to stir the salt and pepper together until
they are mixed evenly
4. Rub the comb through the wool (or your hair) in order to
give it a static charge
5. Take the charged comb and slowly lower it, teeth side
down, to about 2.5 cm above the salt and pepper mixture
6. Observe what happens to the pepper and salt. The pepper
should jump up and stick to the comb, while the salt stays put
The Scientific Explanation
Rubbing the comb against the wool or through your hair gives it a
negative charge, like any plastic object that is rubbed against cloth
or fur. The salt and pepper both have positive charges, and because
opposite charges attract, they will try to move toward the comb
because of the force of static electricity. When the comb is
lowered above the mixture, the pepper particles fly up to the comb
because of this attraction. Because the pepper particles are much
lighter than the salt, they are attracted to the comb more easily
than the salt, without the comb having to be lowered as close to
them. This causes the pepper to separate from the salt and stick to
the comb. If you move the comb closer to the salt and pepper
mixture, the salt will eventually fly up and stick to the comb as well
as the pepper.
Excited Salt
Materials
 A latex balloon
 Salt (about ¼ teaspoon)
 A volunteer with long hair
Procedure
1. Blow up the balloon and tie it at the end.
2. Put the salt on a table or other flat surface and spread it out.
3. Rub the balloon in the volunteer’s hair for about 20 seconds.
Make sure the balloon doesn’t touch anything except the
person’s hand that is holding it.
4. Move the balloon over the salt, keeping it just above the table
or surface.
5. What happens to the salt?
The Scientific Explanation
When the positive side of a magnet is brought close to the negative
side of another magnet, they attract each other. When the positive
side of a magnet is brought close to the positive side of another
magnet, they repel each other. The same thing happens when two
negative sides are brought together. Salt is a charged molecule that
can act like a magnet. When you rubbed the balloon in the
volunteer’s hair, you gave the balloon a negative charge. This
negative charge acted like the negative end of a magnet and
attracted the positive side of the salt, making it jump and stick to
the balloon.
Secret Bells
Materials
 String
 Scissors
 Wire hanger
 Metal Spoon
Procedure
1. Cut approximately 3 feet piece of string with scissors
2. Fold the string in half
3. Put the loop under the hanger hook
4. Pass the loose ends into the loop, securing the hanger to the
string
5. Grab one end of the string with each hand
6. Swing the hanger against a solid surface
7. Now put the string ends in your ears and swing the hanger
again
8. Repeat the same process with a metal spoon
The Scientific Explanation
Sound travels differently depending on the medium. It sounds
different when it travels through air compared to when it travels
through something solid. Sound is actually caused by molecules
vibrating and bumping into each other. A chain reaction of colliding
molecules occurs. This repeats until the vibrations reach your ears,
where your ear drums push on the bones in your ear, and the
vibrations are translated into electrical signals. When you put the
string into your ears, you hear the vibrations through the string, and
because the molecules of the string are different from the
molecules in air, the vibrations can sound like church bells.
A Ruler Attracts
Water
Materials
 2 plastic rulers
 1 clean sock
 Paper towel
 a sink
Procedure
1. Place one ruler in the sink.
2. Open the tap slightly, just until there is no visible dripping in
the water flow.
3. Measure the distance of the water flow from the wall of the
sink using the ruler.
4. Hold the other ruler in your hand at one end.
5. Clean the uncovered surface of the ruler using the paper
towel. Make sure that it is dry and that there is no visible dirt
on it.
6. Rub the sock on the clean surface up and down for about 30
seconds.
7. Approach the water flow with the surface.
8. Measure the maximum displacement of the water flow.
The Scientific Explanation
By rubbing the sock on the ruler, the ruler becomes charged. There
are positive and negative charges, which attract each other;
however, two positive or two negative charges will repel each other.
When the charged ruler is close to the water, the charges that are
opposite to the charge of the ruler move closer to the ruler, and
the others move away from it. Therefore the force between the
water and the ruler will make the water flow move closer to the
ruler.
Disappearing Colors
Materials
 1 sheet of printer paper
 4 markers (red, blue, green , yellow)
 1 pair of scissors
 1 pencil
 45 cm of string
Procedure
1. Gather all materials
2. Cut out an 8.5 x 8.5 in. square from the printer paper
3. Fold all corners of the square towards its center to form a
smaller, new square
4. Repeat step 3 three times
5. Tape the flaps down near each corner
6. Using the pencil, divide the side without flaps into 4 equal
triangles by connecting opposite corners
7. Color each triangle red, blue, green , or yellow using the
markers
8. Using the pencil pierce a hole in the center of the square
9. Put the string through the hole in the square
10. Rotate the square by spinning the string
11. Once it has gained enough speed, pull the string taut
12.Observe what happens to the colors on the square
Direction of Fold
Flaps
Finished Product
The Scientific Explanation
Visible light is made up of many different colors, including red,
blue, green, and yellow. These colors can be separated from visible
light using a prism. This experiment just does the opposite. It
combines these colors to form white, which is why the colored
square appears to be white when it is spinning at sufficient speeds.
At these speeds our eyes cannot see each color separately, so we
only see the combined effect of these colors. This effect can be
enhanced by adding a wider array of colors.
Super Bouncy Tennis
Balls
Materials
 Basketball
 Tennis Ball
Procedure
1. Hold the basketball and the tennis ball next to each other at
about shoulder height.
2. Drop both balls at the same time.
3. Notice how high each ball bounces.
4. Hold the tennis ball on top of the basketball at shoulder height.
5. Drop both balls at the same time.
6. Notice how high each ball bounces.
The Scientific Explanation
The tennis ball bounces very high because of momentum, the mass
of a system multiplied by the velocity of a system. Momentum in a
system is always conserved, so the mass and velocity are inversely
proportional. In other words, as the mass decreases, the velocity
increases while the momentum stays the same. In this case, the
tennis ball and basketball form a system. When the two balls are
dropped on top of each other, the mass of the system is the
combined mass of both of the balls. When the balls hit the floor,
only the tennis ball bounces up. The mass of the system decreases
to only that of the tennis ball, so velocity increases.
A Simple DC Motor
Materials
 Different-sized brand-new batteries
(AA, AAA, C, D)
 Different-sized flathead screws
(about 1”-2” long)
 Assorted circular magnets (slightly
larger than the head of the screws
and between 1/16”-1/4” thick)
 Some wire
 Wire strippers
 Some tape
Procedure
1. Choose a battery, a screw, and a magnet to use for the
experiment. Hint: Smaller batteries, longer screws, and
medium magnets seem to work well.
2. Cut a piece of wire to about nine inches long and strip ½”
on each side.
3. Tape one side of the wire to the negative side of the
battery. Make sure that it makes contact and is strong.
4. Place the magnet on the center of the head of the
screw, and try to balance it.
5. Place the tip of the screw on the center of the positive
side of the battery. It will stick due to the power of the
magnet. Make sure to hold the battery so that the
battery with the screw on it faces straight down.
6. Lightly touch the end of the wire that isn’t attached to
the magnet. It will take a few trials, but the screw
should begin to spin. You have now created a motor!
Students should try different sizes of batteries, screws, and
magnets, and try to find the best combination to allow the
motor to spin the best.
Safety note: This experiment does involve electricity, which
can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. Creating a motor
makes a short circuit, where the positive and negative
terminals of a battery are connected directly. Do not leave
the motors connected for more than a few seconds, and give
the battery time to rest between trials. There are also sharp
objects involved, and these should be handled with care. This
experiment should always be conducted under adult
supervision.
The Scientific Explanation
The motor made here is often known as a homopolar
motor. This special type of motor rotates due to the current
passing through the battery, wire, and magnet. The magnet
turns the battery into a single pole of a magnet, which allows
the Lorentz Force to come into play. The Lorentz force
means that a charge moving in a uniform magnetic field (the
battery casing) experiences a force perpendicular to both the
field and the direction of the current flow. This force causes
the wire to repel the screw, and this causes the rotational
motion of the screw. Although it doesn’t look like a standard
motor, it uses the same essential principles.
Good Conductors
Materials
 One Pyrex brand 750 ml glass
bowl
 500 ml of water
 Thermometer
 15mm wooden popsicle stick
 16mm stainless steel spoon
 16mm plastic spoon
 ½ stick of Great Value Price Chopper brand butter
 1 bag of M&M’s
1. Fill the glass bowl filled with 500 ml of hot water.
2. Take a temperature reading of the water.
3. Place one Popsicle stick, one metal spoon, and one plastic
spoon vertically in the water, leaning each against the edge of
the bowl.
4. Put 0.15g of butter at the end of the out-of-water part of
each object.
5. Stick on M&M to the buttered end of each object, using the
butter as an adhesive.
6. After 5 minutes, take another temperature reading of the
water.
7. The first object that’s candy falls off is the best conductor of
heat out of the three objects.
The Scientific Explanation
The heat from the water travels up the metal spoon, plastic
spoon, and popsicle stick because they can each conduct heat, but
to varying degrees. As the utensils warm up, the butter on each of
them is melted, which makes the candy fall off. The faster a candy
falls off, the better a conductor its utensil is because the heat was
able to travel through it more quickly.
Mini-Hovercraft
Materials
 A large balloon
 Scissors
 Pull out cap (such as those
found on water bottles and
dish soap containers)
 Hot glue gun
 Hot glue sticks
 a CD
Procedure
1. Heat the glue gun to its
maximum temperature. Insert a glue stick into the gun.
2. Take the pull-out water bottle cap and cover the ring around
the water bottle cap with hot glue. Align this cap against the
hole in the center of the CD.
3. Press the cap against the hole firmly and wait for it to dry (do
these last two steps quickly, while the glue remains hot).
4. Stretch the bottom of the balloon over the water bottle cap
now attached to the CD.
5. Pull the cap outward on the water bottle and blow up the
balloon (do this by flipping the CD over and blowing
underneath the cap).
6. Close the cap of the water bottle to seal the air inside the
balloon. Place the hovercraft on a flat surface. Then, pull out
the water bottle cap.
7. The hovercraft should be able to be moved with very little
force. When the balloon deflates, repeat steps 5 and 6.
The Scientific Explanation
The hovercraft travels easily because the air released from the
balloon creates an air cushion below the CD and lifts the device
slightly off the ground. This cushion of air helps to separate the
hovercraft from the surface it’s gliding over, which reduces friction
between the mechanism and the surface. Less friction means less
resistance, and this allows the appliance to travel longer distances
with less force applied to it. In addition, the CD helps to keep the
apparatus parallel to the surface it’s traveling over, and distributes
the weight of the craft over a larger area. This enables the
hovercraft to be moved with a smaller amount of force.
Making a Series Circuit
Materials




8 small pieces of solid wire
2 D-cell batteries
2 light bulbs from flashlights
Electrical tape
Procedure
 Take 4 pieces of wire, and tape each end to the ends of the
batteries (so each battery has two wires on either side)
 Take the other 4 pieces and tape them to each contact on the
light bulbs.
 Make a simple series circuit by attaching the battery wires to
the light bulb wires in a loop. Why does the light bulb light up?
 Add another light bulb into the circuit. Does the first light
bulb get dimmer? Why?
 Instead, try adding the second battery. Why does the light bulb
get brighter?
 Try adding the light bulb back in, on top of the additional light
bulb. Record your observations.
The Scientific Explanation
Making a closed loop allows electricity to flow in a circular path. If
the loop is open (if there is a hole), electricity cannot flow through
to make a complete circuit. Think of this as a toy train set: if you
make a closed loop with the tracks, the train can go around in a
circle multiple times. However, if you remove a piece of track, the
train cannot move. The battery provides the energy needed to push
the electricity through the loop (that’s why batteries die out). The
light bulb gets brighter with additional batteries because there’s
more energy available. The light bulb gets dimmer with additional
light bulbs because there’s less energy available.
Lemon Light
Materials








A lemon
A knife
Stiff copper wire
10 Smooth test clips
4 U.S. pennies
4 Galvanized nails
Wire cutters
2.4V LED light
Procedure
1. Cut a lemon in half the longer way.
2. Cut each new lemon piece in half. There should now be four
lemon pieces.
3. Make a small cut in the peel at one end of each lemon piece.
4. Push a penny halfway into the cut of each piece.
5. Push a nail several centimeters into the opposite end of each
lemon piece.
6. Cut the wire into nine pieces of similar length using the wire
cutters.
7. Using the wire cutters, crimp two test clips to each wire. There
should be one clip at each end of each wire.
8. The negative side of the LED is marked by a flat edge on the bulb
of the LED itself. Connect the negative side of the LED light to
the penny of any lemon slice using a copper wire with clips. Attach a
second wire to the nail of this slice and to the penny of any un-used
slice.
9. Link all four slices in this fashion except the fourth slice.
Connect the last wire end to the nail of this slice and to the
positive side of the LED light.
10. Do you see a dim light in the LED?
The Scientific Explanation
A simple battery can be made by combining two different metals in
an acid. Metals are good at transferring electrons (the negatively
charged particles of an atom), and different combinations of metals
have different ways of sharing electrons. An acid (such as citric
acid, in the case of the lemons) simply helps electrons move. By
linking the pennies and nails of the lemons with copper wire, a
closed travel path is made for the electrons. Copper is a better
conductor than steel, which means that it gives off electrons more
easily than the steel. The steel in turn attracts the electrons that
the copper releases. This is why the pennies are the positive sides of
the lemon cells and the nails are the negative sides. Electrons leave
the pennies and the overall charge at the pennies is positive. The
steel nails receive the free electrons and take a negative overall
charge. When the electrons flow from negative (an excess of
electrons) to positive (a lack of electrons) across the LED device, it
lights up.
Make Your Own Flashlight
Materials




AA Battery
Aluminum Foil
Small Flashlight Bulb
Sticky Tape
Procedure
1. Cut the aluminum foil into two rectangles of the same size. They
should be about 5 centimeters by 3 centimeters.
2. Roll the rectangles of foil the long way so they become round 5centimeter wires.
3. On each wire, press one end so that it appears to be flat. Then,
roll the other end in your fingers so that it is pointy, round, and
smooth.
4. Tape the flat side one wire to the negative side of the battery,
and tape the flat side of the other wire to the positive side of
the battery.
5. Tape the wire from the negative end of the battery to the metal
on the bulb, and just touch (not tape) the wire from the positive
end of the battery to the bottom of the bulb.
6. What happens when both wires are connected to the light bulb?
What happens when just one is connected?
The Scientific Explanation
The electrical energy of the battery is really a constant flow of
electrons, negatively charged particles. Electrons from the battery
are able to flow through certain materials, such as aluminum. The
small wire inside the light bulb heats when electrons from the
battery pass through it. When the bulb is hot enough, it gives off
its energy in the form of light, which is why it is called the light
bulb. Electrons can only pass through a complete circuit, so if the
wires are not connected the battery and the light bulb, the
electrons cannot move and do not heat the wire in the light bulb.
Create a Compass
Materials





100mL of water
2 Styrofoam plates
4cm needle
2cm needle
1cm x 2cm cylindrical magnet
Procedure
1. Pour the 100mL of water into a Styrofoam plate.
2. Rip off a small and thin 2cm x 2cm piece of Styrofoam from
the other plate.
3. Magnetize the needle by rubbing the pointed end of the 4cm
needle on only one side of the magnet at least 30 times.
4. To test if the needle is magnetized, try picking up the 2cm
needle with the 4cm magnetically.
5. Once of the needle is magnetized, float the small piece of
Styrofoam on the water.
6. Place the needle on the floating Styrofoam and observe.
7. Congratulations! You’ve just created a compass!
The Scientific Explanation
In this experiment, the needle acts as a magnet. Because the needle
is only magnetized at one point, that point is directed towards the
magnetic North Pole. This creates a simple compass that is easy to
make and use. The Styrofoam acts as a floatation device that allows
the needle to turn easier because the needle does not float on
water unless it is placed very carefully on the surface of water,
which can be difficult.
Magnifying Lens Focus
Materials






LED
Magnifying Glass
Meter Stick
Printer Paper
Tape
Pencil
Procedure
1. Tape the paper to a window.
2. Hold the LED 50 cm away.
3. Hold the magnifying glass 5 cm from the window.
Record this distance on the paper.
4. Turn off the lights.
5. Trace the circle of light.
6. Repeat with the magnifying glass 15 cm from the window.
7. Repeat with the magnifying glass 25 cm from the window.
8. Repeat with the magnifying glass 35 cm from the window.
9. Repeat with the magnifying glass 45 cm from the window.
10. What do you notice about the drawings?
The Scientific Explanation
The light from the LED passes through the magnifying lens and is
redirected towards a focal point on the other side. If the light hits
the paper before reaching this point, a circle is formed. The closer
the distance of the lens gets to the focus, the smaller the circle
becomes. But after passing through the focal point, the circle of
light will grow larger.
Growing Sugar Crystals
Materials









3 cups of table sugar
1 cup of water
Glass jar
Pencil
String
Paperclip
Spoon
Coffee filter (optional)
Food coloring (optional)
Procedure
1. Tie one end of the string to the pencil. Make sure the
paperclip is clean and then tie the other end of the string to
the paperclip
2. Boil 1 cup of water. Make sure an adult is in the room or ask
one to boil the water for you.
3. Once the water is boiling, add the 3 cups of sugar.
4. Carefully stir the sugar until it dissolves in the water.
5. If you want, you can add food coloring at this point to make
your sugar crystals colorful.
6. Once the sugar is completely dissolved pour the mixture into a
glass jar. Be careful, it will be very hot!
7. If you have extra mixture you can save it for later or throw it
out.
8. Place the pencil with the string and the paperclip across the
jar top so the paperclip and the string are underneath the
water and sugar mixture. Make sure they don’t touch the
bottom or the sides. You can wrap the string around the pencil
a couple times if the paperclip touches the bottom.
9. Put the jar in a place where it won’t be disturbed. Wait a
couple days to a week until you can see crystals on the string
and paperclip.
The Scientific Explanation
If you look closely at dry sugar, you’ll notice it consists of little
cube-like shapes. These are sugar crystals. When you add sugar to
water, the sugar crystals dissolve, and the sugar goes into solution.
But you can’t dissolve an infinite amount of sugar into a fixed
volume of water. When you can’t dissolve any more sugar, the
solution is saturated. The hotter the water is, the more sugar you
can dissolve in it. If you cool this hot mixture of sugar and water,
the mixture is supersaturated because the water now holds more
sugar than it could at this temperature before. In this experiment,
the sugar and water mixture is supersaturated because we mixed in
so much sugar while the water was boiling and then let it cool. As
the solution cools and the water evaporates the sugar crystals come
out of solution and collect on the paperclip and string.
Crystallizing Sugar
Materials







Water
Sugar
Popsicle stick
Microwave oven
Yarn
Bowel
Plastic cup
Procedure
1. Boil one cup water in a microwave oven.
2. Pour 10 teaspoons water into plastic cup.
3. Add 10 teaspoons sugar to cup, one teaspoon at a time. Stir
after adding each teaspoon.
4. Tie a piece of yarn to a popsicle stick.
5. Place the popsicle stick across the opening of the cup so that
the end of the string is in the water.
6. Leave cup in a place where it won’t be disturbed. Crystals
should start to form after a few days.
The Scientific Explanation
Sugar is made of cube shaped crystals. They are formed by a
recurring pattern of molecular bonds. When you stir the sugar into
the warm water, these bonds break apart, but only a certain amount
of sugar can be mixed into the water. When there is too much
sugar, it won’t continue to dissolve. When you dissolve as much
sugar as possible into the water, the solution is saturated.
However, this state is very unstable, and the sugar molecules will
begin to form crystals again. When the yarn is placed into the
mixture, the crystals will have a place to form, and soon the yarn
will be covered in sugar crystals.
Tension Bridge
Materials
 12 popsicle sticks
Procedure
1. Place two of your popsicle sticks vertically on the table (these
will be known as the legs)
2. Lay one popsicle stick across the top of these two, with a
little bit of the two bottom ones still showing (1st supports)
3. Place the same setup across from this pair of legs
4. Put four popsicle sticks on top of the 1st supports
5. Lift the tops of the legs of one end
6. Slide one of the final popsicle sticks into the slot created here
(2nd supports)
7. Slowly lower this end of the bridge until it is only gravity
keeping it together
8. Repeat the last 2 steps for the other side of the bridge
The Scientific Explanation
The bridge is being held up by the tension that is formed by putting
the 1st and 2nd supports in between the legs and the deck of the
bridge. The weight of the deck pushes down on the legs, which are
pulling up on the deck at the same time. The weight of the bridge is
keeping it suspended; therefore, the only force acting on the bridge
is the force of gravity.
Magic Pop Cans
Materials





String
2 222mL aluminum cans
1 straightedge with centimeter markings
At least 2 large books greater than 20 cm tall
1cm diameter straw
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cut two strings, each 14 cm long
Tape end of one string to each can tab
Place books to equal height greater than 20 cm, 25 cm apart
Place straightedge across both piles
Tape can strings to hang 8 cm below straightedge 7 cm apart
6. Record predictions about motion of cans when the straw is
blown through between the cans
7. Blow through straw at gap between cans
8. Record what happens
The Scientific Explanation
The cans should clink together because an area of low pressure has
been created between the two. Bernoulli’s Principle says that when
the velocity in a fluid increases, the pressure decreases. When the
air velocity between the two cans increases, an area of low pressure
is created, and thus the two cans move towards this area of low
pressure because it is similar to a vacuum.
Floating Ping Pong Balls
Materials
 A Hair Dryer
 1 or more ping-pong balls
Procedure
1. Plug in the hair dryer and turn it on its highest setting.
2. Point the hair dryer upward and place the ping-pong ball in the
air coming out. What happens?
3. Try moving the hair dryer with the ping-pong ball still in the air.
What happens?
4. Try to turn the hair dryer so that it does not point vertically
anymore. How far can you turn it before the ping-pong ball falls
out?
5. See if you can get more than one ping-pong ball inside the air
column at once.
(Hint: Don’t completely cover the opening of the hair dryer when
adding more balls. Experiment and find different ways to add
more balls without disturbing the previous ones.)
The Scientific Explanation
The ball remains floating due to a property of fluids called
Bernoulli’s Principle, which states that when a fluid (such as air)
is moving faster, it has less pressure. In this experiment, the air
moving around the ping-pong ball is at a lower pressure than the
still air in the room because of Bernoulli’s Principle. The higher
pressure air always pushes the ball toward the lower pressure air,
keeping it in the air coming out of hair dryer. It always has the
hair dryer blowing underneath, so the ball floats.
Kite Aerodynamics
Materials




Piece of white paper
String or thread ( 2-3 ft long)
Scissors
Pencil
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
Fold paper to make a triangle
cut off bottom strip
Fold the corner of the triangle to the already creased edge on
both sides
4.
Fold the same corner back to make a smaller triangle
5.
Unfold and make holes with the pencil along the smallest
creases
6.
Trim off the tip with the scissors.
7.
Take the remaining bottom strip and fold it twice the long way
to divide it into four sections
Cut along the creases formed but not all the way, alternating
sides
8.
9.
Tape the tail to the kite.
10. Tie the ends of the string through the two holes
11. Hold the center of the string and walk around the class quickly
to see the kite fly behind you
12. What makes the kite stay in the air? What happens if you cut
holes in the kite? How would making the string longer affect
the kite?
The Scientific Explanation
Even though there is no wind inside, the kite is still able to
divert the air and create lift. As the kite moves forward and gravity
pulls it down, the air creates a force opposite to the kite. The air
pushes the kite up and back, but the string is holding the kite from
going too far in either of these directions. The kite illustrates the
basic concept known as lift. If you were to change the shape of the
kite or make holes in it, the kite would fly differently due to the way
the air moves around it and through it.
Airplanes also divert the air to create lift in order to fly. They
have been designed to optimally control the flow of air around them
to be as aerodynamic as possible. Aerodynamics is the branch of
science dealing with the motions of air and other gases around
bodies passing through them.
The Lincoln High Dive
Materials
- A Lincoln Penny
- A Piece of Card Stock
(at least 3x45 cm)
- Small container that a penny
can fall into
- Regular Pen or Pencil
- Scissors
- Tape
Procedure
1. Cut the card stock so it is about 3-4 centimeters wide and 4045 centimeters long.
2. Tape the card stock at the ends forming a hoop.
3. Take the container and tape it to a stable surface.
4. Place the hoop on the container and place the penny on top of
the hoop directly above the container.
5. Using the pencil, quickly pull the hoop from under the penny
and watch as Lincoln lands safely into the container.
The Scientific Explanation
The penny will fall into the container every time because of
Newton’s First Law of Motion, or The Law of Inertia. The Law
of Inertia states that an object in motion will stay in motion and
an object at rest will stay in rest, unless acted on by another
force. When the hoop is pulled out from under the penny, there
is not enough friction to move the penny, and it is left in the
same position above the container. The penny is then pulled into
the container by gravity.
Impulse
Materials






A cardboard box
One water bottle (with water in it)
A sheet of aluminum tinfoil
An analog clock
A meter stick
A scale
Procedure
1. Weigh the water bottle on the scale.
2. Place the sheet of metal tinfoil over the open end of the box
(make sure the tin foil rests on the edges on the sides of the
box).
3. Measure the dropping height for the water bottle using the
meter stick.
4. Drop the water bottle from the measured height onto the
aluminum tinfoil and record the time that it takes for the
water bottle to reach the bottom of the cardboard box.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 ten times.
6. Take the aluminum foil off the box.
7. Make sure that the dropping height is the same as the
dropping height that you used for your other tests with the
aluminum tinfoil.
8. Lift the water bottle to the drop height and drop it into the
cardboard box while recording the time that it takes the
water bottle to reach the bottom of the cardboard box.
9. Repeat steps 7 through 8 ten times. Does it take longer for the
water bottle to reach the bottom of the cardboard box with
the tinfoil or without the tinfoil?
Why do you think this is happening? Can you explain it?
The Scientific Explanation
When the water bottle comes into contact with the aluminum
tinfoil, a force equal and opposite to the direction of motion is
exerted on the falling mass. This force acts to decelerate the
container as it accelerates downward, extending the time taken for
the object to complete the drop. In addition, when the water bottle
is dropped into the box without the aluminum tinfoil covering the
opening, the total time for the drop decreases because no force
opposite the direction of motion is being added to the falling
object. In other words, when the force of gravity on a falling mass is
opposed by another force, then the downward force acting on the
object decreases. This causes the time for the fall to increase.