And don’t forget to checkout MerseySTEM http://www.merseystem.co.uk/ A ‘colloid’ is made up of tiny, solid particles suspended in water. Some colloids are also ‘non-Newtonian fluids’. If a hard or quick force is applied to a non-Newtonian fluid, it will become more viscous and behave as a solid. When a gentle or slow force is [...]
Background:Â In chemical reactions, energy can be given off or absorbed in the form of heat but it can also be given off or absorbed in the form of light. Glow sticks use a chemical reaction between a substance called luminol and hydrogen peroxide to release energy in the form of light. How do you start [...]
Background: A neutralisation reaction takes place inside the bag. The baking powder and the vinegar eventually mix (using a tissue gives you a little bit of time to zip the bag shut). When they do mix you get an acid-base reaction and the two chemicals react together the general equation for this is: Acid + Metal Carbonate Salt + Water [...]
Background: Ice has to absorb energy to melt. When you use ice to cool the ingredients for ice cream, the energy is absorbed from the ingredients and from the outside environment (like your hands, if you are holding the bag of ice!). When you add salt to the ice, it lowers the freezing point of [...]
Background: Crystals are some of the most beautiful naturally occurring objects. A quartz crystal looks as if the edges have been carved but when you look at them in more detail you may be able to see growth lines covering the faces. These lines show that the crystal has been formed by the growth of [...]
Background: Bubbles form because of a combination of water’s hydrogen bonds** and the oily film you can see shimmer in the light. The oily film you see is actually two separate layers of soap attached to, and surrounding, hydrogen-bonded water. Adding sugar works with the soap to create an extra strong bubble. When you’re blowing a bubble inside [...]