This is one of my favorite experiments at the Exploratorium in San Francisco - in large part because of its simplicity. All objects have a center of gravity. For a long, thin, uniform object - we know that the center of gravity will be the center of the object. In this experiment you will demonstrate that that's true - but then you'll go a step further. You'll find the center of gravity if the object is heavier at one end through a simple but effective method.
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Most of us know about static electricity. It's that spark you get when you touch something after getting out of a car or dragging our feet across a carpet - and it often happens on cool, dry days. In today's activity you will create static electricity and use it to move a soda can without touching it. To a friend that doesn't know about static electricity - it will look like magic - but you'll know it's science!
Here's another activity that feels like magic but is actually science. Did you know you can make lightning in your mouth? Ok, so it's not actually lightning because it doesn't go between the sky and the ground in a huge burst of electricity - but it looks like it. You are creating light but you are using friction to do it. I learned about this activity in a tent at Girl Scout Camp but you can do it anywhere you can make it dark - a bathroom with no windows and a mirror is ideal.
You've probably seen this in a YouTube video - but it's always more fun to do it yourself. In today's activity you'll use negative air pressure to suck an egg into a bottle. It is another example of physics "magic" - something that looks like magic but is actually physics!
I found this awesome Periodic Table of Science Experiments at Science Sparks. You might have fun working through it with your kids. If you click on the picture below it will download a clickable pdf. The various "elements" will link to a Science Sparks page explaining the experiment. Many of these use household materials, many do not. But you can find the materials on Amazon if you are willing to place an order.
Have fun with this great resource! I love it when science looks like magic. Kids can put together a magic show just with this type of science project. In this one, we let chemistry do the "magic" for us to blow up a regular balloon. Kids from Kindergarten through 8th grade have lit up doing this activity! It's always fun to see who can get the biggest reaction (aka the biggest balloon). Have fun!
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You Can Continue to Earn the Patches over the SUmmer!
welcome!
Every school day I will post a new experiment for you to try at home. Some may be familiar to you - as they are my favorites from class - but most will be experiments I found on the web that have readily available materials. Happy Sciencing! Earn a Patch
Sunol Glen Students - Complete an additional 10 experiments (20 total) from this site and I will send you this patch: Parents - just email me when students have completed a challenge, no proof required. Categories |