Although this next experiment involves drawing yet, don’t worry. You don’t have to be an artist. All you have to do is copy simple symbols and arrange them to represent electric circuits. So, pick up your pencil and give it a try!Things Required:PencilA sheet of paperDirections:Examine the symbols below. They represent different parts of a […]
You are doing it right now. Although you are totally unaware of it yet, your brain is flipping everything it sees right-side up. Without this brain flip, your world would look as topsy-turvy as the images cast upon your retina.But suppose an image was somehow projected right-side up. Would your brain know the difference and
Take a look around you. Most likely, there’s a nearby wall switch. Although you can’t see it yet, the wall switch is connected to electrical wires that lead to a light fixture. When you flip the switch to the “on” position, the light goes on. Flip the switch “off’ and the light magically goes off.Things
All shadows are created equal, are not they? Hold your hand several inches above this book. Raise and lower your hand while you observe your shadow. Does the appearance of the shadow change? If so, how? When is the shadow sharpest? When is it darkest?Things Required:Scrap paper, Carbon paper, Pair of scissors,Torch, Wax paper, Rubber
In this easy experiment we will make an electromagnet or in other words we will try to find out how an electric current produces a magnetic field.Things Required:Wire, 18-gauge, insulated, 1 yd. (1 m)6-volt batteryLong iron nailPaper clips Directions:Wrap the wire tightly around the nail, leaving about 6 inches (15 cm) of free wire on
Soap bubbles represent a delicate balance of forces. Water tension creates the force that holds the thin film of the bubble together. Soap within the bubble solution offsets these forces and allows the bulb to stabilize. This results in a lightweight sphere whose shape is easily changed by static forces.Things Required:Bubble solutionDrinking strawMug or plastic
The projection room at the back of a movie theatre is a cool place. That’s because the room has an incredible network of cold air pipes. This frigid air, however, isn’t meant to keep the projectionist comfortable. It is sent straight to the movie-making machines. There, it cools the projectors and the movie film. Without
Does shaking has any effect on a magnet? This is what we are going to find out.Things Required:Iron filingsCompassMagnetDrinking strawModeling clay Directions:Fill the straw three-quarters full with iron filings. Use the clay to seal both ends of the straw. Lie the iron-filled straw on the magnet for one minute. Being careful not to shake the
As you’ve learnt, like charges repel while unlike charges attract. You’ve also observed how charges can be transferred from one object to another. The following experiment uses both of these concepts. After building it, figure out how this tool might be used to measure charges.Things Required:Metal clothes hanger12-inch-long threadTwo plastic foam “peanuts”BalloonDirections:Hold the hook of
Take a look around you. Everything appears right-side up. Although this makes sense, yet it’s not how your eye sees it. Images that are cast upon your eye’s light-sensitive screen (called the retina) are upside down. It takes a learned brain trick to flip these images right-side up so that they may match the look
The purpose of this easy experiment is to demonstrate the pattern of magnetic force fields around the magnets of different shapes.Things Required:Magnets, a variety-round, bar, U-shapedIron filingsNotebook paperPaper cupDirections:Pour the iron filings into the paper cup. Place the magnets on a table. Cover the magnets with a sheet of paper. Sprinkle a thin layer of
Although gravity can be an incredible force yet, it requires huge masses to observe its effects readily. It is not so with electricity. In fact, a minor charge can easily be observed using a tool that is often associated with uncovering the length of an object.Things Required:Wooden rulerBalloon Directions:Position the wooden ruler so that it
Your eye contains a part called a lens. Like the lens of a camera, this eye-part focuses light. But unlike the glass lens of the camera, yours is made of living muscle. Like other types of muscle, it can stretch and contract. By changing its shape, the lens can focus distant or close-up objects onto
How can you find out the strength of a magnet? In the simple experiment you will learn more about the strength of a magnetic force field.Things Required:Box of small paper clipsBar magnets, several different sizesMasking tapeDirections:Tape the magnet to a table with part of the magnet extending over the edge of the table. Bend open
A versorium is a device that is used to detect a static charge. Its name means “thing used for turning”. It was given this name by its inventor about 400 years ago. Although times have changed, yet the principles that affected this tool haven’t.Things Required:Metal paper clipPaperA piece of wool or feltA pair of scissorsPlastic