This is the third guest blog written by Big Bang Science in Dorset. You can find the first blog here and the second blog here.
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It’s been a funny old couple of week for many of us with Boris Johnson laying down his road map to recovery. I found myself welcoming a return to normal but almost fearful at the same time of what the new normal would be. The imminent return to school feels a little too soon for some, but hopefully, with more reassuring solutions over the next few days and weeks, we will all adapt to a new way of life. We have been really missing the children in our science groups, especially with the uncertainty of not knowing how extracurricular clubs will be allowed to return to school, so we have been concocting a WONDERFUL PLAN, and a plan that hopefully reaches an even wider audience!
This week has seen the launch of the BIG BANG BOX! Our brand new science subscription box delivering a little bit of science magic to your door each month. With 2 new experiments arriving every month, your mini scientist will be in their element. And what’s more, we are offering every new subscriber this month a FREE starter pack worth £30. There are no monthly tie ins, so you have absolutely nothing to lose!
We would love you to start this SCIENCE ADVENTURE with us so that your child can continue to receive real quality science experiments whether they are in or out of school. There are illustrated step by step instructions, really cool science facts, collectables, and some authentic scientific equipment to make their very own home lab!
Join our mailing list, to be entered into our monthly draw and you may even receive your first box and starter kit absolutely free. (Note: A refund would be given if you had already subscribed and you were lucky enough to WIN).
So hop onto to www.bigbang-science.com/bigbangbox and start your child’s science adventure today! Deadline for sign up to receive the box is the 15th June. Delivery of the first box is 1st July.
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3 more exciting experiments!
This week we have supplied 4 further experiments to keep you all entertained. I do hope you enjoyed last weeks! If you have any photos, we would love to see them so share them on social media and be sure to tag @BigBangScienceLtd.
This week once again, we have made sure the experiments are:
Pepper explosion
Equipment:
This is really fun, simple, and quick and has caused many a gasp around the room when I’ve shown children. The only problem you’ll have is how many times they’ll want to repeat it!
You will need to fill a mixing bowl with water and sprinkle some pepper over the whole surface. Then carefully, using a clean end of an earbud, collect a small drop of washing up liquid and drop it into the centre of the water. Watch the pepper explosion!
The Science
Water molecules hold on tightly to each other, they don’t want to separate. They especially cling to each other very strongly at the water/ air boundary. The effect of clinging together at the surface so tightly means the water molecules form a type of skin. We call this surface tension. When you sprinkle pepper on top of the water it should sink because it is denser than water but instead it floats. It gets caught up on this skin and the strong forces between the water molecules and remains on top. Soap has the ability to break these strong connections between the water molecules causing them to dart about as they break apart. When you have pepper on the surface you can see this happen more clearly. The pepper darts about and moves away from the soap towards the edges.
What do you notice happening to the pepper grains over the next few minutes?
Extension
Instead of using pepper maybe collect a small leaf from outside. Place it into a clean bowl of water and place it into the centre. Place a small drop of washing up liquid near the leaf and watch it wizz around.
Points to remember
Runaway can!
Equipment:
This experiment is so simple. Harness the energy and watch your coke can literally come to life!
Blow up a balloon (or ask your adult to help) and rub it vigorously on your hair to generate an electric charge. Pull it away slowly and see if your hair is attracted to the balloon. Bring the charged balloon close to an empty aluminium can. It is important that the balloon does not touch the can for the duration of the experiment but gets close enough to move it.
The science
When you rub the balloon through your hair, invisible electrons (with a negative charge) build up on the surface of the balloon. This is called static electricity, which means “non-moving electricity”. The electrons have the power to pull very light objects (with a positive charge) toward them – like the fizzy drink can. You may have noticed a similar build-up of charge when you get on and off a trampoline or on an escalator. This build-up of static charge can go unnoticed until you get a sharp electric shock.
Extension
See what else the static charge on your balloon does! Will it stick to a surface or make anything else move
Things to remember
It’s an illusion
Equipment:
Is your mind playing tricks with you with this fun illustration of illusions? Always a great way to entertain friends and family and quick and easy to do too!
Wow! Optical illusions are awesome!
The science
Numerous optical illusions are produced by the refraction (or bending) of light, as it passes through one substance to another. The speed at which light travels changes as it moves through different materials. A ray of light passing from one transparent medium (air) to another (water) is bent as it emerges. This has the effect of making objects reverse or bend or even appear or disappear.
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We hope you’ve enjoyed the last experiments on our three-part series. Did you have a great time learning some fun science? Please leave us a comment on Facebook or Instagram. And be sure to tag @BigBangScienceLtd they’ll LOVE to see your photos!
