Physics

pH changes occur in water exposed to high voltage sparks
The Chemistry of Lightning
// Tuesday, September 20, 2022 • Tom Kuntzleman
Lightning exhibits some of the most fascinating phenomena on planet Earth.
international load line markings
Seawater Chemistry and Global Trade- Part 2
// Monday, June 6, 2022 • Scott Donnelly
The first blog post of this seawater-oceanic shipping series deals with an introductory classroom activity that challenges students to predict how the composition and temperature of seawater influences a ship's buoyancy.
quantum levitation
Quantum Levitation and Superconductors
// Thursday, June 3, 2021 • Tom Kuntzleman
I was mesmerized the first time I saw the quantum levitation (also known as quantum locking) experiment, in which a disk containing a superconductor hovers above some magnets. The superconductor can even glide freely over a track of magnets – even upside down (VIDEO 1).
female scientist looking at a petri dish
Skype with a Scientist Live
// Thursday, April 8, 2021 • Stephanie O'Brien
This year so many in-person events at school have not been able to happen due to COVID restrictions. One activity that my science honor society students have enjoyed greatly is the Skype with a Scientist Live sessions. Students register in advance and then have the opportunity to be face to face with a scientist.
Polypropylene and the Cold Snap
// Saturday, February 20, 2021 • Dean Campbell
Years ago, I put on a pair of snowshoes during a winter cold snap and found that the plastic binder straps broke fairly easily. At first I thought the plastic straps had simply become more brittle with time, but I found that the straps became less brittle when brought inside to warmer temperatures.
What is the pressure in a soda?
What Is the Pressure Inside a Bottle of Soda?
// Tuesday, December 8, 2020 • Tom Kuntzleman
Bottles of soda are sealed under high pressures of CO2, or PCO2. This causes a substantial amount of CO2 to dissolve into the beverage, giving the drink its fizziness. But what exactly is the pressure inside a bottle of soda?