by Captain Skellett | Apr 29, 2011 | How Things Work, Just for Fun, Science Art
Behold ferrofluid, nanoparticles of iron coated in a surfactant and suspended in a solution of oil or water. The surfactant can be citric acid or soy lecithin, among other things, and is used to stop them sticking together It’s like magnetic dust. Put a magnet...
by Captain Skellett | Apr 22, 2011 | Just for Fun
Today marks the second anniversary of A Schooner of Science. ‘Tis a time to reflect, to appreciate, to eat cake. Thanks to all who read this, ’tis great to have you on board.
by Captain Skellett | Apr 12, 2011 | Just for Fun, Science at Home
Having a party over the Easter break? Add some science with these party tricks. Sure to astound and amaze! My favourite is combining vinegar and bicarb, and pouring the resultant carbon dioxide over candles to extinguish them. I’m doing THAT at my next birthday...
by Captain Skellett | Mar 16, 2011 | Just for Fun
Enjoy what happens when a gummi bear is dropped into potassium chlorate. Cool. Why did I never do this in chem class when potassium chlorate was available to me? How does it work, I hear you ask? (And where can I get this stuff?) Potassium chlorate is KClO3, and...
by Captain Skellett | Mar 11, 2011 | Just for Fun, Science Communication
I just got home from seeing Daniel Keogh (from ABC’s the Hungry Beast, aka Professor Funk) performing in the 18+ science comedy show The Stupid Species – Why Everyone (except you) is an Idiot. It. Was. Awesome. From the complex and perplexing placebo...
by Captain Skellett | Mar 8, 2011 | How Things Work, Just for Fun
One of my guilty pleasures is my RSS subscription to Zooborns, a blog all about baby animals. When I check Google Reader, I read sensible, serious blog posts about science until I finally cave and look at the cuteness. Amongst the treasure trove of nursing giraffes...
