Search Results

The weather station in this project is quite basic, measuring only temperature, pressure, and humidity, but it may be easily expanded to measure other weather components, such as wind speed and rainfall. The design is based on using a series of…

Whether preparing for Halloween or just a regular day, you can make skull-shaped edibles from this project's 3D candy mold. Like many molds, this one is a hollow container into which you can pour water or hot liquids, such as gelatin, chocolate, or…

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are rectifying semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy into electromagnetic radiation. You can use these devices to create a 3-dimensional light display. LED cubes require some care and good soldering skills…

An oscilloscope is a device that allows you to see an electronic signal so that it appears as a waveform. Traditional oscilloscopes work by amplifying a signal to control the position of a dot on the y-axis (vertical axis) of a cathode-ray tube…

The term "Chatbot" is used for a computer or computer program that is made to emulate some form of human intelligence through conversation. In this project, you will learn how easy it is to make a specific microcontroller—an Arduino™ Uno—seem as…

This is a working alarm. It uses a laser beam that bounces between mirrors attached to two walls that face each other. The figure to the right has been digitally edited to show the path of the beam. When the beam is broken, a buzzer sounds.This…

This project allows you to use electromagnetic levitation to suspend a globe of the world above a surface. The "globe" is actually a table tennis ball painted to look like a globe. Keeping it in place requires careful control of electrical current…

A pulse generator circuit is an important building block for many electronic projects, such as the heart of a digital clock. Its purpose is basically to switch an output on and off for as long as the circuit is activated. Sometimes, these circuits…

A red, green, and blue (RGB) light-emitting diode (LED) is a useful electronic component that can produce visible light in a variety of colors. This is done by varying the intensity of the light output of the three different color LED elements (red,…

A theremin is a musical instrument developed in the 1920s by the Russian inventor, Léon Theremin. It was one of the world's first electronic musical instruments. The original invention used radio-frequency electronics and a pair of antennae. By…

White noise is a smooth hiss consisting of all audio frequencies played back at random simultaneously. Because your ears cannot "lock" onto any specific frequencies or patterns in white noise, this device has the effect of shutting off your ears to…

Everything in the universe is in motion. One basic, yet important, type of motion is constant-speed motion. This project takes you through assembly of a model battery-powered vehicle that moves at a constant speed. This particular vehicle is built…

This animation explains how a material's chemical composition affects the wavelengths of light it absorbs and the color it displays.

Unlike its name, Bicycle Day is not a holiday honoring your favorite two-wheeled, environmentally friendly vehicle. This holiday celebrates the day chemist Albert Hofmann first discovered the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide,…

When you hear the name "Hubble," you might think of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. But, decades before this telescope was built, Dr. Edwin Powell Hubble revolutionized the field of astronomy. This video looks at the life and work of…

Is gluten good for you, or is gluten bad for you? This video breaks down the chemistry and science behind this controversial food ingredient. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This animation explains the difference between the alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays emitted by various radioactive materials.

Have you ever wished you could hide under an invisibility cloak, like Harry Potter did? This video explores the science behind light, sight, and invisibility. Though we can’t make ourselves invisible yet, some promising research may light the…

Helium has helped create revolutionary scientific innovations, and has industrial uses that simply cannot be replicated. Yet helium—a gas that defies gravity—is constantly being lost as it escapes Earth’s atmosphere into space. This video…

Vanilla is a flavor so common that some people use it as an adjective to describe something plain or ordinary. But watch out! This beloved, flavorful bean may soon become a rarity. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

There’s probably a box of it in your refrigerator or cupboard, and it has hundreds of uses: baking soda. This video contains tips on how to use this handy compound to de-skunk your dog, clean your kitchen, and supercharge your washing…

Anhydrous (water-free) ammonia is the most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer and—as a result—is a critical agricultural chemical for feeding the global human population. This and many other important uses for anhydrous ammonia require it to be…

Neuroengineer Nima Mesgarani is using a form of artificial intelligence called neural network models to a develop improved hearing aids. If successful, hearing impaired individuals will be better able to identify and focus on a speaker of…

This video is all about pancake chemistry. Get a closer look at the compounds and science behind that perfect pancake for your morning breakfast. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This video is a home demonstration showing that the key to making better pizza is through a basic understanding of dough chemistry. Specifically, it helps to know the chemical reactions involved in fermentation and baking. You’ll find pro…

Do you know someone with red hair? Perhaps you have those fiery locks yourself. This video takes a close biochemical look into what makes redheads stand out from the crowd. It's not just the color of their hair. Credit: Reactions/American…

A figure skating performance often begins with a moment of quiet focus to mentally "upload" a routine, consisting of a linked series of complex movements—such as jumps and spins—that must be executed expertly and automatically. This video…

When it’s time to vote on Election Day, how do you decide on a candidate? In this video, neuroscientist Michael Shadlen explains how our brains secretly do math in order to make decisions. Credit: Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute

Thanksgiving is a holiday when many people look forward to a tasty home-cooked meal. According to neuroscientist Charles Zuker, not only is that sense of taste in the brain, but it is a matter of life and death. This video takes you on a…

An estimated 133 billion pounds of food gets thrown away every year in the United States. Understanding when your food goes bad is important to help reduce waste. Unfortunately, consumers can’t just check the expiration date on the packaging,…

Is there such a thing as love at first scent? Hundreds of spray-on pheromone products claim to put you on the fast track to romance, but can they really help humans land a mate? This video has the answers. [Credit: Reactions/American Chemical…

Chemistry can let you taste food in an entirely new way. This video shows how you can actually taste raw garlic with your feet. No, your feet don't have any secret taste buds. It's all about the ability of chemicals to penetrate your skin.…

Cryogenic freezing of a dead body is possible, but reanimating that body in the future is a different story. As you will see in this video, cells themselves can be reanimated after freezing, but bringing a human back to life is not so…

This animation shows how a nuclear chain reaction works and explains how it is used in nuclear fission devices.

This animation shows how chaotic systems are unpredictable because of their extreme sensitivity to their initial conditions.

Who doesn’t love potatoes? This video offers tips for roasting delicious potatoes and along the way describes the chemistry behind achieving their best texture and consistency. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

This video has easy, chemistry-fueled solutions for several everyday dilemmas, such as making bitter coffee taste better, plus other useful tips to improve your life. [Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society…

This video contains chemistry-fueled solutions for everyday problems, such as spotting rotten eggs, reviving soggy green vegetables, and fixing busted buttons. [Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society (www.youtube.com/acsreactions)]

This video brings chemistry to the kitchen, featuring science-backed tips to cook rice with fewer calories, get extra-juicy chicken when you don't have time to marinate, and keep sliced fruit from browning too quickly. Watch and learn how…

It’s a sinister condition that affects millions of people: addiction. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, food, or gambling, addiction can ruin lives. This video takes a look at the chemistry behind addiction. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical…

People who shave share one concern—the threat of razor-sharp metal. Luckily, aerosol-based shaving cream packs the right chemistry to protect sensitive skin, thanks in part to surfactants. Watch this video to learn more about this fantastic…

This video examines the science behind the most misunderstood spice in the world: allspice. [Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society (www.youtube.com/acsreactions)]

This video explores well-known antics in three cartoons and asks the question: Does the chemistry check out? Find out whether slipping on a banana peel, gaining superhuman strength from eating spinach, and dissolving a Toon in solvent, are…

This video uncovers the chemistry behind the spine-tingling sense of fear. Watch as Abigail Marsh, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University, highlights key brain chemicals and hormones involved in fear and the…

If you enjoy barbecues, you'll enjoy this video. It contains chemistry knowledge that will impress your guests, such as why red meat is red. You’ll also learn about the chemical reaction that changes raw meat into grilled brown deliciousness.…

This video explains how certain neurotransmitters fuel lifelong pair bonds in prairie voles, which—along with humans—are the mammalian kingdom's leading monogamists. In the video, Abigail Marsh, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at…

Pepper is one of the most common condiments in the world today, but it used to be more valuable than gold. This video examines how pepper's delectable chemistry made it a key player in the global spice trade. [Credit: Reactions/American…

This video explores the chemistry of, and pain response to, pepper spray. Watch for some important tips on what to do if you accidentally spray yourself with this debilitating substance. Credit: Reactions/American Chemical Society

Whether it’s plain cheese, deep-dish stacked with meats, or thin-crust veggie delight, there’s just something about pizza that makes it delicious. This video shows the chemistry that goes into every ingredient in pizza. It also describes a…

What happens when you get covered in poison ivy and you cannot stop scratching? Jennifer Novotney, winner of the 2014 Chemistry Champions science communications competition, breaks down what it is about that dreaded vine that makes us so…