VanCleave's Science Fun

Your Guide to Science Projects, Fun Experiments, and Science Research

How to Make Perfume

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Question: How can I make perfume? Answer: We often use the word perfume in a generic way, meaning any liquid applied to the body to give it a pleasant fragrance. But perfume (parfume) –what I call “Real” perfume is more concentrated and is generally more expensive than a cologne with the same fragrance. Another way […]

Fluorescence vs. Photoluminescence

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Fluorescence and Photoluminescence are types of luminescence (cold light) where the energy is supplied by EMR (electromagnetic radiation). EMR from most to least energetic are: gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves,  and radio waves. The starting EMR energy source needed to produce visible light must be more energetic than visible light. […]

Perfume Notes

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Question: Why do perfumes smell different? Answer: Perfume is a generic term used for liquids with a distinctive pleasant smell. A more scientific definition is that perfume is a liquid solution, which is a mixture of a liquid solvent and different solutes. The liquid solvent for perfumes is generally ethanol (alcohol) or a mixture of […]

Biology Investigations

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I hope you are enjoying the science information on my website. I recently had a problem and have had to make changes in the URLs of the pages. I am trying to correct all the links, but know that I’ve missed some. If a link doesn’t work, try searching for the topic, and/or contact me […]

DNA: Extraction

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Following is a procedure for extracting DNA from a banana. 1. Chill a bottle of rubbing alcohol by placing it in a freezer for 10 or more minutes. 2. Peel a ripe banana. Discard the peeling and place the banana in a quart-size resealable plastic bag. 3. To the bag add the following: 1/2 cup […]

DNA Extraction Video

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  A Science Project About DNA Extraction A science project is a special type of investigation. It could be said that it is a proposed, contemplated, and planned type of investigation with the purpose of testing or discovering scientific knowledge. For more details, see What is a Science Project? In reference to a science project, […]

What is Table Sugar?

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Table sugar is commonly used to sweeten food. There are different kinds of sugars, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Glucose is commonly called blood sugar; fructose is sugar in fruit; sucrose is table sugar. Sucrose is a carbohydrate (simple), which is a chemical made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.The label of being a simple carbohydrate […]

How Soluble is Table Sugar?

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What happens when you heat a sugar solution? When you add sugar to water, the sugar crystals dissolve and spread out evenly in the water.  Question? How much table sugar (sucrose) will dissolve in water? Answer: You can’t dissolve an infinite amount of sugar into a fixed volume of water. When as much sugar has […]

Science Fair Project Ideas

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I wrote this book with the objective of helping kids create their own winning science projects. The project ideas in the book are to be used as clues to develop individual project.  How do you begin a project? What can you do to impress the judges? How can you create an eye-catching display? Discover the […]