VanCleave's Science Fun

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

Base I.D.

By

A base is a chemical that has hydroxide (OH)–, as its negative part, such as NaOH (Na+ and OH–) Some chemicals, such as baking soda (NaHCO3), form a base when mixed with water. A base indicator is a chemical that changes color when added to a base. If the indicator is dry, such as litmus […]

Formation of Carbon-14

By

Cosmic Rays From Space Question: What are cosmic rays? Answer: Fast moving particles from space: 90% high energy protons (hydrogen nuclei), 10% high energy alpha particles (helium nuclei), 1% electrons Question: How are cosmic rays involved in the formation of carbon-14? Answer: Cosmic rays bombard the nuclei of gases in earth’s atmosphere resulting in neutrons […]

States of Matter: Solid

By

Matter exists naturally in four states. These states in order of energy from least energy to greatest energy are: Solid Liquid Gas Plasma A SOLID is the state of mater with the least amount of energy and the most structure. Solids exits in two basic forms: 1. Crystalline solids are those in which the particles […]

Acid/Base Indicators

By

Indicators Acid Indicators are  materials that change color in an acid solution. Base Indicators are materials that change color in  a base solution. Acid/Base Indicators are materials that have one color when mixed with an acid and another color when mixed with a base. Red Cabbage Juice is an acid/base Indicator. The juice has a […]

Types of Crystals

By

CRYSTALS are solids with particles arranged in a regular, repeating pattern with flat surfaces. Most solids are CRYSTALLINE SOLIDS, which are solids made of crystals. For example, when liquid water freezes, the water molecules link together forming ice crystals. A large piece of ice is made up of many small ice crystals that fit together […]

How Do We Smell Perfume?

By

Answer: The part of perfume that gives it a specific smell is called its “juice.” Juice is a mixture of different oils, each with a specific scent. You smell these scents because they evaporate, which means to change from a liquid to a gas. These scented gas molecules move through the air and you smell […]

Perfume vs. Cologne

By

Question: What is the difference between perfume and cologne? Answer: First: The word perfume is commonly used to mean a substance that smells good and is used to make other things smell good. But “real” perfume —uum! instead of calling it real perfume, lets use the French word Parfum. Second: In reference to perfumes, the […]

Chemistry Books

By

  20% Discount Code AFF20     Janice VanCleave’s Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really Work    Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Chemistry: Winning Experiments for Science Fairs and Extra Credit   

How to Make Perfume

By

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 […]