Kitchen Science Experiments

The Naked Scientists: Science Radio & Science Podcasts

Superhero 3D X-ray vision
(c) Dave Ansell
 

How to tell if your egg is raw


Find out whether your egg is raw or not without having to break it open.
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Make an Egg Stand on End.


Could you make an egg lift up on its end and stay there? Find out how in this experiment.
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Making a Mess with Milk


Make something really quite unpleasant out of milk and find out what it has to do with cheese.
(c) Dave Ansell

Pinhole camera


Make a moving image of what is going on outside using just a cardboard box and the power of a hole.
(c) Dave Ansell

Images from a Magnifying Glass


Make ghostly images on a wall, just using a magnifying glass, and find out what this has to do with a camera.
(c) nsoup @ stock.xchng
 

Water Fibre Optics


Use a bottle of water and a torch to bend light around corners, and find out what this has to do with the internet.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Racing Jam Jars


Race Jam Jars down a slope and find out that all things don't allways fall at the same speed.
(c) Michael Murphy @ Wikimedia
 

Lemonade Volcano


You may have heard about the Mentos and Coke experiment, find out how to make an erruption with a drinks bottle, and what it has to do with volcanoes.
(c) Dave Ansell

Fire Piston


You may have noticed that if you pump up a bicycle tyre your pump gets hot, we find out why, and do a slightly more extreme version
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Electric Slime


Make some seemingly normal slime that behaves very strangely with electricity
(c) Ben Valsler

Stimulating Arteries


Ben visited Dr Brian Callingham to find out what an artery can do with the appropriate stimulation.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Build a Hot Air Balloon


Hot air balloons are the most elegant way to fly - build one from normal kitchen materials.
(c) Kenneth Libbrecht @ snowcrystals.com

Freezing lemonade bottles


In this cool experiment you can freeze a bottle of lemonade in front of your eyes.
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Seeing the invisible


Carbon Dioxide is an invisible gas that amongst other things we breath out. In this experiment you can see it.
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Custard Fireballs


How the size of what is burning can affect how it burns. We compared burning logs, twigs, paper and custard powder.
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Strange Glows from Sugar


How to make strange unearthly glows by torturing sugar cubes...
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Why sodium street lights make things look orange


Many people are familiar with the phrase 'as sure as eggs is eggs', but can we be as sure that orange is orange? It turns out that the answer is no, and to reveal why, Anna and Dave go to Cottenham to carry out some Kitchen Science with enthusiastic helpers Luke and Alice.
 

How a Smoke Detector Works


Most people think radiation is a bad thing, but if you take a look inside a humble smoke detector, you'll find that its radiation that's keeping us alive. However, you should NOT attempt to open the radioactive compartment of a smoke detector as close-up exposure to the radiation could be dangerous.
(c) Salimfadhley @ wikipedia
 

Why sausages split lengthways


Although it's freezing in England right now, on the other side of the world the sun is shining. So in honour of the sun-drenched Antipodes, Derek goes for a BBQ at the house of our very own Ozzie Hugh Hunt.
 

The mysterious workings of the common dishwasher


If you've ever wondered why some plates dry quicker than others - this kitchen science is for you. This week Derek and Hugh Hunt are with Ali and Sandy, trying to investigate how we can purchase plates that speed up our washing cycle!
(c) Ali
 

The Science of Energy in the Gym


If you've ever wondered how much energy you are capable of putting using your own body and whether that's enough to power the appliances around you - this kitchen science is for you. This week Derek, Dave and Ali are in a gym trying to investigate how many houses Ali can power using her own and whether it would be worthwhile to hook the nations gyms up to the electricity grid. Imagine having to cycle to watch your TV!
(c) Dave Ansell
 

The Chemistry of Coppers


If you've ever wanted your money to have a little extra shine, you can give it a new lease on life using just ordinary stuff you can find in your kitchen! This week Dave is live in the studio, investigating what happens if you put your copper coins into various liquids. Unfortunately, you can't drink your cola afterwards!
(c) Ali
 

Lifting Ice Cubes


If you've ever wondered why we salt the roads in Winter time - this kitchen science is for you. This week Dave is live in the studio, trying to investigate what happens when you add some salt to an icecube!
 

Can you beat the Breathalyzer


If you've ever wondered how a police issue breathalyser works - this kitchen science is for you. This week Derek, Mick McReedy the friendly policeman and Ali the Aussie backpacker visit Ely Firestation to investigate science of alcohol, drinking, and breathalysing. Find out if you can get around the test!
 

Simulating Meteor Strikes


Using confectionary to simulate some of the most violent events in the solar system.
 

The Aerodynamics of a Ping Pong Ball


If you've ever wanted to make a ping pong ball levitate in mid air - this kitchen science is for you. This week Derek and Hugh Hunt are with Nick and Christian from Norwich School trying to investigate how we can make something levitate without using dodgy magic tricks!
 

Frying pans and Levitation


This week Derek Thorne is with Professor Ted Forgan from Birmingham University and student helpers Cathy and Dan from Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge. They're going to be using a frying pan and some liquid nitrogen to demonstrate the science of superconductivity.
 

Dizziness and Office Chairs


Investigate what is happening when you get dizzy in some perculiar directions, with nothing but an office chair, and some soft grass.
 

Science of spin and bouncy balls


Investigate some very strange bounces with a bouncy ball and a little grease

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