Physics Experiments

The Naked Scientists: Science Radio & Science Podcasts

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

Harmonic Knives


Make more sounds out of a humble kitchen knife than you thought possible, by the power of harmonics.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Blowing on bottles


Discover the musical properties of a few old bottles...
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Squashing Bottles


What happens to the note a bottle makes when you squash it? What would happen if you then put it underwater? Find out in this kitchen science.
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Lemon-Powered iPod - Fruit batteries


There have been various spoof films showing how to charge your ipod using fruit and vegetables. But is it actually possible? Find this out along with how a battery works.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Blood Circulation


Do one of the experiments that helped to convince doctors that blood actually circulates around your body.
(c) Dave Ansell

Which is Diet?


If you are ever in a foreign country and don't know which can of drink is the sugary one, here is a way to find out.
(c) Dave Ansell

Remote Interference


You know you can use your remote control to save you the immense effort of getting out of your chair, but did you know you could make strange noises from it and a radio?
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Inverted Bucket


Have a bucket full of water upside down over your head, and stay dry!
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Seeing Remotes


If you have ever wondered how a remote control communicates with a TV? Well here is your chance to see them chatting away!
(c) Dave Ansell
 

Make an Infra Red Camera


See the world from a completely different point of view using an old webcam and some exposed film.
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Straw Oboe


Can a drinking straw be a musical instrument? Here is how to make a very simple if annoying oboe.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Levitating plastic bags


Amaze your friends by making a piece of plastic levitate using nothing more sophisticated than a party balloon.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Butter Side Down


Are you the sort of person who finds that whenever you knock some toast off the table it ends up butter side down. Find out if the toast gods are unhappy with you, or if there is something more scientific going on.
(c) Dave Ansell

Flying Tubes


Make an old kitchen,or toilet, roll tube fly and find out what it has to do with David Beckham's free kicks.
(c) Dave Ansell

Stopping fogging


We show you how to stop your mirrors, glasses windows etc. from fogging up in one easy step.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Strange Textures


Confuse your sense of touch with this very easy experiment
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

When to add the milk


We were asked whether if you are going to leave your tea for a while should you add the milk at the start or end of your wait? Which way gives the hottest tea?
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Jumping Flames


Make a flame jump several centimetres using just a humble candle.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Magnets and TVs


In a 'only do at home if you don't like your TV' experiment find out what a TV has in common with a particle physics experiment.
(c) Dave Ansell

Build your own Compass


Build your own navigational aid from stuff you could find in your kitchen.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Waterproof Hanky


A handkerchief is not something you think of as very waterproof. Find out how waterproof a hanky can be and how this helps make coats waterproof yet breathable.
(c) Dave Ansell

Make your own Electromagnet


Make yourself an electromagnet powered by a small battery and find out some of the mysteries of magnetism.
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Separating Books


Using nothing but a tiny bit of friction stick two books together so you can't pull them apart.
(c) Dave Ansell

Warping Wineglasses


Amaze your friends at a party by making some really strange sounds from a wineglass.
(c) Ben Valsler
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Why Does Bubble Bath Change Colour


We were asked why it is that Mr Matey bubble bath changes colour when you mix it with water. We did an experiment to find out, and you could find out too!
(c) Dave Anselll
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Make a camera from a lemonade bottle


Build a camera or if you prefer a magnifying glass, out of some old rubbish and a little water
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Floating a Needle


Float steel on water with nothing more sophisticated than a piece of toilet paper.
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Raising Raisins


Why do raisins always rise to the top of a box of muesli?
(c) Dave Ansell
Part 1 Part 2 Listen
...or download as MP3 [1] [2]

Cup Fountain


Make a fountain, and some fascinating patterns with a polystyrene cup and a piece of carpet.

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