21

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Re: How Does A Minced Up Sponge Reconstruct Itself ?

« on: 05/03/2013 14:19:52 »

Regeneration- same process as when a salamander grows a new tail or limb.

22

Chemistry / Re: What are the bubbles forming when metal particles are suspended in soapy water?

« on: 27/02/2013 18:25:04 »

Keep my last post in mind, but I just realized what is actually wrong.  A magnet's magnetic field forms a loop from the north to the south pole, not north to north and south to south.  You need to suspend your magnets in the liquid, or use two magnets.

23

Chemistry / Re: What are the bubbles forming when metal particles are suspended in soapy water?

« on: 27/02/2013 18:09:36 »

Two things to note:
1. When I have seen this done before, glycerin was used-very distinguishable loops were visible (just another medium to try)
2. To stop producing spires and start producing loops, you may need to add more iron shavings (note how the shavings didn't form loops on the outside near the poles in the pics RD posted)

24

Chemistry / Re: Neodymium Magnets

« on: 27/02/2013 17:56:38 »

A neodymium magnet " is an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron.  Its chemical formula is Nd₂Fe₁₄B.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodymium_magnet

25

Chemistry / Re: Question about ink fading in the sun

« on: 27/02/2013 14:26:19 »

Also, heat will cause some distortion of the ink's color.  Not to mention general aging, such as how old newspapers often turn yellow, though this could take into account a multitude of factors.  Furthermore, humidity in your car could cause ink chromatographization on the receipt.

26

New Theories / Re: Why are fusion reactors donut shaped?

« on: 12/02/2013 18:55:21 »

In a fusion reactor the material undergoing fusion must be contained.  There is nothing by way of a normal container that could work -- any material known vapourises at much lower temperatures. But a plasma of ions can be contained by magnetic fields.

Yes, adding on to what damocles was saying, NASA's best ceramics would vaporize instantly on contact with plasma.  Plasma is 40,000,000K or 39,999,727ºC (71,999,540.6ºF), which is a temperature much hotter than the sun (about 7,000 times more, to be exact (depending on where you look)). See below for conversions:

5778K-273=5505ºC
5505ºC x 1.8=9909+32=9941ºF

27

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Is this a dinosaur bone, or a piece of petrified wood?

« on: 25/01/2013 18:17:45 »

Does it appear to have rings on the thinner end?  If so, it is probably petrified wood.

28

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: WHAT IS THIS WHITE ROCK PLEASE?

« on: 11/01/2013 18:09:53 »

I agree that the top one in the second post looks somewhat like chalcedony.  I say this due to the "border" that goes around the outer edge.

29

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Can rocks get worms?

« on: 11/01/2013 14:23:48 »

Do you know what the matrix is that the worm-like structures are in.  I ask this because, due to the color and the amorphous qualities of some of the matrix, perhaps it is a rock, etc. covered in amber?  This could explain why some parts of the rock appear to have been living at one time.  Some of the most notable parts that could be amber I have circled in red.  Please note the similarities between the circled parts and the pictures I have posted.  Any ideas?

2nd picture from: http://www.diamonds1000.com/1017/
3rd picture from: http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread354128/pg1
Sorry that the first picture is so small- the file was too large at first.  You may need to use the original for reference.

30

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: What are these crystalline rocks?

« on: 09/01/2013 18:25:08 »

In my opinion, your "brain" rock looks like some type of feldspar, perhaps microline or orthoclase.

31

Chemistry / Re: What will sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide and aluminium do if mixed?

« on: 21/12/2012 01:10:51 »

I didn't actually try to write and figure out the reaction (so this may be wrong), but I would say that there is a good chance that when the sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide mix, and acid-base reaction will occur.

32

Chemistry / Re: Is there a safe glow-in-the-dark liquid?

« on: 19/12/2012 17:57:04 »

I found glow sticks on the internet.  They don't sound too palatable.  And, single use is probably not too desirable. 

I was just using glow sticks as an example of something that uses the property of chemiluminescence.

33

Chemistry / Re: Is there a safe glow-in-the-dark liquid?

« on: 13/12/2012 21:14:49 »

You might want to look up chemiluminescence on the Internet.  Chemiluminescence is what happens in objects such as glow sticks.

34

Chemistry / Re: What are magnets made of?

« on: 13/12/2012 21:06:58 »

Just for general knowledge, magnetite is also known as lodestone.

35

Chemistry / Re: How can I start a fire with household things?

« on: 13/12/2012 20:58:34 »

If you can find flint or pyrite (also known as fool's gold) somewhere, backyard, etc., these can be struck with steel and iron, respectively, to create sparks.  I may be back to this topic soon, when I think of more.

36

Chemistry / Re: Is drinking distilled water bad for you?

« on: 13/12/2012 17:34:53 »

   
 or what would happen to someone who fasted for 40 days on just distilled water?

You would die of starvation.  []

37

Chemistry / Re: Why isn't rain salty?

« on: 30/11/2012 18:24:15 »

An experiment that you can do to model this phenomenon, and there is a good chance that you have done this before, is to take a pot of water and bring it almost to boiling.  Then take it off the stove/heat source and pour it into another heat safe container, if you desire (for ease of cleanup, it's better if you can throw it away). Now start to slowly pour salt in while stirring, pouring as much in as possible but stopping before the solution becomes over-saturated (when grains of salt begin to collect on the bottom and won't dissolve).  Set this solution preferably in a warm, sunny for a few days until all the water evaporates, though a cooler, more shaded place will work, as well.  Once all the water has evaporated, a crystal matrix of salt crystals may have formed or simply a white crust of salt crystals (which, unfortunately, is probably more likely).  If you don't feel like waiting, you could always make the solution in the pot and keep it over the stove/heat source until it boils down.  I don't really recommend this, though, for a few reasons...
-The salt might take a while to dissolve again, unless you scrub it, which would still probably be a little difficult (and could damage a non-stick pot)
-If it is a non-stick pot:
  -The finish on it could be damaged
  -Toxic fumes can be produced from the non-stick coating of pots if they are heated without liquid in them

38

Chemistry / Re: aluminum foil and bathroom cleaner, can the mixture be explosive

« on: 28/11/2012 21:19:00 »

get draino or caustic soda (NaOH) and mix it with aluminum balls and water in a bottle, put on the lid shake it and stand back.

I have always been one for controlled combustion reactions and explosions for demonstrations/experiments, but...

I, personally, would strongly discourage taking the time to stand there and shake a bottle that will explode in a short amount of time.  Instead, this time should be used to get as far from the bottle as possible to avoid severe or permanent damage to the eyes, especially, and the rest of your body caused by flying droplets of corrosive chemicals and pieces of plastic that have now been turned into projectiles.

I have read on the Internet where a lady somewhere lost an eye (I think) and had severe damage done to her face because she was not far enough away from a dry ice bomb when it exploded.  May have been same story, can't remember, but a person was severely injured when they shook a dry ice bomb and it blew up while they were still holding it.  (Sure dry ice bombs aren't the same as what is discussed here, but this could be considered even more dangerous because you have the added danger of flying corrosive chemicals besides the force of the blast.)

So basically, I suggest not to try this unless you know what you are doing and/or have a very large area, away from people, structures, etc., to utilize to do this experiment.  Please excuse me if this article seems a bit overprotective and long-just don't want someone who doesn't know what they are getting into being injured by this experiment.

39

Technology / Re: Any DIY way(s) to step-up DC voltage?

« on: 24/10/2012 18:30:42 »

Could a step-up transformer work?

40

General Science / Re: What is this fish?

« on: 24/10/2012 15:39:20 »

I agree, too.  It is some type of gar.  I have seen them swimming in the river before-actually, right by the shore, same as you.