Monday, May 25, 2015

The physics of floating screwdrivers

I explain how a jet of air can float a common screwdriver.

Plans to make your own fluid turbulence disc: http://makezine.com/projects/rheoscopic-coffee-table/

Support more Applied Science videos: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

Nighthawkinlight's video about floating screwdrivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fceUcRfbCcQ


Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Shrinking paper money with ammonia

Support Applied Science on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AppliedScience

As a follow-up to my previous video on bending wood, I show how ammonia can shrink paper money.  The money is dipped into liquid anhydrous ammonia, then dried, and the process is repeated about a dozen times.  As the money dries, it shrinks due to the surface tension of the boiling/evaporating ammonia.

Video on bending wood:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z0SsAyHKzc
Making aerogel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X24np30GS2o