Weird Science
This is a collection of articles and links covering strange or unusual chemistry topics as well as other weird science and pseudoscience.
Which Mad Scientist Are You?
If you were a famous mad scientist, which mad scientist would you be? Take this fun multiple choice quiz to find out.
If you were a famous mad scientist, which mad scientist would you be? Take this fun multiple choice quiz to find out.
Mad Scientist Party
A mad scientist party is a fun and educational party theme, ideal for birthdays and Halloween. Get ideas for invitations, decorations, costumes, food and drink, cakes, mad scientist experiments and games, as well as party favors for guests to take home.
A mad scientist party is a fun and educational party theme, ideal for birthdays and Halloween. Get ideas for invitations, decorations, costumes, food and drink, cakes, mad scientist experiments and games, as well as party favors for guests to take home.
Burning Money Chemistry Demonstration
Set money on fire and watch it burn out without damaging the bill. This is a nice magic trick, based on everyday chemistry.
Set money on fire and watch it burn out without damaging the bill. This is a nice magic trick, based on everyday chemistry.
Can a Candle Burn in Zero Gravity?
Can a candle burn in the absence of gravity? Here's the answer to this frequently asked question about fire.
Can a candle burn in the absence of gravity? Here's the answer to this frequently asked question about fire.
Can Your Hair Turn White from Fright or Turn Gray Overnight?
Is it true your hair can turn white from a bad scare or that your hair can turn gray overnight? Learn about your haircolor and get the answer to the question.
Is it true your hair can turn white from a bad scare or that your hair can turn gray overnight? Learn about your haircolor and get the answer to the question.
Chemistry of Smoke Machines
Have you ever wondered how smoke machines work or wanted to make your own smoke or fog? Here's your chance to find out how it works. There are separate sections for each type of non-toxic smoke generator, together with important safety tips.
Have you ever wondered how smoke machines work or wanted to make your own smoke or fog? Here's your chance to find out how it works. There are separate sections for each type of non-toxic smoke generator, together with important safety tips.
Disappearing Ink Instructions
Learn how to make blue or red ink that will disappear after exposure to air. Tips for restoring the color and an explanation of the acid-base chemistry of the reaction are also included.
Learn how to make blue or red ink that will disappear after exposure to air. Tips for restoring the color and an explanation of the acid-base chemistry of the reaction are also included.
Firework Periodic Table
Use this special periodic table to find out what elements are found in fireworks and how they are used. Just click on an element to learn more.
Use this special periodic table to find out what elements are found in fireworks and how they are used. Just click on an element to learn more.
Fitzroy's Storm Glass - Weather Chemistry
Chemistry behind Darwin's storm glass, with instructions for making your own.
Chemistry behind Darwin's storm glass, with instructions for making your own.
Fizzy Potion Recipe
Make a non-toxic fizzy Mad Scientist potion using ingredients from your kitchen. The potion looks evil, but it is safe enough to drink.
Make a non-toxic fizzy Mad Scientist potion using ingredients from your kitchen. The potion looks evil, but it is safe enough to drink.
Glow in the Dark Slime
What is better than regular slime? Slime that glows in the dark, of course! This is an easy and fun project that is suitable for kids.
What is better than regular slime? Slime that glows in the dark, of course! This is an easy and fun project that is suitable for kids.
Glowing Jell-O Recipe
It's incredibly easy to make Jell-O or other gelatin glow under a black light. Here's what you do.
It's incredibly easy to make Jell-O or other gelatin glow under a black light. Here's what you do.
Green Fire Instructions
It's easy to make brilliant green fire. This cool chemistry project only takes two household chemicals.
It's easy to make brilliant green fire. This cool chemistry project only takes two household chemicals.
Green Sand Beach
Hawaii's Green Sand Beach is an unforgettable destination. Learn why the sand is green and how to get to the beach.
Hawaii's Green Sand Beach is an unforgettable destination. Learn why the sand is green and how to get to the beach.
How Do Chemical Weapons Smell?
Do you think chemical weapons smell terrible? You might be surprised to learn many are odorless or smell pleasant.
Do you think chemical weapons smell terrible? You might be surprised to learn many are odorless or smell pleasant.
How Do Mood Rings Work?
Mood rings have a stone that is supposed to change color to show your emotions. Do they work? If so, do you know how? Here's your chance to find out.
Mood rings have a stone that is supposed to change color to show your emotions. Do they work? If so, do you know how? Here's your chance to find out.
How Do Pop Rocks Candy Work?
Find out how pop rocks candy works and whether or not it's true your stomach will explode if you wash down pop rocks with soda.
Find out how pop rocks candy works and whether or not it's true your stomach will explode if you wash down pop rocks with soda.
How Does Stainless Steel Remove Odors?
Have you heard about the kitchen tip in which you rub your fingers across the blade of a stainless steel knife to remove odors from onions, garlic, and fish? You have now! Learn about the chemistry behind this interesting bit of cooking magic.
Have you heard about the kitchen tip in which you rub your fingers across the blade of a stainless steel knife to remove odors from onions, garlic, and fish? You have now! Learn about the chemistry behind this interesting bit of cooking magic.
How To Color Fire
Have you ever wanted to color fire? Here are simple, nontechnical instructions for making your own colored flames. Add extra interest to your fireplace or campfire!
Have you ever wanted to color fire? Here are simple, nontechnical instructions for making your own colored flames. Add extra interest to your fireplace or campfire!
MRI Reaction with Tattoos
Is a burning reaction between a tattoo and magnetic resonance imaging (an MRI) based in fact or is it an urban legend? Here's the answer!
Is a burning reaction between a tattoo and magnetic resonance imaging (an MRI) based in fact or is it an urban legend? Here's the answer!
Red Mercury - Thoughts and Speculation
William Yerkes offers insight into red mercury, a material purportedly implicated in fusion-device research.
William Yerkes offers insight into red mercury, a material purportedly implicated in fusion-device research.
Rubber Egg & Chicken Bones
You can make a hard boiled egg bounce like a rubber ball and cause chicken bones to become soft and rubbery. All you need is a common kitchen ingredient.
You can make a hard boiled egg bounce like a rubber ball and cause chicken bones to become soft and rubbery. All you need is a common kitchen ingredient.
Secret Formula or Equation?
Here's a formula or equation submitted by a reader. He says he's been carrying it around in his wallet for twenty years and that at least one man's death was linked to the content. Does the equation still have significance today? You be the judge.
Here's a formula or equation submitted by a reader. He says he's been carrying it around in his wallet for twenty years and that at least one man's death was linked to the content. Does the equation still have significance today? You be the judge.
Slime Step-By-Step Instructions
Slime is easy and fun to make, plus it only requires glue, borax, and water. Here are step-by-step instructions for making classic slime, complete with photos.
Slime is easy and fun to make, plus it only requires glue, borax, and water. Here are step-by-step instructions for making classic slime, complete with photos.
Smoking Fingers Trick
Make your fingers smoke when you rub them together and glow in the dark. All you need is a matchbox and a way to burn the striker portion.
Make your fingers smoke when you rub them together and glow in the dark. All you need is a matchbox and a way to burn the striker portion.
Top Science Movies
These are the top science movies of all time, as rated by your About Chemistry Guide. I'm pretty sure my list differs from conventional wisdom, so justifications for my film choices are provided.
These are the top science movies of all time, as rated by your About Chemistry Guide. I'm pretty sure my list differs from conventional wisdom, so justifications for my film choices are provided.
What Causes Rigor Mortis?
Dead bodies are sometimes referred to as 'stiffs' for a reason! Learn what rigor mortis is and find out why it happens.
Dead bodies are sometimes referred to as 'stiffs' for a reason! Learn what rigor mortis is and find out why it happens.
What Is Red Mercury?
Is it a secret, wildly explosive compound used to make deuterium-tritium fusion bombs for use by terrorists? Maybe there's a more conventional explanation...
Is it a secret, wildly explosive compound used to make deuterium-tritium fusion bombs for use by terrorists? Maybe there's a more conventional explanation...
What Is the Most Bitter Compound?
I've had some scorched coffee that I'm sure should have qualified for this award, but it turns out there's a real answer to this question of taste. Do you know what it is?
I've had some scorched coffee that I'm sure should have qualified for this award, but it turns out there's a real answer to this question of taste. Do you know what it is?
What Is the Smelliest Chemical?
There are some man-made chemicals with a stench well beyond the gentle perfume of dirty gym socks and skunk spray. Do you know the names of these super-stinkers?
There are some man-made chemicals with a stench well beyond the gentle perfume of dirty gym socks and skunk spray. Do you know the names of these super-stinkers?
What Is the World's Most Venomous Insect?
The most venomous insect isn't some rare, exotic rain forest creature. You may have them in your own yard. Can you name guess what it is?
The most venomous insect isn't some rare, exotic rain forest creature. You may have them in your own yard. Can you name guess what it is?
What Materials Glow Under a Black or Ultraviolet Light?
Black lights emit ultraviolet radiation, giving certain materials an eerie glow. Which materials? You can do a little experimental research or you can check out this list!
Black lights emit ultraviolet radiation, giving certain materials an eerie glow. Which materials? You can do a little experimental research or you can check out this list!
White Smoke Chemistry Demonstration
Learn how to perform the white smoke chemistry demonstration, in which a cloud of ammonium chloride crystals are produced from reacting ammonia and hydrochloric acid.
Learn how to perform the white smoke chemistry demonstration, in which a cloud of ammonium chloride crystals are produced from reacting ammonia and hydrochloric acid.
Why Does the Pool Turn Blonde Hair Green?
Do you think it's the chlorine in the swimming pool that turns blonde hair green? Guess again.
Do you think it's the chlorine in the swimming pool that turns blonde hair green? Guess again.
Ale, Garlic, and Soured Cream on the Appetite of Leeches
From the Universitetet i Bergen, Baerheim and Sandvik explore the effects of chemicals purported to stimulate leech attachment. Full title: 'Effect of ale, garlic, and soured cream on the appetite of leeches.'
From the Universitetet i Bergen, Baerheim and Sandvik explore the effects of chemicals purported to stimulate leech attachment. Full title: 'Effect of ale, garlic, and soured cream on the appetite of leeches.'
Ask Professor Phasmid
This is the site to visit if you have a question about your pet stick insect (Phasmid), insect cages, or mantids. In addition to answering questions, Professor Phasmid offers care sheets that you can download and print.
This is the site to visit if you have a question about your pet stick insect (Phasmid), insect cages, or mantids. In addition to answering questions, Professor Phasmid offers care sheets that you can download and print.
Chemistry, Magnets, and Skepticism
This site has a discussion and links about magnetic fields affecting chemical and biological reactions. While the site itself isn't 'weird science', perhaps the notion that magnetism doesn't affect certain reactions is strange.
This site has a discussion and links about magnetic fields affecting chemical and biological reactions. While the site itself isn't 'weird science', perhaps the notion that magnetism doesn't affect certain reactions is strange.
Comic Book Periodic Table of the Elements, The
How this works is you click on an element to see the comic book pages involving that element. Clickings on a list item will allow you to see a full comic book page.
How this works is you click on an element to see the comic book pages involving that element. Clickings on a list item will allow you to see a full comic book page.
Evil Genius Hoaxes
Here's Bill Beaty's list of 'pranks and hi-tech practical jokes'. He hasn't build the devices described here and neither have I, so proceed at your own risk!
Here's Bill Beaty's list of 'pranks and hi-tech practical jokes'. He hasn't build the devices described here and neither have I, so proceed at your own risk!
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
What do cats think of men with beards? This tongue-in-cheek 'study' has the form, if not the substance, of quality research. Kinda makes you wonder about other well-written papers...
What do cats think of men with beards? This tongue-in-cheek 'study' has the form, if not the substance, of quality research. Kinda makes you wonder about other well-written papers...
Grossology
This site is all about the science of really gross things. It's not for the weak-of-stomach, but it is quite interesting!
This site is all about the science of really gross things. It's not for the weak-of-stomach, but it is quite interesting!
Impossible Science
Paranormal Phenomena Guide Stephen Wagner discusses human invisibility, the Faile effect, and John Keely's floating mini-solar system.
Paranormal Phenomena Guide Stephen Wagner discusses human invisibility, the Faile effect, and John Keely's floating mini-solar system.
Iowa State University's Tasty Insect Recipes
Here are recipes for some tasty treats, including banana worm bread, chocolate chirpie chip cookies, and corn borer cornbread muffins. Nutrition and supply information is also included. Cooking is chemistry, right?
Here are recipes for some tasty treats, including banana worm bread, chocolate chirpie chip cookies, and corn borer cornbread muffins. Nutrition and supply information is also included. Cooking is chemistry, right?
Joey Green's Wacky Uses
Click on the name of a common, everyday product and learn about all sorts of alternative uses. Some of the uses would probably occur to you, but others are fairly strange.
Click on the name of a common, everyday product and learn about all sorts of alternative uses. Some of the uses would probably occur to you, but others are fairly strange.
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Here's a recipe for summer fun, complete with video! I think I'll stick to the old-fashioned method, but if you are feeling adventurous, give it a try. Idea for flavor variations are provided.
Here's a recipe for summer fun, complete with video! I think I'll stick to the old-fashioned method, but if you are feeling adventurous, give it a try. Idea for flavor variations are provided.
Nessie Science
Here are the scientific details for the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately named Nessie. It's not hard science, but it is pretty amusing, and there are factual tidbits everywhere.
Here are the scientific details for the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately named Nessie. It's not hard science, but it is pretty amusing, and there are factual tidbits everywhere.
Novel Forms of Matter
Science Frontiers Online discusses chocolate and vanilla niobium clusters, quasicrystals, and nitrogen molecules that form five bonds. References are provided!
Science Frontiers Online discusses chocolate and vanilla niobium clusters, quasicrystals, and nitrogen molecules that form five bonds. References are provided!
Postal Experiments
It's not chemistry, but it's certainly interesting. The objective of this experiment was to try the collective patience of the USPS... that's not it... The objective was to determine how strictly the USPS adheres to delivery regulations. The Postal Service appears to be honest and tolerant.
It's not chemistry, but it's certainly interesting. The objective of this experiment was to try the collective patience of the USPS... that's not it... The objective was to determine how strictly the USPS adheres to delivery regulations. The Postal Service appears to be honest and tolerant.
Real Glowing Pickle Page
The idea is to put current across a pickle and cause it to glow. This site has explanations and graphics and a movie. Please be aware that some browsers experience runtime errors loading the page.
The idea is to put current across a pickle and cause it to glow. This site has explanations and graphics and a movie. Please be aware that some browsers experience runtime errors loading the page.
Science Hobbyist - Do This Now
Bill Beaty has lots of fun and interesting webpages, but this is one of my favorites. Follow the instructions outlined on this page and explore your world.
Bill Beaty has lots of fun and interesting webpages, but this is one of my favorites. Follow the instructions outlined on this page and explore your world.
SciFaiku.com
This is a collection of science and science fiction haiku poetry. Readers may submit a SciFaiku of their own. There are also links defining haiku and listing online haiku collections.
This is a collection of science and science fiction haiku poetry. Readers may submit a SciFaiku of their own. There are also links defining haiku and listing online haiku collections.
The Bureau of Atomic Tourism
This virtual museum promotes worldwide tourist locations that have been the site of atomic explosions, offer exhibits on the development of atomic devices, or include vehicles to deliver atomic weapons. For each location, the Bureau tell you what you will see and specifics about locations, dates, and times. Additional links are also provided.
This virtual museum promotes worldwide tourist locations that have been the site of atomic explosions, offer exhibits on the development of atomic devices, or include vehicles to deliver atomic weapons. For each location, the Bureau tell you what you will see and specifics about locations, dates, and times. Additional links are also provided.
The Latest on Long-Running Experiments
Marc Abrahams of HotAIR reports on the Pitch Drop Experiment in Brisbane (started 1927), Oxford Electric Bell (started in 1840), and Beverly Clock in Dunedin (started in 1864). Isn't it neat that all three are displayed in the foyers of physics departments for all to see?
Marc Abrahams of HotAIR reports on the Pitch Drop Experiment in Brisbane (started 1927), Oxford Electric Bell (started in 1840), and Beverly Clock in Dunedin (started in 1864). Isn't it neat that all three are displayed in the foyers of physics departments for all to see?
The Phobia List
If there's is a name for a phobia, you can find it here! Do you know what Osmophobia is? Sounds like a chemistry sort of thing, but is it...?
If there's is a name for a phobia, you can find it here! Do you know what Osmophobia is? Sounds like a chemistry sort of thing, but is it...?
ThinkGeek: Caffeine
Okay, so there isn't really any science here, but there are a LOT of products that could be considered as aids to scientific research, given that they all include caffeine. I view this site (not just the caffeine part) as a sort of scientific curiosity.
Okay, so there isn't really any science here, but there are a LOT of products that could be considered as aids to scientific research, given that they all include caffeine. I view this site (not just the caffeine part) as a sort of scientific curiosity.
Unwise Microwave Oven Experiments
This educational and entertaining site is also intended for a responsible audience, for fairly obvious reasons. In addition to the experiments, there are links to other sites and a section on microwave oven myths.
This educational and entertaining site is also intended for a responsible audience, for fairly obvious reasons. In addition to the experiments, there are links to other sites and a section on microwave oven myths.
Molecules with Strange Names
Here's a collection of molecules that have strange or silly names. There are lots of molecules with weird names, so this list will grow and grow.
Here's a collection of molecules that have strange or silly names. There are lots of molecules with weird names, so this list will grow and grow.