The theory of evolution attempts to explain the many connections between all living things on Earth. The fossil record, evidence from genes, geographical distribution and laboratory experiment all point towards living things sharing a common ancestor from about 3.5 billion years ago. Simple, self-replicating molecules may have become more complex bacteria-like organisms from which all …
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Author:SFScience
Retired Schoolmaster living in Wiltshire and Vendee France
Alkali Metal Error…
For a few years now I have been showing a clip from Brainiac when discussing the reaction of alkali metals with water. I can remember as a boy watching the following clip and being delighted when a piece of caesium was dropped into the water (that bowl is called a pneumatic trough by the way). I …
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Mysterious Yellow Orb…
Yesterday dawned bright and cold. The overcast skies were now blue and dominated by a large yellow object that appeared to be a source of both light and heat. A little research and I discovered it is called the Sun and it is the ultimate source of all Earth’s energy. Even more amazingly, every star …
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Separating Mixtures…
A mixture is any situation when two or more substances are mixed together. In a mixture, the different particles are close to each other but they are not joined. This means it should be possible to separate most mixtures out into their component parts. To do this, you need to look at the physical properties …
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Global Warning…
[This was first published on 5th October 2009] Svalbard is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe, about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The glacier in the picture below is called the Austfonna ice cap. The striking photo was taken by Michael Nolan during his annual voyage to observe the glacier and its surrounding …
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Witch Village…
Watch how this brave and wise Knight calmly applies the scientific method to determine whether or not the young woman is a witch. He helps to educate the ignorant village people at the same time! . Questions… 1. In most experiments there are various factors (variables) that need either to be controlled, altered or measured. …
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Where?
Since it is April the 1st – it is time for a bit of nonsense. I shot this video on my phone during a school trip several years ago. Where was I? There are clues so don’t be too distracted by the “powerful interpretive dance”.
Happy World Periodic Table Day!
Actually, you missed it. It was on the 7th of February but the Periodic Table continues to be awesome nonetheless. The Royal Society of Chemistry commissioned a great interactive periodic table which you can view here. They also made an App. You should definitely get it if you like chemistry.
Accurate & Precise…
This post assumes that you have read That Is Like, So Unfair about what makes a fair test. When you are asked to comment on why a particular step is taken in an experiment it is tempting to answer, “To make it a fair test” without really thinking it through carefully. There are two other …
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That Is, Like, SO Unfair…
I have noticed an occasional confusion over the phrase ‘fair test’ and I am even ashamed to say that I have allowed it to appear in one of my booklets in an incorrect context. It is an important phrase so I would like to offer a brief explanation. In an experiment, it is important only …
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