This week's experiment grew from a question sent to me by Miranda Hughes. She and her children had been picking up pretty stones at the beach but noticed that when the stones were dry, they became dull and lost most of their color. She thought she knew the reason (She was correct.) and thought that it would make a good experiment of the week

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This week's experiment uses a computer CD or DVD. If you have ever looked closely at either a music or computer CD, you have probably noticed that they produce rainbows. If you hold the CD with the shiny side up and let light from a lamp reflect off of it, you will see a very nice rainbow of colors. If you are using a regular incandescent bulb, you will see all of the colors of the rainbow: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. If you use other kinds of bulbs, you may find some colors missing. To try this, you will need:

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This project has science fair potential.

This week's experiment uses fire, so be very careful and be sure that you have an adult to help you.

This week's experiment involves both chemistry and light. It is always pleasing for me to find one experiment that can send you exploring in several different directions.

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The experiment this week comes from spending too much time in hotel rooms as I travel. As I was packing for the trip home, I found it very useful for adjusting the television when I was not directly in front of it.

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This project has science fair potential.

This is one of the classic questions that children ask, and one that many adults do not know the answer to. With this simple experiment we will answer the question, and also find out why sunsets are red.

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Why does making something wet cause it to look darker?

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The amazing science of rainbows.

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Mirror Writing

Protect your writing the way Leonardo da Vinci did.

Use your cell phone to see a color you can't see.

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Spoon Reversals

Just a spoonful of science can change the way you look at things.

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Fiber Optic Water

Can light flow in a stream of water?

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Invisible Light

There are colors that we can't see.