Ink Sandwiches, Electric Worms, and 37 Other Experiments for Saturday Science

How do you make a clock out of an ice cube? Send messages using bubbles? Make money using a tube that waltzes? This collection of curious and offbeat science experiments provides the answers to these and thirty-six other fascinating questions. Accomplished physicist and science writer Neil A. Downie covers a range of phenomena, from the rocking and rolling that drives a waltzing tube; to the fluid mechanics of a coffee-cup rev counter and biceps made from balloons; to the simple chemistry of red--hot batteries and wet solar cells. For each experiment, he provides historical anecdotes about the relevant phenomena, a list of equipment, detailed instructions, and a full explanation -- requiring only high-school mathematics -- of the science behind the procedure. For those intrigued by any experiment, he includes follow-up suggestions, which describe ways to tinker with the initial "recipe."

This collection of lively experiments, with complete explanations and simple mathematics, will appeal to high--school science teachers, inveterate tinkerers, amateur scientists, or anyone looking for a project for the next science fair.