Product Description

Want to know how to create fireworks from a crisp packet? Turn rice into quicksand? Generate a cloud in a lemonade bottle? How about build a toaster-powered hot air balloon, or work out the speed of light using margarine and a microwave?In this book, you'll find these and over 40 more incredible experiments to try at home. Easy and fun to do, whether you're 8 or 80, they will amuse, astound and educate in equal measure - see the amazing results then find out why it works!So whether it's racing jam jars, making Pyrex invisible or instantly freezing a fizzy drink before your eyes - with the "Naked Scientists'" help, you'll never have a dull rainy day again!A tempting self-purchase as well as the perfect gift.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16418 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Review
'...a real winner...counterintuitive experiments that anyone can try at home using every day materials.'
--BBC Focus

a real winner --BBC Focus, September 2008

...entice younger children with the thrill of real hands-on science
--Carousel, March 2009

About the Author
Dr Chris Smith is a Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge as well as a microbiologist working at Addenbrooks Hospital. He is devoted to promoting the understanding of science, at which he is hugely effective through both the Naked Scientists' website and their local radio broadcasts in the UK and Australia. He lives in Cambridge. Dave Ansell is the Naked Scientists' Kitchen Science specialist. He spent several years as a post-grad physics student at Cambridge University, but spent most of his time AWOL, during which he was busy planning, organizing and building things for kids' science events with the society Cambridge Hands-On Science. He now works full time promoting the public understanding of science.

Customer Reviews

Enthralled
After my niece got over the initial disappointment that her present was a book, she fired with enthusiasm for all the experiments she could be making mischief with in the name of science! These experiments can be found on the internet by the book authors, but in my opinion the small details of what happens and why will be absorbed more with a book. She had conducted the first experiments later that day and was hooked, wanting to visit the science museum.

Brilliant & fun
I bought this book at the request of my ten year old boy and we've had a lot of fun trying out the experiments. I like the fact that the experiments mostly produce something amazing to look at which holds the child's attention and the explanations of what's happening (the science bit) is quite detailed and not too dumbed down. The materials needed are easy to buy or find around the house. I only gave four stars instead of five because the experiment with "magnetic" breakfast cereal didn't work for us. We tried different cereals but maybe none had a big enough iron content.

Great real-world explanations
A really well set out book with useful illustrations and clear photography. As a chemistry teacher, I have found the explanations suitable for most secondary school pupils and the real world scenarios are great for showing scientific relevance.
A word of warning: many of the experiments are "repeats" eg making a red cabbage indicator, hurricane in a bottle, coke and mentos, so the book is better for a first purchase than an addition to an experienced "kitchen scientist"'s lab!