Another fun activity to do as a demonstration in class (although not at home) (also it may require a fume hood) is to take a Coke can and put it in concentrated sulfuric acid. This acid dissolves the aluminum can fairly rapidly (and creates a lot of heat and smoke in the process). Interestingly, though, it does not dissolve the plastic liner, which is the only thing that remains after the acid digestion has been completed. This is interesting because the soda itself is usuall

Is sugar addictive? I have avoided (mostly) talking about dieting on this blog, although I am well into my journey to lose 30 pounds courtesy of Weight Watchers. As part of that, I have spent lots of time thinking about, reading about, and discussing the science of weight loss, and really, of diet in general. It turns out that there are lots of study that support the notion that sugar is harmful, and that excess consumption of sugar is what leads to lots and lots of negative

Three weeks into September, and we are now smack in the middle of the Jewish High Holiday season, which includes the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah; Wikipedia primer on the day is located HERE), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur; see link HERE), and in October time, Sukkot and Simchat Torah (Wikipedia links HERE and HERE). One of my favorite Jewish New Year traditions is the eating of honey (yum!), which is meant to signify having a sweet new year, and is eaten with challah br

Check out the first six parts of this series, or below to make some delicious rock candy! Yum! I love rock candy! You know who else loves rock candy? All kids everywhere, or at least all kids that I have met. Here is my own favorite recipe for rock candy: 1. Combine 2 cups of sugar, ½ cup of corn syrup, and ½ cup of water into a pot. 2. Place the pot on a burner on a low flame, and heat it until the sugar is fully dissolved. 3. Remove the pot from the heat and add the flavori