Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i Ask Science and Arts Magazine for Kids and Children

Beautiful Bangs Fireworks were invented in China over a thousand years ago. But even scientists today sometimes have no idea why they work the way they do. A firework expert, or pyrotechnician, might say that a firework is a bunch of chemicals arranged so that they explode or burn in a particular order. But “this is one type of chemistry that is not easy to study in the lab,” says David Bickar, a fireworks chemist.“Fireworks are fast and burning and explosive. You also get a different chemical reaction when something is falling through the air than when it’s sitting in a lab.” Inside Fireworks The main ingredient in fireworks is black powder. That’s old-fashioned gunpowder, made from sulfur, charcoal, and a mineral called saltpeter (potassium nitrate). When a spark lights…

An old castle. A small room. Inside, a stone furnace burns brightly. Foul-smelling smoke fills the air. Odd tools, strange glass jars, and small bone cups clutter the table. Two robed figures bend over the fire gazing into a bubbling pot. Is it gold yet? Have they at last found the secret? The year is 1548. All over Europe, alchemists are busy trying to turn ordinary metals into gold. Alas, they are doomed to fail. But along the way, they invent something much more important: the science we call chemistry. But that’s the end of the story. Let’s start at the beginning. Ancient Secrets Alchemy traces its roots back to the metal-smiths and glass-makers of ancient Egypt. Thousands of years ago, these craftsmen mastered the art of getting copper, silver,…

Most alchemists were serious scientists. But some were not so honest. Fakers claimed to be able to make gold and “proved” it with sneaky tricks. Then they sold the bogus recipe or philosopher’s stone for a high price. Or they quickly left town with the money people gave them to make another one. The Trick Nail Fake alchemists made nails or knives (or plates, or cups, or helmets) half of iron and half of gold. Then they painted the gold half so it all looked like iron. When the trick object was dipped in a "potion" of alcohol, the paint came off, and it would seem to turn to gold! This trick worked embarrassingly often. Gold Seeding Many sneaky alchemists hid gold dust under wax in the bottom of their…

Is it possible to turn lead into gold? Could we do it with modern science? Maybe, a little. But mostly, no. Why not? Because both lead and gold are elements. We now know that the real building blocks of the universe are atoms, the smallest bits of matter. About 100 different kinds of atoms combine to make everything in the universe. These atoms are the real elements. Atoms join up to make all kinds of compounds. But atoms themselves do not change, except in huge nuclear reactors or in the fiery hearts of stars. Pure elements are made of only one kind of atom. Pure lead has only lead atoms in it. Pure gold has only gold atoms. To change lead into gold, you’d need to change all of its…

Danger! Fireworks are extremely dangerous to make and set off. People who work in fireworks factories are not allowed to have any metal on them and must wear all cotton clothes, right down to their underwear. That’s because metal, nylon, and polyester can make static sparks. And even a tiny spark can set off the unstable black powder. Most fireworks are still made by hand in small workshops. Buildings are widely separated, to limit damage if there is an accidental explosion. Sheds for making fireworks are specially built to explode safely, with thick walls and thin roofs (so the blast goes up, not out), because sooner or later, they usually do explode.…

If you were an alchemist, what would your nickname be? Or would you rather be a chemist? For this month’s contest, draw a card featuring yourself as an alchemist, or chemist, or geologist, or any other kind of “ist” you’d like to be. What are your skills, likes, peeves? What are you most famous for? Send us your “Meet the ???-ist” card, and we’ll post a pack of the most prestidigitous in an upcoming issue of Ask. Contest Rules: 1. Your contest entry must be your very own work. Ideas and words should not be copied. Entries must be accompanied by a note/email from your parent or legal guardian, saying it’s your own work and that no one helped you, and that Ask has permission to publish it in print…