Science / Year 8 / Science Understanding / Chemical sciences

• TLF-IDM025073

In this learning sequence, students explore a simple particle model for matter, heat energy and thermal expansion. They apply their learning to the context of expansion and contraction of rail lines and investigate ways that this is mitigated in real situations involving rail lines. They subsequently explain this to young ...

• TLF-IDM015808

Explore with the Surfing Scientist team what happens when metals are heated and cooled. Find out what happens to a metal ring when it is immersed in extremely cold liquid nitrogen. What do hinges on the Sydney Harbour Bridge have to do with all this? Find out.

• TLF-IDM018840

Some magic tricks, such as disappearing ink or candles that won't blow out, can be explained by chemistry. In this clip, three classroom chemistry experiments demonstrate that some familiar magic tricks rely on acid-base chemical reactions, and the properties and behaviour of gases. Watch closely if you've ever wanted to ...

• TLF-IDM015602

Can you imagine being able to crush a can without hitting or squashing it? Watch as Ruben the Surfing Scientist shows you how this can be done. Listen to Ruben explain the science behind the imploding can and find out what invisible force is involved.

• TLF-IDM015900

Explore the different types of minerals inside rocks. See that most rock-forming minerals are made up of just two common elements. Discover that most minerals are made up of the same basic building blocks put together in different ways, and that this can explain some of their properties.

• TLF-IDM017838

Take a journey with two 2013 Sleek Geeks Eureka Science Schools Prize finalists, as they present their take on the history of steam power. See how they link steam power, the properties of water and the way energy is converted. WARNING: if flickering light affects you, you may be best to avoid watching this video.

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Want to do a simple science experiment that works just like a magic trick? Watch the Surfing Scientist to find out how. He creates a pattern made up of regular shapes by dissolving coated chocolate buttons.

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Explore some of the amazing properties of liquid nitrogen with Ruben the Surfing Scientist. Find out how Ruben proves that liquid nitrogen is very very cold. See the effect of adding liquid nitrogen to water.

• TLF-IDM020680

Did you know you can measure gravity? The more mass an object has, the more gravity it has, so by measuring the mass of something, you can figure out its gravity. Why do you think climate scientists may want these measurements? Watch this NASA animation to find out.

• TLF-IDM019772

Explore the elements contained in the periodic table and the structure of some molecules found in everyday items. Build an element by adding the correct number of protons, neutrons and electrons, and construct a molecule by correctly placing atoms onto the structure. Symbols and formulas used to represent elements and molecules ...