Anne Schmidt
Chemistry Instructor
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Co-authored Articles (141)
How to
Tell Whether the Moon Is Waxing or Waning
A full breakdown of moon phases and understanding what they mean The moon takes 27.3 days to orbit the earth, but the full lunar cycle takes a full 29.5 days to complete. Throughout the cycle, the moon will be waxing eac...
What Is the 5th Dimension? Latest Theories & More
See how hidden dimensions shape our reality When you think of extra dimensions, you probably imagine old sci-fi movies with evil creatures from higher planes of reality coming to wreak havoc on our 4D world. But what are...
How to
Make a Diorama
'''Building a diorama is a fun DIY project in which you can create an exciting scene in a small space.''' Dioramas allow a lot of room for creativity and innovation. Though dioramas usually display a historical time peri...
How to
Make a Telescope
Telescopes make distant objects appear nearer, using a combination of lenses and mirrors. If you happen to have no telescopes or binoculars at home, and you can make one yourself! Take note that the images may appear ups...
General Knowledge Quiz
Is your brain filled with interesting facts? Do you remember everything from the equation for finding the circumference of a circle to the capital of each country in the world? Answer these 25 general knowledge trivia qu...
How to
Make an Electromagnet
In an electromagnet, an electric current runs through a piece of metal and creates a magnetic field. To create a simple electromagnet, you'll need a source of electricity, a conductor, and metal. Wrap insulated copper wi...
How to
Make Laundry Detergent Slime
Slime is a fun kind of putty to play with. It is icky, sticky, and gross. While you can always head out to the store and buy some, it is much more fun to make it at home. One of the most popular slime recipes requires bo...
How to
Make Bioplastic
A bioplastic is a type of plastic that can be made from plant starches or gelatins/agars. They are better for the environment because they are not derived from petroleum. They can also be easily made at home with a few s...
How to
Read a Galileo Thermometer
Galileo thermometers are glass tubes filled with floating colorful spheres. They’re based on Galileo Galilei’s invention, the thermoscope. Changing temperatures cause the colorful orbs to either sink or float inside ...
Am I Smarter than a 5th Grader Quiz
Do you remember how to find the circumference of a circle? What about the capital of New Jersey? We’re about to quiz you game-show style with a variety of elementary school trivia questions, from math and science to hi...
How to
Find Planets In The Night Sky
Learn where to go on Earth and look in the sky to see certain planets'''Finding planets in the night sky is a rewarding ability that lets you have a deeper knowledge of the universe—if you know what you are looking for...
5 Easy Fluffy Slime Recipes
5 ways to create gooey and fluffy slime at home Fluffy slime is super easy to make—all you need is a few common household ingredients. We’ll show you how to make the fluffiest slime ever with glue, shaving cream, and...
How to
Store Dry Ice
Dry ice is great for chilling beverages and making special effects. It's important that you store dry ice properly when you're not using it. Storing your dry ice the right way will help it last longer and prevent any saf...
How to
Make Rocket Fuel
Much like actual rockets, the miniature versions launched by model rocketry enthusiasts require fuel to blast off. Premade fuel cartridges are readily available at most hobby stores, but you might be surprised to learn t...
How to Determine Relative Humidity: Formulas & More
Easily calculate relative and absolute humidityHumidity can be taken with a hygrometer or another specialized device, but it can also be calculated if you know the air temperature, the dew point, and a few simple and sta...
How to
Find Oxidation Numbers
In chemistry, the terms "oxidation" and "reduction" refer to reactions in which an atom (or group of atoms) loses or gains electrons, respectively.. 1 September 2023. Oxidation numbers are numbers assigned to atoms (or g...
How to
Test a Microwave's Magnetron
A magnetron is the main component in your microwave that generates microwave energy and allows you to warm up and cook food quickly. Over time, your microwave may not work as efficiently or it could stop producing heat a...
How to
Use a Telescope
Telescopes gather light and make for the most spectacular viewing experiences. The thrill of viewing distant galaxies, brilliant star clusters, unique nebulae, solar system planets and lunar features is nearly indescrib...
How to
Make Citric Acid
Citric acid is the stuff that makes fruit taste tart and candy taste sour, but it can also be used as a household cleaner and a pest repellent. You can purchase citric acid solution or powder at the store, but if you wan...
How to
Make Sodium Hydroxide Chemically
Sodium hydroxide, lye, and caustic soda all refer to the same compound, NaOH, which is comprised of 3 single atoms: sodium, oxygen, and hydrogen. NaOH is often used to teach about pH in high schools and it can neutralize...