The Christmas Lecture On scifun.org
 

40 Years

Xmas Title

 
Programs
Commemorative Program Booklet
(PDF)
Christmas Poster
Poster
Display
A brief history of the Christmas Lecture,
on display in the Chemistry Building foyer.
Flame
Spraying metal salt solutions colors the flame.

Wide View
The audience enjoys the 40th annniversary Christmas Lecture.
UW Band
Mike Leckrone leads
the UW band.
With Bucky
Bucky Badger assists with the ammonia fountain demonstration.
Green Flame
The flame turns green with
boric acid solution.

Liquid Nitrogen
The professor always brings
plenty of liquid nitrogen.
Frozen Rose
Still beautiful after being dipped
in liquid nitrogen.
(video)
Elephant's Toothpaste
The elephant's toothpaste demonstration is always a hit.
(video)
Color Change
Mixing liquids can produce
color changes.
Colored liquids
Different liquids produce a
variety of colors.
Visible Spectrum
Dr. Rodney Screiner describes how energy relates to color.
Genie in a Bottle
"Genie in a Bottle"
Thermite Reaction
The thermite reaction produces molten iron which flows out of the bottom of the flower pot.
Liquid Oxygen
Liquid oxygen held between
the poles of a magnet.
(video)
Luminol
A glowing luminol "40" in honor
of the anniversary.
(video)
With Mike leckrone
Making silver holiday ornaments with Professor Mike Leckrone.
With Santa
Santa watches the beautiful zirconium sparks. (video)

Audience Watching
The experiments are engaging
for both children and adults.
Zirconium
Zirconium, element no. 40, in Theodore Gray's "The Elements."
Sparks
Sparks fly when zirconium powder is sprinkled on a hot plate.
Copper
Hydrogen gas converts hot
copper oxide to copper.
Liquid Oxygen
Pouring liquid oxygen on
a lit cigarette.
Sulphur
Sulfur, when heated ...
Sulphur Glow
... gives off a beautiful blue glow.
Dry Ice
Dry ice has been dropped into a tub of boiling water.
Contained sparks
Steel wool burns brightly in a flask containing oxygen gas.
Finale
Corks popped in time with the 1812 Overture for the finale.
Clock Reaction
The band helped to keep count
during the clock reaction.
  
Frozen Tube
The middle portion of rubber tubing that was dipped in
liquid nitrogen has frozen,
losing its flexibility.

40 Years

Thank you for your interest in our programs.

For more science fun,
visit our Home Experiments page!

 

Wisconsin State Journal Article

A Reader's Comment on the WSJ Article

UW-Madison News Article

For ACS Members, a C&E News Newscripts Item

 

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