Episode 13

S3 E13: SMOKE RINGS: As a few drops of milk sink in a glass of water, Chris sees rings which Mr. Wizard identifies as vortex rings. TO DIG A MINE: Deep inside that Colorado mountain there’s a large supply of valuable ore. When it’s refined, it’s called molybdenum . One of its unusual properties is that it must be heated to an extremely high temperature before it melts. Added to steel, it produces very strong, long-lasting alloys that can withstand the heat of a jet airplane engine and the cold of Alaska. But how do you get that important metal, molybdenum, out from the inside of the mountain? Mr. Wizard and engineers explains. HOT VS. COLD WATER BOTTLES: On the counter are two transparent bottles of cold water and the two of hot water colored red. Stacey defines convection currents as the transfer of heat through the movement of liquids or gases. THREE PILE CARD TRICK: AJ picks a card (the Queen of Clubs) and places it back in the deck. Mr. Wizard explains he is going to do a simple card trick based on a scientific principle. COMPUTER REACTION TIMER - Mr. Wizard challenges Stacey to tell him when five seconds have elapsed. He has setup the computer so that it can be used as a high speed stop watch. With various trials she is able to start and stop the computer at close to 50 milliseconds or five seconds. ALLIGATOR: On a hike in a swamp in Georgia, you come across a mound that has been disturbed. In it you can see about 50 eggs. You better be careful, because the nest is guarded by the mother, an American alligator. VOLUME CHALLENGES: Mr. Wizard and Kenton discuss the concept of volume. Mr. Wizard has him pour red water from a pitcher into a container with a spout that empties into a smaller beaker.