YouTube Learning Channel

Demonstration 1: Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 1 and 2 Elements)

The Group 1 and Group 2 metals are the most reactive metals. These metals can be rather unfriendly if they got wet, which could end up in pretty impressive explosions. The compounds of these elements, however, are very common in everyday life and can be found abundantly around our homes and within our bodies. In this demonstration, the properties of the groups 1 and 2 elements and their compounds will be demonstrated, featuring some of the famously reactive metals, such as Rubidium and Caesium!

Demonstration 2: Transition Metals: Part I (Group 3 to 12 Elements) Please click here for video.

There are so many interesting elements among the transition metals that two lectures will be devoted to their stories. In this first lecture, our attention will focus on the first row of the transition metals (Scandium to Zinc), and some of the most well-known metals are among these ten, such as iron and copper. These metals can display very beautiful and vibrant colours in their compounds and they will surprise us by their chemical reactions! We shall explore some daily life uses of these metals as well.

Demonstration 3: Transition Metals: Part II (Group 3 to 12 Elements)

In this second lecture on the Transition Metals, we will focus our attention to the second and third row transition metals. Here we find some of the most expensive metals such as Gold and Platinum; some of the rarest metals such as Iridium and Osmium and some of the most elusive metals such as Mercury! In this demonstration, we will perform chemistry experiments with these expensive noble metals, these experiments are seldom performed – well, because not many are willing to give away their gold for Chemistry! Join us and be surprised by the properties of these heavier transition metals!

Demonstration 4: Boron, Carbon and Nitrogen Group Elements (Group 13, 14, 15 Elements)

The common feature among groups 13 to 15 is that going from top to bottom, they switch from non-metals into semi-metals and into metals. As such, we can find rather diverse behaviours among these elements. How can carbon appear as sparkly and attractive diamonds, while the next element up, nitrogen, passes by only as a common gas that is in the air surrounding us? This demonstration will explore the chemical properties of these elements.

Demonstration 5: Oxygen group elements, Halogens and Noble Gases (Group 16, 17, 18 Elements)

In the last three columns of the periodic table, are some of the elements with strongest personal characters. For example, the group 18 elements are noted for their nobility and inertness, while the halogens in group 17 are some of the most reactive and dangerous non-metal elements. While oxygen is breathed by all to survive, you may wish to stay away from the other oxygen group elements as they could bring about unpleasant effects to your body. Learn all about them at this demonstration!

Dancing Balloon

Surely you have all seen a balloon. Can you make it float in the air?

Imagessss

When you look at yourself in a mirror, you will see an image of yourself. Will you see two images of yourself when using two mirrors? Let's use mirrors to try the trick of "Imagessss"!

Rub and Roll

Interested in making an eco-friendly "racing car" that can run without batteries? Is it possible by simply using toilet paper tubes? Let's "Rub and Roll" with your family members!

Popping Bag

Can we turn our home into a laboratory? Indeed, there are many ‘chemicals' at home. Some of them can form unexpected chemical reactions when mixed together. Here, we use baking soda and vinegar to do a neutralisation reaction. What do you think will happen? Let's find out!

Secrets of a Lemon

We all know that lemon is sour. How can we tell if a substance is acidic or alkaline besides using our sense of taste? What are the uses of lemon? Let's explore the "Secrets of a Lemon"!

Please click here for activity sheet. (Chinese version only)

Amazing Air

Air is present everywhere around us. How much do you know about air? How is the weight of air related to the atmospheric pressure? Let's enjoy the "Amazing Air" to explore the wonders of atmospheric pressure.

Please click here for activity sheet. (Chinese version only)

第一集 – 能量球大赛科学馆站

第一集 – 能量球大赛科学馆站

各位观众，能量球大赛科学馆站现在开始，请热烈鼓掌！

哨声一响，一号选手弹出，高速前行后一个汤马斯回旋，相当精采。比赛中段，一号选手速度放缓，难道不够气了？原来是上坡时部分动能转化成位能，于是速度变慢。在能量守恒定律之下，能量并不会无缘故产生或消失，只会传递或者转化。

「探索科学101」第一集《能量球大赛科学馆站》有香港科学馆馆长杨明思（Bertha）为大家作技术分析，从经典藏品能量穿梭机中看物理知识。

第二集 – 由北极光看物质「第四态」

第二集 – 由北极光看物质「第四态」

你有在旅游时等待过极光吗？原来极光的原理与等离子有关，那么到底要如何等到它出现？让我们为你解答吧。

除了固态、液态和气态，物质还有迷一般的第四态 ── 等离子体。等离子从活跃回复稳定状态的过程中，放出的能量会形成光芒。日常生活中常见的悭电胆、霓虹灯，自然现象如闪电、极光等，都离不开等离子。

第二集《由北极光看物质「第四态」》，香港科学馆馆长殷翠荷（Kenus）带大家从由理论到应用，看看等离子到底是甚么。

第三集 – 打风都打唔甩：热带气旋与科氏力

第三集 – 打风都打唔甩：热带气旋与科氏力

相传香港有一个神秘力场，可以控制台风的动作路径，事实上的确有一个影响热带气旋的力量 — 科氏力。

地球受科氏力影响，自转时在赤道的移动速度比南北两极快，热带气旋通常分别在南北半球纬度5至20度的地方形成。正因为科氏力，南北半球热带气旋的旋转方向恰恰相反，北半球的热带气旋是逆时针转，而南半球的则是顺时针转。

今集《打风都打唔甩：热带气旋与科氏力》，香港科学馆馆长何万雄（Timothy）为你拆解台风形成和登陆的科学。

第四集 – 3D动划事务所（上集）

第四集 – 3D动划事务所（上集）

栩栩如生的动划，能够令人产生共鸣。大家可知道动划师是如何为动划人物注入灵魂呢？

动划的英文「Animation」， 源自拉丁语「灵魂」（Anima），而 Animate 则有赋予生命的意思。一套 3D 动划之所以活灵活现，需经过多个部门，幕后工匠功不可没！首先有建模师为故事里面的角色、场景和道具等建构模型，再由表面美术师上色、添加质感，然后交给骨架建构师打通任督二脉。

今集《3D动划事务所》，请来香港科学馆设计师林汉广带你深入 3D 动划事务所！如果想亲身体验动划师的工作岗位，就不能错过香港科学馆正在展出的「彼思动划的科学秘密」展览！

第五集 – 3D动划事务所（下集）

第五集 – 3D动划事务所（下集）

动画师笔下的角色人物个个演技活灵活现，莫非他们跟演员一样也接受过「由外到内再到返外」的演技训练？

或者未必要上戏剧班，但作为动画人物背后的幕后演员，角色动画师绝对要具备表演欲才能够透过编写程式语言，将不同的角色从静态图像送上舞台，成为行走自如的灵魂。要表演，当然也不少得灯光美术师为人物和场景打灯，以营造气氛和增添立体感。最后再经过一条数码输送带，将各式各样的3D资讯变成2D影像，登上大银幕！

今集《3D动画事务所（下集）》，请来香港科学馆技术主任梁逸晖带你继续深入 3D 动画事务所，从动作制作、灯光到成像制作，了解一部3D动画背后的创作历程。