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 – 能量球大賽科學館站

第一集 – 能量球大賽科學館站

各位觀眾，能量球大賽科學館站現在開始，請熱烈鼓掌！

哨聲一響，一號選手彈出，高速前行後一個湯馬斯迴旋，相當精采。比賽中段，一號選手速度放緩，難道不夠氣了？原來是上坡時部分動能轉化成位能，於是速度變慢。在能量守恆定律之下，能量並不會無緣故產生或消失，只會傳遞或者轉化。

「探索科學101」第一集《能量球大賽科學館站》有香港科學館館長楊明思（Bertha）為大家作技術分析，從經典藏品能量穿梭機中看物理知識。

第二集 – 由北極光看物質「第四態」

第二集 – 由北極光看物質「第四態」

你有在旅遊時等待過極光嗎？原來極光的原理與等離子有關，那麼到底要如何等到它出現？讓我們為你解答吧。

除了固態、液態和氣態，物質還有迷一般的第四態 ── 等離子體。等離子從活躍回復穩定狀態的過程中，放出的能量會形成光芒。日常生活中常見的慳電膽、霓虹燈，自然現象如閃電、極光等，都離不開等離子。

第二集《由北極光看物質「第四態」》，香港科學館館長殷翠荷（Kenus）帶大家從由理論到應用，看看等離子到底是甚麼。

第三集 – 打風都打唔甩：熱帶氣旋與科氏力

第三集 – 打風都打唔甩：熱帶氣旋與科氏力

相傳香港有一個神秘力場，可以控制颱風的移動路徑，事實上的確有一個影響熱帶氣旋的力量 — 科氏力。

地球受科氏力影響，自轉時在赤道的移動速度比南北兩極快，熱帶氣旋通常分別在南北半球緯度5至20度的地方形成。正因為科氏力，南北半球熱帶氣旋的旋轉方向恰恰相反，北半球的熱帶氣旋是逆時針轉，而南半球的則是順時針轉。

今集《打風都打唔甩：熱帶氣旋與科氏力》，香港科學館館長何萬雄（Timothy）為你拆解颱風形成和登陸的科學。

第四集 – 3D動畫事務所（上集）

第四集 – 3D動畫事務所（上集）

栩栩如生的動畫，能夠令人產生共鳴。大家可知道動畫師是如何為動畫人物注入靈魂呢？

動畫的英文「Animation」， 源自拉丁語「靈魂」（Anima），而 Animate 則有賦予生命的意思。一套 3D 動畫之所以活靈活現，需經過多個部門，幕後工匠功不可沒！首先有建模師為故事裏面的角色、場景和道具等建構模型，再由表面美術師上色、添加質感，然後交給骨架建構師打通任督二脈。

今集《3D動畫事務所》，請來香港科學館設計師林漢廣帶你深入 3D 動畫事務所！如果想親身體驗動畫師的工作崗位，就不能錯過香港科學館正在展出的「彼思動畫的科學秘密」展覽！

第五集 – 3D動畫事務所（下集）

第五集 – 3D動畫事務所（下集）

動畫師筆下的角色人物個個演技活靈活現，莫非他們跟演員一樣也接受過「由外到內再到返外」的演技訓練？

或者未必要上戲劇班，但作為動畫人物背後的幕後演員，角色動畫師絕對要具備表演慾才能夠透過編寫程式語言，將不同的角色從靜態圖像送上舞台，成為行走自如的靈魂。要表演，當然也不少得燈光美術師為人物和場景打燈，以營造氣氛和增添立體感。最後再經過一條數碼輸送帶，將各式各樣的3D資訊變成2D影像，登上大銀幕！

今集《3D動畫事務所（下集）》，請來香港科學館技術主任梁逸暉帶你繼續深入 3D 動畫事務所，從動作製作、燈光到成像製作，了解一部3D動畫背後的創作歷程。