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5 Favorite Home Experiments with Science Bob and Mark Rober
Videos
Guinness World Record – Bernoulli Toilet Paper Launchers!
Building a Hovercraft – Video
Ever want your very own hovercraft? It’s not that hard to make your own. Check out the video and then click HERE to get full instructions.
Giant Volcano Experiment!
Sometimes ya gotta go big. For this fun demo I created a volcano from foam and aluminum foil and used a PCV tube to mix up the chemical reaction in.
Need a home version of this experiment, click HERE.
Hydrogen Balloon Explosions
Creating an exploding hydrogen balloon chain reaction was one of the most challenging things I’ve done on Jimmy Kimmle Live. It failed many more times than it worked, but on the show, we got lucky!
Liquid Nitrogen Hero’s Engine
A Hero’s engine is an ancient device usually powered by steam. I decided to make one using the expanding power of liquid nitrogen to a gas. Since most engines do some sort of work, I decided it would be the perfect device to make some chocolate milk using an attached blender.
The Film Canister Gatling Gun!
I’m not sure why anyone would need to shoot hundreds of film canisters 40 feet, but when the need comes, I’ll be ready.
You can read more about the Gatling gun HERE.
Elephant Toothpaste with Jimmy Kimmel
This was the very first experiment I ever did on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and, as far as I know, the first time that the Elephant Toothpaste demo was ever done publicly using a large flask.
Science Bob’s Tedx Talk – Chaos
Science Bob spoke at Tedx Asbury Park where the theme of the day was, “Chaos.” He brought a little chaos of his own.
Science Bob’s SoFi Commercial
This was a fun national commercial I got to shoot for a finance company. Since it involved wrecking balls, flame throwers, and high speed cameras, we had a lot of fun when the camera was not rolling.
Juggling in Lunar Gravity!
This video shows what it would be like to juggle on the moon (without a space suit.) This was filmed aboard a plane that makes parabolic flights up and down. As the plane descends, it can simulate partial or complete weightlessness for about 20-30 seconds.
The moon’s gravity is about 1/6th of the earths gravity. That means things fall a lot slower. It also means if you wanted to learn how to juggle, the moon is the best place for sure!
Science Bob on The Today Show
Science Bob joins Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and actor Zach Braff on the Today Show for some science experiments.
Check out and try the home version of the Exploding Lunch Bag
experiment from the video HERE.
Science Bob visited the Today Show with John Cena, Tamron Hall, and Al Roker to explore liquid nitrogen, hydrogen rockets, and high voltage electricity.
Pringles Can Rocket Fuel
This is by far the best way to serve a can of Pringles. Inside of most large rockets is a supply of hydrogen and oxygen. When the mix of the two is just right, it creates an explosion with a huge amount of energy. In rockets, this energy get the rocket into space. In our little demonstration here, it gets the Pringles can to the ceiling.
Here’s how it works:
- There is a small hole in the top (really the bottom) of the can
- Hydrogen is pumped into the cans from the bottom of the can.
- Once the flame is lit, the hydrogen burns and air (with oxygen) enters from the bottom hole.
- When the mix is just right, off goes the rocket and it’s time for a snack.
Jimmy Kimmel Live – Exploding Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is fun, but exploding pumpkins is even funner! While there are lots of ways to explode a single pumpkin, getting many to explode in unison was challenging. This demonstration uses chemicals that create a flammable (acetylene) gas. After much experimenting, I was able to use one exploding pumpkin to trigger the one next to it creating a spectacular chain reaction. This remains one of my favorite Jimmy Kimmel Live demonstrations.
2,000 Ping Pong Balls in Zero Gravity
Very few people get the chance to experience the effect of a zero gravity experience. When the team over at the Northrup Grumman Foundation invited me to go up on a zero gravity plane, I jumped at the chance. All they asked is that I think about an interesting experiment to try in a weightless environment. I told them I didn’t have to think about it; I wanted to release 2,000 ping pong balls. Amazingly, they agreed!
Live With Kelly & Michael – Rube Goldberg Machine
This Science/4th of July themed Rube Goldberg Machine chain reaction device took 2 weeks of building and testing. The hardest part (aside from getting it to consistently work) was nailing in over 1,000 nails for the marble drop section. You can’t go wrong in a demonstration that uses chemical reactions, high voltage electricity, an Einstein doll, flammable gases, and a confetti cannon.
Jimmy Kimmel Live – Liquid Nitrogen Cloud
Liquid Nitrogen is cold. REALLY cold. -198°C (-321°F) In this demonstration, we literally make a cloud. Adding the boiling water to the liquid nitrogen creates a violent reaction that vaporizes the water. At the same time the effects of the cold liquid nitrogen cause the vaporized water to condense back into tiny drops we call a cloud. This is my favorite all-time science demonstration.