PhET Simulation: Fourier: Making Waves - Nov 16, 2009

Learn about many aspects of the physics of sound with these fun activities:

-- Download PhET Simulation: Fourier: Making Waves to learn how the mathematics of waves determine what you hear.
-- Build your own speaker out of a soda bottle at Soda Bottle Speaker. (Have an adult help you with the hot glue.)
--  Explore sound using just a rubber band at Echo in my Head.
-- For even more ideas, check out The Soundry. Their Interactive Sound Lab contains many more applets to explore the physics of sound.

PhET Simulation: Nuclear Fission - Nov 1, 2009

Explore nuclear fission through this set of simulations. You can create a chain reaction of uranium isotopes by setting the initial amount of uranium and the position of control rods within a reactor.

X-Ray Spectra Activity - Oct 16, 2009

Working with x-rays at home would be dangerous, so this activity from the Exploratorium provides a safer simulation. You can see the effect of x-rays using only household items.

How to Build a Spectroscope - Oct 1, 2009

Learn how to build your own spectroscope using household items at How to Build a Spectroscope. If you don't have a diffraction grating or rainbow glasses at home, you might try to build a spectroscope with a cereal box and a CD instead.

Mysterious Coffee - Sep 16, 2009

Next time you open a bag of vacuum-packed coffee, pay careful attention to how the coffee behaves when you squeeze the bag. This article from NASA illustrates why coffee is so mysterious and why NASA is interested.