The Flying Trash Can!

Check out this video of a trash can flying high into the air, from just the force of a 2 liter soda bottle bursting!

The bottle was filled about a third of the way full with liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen gas takes up 694 times the volume that it does in liquid form, so as the liquid nitrogen boils inside the sealed bottle, the pressure of the bottle increases rapidly! When the bottle bursts, the force from that pressure being released is enough to make this trash can soar!

This was a test run for one of the next videos I have planned, which will demonstrate the same principle in an even bigger way, so stay tuned! If you would like to be among the first to see that, you can subscribe in the black field below to receive email notifications of new blog posts.

Student Art

Occasionally, students share drawings inspired by the show.  Here is one of a girl getting covered in slime!  If you would like to submit a photo of your drawing to be published here, you can ask a parent to help you send one.  Be sure to do your very best . . . a lot of people might see it!

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How to Make Slime

The number one question kids ask at the end of each show is what’s in the slime!  There are many, many different recipes for making slime.  The one I use, I call “theatrical slime” because it is NOT a gooey polymer like you make as a science experiment.  It is completely non-toxic and non-staining, and perfect for pouring on someone!  It is even safe to eat (though I wouldn’t recommend it). 

Ingredients:

6 quarts of water

1 box of corn starch

green food coloring

Instructions:

Pour water into a large pot.  Stir in corn starch, breaking up any clumps.  Add 5-6 drops of food coloring, or more if you like.  Bring to a boil (with parent supervision).  Stir  and reduce to medium-low heat.  Let simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slime begins to thicken.  Ideally, you will have a smooth, slightly thickened mixture, but if you forgot to stir, you will have some clumps on the bottom.  Don’t worry, it’s all good!

LET THE SLIME COOL THOROUGHLY before use.  I let mine cool on the stove and transfer then refrigerate it overnight.

Makes one big bucketful, or enough to slime yourself and a friend.

Rinse the pot before the slime dries so it will be easier to clean.

Whoever gets slimed should rinse their hair clean afterwards.  Anything that gets on clothes, etc, will come out in the wash or clean up with a damp rag.

You could be next! 🙂

Souvenir Merchandise

Yuck Game Show t-shirts and other merchandise are available through Cafe Press.  These items were made available for the kind folks who ask for souvenir items.  The prices are set by Cafe Press, and I have opted to receive any of the money from purchases to keep prices at least somewhat low.