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[twinklery]

 this morning I am driving an hour or so to naperville, where I will do a science demo on a stage with a yet unknown amount of people watching me. right now i'm not worried about the performance (people watching me? isn't that a constant?) i'm worried about the props. What's the sodium polyacrylate for again? how do I use the soda cans to showcase

Comments

[fiendishx]

Sodium polyacrylate is the stuff in diapers. Put some in a cup and then pour water on it! :D
And you probably want to poke a small hole near the bottom of the can and note that water squirting out of the hole doesn't go as far when the can isn't full.

[twinklery]

diapers. yes. I play 3 cup monte with the stuff in one of the cups, and then the kids get really surprised when the water "disappears." then I tell them the difference between magic and science. I use volunteers. the show went really well.

what were you thinking I was doing with the soda cans? I don't use water in my demo. I hold the cans gently and blow air between them, which makes them vibrate and creates a REALLY HORRIBLE NOISE STRAIGHT FROM HELL. I tell the kids they should practice at home and their parents give me looks.

[fiendishx]

then I tell them the difference between magic and science
Clark's 3rd law? :D

The show sounds excellent. Put a video on YouTube of this soda can thing, because I just can't picture it.

[twinklery]

um... I don't know how to load a video. that's on my list, i just have to cross off 'understand mutual funds and use one' first. I'm on my way, promise.

balance two cans in the palm of your hand, barely gripping them with your thumb and fingers. they should be placed so that both stand vertically, perpendicular to your palm, openings on the top. the cans need to touch a little bit, but not too much. then blow between them with a straw. it took me 5-6 trys to get it but it's awesome.