Purdue News

October 15, 1999 Halloween comes to life in 4 science shows at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Black magic and ghastly ghosts will be demystified during a series of physics and chemistry shows Oct. 30 at Purdue University. The demonstrations are aimed at children and adults of all ages and are free and open to the public. The physics shows will begin at 9 a.m., and the chemistry show will start at 11 a.m. The Department of Physics will simultaneously present three 20-minute shows from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Physics Building. "Black Magic Mechanics," "Igor's Lightning Lair," and "Fire and Ice" will include demonstrations of dancing flames, which allow viewers to "see" sound waves and music in a row of gas flames, and fog-making jack-o-lanterns. Demonstrators also will show how a single, wet sheet of Kleenex, which is barely strong enough to hold its own weight, can hold up more than a gallon of water, and how liquid nitrogen can be used to turn a banana into a rock-hard hammer. The physics shows will be held in Rooms 112, 114 and 223 of the Physics Building. At 11 a.m., the Department of Chemistry will take slime to the sublime in an hour-long show in Room 200, Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry. The demonstrations will focus on polymers, which are large molecules made up of repeating, single units that act like links in a chain. Polymers provide the framework for numerous natural compounds, including DNA and proteins, and synthetic items such as nylon and plastic. Lecture demonstration director Paul Smith will show how to make a variety of different polymers, including a black snake polymer, ghost crystals, water-slurping polymers, slime and ooze. Free samples of slime will be given away at the door. CONTACTS: Dennis Harp, physics outreach coordinator, (765) 494-0740, harp@physics.purdue.edu; Smith, (765) 494-5307, psmith4@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page