Bouncy Eggs: Day 3 of British Science Week
Reminder of This Year's Theme: Adapt and Change
We are midway through British Science Week, so it's a great time to remind you to observe how STEM shapes the world around us. With the rapid development of technology, it is important to know how to adapt and change so you can thrive in the digital age
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." — Stephen Hawking
Today's theme is chemistry! Explore the lives of groundbreaking chemists, try out exciting experiments with friends, and tackle challenging word problems to put your knowledge to the test.
On This Day:
How a Teen Accidentally Revolutionized The Fashion Industry
By Kevin Li • Published 9 Mar 2025 at 12:43pm
One day in 1856, a young 18 year old William Henry Perkin was experimenting with aniline, a coal tar derivative, when he accidentally stumbled upon a substance called mauveine. This would revolutionize the dye industry, which helped create the shirt and trousers you're wearing right now!
As a young child, Perkin was noticed by many teachers in his school to be a bright and ambitious chemist. He would often conduct experiments at home, even setting up a small lab in his parents' attic. Then, at the age of 15, he was admitted into the Royal College of Chemistry (RCC). There, he studied under August Wilhelm von Hofmann, a leading German chemist.
His first major goal was to create an alternative to quinine, which was one of the only effective treatments of malaria in the mid-19th century. However, since it could only be obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree, it was rare and expensive.
During one of their experiments, they were trying to oxidize aniline, a compound derived from coal tar. The surprising outcome was a dark and sticky sludge: Perkin then washed the substance with alcohol, which revealed a bright purple color.
At the time, purple was an extremely expensive color to produce, with most purple dye being extracted from sea snails. Realizing the commercial potential this product had, Perkin quickly let go of his quinine research, and patented his dye: he called it mauveine.
Perkin's discovery led to many companies later on to produce aniline-based dyes, which paved the way for new synthetic chemicals. These same principles were applied in the invention of aspirin, plastics and modern-day medicine.
A Bouncing Raw Egg?
Ever wanted to make an egg bounce? With just vinegar and a little patience, you can turn a regular egg into a squishy, rubbery masterpiece. Here’s how:
What You’ll Need:
- 1 raw egg
- A glass or jar
- White vinegar
What to Do:
- Place the egg carefully in the glass.
- Pour in enough vinegar to completely cover the egg. (Watch closely—tiny bubbles will start forming immediately!)
- Leave it alone for 24-48 hours. You’ll notice the eggshell slowly dissolving.
- After waiting patiently, take the egg out and gently rinse it under water. The hard shell will be gone, and you’ll be left with a translucent, squishy egg!
What’s Happening?
The vinegar contains acetic acid, which reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell. This reaction releases carbon dioxide (those bubbles you saw!) and dissolves the shell, leaving behind the soft inner membrane.
Now, Have Some Fun!
Try gently bouncing the egg on a table. Can you drop it from different heights without breaking it? Just don’t throw it—science can get messy!
Chemistry MoTW (Meme of the Week)
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Your DAILY Riddles for Skittles
A Challenging Word Problem with a Sweet Treat if you answer correctly
Yesterday's Winner:
Ryan H'ng (EJNR), details with the prize to follow by email
Oobleck: Solid or Liquid?
Sophia and her friends are making oobleck—a strange mixture of cornstarch and water that feels like a liquid when you pour it but turns solid when you punch it. Curious, she wonders if she could walk across a pool filled with oobleck without sinking!
a) Why does oobleck behave like both a solid and a liquid depending on how you touch it?
(Hint: Think about how the cornstarch particles react to force!)
b) Engineers are using materials with similar properties to design futuristic safety gear. Based on how oobleck works, what kind of protective equipment could be made from it, and how would it help?
Please refrain from using external resources, the winner will be announced in tomorrow's email
Global News:
Immortal Life Forms?
By Kevin Li • Published 11 Mar 2025 at 8:13am
Recently, scientists have been looking into mirror image life forms, which are 'reflected' versions of normal organisms which evade natural biological processes. Much like your right and left hand, they are almost like a clone of each other, though reflected and thus not completely the same. Concerns regarding safety and ecological risks are rising, with the seemingly 'immortality' of these life forms.
For centuries, scientists have known mirror-reflected molecules, or enantiomers. This relies on the basic theory of chirality, or the ability for molecules to be superimposed (able to be placed over itself with no difference). For example, left-handed amino acids construct proteins, whereas right-handed sugars compose DNA.
Researchers have tried to implement a similar concept mirror entire life forms, using synthetic biology and chemical research. In 2023, the University of Chicago successfully created a single-celled organism which was capable of self-replication. Artificially created in a lab, this organism doesn't have to rely on the natural building blocks of life, such as DNA and RNA.
On the other hand, a team of researchers in December of 2024 raised concerns regarding mirroring life forms. Dr. James Parker, a professor of molecular biology at the University of Cambridge, said:
"The creation of mirror-image life forms presents unprecedented risks that we are not fully prepared to manage. While the scientific community is excited about the potential, we must exercise extreme caution and ensure robust safety protocols before proceeding further."
Many other Nobel laureates (winners of the Nobel Prize) have also addressed issues, such as:
- Immune Invasion
- These creatures could invade the immune systems of natural life forms, causing unforeseen consequences
- Moral Concerns
- Creating artificial life challenges many ethical boundaries which we have
- Uncontrolled Spread
- These creatures might spread too quickly, posing as environmental and public health risks
Although this is a great concept, the lack of knowledge we currently have render this idea nearly impossible.
As we reach the halfway point of British Science Week, let's continue to celebrate moments of innovation and discovery in science across the world. With many more exciting events and breakthroughs to cover, stay tuned for tomorrow's edition!
