On This Day in Science History - November 7 - Tacoma Narrows Bridge
On the morning of November 7, the winds were pretty strong and the bridge swayed more than usual. As the wind speed built up during the morning, the swaying approached the resonant frequency of the bridge itself. The bridge span began to jump and sway until it ripped itself apart at 11:00. Because of the long period of time it took to reach the breaking point, local camera shop owner Barney Elliott was able to film the collapse. This film is still shown to students of architecture, physics and engineering.
There was only one casualty to the collapse. The man in the film running from his car was named Leonard Coatsworth. Mr. Coatsworth attempted to cross the bridge but abandoned his car and daughter's cocker spaniel Tubby. Tubby would not leave the car even when others attempted to rescue him and went down with the bridge.
Find out what else occurred on this day in science history.
New Periodic Table Quiz
While I was organizing element quizzes I noticed I had never offered a periodic table quiz. If you're taking a chemistry class you're practically guaranteed to be tested on this information, so I made up a quick periodic table self-test. This 10-question multiple choice quiz focuses on how well you understand the organization of the periodic table and how it can be used to predict trends in element properties. Can you get a perfect score? Take the quiz...Element Quizzes
You do a lot more problem-solving than memorizing in chemistry, but learning the element symbols and the names of the first several elements is common test fodder (because it's so useful). It's also important to know how the periodic table is set up and how you can use periodicity to predict element properties. One way to make sure you're on track regarding the elements is to quiz yourself. With this in mind, I've collected the most popular/useful element quizzes in one place. You can review the concepts and then test yourself (without actually getting a grade). Take a quiz...On This Day in Science History - November 6 - Yeast Fermentation
Brewers use yeast to convert glucose (sugar) into carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol. People have been using yeast for centuries for fermentation but the process was not fully understood. Eduard Buchner identified the yeast enzyme called zymase when he removed all cells from the yeast and still managed to produce fermentation. He would win the 1907 Nobel Prize for this discovery. Harden later showed zymase was made up of two different varieties and Euler-Chelpin discovered the complementary enzyme, cozymase that was responsible for the production of carbon dioxide in the process.
Find out what else occurred on this day in science history.
This Day in Science Fiction History - Invention of the Flux Capacitor
Silver Polish without Polishing

I wanted to take a before/after photo of what you can expect when you use electrochemistry to polish silver, but... all I had in the house that was silver were some chains and one big silver bowl that has been black since the 1980s. I went with the bowl, which produced a picture that needs some explanation. What you see in this photo is the bottom of the bowl (silver again) and the sides/top (black). I filled the bowl halfway with hot water, sprinked in some salt and baking soda, and added a piece of aluminum foil. If you have silver cutlery, candlesticks, holloware, etc. that needs cleaned (even if it's totally darkened with tarnish), here's what you do:
Electrochemistry Silver Polish Materials
- pan large enough for your items (or the sink)
- hot water
- salt
- baking soda
- aluminum foil
- Line the bottom of the container with the aluminum foil.
- Add the tarnished item.
- Pour in sufficient steaming hot water to cover your tarnished silver.
- Add equal amounts of salt and baking soda (about 2 teaspoons each for silverware, more if you are filling a sink).
- Allow about 5 minutes for the reaction to remove the tarnish. If you don't see any effect, you may want to add more salt/baking soda and make sure some part of the silver is in contact with the foil.
- Rinse the silver under clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Periodic Table Tie and Caffeine Silk Tie
Do you know about other chemistry-related clothing or accessories available online? If so, you're welcome to post a reply.
On This Day in Science History - November 5 - Léon Teisserenc de Bort
Find out what else occurred on this day in science history.
Wordless Wednesday - Make pH Test Strips

I've got a new video showing you how to make your own pH paper test strips. It's very quick and easy. Try it...
On This Day in Science History - November 4 - X-10 Reactor
The X-10 reactor was shut down in 1963 and declared a National Historical Landmark in 1965. The reactor face is still open to the public and a must see to anyone who visits Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Find out what else occurred on this day in science history.

