Yeo Yong KiatThis video is a basic visual demonstration of the difference in colour between iron(II) and iron(III) salts.
Iron(II) salts are typically green in colour.
Iron(III) salts are typically reddish-brown in colour and they tend to be hygroscopic (i.e. able to absorb moisture from the air) due to the high charge density of the iron(III) cation.
Differentiating Between Salts IIYeo Yong Kiat2015-10-09 | This video is a basic visual demonstration of the difference in colour between iron(II) and iron(III) salts.
Iron(II) salts are typically green in colour.
Iron(III) salts are typically reddish-brown in colour and they tend to be hygroscopic (i.e. able to absorb moisture from the air) due to the high charge density of the iron(III) cation.The Dancing StickmanYeo Yong Kiat2017-01-29 | In response to the recent viral clip of a moving stickman, which some people have insisted that it's a camera animation trick, here's a homemade video with cheesy music.
(i) Indeed, it is not magic and it can be explained by science. Also, it is repeatable, and I've demonstrated it in this video on my YouTube channel.
(ii) I believe this phenomenon occurs due to a difference in the strength of adhesive forces. Dry-erase marker ink is meant to adhere weakly to a surface - that's why you can remove it with a dry rub. Water, due to hydrogen bonding, is far more adhesive (with respect to specific surfaces). This allows water to displace the film of ink simply by a difference in adhesive strength.
(iii) I think it'd be quite cool if you could impart some sort of electrostatic properties to the ink film (a la toner printing in laser printers), which would then allow for remote control possibilities.
The original link/video can be found at: thesun.co.uk/living/2690997/watch-the-mind-blowing-moment-a-stick-man-is-brought-to-life-and-how-you-can-pull-off-the-trick-too4A1 2016 Graduation VideoYeo Yong Kiat2016-09-28 | 4A1 2016 Graduation videoA Simple Three-Body Problem: Two Stars and a PlanetYeo Yong Kiat2016-09-24 | A simple three-body problem written using Python and animation rendered using VPython.Raw Video 2 - Fast Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate HeptahydrateYeo Yong Kiat2016-07-17 | Side View: A negative example of poor crystallisation skills - crystallisation occurs too fast due to evaporation of water from the surface.Raw Video 4 - Slow Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate HeptahydrateYeo Yong Kiat2016-07-17 | Top View: A positive example of good crystallisation skills - crystallisation occurs slowly due to the presence of a seed crystal. It would've been better if the evaporating dish was covered to prevent evaporation from taking place too quickly.Raw Video 1 - Fast Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate HeptahydrateYeo Yong Kiat2016-07-17 | Top View: A negative example of poor crystallisation skills - crystallisation occurs too fast due to evaporation of water from the surface.Raw Video 3 - Fast Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate HeptahydrateYeo Yong Kiat2016-07-17 | Oblique View: A negative example of poor crystallisation skills - crystallisation occurs too fast due to evaporation of water from the surface.Crystal Wish Flower - Monoammonium PhosphateYeo Yong Kiat2016-03-05 | This video illustrates a feeble attempt at a slow crystallisation of mono-ammonium phosphate.
I employed a slow evaporation method, which gradually increased the salt concentration as crystallisation took place. Theoretically, this should have kept the crystallisation process within the metastable zone.Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate - 18 g in 15 mLYeo Yong Kiat2016-03-05 | I made a hot and slightly super saturated solution of magnesium sulfate and allowed it to cool. I then placed a grain of magnesium sulfate into the solution to observe the crystallisation rate over a period of 12 hours.
1) Weigh out 18 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate into a clean empty beaker.
2) Add 15 mL of deionised water.
3) Heat over a Bunsen flame or hot plate until all of the salt has dissolved. It is necessary to place a lid over the beaker to prevent premature and accelerated evaporation, which forms a crystal crust on the surface of the solution.
4) Flash cool the beaker in an ice-bath.
5) Place a crystal grain of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate to investigate crystallisation rate.
As you can see from the video, there was significant growth of the crystal grain. The growth seemed to be stable, and the morphology of the crystal was preserved. Primary nucleation set in eventually at multiple sites. The set-up could be improved by having a lid to slow down evaporation. It suffices for a simple optimisation run.Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate - 15 g in 15 mL of WaterYeo Yong Kiat2016-03-03 | I made a hot dilute solution of magnesium sulfate and allowed it to cool. I then placed a grain of magnesium sulfate into the solution to observe the crystallisation rate over a period of 1 hour.
1) Weigh out 15 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate into a clean empty beaker.
2) Add 15 mL of deionised water.
3) Heat over a Bunsen flame or hot plate until all of the salt has dissolved. It is necessary to place a lid over the beaker to prevent premature and accelerated evaporation, which forms a crystal crust on the surface of the solution.
4) Flash cool the beaker in an ice-bath.
5) Place a crystal grain of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate to investigate crystallisation rate.
As you can see from the video, there was negative growth of the crystal grain. The crystal grain dissolved over time, and the experiment was halted after one hour. The solution was far too dilute, and allowed further dissolution of the salt.Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate - 20 g in 15 mL of WaterYeo Yong Kiat2016-03-03 | I made a hot and moderately super saturated solution of magnesium sulfate and allowed it to cool. I then placed a grain of magnesium sulfate into the solution to observe the crystallisation rate over a period of 5 hours.
1) Weigh out 20 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate into a clean empty beaker.
2) Add 15 mL of deionised water.
3) Heat over a Bunsen flame or hot plate until all of the salt has dissolved. It is necessary to place a lid over the beaker to prevent premature and accelerated evaporation, which forms a crystal crust on the surface of the solution.
4) Flash cool the beaker in an ice-bath.
5) Place a crystal grain of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate to investigate crystallisation rate.
As you can see from the video, there was initial growth of the crystal grain. However, the growth seemed to be unstable, and the morphology of the crystal was not preserved. Primary nucleation set in eventually at multiple sites. The set-up could be improved by having a lid to slow down evaporation. It suffices for a simple optimisation run.Slow Recrystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate HeptahydrateYeo Yong Kiat2016-02-15 | ...Fast Crystallisation of Magnesium Sulfate HeptahydrateYeo Yong Kiat2016-02-14 | Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate is the dominant stable phase of hydrated magnesium sulfate crystals at temperatures between 0 and 50 degrees Celsius. Its crystal structure is orthorhombic.
Fast crystallisation methods do not produce large single crystals of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate - typically, multiple nucleation sites are produced, which results in fast growing small crystals.
The crystal morphology is elongated - the crystal grows a lot faster along one axis than the others, resulting in needle-like crystals.
In this video, two methods of fast crystallisation are demonstrated.
#1: Seeding of a Supersaturated Solution: Homogeneous Secondary Nucleation
#2: Fast Evaporation of a Hot Solution: Homogeneous Primary NucleationA Unicellular Motile Green Algae - Tetraselmis SuecicaYeo Yong Kiat2016-02-13 | I went down to Republic Polytechnic in Singapore yesterday to see what students pursuing a Diploma in Marine Science and Aquaculture do.
I was pleasantly surprised by a hands-on session where I learnt about the morphology of a unicellular green algae called Tetraselmis suecica. It is a primary producer that is able to photosynthesis, contributing to the oxygen content in our atmosphere.
A highly interesting session indeed! Find out more about the diploma @ http://www.rp.edu.sg/Diploma_in_Marine_Science_and_Aquaculture_(R53).aspxPeppers Ghost iPhone 6S Hologram PyramidYeo Yong Kiat2016-02-07 | This is a showcase of a modern-day version of "Pepper's Ghost", which uses a very simple pyramid made out of reflective plastic to create a reflection hologram. The images on the iPhone screen are reflected off the sides of the pyramid to create a 3-dimensional object that appears to be within the pyramid.
A reflection hologram is dimmer than a transmission hologram, so the iPhone 6S brightness level needs to be at its maximum for this to produce a visible image.
For all you drama fanatics out there who happen to be budding scientists as well, Pepper's Ghost was an illusion technique first popularised in 1862 by John Henry Pepper.
Music: Swordart Online OST - Kajiura Yuki Hologram Video: youtube.com/watch?v=TcUHV6bHOegTotal Internal ReflectionYeo Yong Kiat2016-02-06 | Air and water do not scatter light sufficient for us to see light rays or beams. However, oil and smoke molecules are large enough to scatter light, and these two media allow us to view the trajectory of light beams to study refraction and reflection.
Whenever light strikes a boundary, partial reflection takes place. If the boundary allows for the transmission of light, then refraction will also take place if the two optical media have different refractive indices.
Of particular interest is total internal reflection, which occurs only when light passes from an optically denser medium to an optically less dense medium at an incidence angle greater than the critical angle.Differential Refraction of Light - in Pyrex-Oil and Pyrex-Water MixturesYeo Yong Kiat2016-01-31 | Light is refracted as it passes from one medium to another, as long as they have a difference in optical densities. As light is refracted, some light is reflected and also scattered - this gives a clear outline as to where the boundaries between both media are located. This is the case for pyrex in water, since both materials have significantly different refractive indices.
However, when pyrex is fully immersed in cooking oil, the outlines of the boundaries are difficult to locate because these two materials have similar refractive indices. Light does not undergo significant refraction, and significantly less scattering of light takes place.Chemical Chameleon v2.0Yeo Yong Kiat2016-01-08 | A remake of the original video at youtu.be/RU-saDrzLGAThe Casper Flame v1.0Yeo Yong Kiat2016-01-04 | Version 1 of the Casper Flame. There are better versions, which I'll try in future.
A flame that floats, and sinks back down - the Casper Flame.
A simple trick involving the volume of propellant ejected per unit time.Mini Flamethrower v1.0Yeo Yong Kiat2016-01-02 | A simple lighter can be tuned to increase the flame intensity. The cheapest lighters on the Singaporean market will yield the results shown in this video. :)Burning PaperYeo Yong Kiat2015-12-31 | This video illustrates the difference between flaming and smouldering, two different types of burning modes.
Well, it was a video that resulted from a failed feeble attempt to generate a smoke waterfall.
Oh well! Happy New Year 2016!Balancing Beer Cans on a Saucepan EdgeYeo Yong Kiat2015-12-29 | Dad was drinking beer alone, and I thought it might be interesting to teach him some beer can Physics.
By filling up a beer can (or any can) with just sufficient water, we can balance it on its edge, or even on the edge of a saucepan. As long as its centre of gravity is above its pivot, it will remain in rotational equilibrium.Correlation of Flame Vibration with Sound PulsesYeo Yong Kiat2015-12-28 | A series of tealight candles is placed in a row, in front of an exposed speaker cone. This video is meant to illustrate the wave nature, or at least the periodic vibrational nature of sound in air.
Pure tone frequencies of 1 Hz, 5 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz and 40 Hz are played in succession.
The flames show visible vibrational correlation from a vibrational frequency upwards of 5 Hz.
All footage was shot with an iPhone 6S.Lightsticks Hot and ColdYeo Yong Kiat2015-12-25 | Basic chemical kinetics tells us that increasing the surrounding temperature of a reaction increases its rate of reaction.
A light stick is a vessel to a chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and a phthalate ester, which is expedited with hot water and retarded with cold water.3-Way Shot: Electrical Ignition of Steel WoolYeo Yong Kiat2015-12-21 | A re-make of the last video - as a 9V battery is short-circuited with some steel wool, a current flows through the mesh of iron fibres.
The current exerts a heating effect (i.e. Joule effect), causing the iron to react with atmospheric oxygen. The glow is characteristic of the iron-oxygen redox reaction.
This video was made with a Canon EOS 60D, an iPhone 6+ and an iPad Air, shot from three different angles.Ignition of Steel WoolYeo Yong Kiat2015-12-19 | Steel wool is ignited by short circuiting a 9V battery. The joule effect of a current heats the steel to a high enough temperature to react with atmospheric oxygen to form iron oxide.Plasma Ball PhysicsYeo Yong Kiat2015-11-23 | A plasma ball consists of a central electrode that is surrounded by an insulating glass or plastic globe. Upon closer inspection, the electrode is made up of a system of wires - a large alternating voltage (3 - 5 kV @ 30 kHz) is applied to this electrode.
The globe is then filled with neon gas at a low pressure. The low density of the gaseous atmosphere reduces the breakdown voltage required - this means that ionisation and electrical discharge becomes relatively favourable.
The electric field generated at the electrode then ionises the neon gas, resulting in a plasma of ions. These ions provide a path for the electric current to flow, which results in the filaments in the globe. The filaments extend to only the boundaries of the globe because the globe itself is an insulator.
When we touch the globe with our fingers, we create an enhanced path to earth - this will increase the strength of the discharge, which is why the filaments seem to increase in intensity and are attracted to your hand when you touch the plasma ball.
The alternating voltage at the centre creates electromagnetic waves, and the arcs of plasma act as antennae, meaning that the extent of the electromagnetic field surrounding the ball is significantly larger than the bounds of the glass globe. Bringing the fluorescent tube near to the plasma ball allows the electrons inside to be accelerated by this field, and those moving electrons constitute an electric current, which causes the fluorescent tube to light up.Silicate Chemical GardenYeo Yong Kiat2015-11-18 | When transition metal salts dissolve in solution, they produce free transition metal ions (or rather, aqua complexes) - when these ions encounter silicate ions, they form coloured precipitates of metal silicates.
However, the precipitation does not create a dense solid, but a semi-permeable membranous structure instead. These structures allow diffusion and osmosis to take place across them, resulting in a channel of precipitation that takes place upwards.
Procedure: 1 Pour sodium silicate solution into a container about one-third of the way through.
2 Add hot de-ionised water to this solution, stirring well with a glass rod, and dilute it in a ratio of 1:2
3 Allow the mixture to stand until the liquid is completely still.
4 Use a pair of forceps to drop one or two crystals of a transition metal salt of choice. Try to ensure that the crystals do not fall close to each other.
5 Cover the container with a piece of card and observe the silicates grow.First Solar Observation - Tuesday 17 November 2015 - 11:30 AM (With Clouds)Yeo Yong Kiat2015-11-17 | Shot on a Canon EOS 60D, mounted on a Celestron PowerSeeker 70AZ with a white light filter.Live Stream Trial #1Yeo Yong Kiat2015-11-12 | This is a trial to test the live streaming process.Hip Hop Pulse 2015 - Finals @ Ngee Ann CityYeo Yong Kiat2015-11-02 | A truncated version of Nutz Crew's smashing performance at the Hip Hop Pulse Finals 2015 @ Ngee Ann City.Lunar Observation [1st Attempt]Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-25 | Sunday 25 October 22:45PM @ Jurong West Street 61, Singapore
My very first lunar observation made with a home-made astro-camera!Oxidation of Ethanol to Ethanoic AcidYeo Yong Kiat2015-10-17 | Ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid by adding cold acidified potassium manganate (VII).
Cold potassium manganate is a moderately strong oxidising agent, and it is reduced to manganese(IV) oxide, which then reacts with the sulphuric acid in solution to produce a brown solution.
Subsequent heating causes the manganese(IV) oxide to further act as an oxidising agent, reducing it to a solution of colourless manganese(II) ions.Oxidation of Iron(II) to Iron(III) Using Potassium Manganate(VII)Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-16 | Oxidation of iron(II) ions to iron(III) ions in solution can be achieved through the addition of acidified potassium manganate(VII) solution.Metal Displacement ReactionsYeo Yong Kiat2015-10-10 | Copper(II) sulfate solution is blue in colour. When strips of magnesium are placed into the solution, the blue colour fades, and a colourless solution is obtained. A brown solid forms on the bottom of the test-tube.
Silver nitrate is a colourless solution. When a copper strip is added, a silver-gray solid forms on the copper. The solution changes into a pale blue colour.Differentiating Between Salts III (Answers)Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-09 | This video reveals the answers to the question found in the previous video: youtu.be/teM2Kk_tW7IDifferentiating Between Salts IIIYeo Yong Kiat2015-10-09 | This is an online activity based on the previous two videos in the series:
Differentiating Between Salts II: youtu.be/HaaPNkovktEDifferentiating Between Salts IYeo Yong Kiat2015-10-09 | This video is a basic visual demonstration of the difference in colour between iron(II) and copper(II) salts.
It is easy to mistake copper(II) carbonate for an iron(II) salt because most iron(II) salts are usually green in colour.
However, copper(II) carbonate is characteristically dry and powdery, while iron(II) salts are usually crystalline and shiny.
Copper(II) carbonate does not have the typical blue colour of most copper(II) salts. However, not all copper(II) salts are blue as taught in high school Chemistry.PrecipitatesYeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | This video is a demonstration of the colour of three metal hydroxide precipitates - copper(II) hydroxide, iron(II) hydroxide and iron(III) hydroxide.
Solutions containing copper(II) ions are typically blue in colour. When sodium hydroxide is added, copper(II) hydroxide forms as a blue precipitate. It decomposes to form copper(II) oxide when it is left to stand.
Solutions containing iron(II) ions are typically pale green in colour. When sodium hydroxide is added, copper(II) hydroxide forms as a dirty green precipitate. It is oxidised by the oxygen in air to form iron(III) hydroxide when it is left to stand.
Solutions containing iron(III) ions are typically yellow or orange in colour. When sodium hydroxide is added, iron(III) hydroxide forms as a reddish-brown precipitate. It is stable and no further changes are observed when it is left to stand.5A1 Graduation Video - Class of 2015Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | ...4T2 Graduation Video - Class of 2015Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | ...4T1 Graduation Video - Class of 2015Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | ...4E1 Graduation Video - Class of 2015Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | ...4A1 Graduation Video - Class of 2015Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | ...4A2 Graduation Video - Class of 2015Yeo Yong Kiat2015-10-05 | ...GCE O Levels Practical Preparation - IT Lesson 1Yeo Yong Kiat2015-09-28 | The video is a demonstration of a set of procedures. Read the procedures as they appear in the video. Write down all of your observations for each step.
In this video, you are given a large boiling tube that contains a salt Q. You are also given a small test tube that contains the same salt Q.GCE O Levels Practical Preparation - IT Lesson 2Yeo Yong Kiat2015-09-28 | The video shows several students from Juying Secondary School performing laboratory procedures.
Watch the video and describe the good and bad practices for each scene.Hip Hop Pulse Finals 2015 - Nutz Crews FabNutzYeo Yong Kiat2015-09-20 | Hip Hop Pulse 2015 - Finals @ Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza
20 September 2015Hip Hop Pulse Auditions 2015 - Nutz Crews FabNutzYeo Yong Kiat2015-09-13 | Hip Hop Pulse - Street Dance Competition 2015 @ Ang Mo Kio Hub
Preliminary auditions, NutzCrew's very own FabNutz!