Periodic graphics: the compositions of US coins

Thanks, Compound Interest.

And thanks, ACS for working with Andy Brunning (of the aforementioned Compound Interest) to produce this great, visual guide to the metals in US coinage.

That non-pure copper penny can make for some great lab experiments.

Then again, so can the pure copper.

Fluorescence is awesome (here is how it works)

Fluorescence is absolutely awesome.

The science behind it is very cool, absorbing UV light, exciting electrons, and releasing some of that energy as visible light.

Be careful, though, of the statement at 1:38, "this means that the objects are giving back more energy than they receive from the visible light source which explains their gleaming vibrancy under UV."

That statement is correct but sounds impossible at first. The statement says that the energy in the visible light range that they're giving off is more than the energy in the visible light range that they're absorbing. That sounds impossible until you understand that they are absorbing extra energy in the UV range that they're turning into visible light.

Here's a fun way to take advantage of fluorescence.

Pee a Rainbow: Scientist Snaps Shot of Colorful Urine

I apologize in advance, but urine for a treat today.

An article at LiveScience shows the above rainbow of urine colors collected in a week at Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, WA.

Thankfully, there's also an explanation of what can change the urine that color.

Next up, a poop rainbow.