Gold karats, percent purity, and uses

 

Nice little reference chart...

Stranger Things S1 Chemical Mystery

If you know me, you might know that I'm the kind of guy who would notice a scientific issue while watching a movie or tv show.

I didn't, however, catch the anachronism of a 2000s periodic table in season one of the 1980s-set Stranger Things.

Clearly, ten or so elements (#108 and #110-118) - those discovered after 1983's setting for the first season. Another couple of them would need to be presented in three-letter, temporary names because the controversies around the names for elements #105-109.

In all, I don't think the periodic table anachronism caused audiences to enjoy their Stranger Things any less.

This bizarre density toy just got an upgrade

I have the 'original' polydensity kit from Ed Inn (now Flinn, blech), and it's a fascinating toy.

Two insoluble liquids and two types of beads - pony and UV - which make for some fascinating behavior when the bottle is shaken and allowed to settle and separate.

In today's video, Steve Mould attempts to make a similar bottle with three insoluble liquids and four polymer beads.

He does achieve his desired result by the end, but the beads he uses look to be a little tougher to source.

Sadly so...