Mr. Wizard's World
In this iconic Nickelodeon kids science show from the 1980s, Don Herbert (Mr. Wizard) and several children explore and discover what makes the world tick.
Flash Paper, Solar Mirrors and more
Flash Paper - Mr. Wizard crumples paper into a ball to simulate a shooting star. He explains that a real shooting star burns because of the friction of the atmosphere as stellar dust enters it.
Sugar & Acid, Hawaiian Volcano and more
Sugar & Acid - Tanis holds sugar in aluminum foil with lab tongs over a flame at the stove. It turns black. Mr. Wizard explains sugar is made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Walk Through Paper, Heat Spiral and more
Homemade Volcano -Michael has made a volcano out of paper mache, vinegar, and baking soda. Mr. Wizard's is made of asbestos paper
Dry Ice Fog, Napkin Suction and more
Dry Ice Fog - A paper fence on the floor is to keep in a cloud, because they're going to experiment with dry ice, so called because it changes from a solid directly to a gas and does not melt. Stacey drops a small piece into a jar of hot water.
Robots, Hot air Baloons and more
HOT AIR BALLOON - Scott and Jason prepare to launch a hot air balloon made of paper. The launcher is a stovepipe with a base of bricks. Mr. Wizard instructs Scott to light the newspaper inside the brick base.
Fire Writing, Tricks with Gravity and more
FIRE WRITING - Mr. Wizard shows Christian a sheet of paper on which a solution of potassium nitrate was painted and allowed to dry. Christian touches various points on the paper with a lighted punk.
Fishing Bears, Flight Simulator and more
FIREPROOF HANDKERCHIEF - Michael touches a lighted match to a handkerchief. A flame covers the handkerchief which is not even scorched. Mr. Wizard shows him the mixture of alcohol and water into which the handkerchief was dipped.
Homemade Hydrogen, Baloon Into Bottle and more
HOMEMADE HYDROGEN - Mr. Wizard shows Christian how to make homemade hydrogen using safety glasses and always in the presence of a teacher or adult. ICE CUBE LIFT - Michael tries to remove an ice cube from a glass of water with a short string.
Secret Inks, Fireproof Money and more
RADIO CONTROLLED PLANE - Mr. Wizard shows Jason how to fly his radio-controlled model airplane. SQUARE ON BALLOON - Mr. Wizard shows Angela how inflating and deflating the balloon changes the legibility of images on its surface.
Indestructable Container, Suspended Book and more
HOMEMADE HOT AIR BALLOON – Mr. Wizard shows Michael a plastic garment bag from a dry cleaner can act as a Hot Air Balloon.
Hibernation, Dancing Spaghetti and more
DANCING SPAGHETTI - A large container of water has two tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in it. Vinegar and baking soda, an acid and base, when mixed, produce carbon dioxide gas.
Light Sculptures, Childhood of a Chimp and more
LIGHT SCULPTURE - Jason and Mr. Wizard examine a light sculpture by Bill Parker in which electrical arcs of various colors appear inside a glass sphere.
Banana Surprise, Snake Tracker and more
GIANT BUBBLES - At a picnic table Mr. Wizard and Scott are making very large bubbles. Scott writes down the formula: six parts distilled water, one part clear dishwashing soap, and one part glycerin to be mixed and allowed to set overnight.
Patient Simulator, Snake Tracker and more
POLARIZING FILTER - Jason looks at the surface of a small wading pool through a pair of polarizing glasses. He notices that the reflection disappears with the glasses on and he can see a rock in the center of the pool with greater detail.
Mapping a Guitar, Aurora Borealis and more
FLOUR EXPLOSION - Mr. Wizard asks Stacey to put a burning match into the powder. Under strict protective measures. The match is extinguished. He sprinkles a spoonful of powder over a candle flame. The powder bursts into flame.
