How These Clever Science Toys Defy Physics!

The video begins with a glass bird containing blue liquid. When held, body heat causes the volatile methylene chloride inside to boil, creating gas pressure that pushes the liquid up a tube into the top bulb, an evaporation-condensation cycle that makes it appear to boil. Releasing the bottom and holding the top reverses the process.

Next, the video showcases an anti-gravity water humidifier that creates the illusion of water droplets rising upwards. This gadget, costing 34 pounds, has a clock and emits water vapor. While water actually flows downwards, precisely timed LED lights illuminate the falling droplets at a specific frequency, making them appear to slowly rise to the human eye and camera. Using a bright flashlight can overpower the LEDs and break the illusion.

The video then demonstrates a ferrofluid bottle, a liquid containing nanometer-sized magnetic particles (iron filings) suspended in a clear liquid. When a magnet is introduced, the ferrofluid springs to life, forming distinctive spikes that can be manipulated by varying the magnet's proximity. Agitating it quickly with a magnet can break it into tiny bits, resembling a snow globe, before it re-collects.

At a cost of 6 pounds, magnetic putty is presented. This moldable, plasticine-like substance can be stretched and shaped. While it bounces when rolled into a ball, its magnetic properties are more apparent with stronger magnets, demonstrating its attraction and ability to stretch when a powerful magnet is brought near.

A translucent acrylic cube with cyan, magenta, and yellow surfaces is shown. When viewed straight on, it appears solid, but rotating it mixes the primary colors to create a wide array of new colors as light passes through and blends. This solid, durable cube is described as a satisfying desk toy.

The final toy is a mini plasma orb, powered by USB or four AA batteries. Neon gases inside create colorful streams of plasma from a central electrode. Touching the orb makes the finger an electrical conductor, attracting the plasma streams. While cool to play with, it is noted to feel cheaply made and works best in low light due to its lack of brightness.