Earthquakes + More Amazing Science Experiments | Best Moments of Science Max

This segment explores the science behind earthquakes and how engineers construct buildings to withstand their force. The host, Phil, explains that earthquakes occur when tectonic plates rub against each other, causing the ground to shake. To demonstrate, a shaker table is constructed using books, elastic bands, and rubber balls to simulate an earthquake's effects. The challenge is to build a tower that can endure the shaker table's movements. Various materials and designs are tested, including a triangle-based structure that proves to be the most stable due to its inherent stability and resistance to swaying.

In a fun and interactive experiment, Phil uses his friends to create a human table, demonstrating the concept of weight distribution and support. Another part of this segment covers soil liquefaction, a phenomenon where soil turns to liquid during an earthquake. An experiment with a plastic container, water, and sand illustrates how this occurs, showing how structures like houses can sink into the liquefied soil.

Buster Beaker presents a cooking segment where he uses wafer cookies, gelatin, and crispy rice to create a dessert that also serves as an analogy for building materials in an earthquake. The segment also includes an experiment with a seismometer made from a pencil, paper cups, modeling clay, and a ball to demonstrate how earthquakes can be measured and the direction they come from.

This section covers the power of water in causing erosion and how it can change landscapes. An erosion table experiment is set up to show how rivers carve paths to the ocean. Additionally, the segment explores the principles of energy transfer and kinetic energy through the bouncing of balls of different masses, showing how the energy from a basketball can be transferred to a golf ball, causing it to bounce higher.

Chris and Phil demonstrate the power of a hydraulic crushing machine, showcasing its ability to crush various items like a basketball and a metal vice. The segment also investigates water's adhesion properties, explaining why water sticks to surfaces and the role of surface tension and gravity in this phenomenon. An experiment with hydrophobic spray is conducted to show how water interaction can be altered.

The construction of a boat powered by a mouse trap is detailed, explaining how the stored energy in the trap's spring can be used as a propulsion system. The segment also covers the concept of mechanical advantage using levers and液压 (hydraulic) advantage, demonstrated through a thumb war game and a hydraulic press experiment.

The construction and principles of a balloon-powered car are discussed, tying in Newton's third law of motion. The concept of inertia and its relation to an object's mass is also explained, using a cart with added weights to illustrate how inertia increases with mass.

The Magnus effect is introduced, explaining how spinning objects like propellers create thrust. The segment demonstrates this effect using a simple flyer made from styrofoam cups and an elastic band. The principles of propeller movement are also discussed in the context of boat propulsion.

The concept of tension is explored, particularly in the context of ropes and chains. The segment also delves into the unique properties of ferrofluids, which are liquids that react to magnetic fields, creating striking visual effects.

The segment involves a humorous attempt to enter the 'Wizard Academy' by demonstrating 'magic' tricks that are actually based on scientific principles. The concept of the center of mass is explained using a stack of books that appear to levitate.

Experiments involving friction and angular momentum are conducted. One involves holding a heavy bike tire in the air by spinning it fast, demonstrating how angular momentum can counteract gravity. Another involves a confetti high-five machine that uses string and motors to launch craft sticks.

The principles behind stacking objects, such as cups or books, are explored. The importance of the center of mass in maintaining balance and the role of friction in cup stacking are discussed. The segment also covers the limitations of stacking a single column of blocks due to increasing instability.

Creative constructions using pencils are shown, including a pencil cube and a large pencil asterisk. The segment also features a maxed-out spinning top experiment, where the principles of angular momentum and friction are demonstrated through attempting to ride on a large spinning platform.

The sport of cup stacking is introduced, highlighting the importance of cup design, particularly the need for holes in the bottom to allow for easy stacking. The segment also touches on the concept of air pressure and its effects on objects like cups and trash cans.