Secret Message - Sick Science! #014

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The SICK Science® series was created by Steve Spangler.

© 2010 Steve Spangler, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SICK Science is a registered trademark of Steve Spangler, Inc. Reg. No. 4,398,849

[VictorHugoRC]

my dad did this to me before. it was so cool. now all the world knows it.thanks steve

[Jader]

The flame causes the traces of sugar in the lemon juice to dextrinize (brown) at a far faster rate than the carbohydrates in the paper. Thus you are left with an contrast of colour saturation creating text.

[bodryn]

Since an acidic solution is being added to the paper, and he speeds up the chemical reaction by adding heat, the acidification process shows where the chemical reaction is acting faster. The same acidification process is what obtains over many years, which turns book pages yellow over time.

[bgtaylorfanever]

am i the only one that absolutley loves that the things you need go in time to the music?

[vmarfus]

i learned this when i was 7. Literally

[KryssiCastronovo]

I learned this from National Treasure a LONGGGG time ago

[themobstermentalist]

WOW ! UNBELIEVABLE !!! Don't know How it's works....That's really " Sick Science " .. :)

[acecombact]

Lemon juice is citric acid (hydrocarbon), it oxidizes and turns brown when heated. Paper have highier burning point i guess.

[HuiruXD]

the part of the paper with the acid is slightly corroded thats why it get burn faster

[Cpw]

@jwgibs dude!!! it was me!!! i'm not even kidding!!! i watched it and then it said 309!!! thumbs up!

[mrfunfunfun]

it must be that the citric acid's reaction with the carbon in the paper with heat to start this endothermic reaction causing a browner colour.

[kathyle]

You don't need to use fire, just any heat.

[RokuTusei]

ahhh i watch this in sherlock holmes the movie. ITS AWESOME!!!

[fcdog]

My guess is that by burning the paper it releases a hydrocarbon chemical much like phenolphthalein that reacts with the acid from the lemon juice to produce a color.

[caponed]

You are awesome due, keep makin these vids!

[TheTappajamuikku]

Mum teached me this :D Tho we put the paper in the oven to see the message :)

[blkhackr]

@thatoneguy452 he keeps the flame moving around quickly as to not let any one part get too hot, the lemon juice residue browns do to the heat but the paper is almost untouched

[fcdog]

@acecombact I disagree. Based on the fact that acids donate protons (and thence electrons) it can only be reduced... Furthermore, citric acid can't add anymore electrons to its structure. Well I suppose an oxygen atom on the molecule can break its double bond with one of the carbons and then a hydrogen from the air could be added, but from the structure, it seems that this is impossible.
correct me if I am wrong please.

[Pureku]

you could also use milk instead of the lemon juice.

[JuteboxZero]

The sugar in the lemon juice browns when heated.