Material World

Find out what happens if you spin the colours of the rainbow in this hands-on activity.

Rainbows are beautiful examples of optics in nature. We see them thanks to the reflection and refraction of visible light and water.

A Canadian researcher built the first voltage-controlled synthesizer in the 1940s.

Learn about the different types of radiation, how they interact with atoms and how they can affect you.

Could we use radio waves to charge electrical technologies in the future?

Learn about the organic compounds that make up lipstick as well as about some of the chemistry that goes into this popular cosmetic.

The periodic table was last updated in 2016 with four new chemical elements. What is a chemical element? What is the atomic structure of the newest chemical elements? How did they get their names?

When astronomers search for extraterrestrial life, they often have to listen for radio waves coming from deep space. If you’re interested, you can help!

What is the difference between sound and noise? How do they affect your hearing? And is noise always a bad thing?

Using stethoscopes, doctors can use sound waves to detect various health issues. Learn how this device has evolved since it was invented in 1816!

7 images of some objects that can reflect light such as mirrors, Mylar balloons and water

Explore the concept of displacement of fluids in this hands on activity.

Learn about the chemistry of ice skating rinks, and the technology & engineering that lets us enjoy them indoors as well as outside.

This backgrounder explains what light is, how it is measured, and how it affects people on Earth and astronauts on board the International Space Station.

What does light have to do with colour? Observe some colourful fruit under different conditions to learn why we see the colours we see!