American Chemical Society
What is the Blackest Black?
Is there really more than one black? Although your crayon box may tell you otherwise, some blacks are, well, blacker than others! Discover the cutting-edge technology at work to produce the blackest black possible with a video from the...
American Chemical Society
The Chemistry of Redheads
Redheads have genetic modifications that affect their pigmentation; however, the differences don't stop there! Use the video lesson from the ACS Reaction series to examine different traits specific to redheads. Learners consider...
Veritasium
How Do Chameleons Change Color?
Talk about weird science! Young biologists discover the amazing structures found in the skin of male chameleons during a video from Veritasium. The narrator discusses common myths about chameleon color change, what triggers the...
Deep Look
What Gives the Morpho Butterfly Its Magnificent Blue?
Things are not always as they appear. The morpho butterfly appears to have blue wings, but they don't contain a drop of blue pigment. Learners watch as the instructor explains the physics behind these amazing blue wings.
Teacher's Pet
Leaf Pigments and Light
Why do leaves change color in the fall? The video explains the relationship between chlorophyll and light, connects the concepts of light to photosynthesis, relates the visible color spectrum to electromagnetic radiation.
TED-Ed
History’s Deadliest Colors
Zounds! Who'da thunk it? Colors can be deadly. Viewers learn about the dangers of white (lead), green (radium and cupric hydrogen arsenic), and orange (uranium oxide) pigments used in clothing, ceramics, and home decor.
SciShow
Why is my Whiteboard so Dirty?
Dry erase markers work on desks, doors (made of shiny particle board), and even mirrors! A funny video explores why dry erase markers leave behind marks when used. The narrator explains what the markers are made of, specifically the...
SciShow
How Do Toys Glow in the Dark?
The composition of teeth are such that when exposed to a black light, they absorb the UV light and glow! A radical video explores how different objects glow in the dark. The narrator discusses how different types of chemicals, called...
TED-Ed
The Science of Skin Color
Why are there so many different skin colors? Check out the science and the anthropological theories used to explain the rich palette of human skin colors as presented in the short video.
TED-Ed
What Makes Tattoos Permanent?
How can tattoos be permanent if humans shed over one million skin cells per day? Here's a short, animated video that answers this essential question and provides everything you want to know about the history of tattooing, tattoos...
Steve Spangler Science
Is Black Really Black? - Filter Paper
Separate water soluble ink into its color components and find that black is actually made of an array of colored pigments! This is a clever spin on the classic chromatography experiment. Use the book, Purple, Green, and Yellow, by Robert...
The Kid Should See This
Tksst: Why Do Leaves Change Color?
Find out what causes those brilliant colors to appear on leaves in the fall season. [2:10]