How can sugar explode?

A February 2008 blast at the Imperial Sugar refining plant near Savannah, Ga., killed at least six people. Investigators believe the accident occurred when sugar dust exploded. How did it happen?

How do liquid explosives work, and what would terrorists do with them on a plane?

On August 10, 2006, authorities in Great Britain announced that they had arrested several people in connection with a plot to attack airplanes with liquid explosives.

How Helium Balloons Work

Helium balloons tend to fascinate adults and children alike (and it's not just the Donald Duck voice thing, though that is a big draw). Learn all about helium and why it floats!

How Luminol Works

Have you seen investigators on crime shows who spray some stuff on a "clean" carpet and suddenly -- blood stains! Well, of all the fictional technology on TV, it turns out this stuff is real! Find out how luminol reveals the blood.

What if I put aluminum foil in the microwave?

At one time or another, we've all been told not to use aluminum foil when cooking with a microwave oven. Stories of incredible explosions and fires usually surround these ominous warnings. Why is that?

What if I touched dry ice?

If you were to touch dry ice, it wouldn't be anything like touching regular frozen ice. So what's it like? Is it hot or cold? Is it actually a solid? And would it leave a mark?

What if someone released a large amount of helium into a small space?

Talking is an amazing skill. When you talk, your voice starts with a stream of air flowing up your trachea from your lungs. And when you add helium, your voice raises several octaves. What if you filled the air with helium?

What is Ricin?

One person lay in critical condition on Feb. 29, 2008, after the deadly biotoxin ricin was found in his Las Vegas hotel room. What is ricin, and why is it so dangerous?

Biting on aluminum foil can be painful. Why?

Biting on aluminum foil can be painful -- basically, when you bite on foil, you build a battery in your mouth. Ouch!

How do artificial flavors work?

Ever wondered exactly what they "artificial flavors" in your candy are, and why no specific ingredients are listed? Find out in this article.

How do you write the chemical reaction that takes place in a smoke detector?

Chemical formulas provide a concise explanation for reactions. In this article, we explain the formula for the reaction in a smoke detector.

How does rust work?

Rust is the common name for iron oxide, which is created when iron bonds with oxygen. In fact, pure iron is only rarely found in nature because it interacts with oxygen so easily.

If water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, why can't we breathe underwater?

If water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, why can't we breathe underwater? It has to do with how molecules combine and how the human lung functions.

Is it harmful to breathe 100-percent oxygen?

We need oxygen to live, so it seems to me that if we got more oxygen, we would be better off. Is it harmful to breathe 100-percent oxygen? What will happen?

Is there a way to make my sunglasses scratch-resistant?

I recently bought a pair of mirrored sunglasses and they are already scratched. Isn't there a way to make them scratch-resistant?