Here's a terrifying and fascinating chemical reaction to start your Monday right. In a slow-motion video, sulfuric acid rips apart a sponge. We'll let you admire the show, and explain what's happening. »
We've all seen test-tube reactions that overflow in long snakes, but this one is so quick it's like someone used a jump-cut on a film. The resulting foam has been studied by NASA for its fire-resistant properties. Too bad it takes sulfuric acid to make the stuff. »
Sulfuric acid dehydrates sugar. That sounds pretty tame, until you see that "dehydration" means that a huge, black, sugary pillar crawls up out of the beaker and comes after you.
Located in East Java, Indonesia, the Kawah Ijen volcanic crater has an eerie beauty to it. But its turquoise waters are filled with deadly acid thanks to the volcano's sulfuric output. That doesn't stop sulfur miners from braving the toxic gases. »
A recent proposal to control global warming is to release sulfur droplets into the atmosphere, which would hopefully block out some of the Sun's rays. Venus has been running an eons-long simulation of just that plan...and it doesn't look good. »