Ever since Breaking Bad made science cool again all those years ago, the internet can’t get enough homegrown science experiments.
What’s even more thrilling is when science happens irl without any real reason, rhyme, or planning.
Especially when they’re less volatile than Coke and Mentos volcanoes.
Here are 14 mildly interesting science experiments that happened in real life completely by accident.
1. At-home jewelry
I’m going to start buying marbles in bulk instead of browsing Tiffany & Co.
This is what happens when you heat an ordinary marble over a flame then immediately drop it into cold water
byu/unicornheabutt inmildlyinteresting
2. This perfectly polished coconut
Ever seen something so orb-like before?
This is what happens when you polish a coconut
byu/Roctopus420 inmildlyinteresting
3. Primary colors!
Ugh, it’s just so pretty.
What happens when you put M&Ms in a dish of water. Diffusion force barriers
byu/bananaboat95 inmildlyinteresting
4. When lightning strikes
That’s a seriously sick pattern.
This Is What Happens When Lightning Strikes A Flag On A Golf Course
byu/mtlgrems ininterestingasfuck
5. Editing inception
Taking a negative of a negative feels like you’re diving into some crazy alternate universe.
This is what happens if you take a negative picture of a negative screen.
byu/jman678 inmildlyinteresting
6. Extreme cooking
Cooking under bitingly cold conditions certainly presents its challenges.
This is what happens to food in Antartica at -94°F/-70°C
byu/BeachSamurai ininterestingasfuck
7. Now that’s what I call optics
Look at how the light bends!
Apparently this is what happens when light passes through the blinds and hits my trash can…
byu/beernerd inmildlyinteresting
8. So inky
This is real art.
What happens when wood is burnt with high voltage
byu/-N3ptun3- inmildlyinteresting
9. Well, this one makes sense
Gummy bears melt – who knew?
this is what happens when you leave a pack of gummy bears in an 105 degree car.
byu/yellowcyclone inmildlyinteresting
10. I’m scared
They’re going to come after us. With the amount of french fries we’ve all eaten, no one is safe.
What happens when you leave potatoes in the cellar for 6 months
byu/SpreadyGull inmildlyinteresting
11. A perfect beat
This queen did a real good job.
12. This new kind of ice art
Who needs a swan sculpture when you could have this?
What happens when water freezes on a spinning wheel.
byu/NeoVeci inmildlyinteresting
13. Goth McDonalds
I’m so ready for this gothic upgrade. Make this my next order. Even if it tastes bad.
This is what happens when you microwave McDonalds fries for 30 minutes (instead of 30 seconds).
byu/hazasauras inmildlyinteresting
14. A vintage tomato
This is probably what food is supposed to look like.
Modern tomato vs one grown from 150yo seeds
byu/jambags inmildlyinteresting
Well, that was kind of cool! Looks like science is happening all around us – all the time.
What’s your favorite accidental science experiment? Share with us in the comments below!
