Picture Perfect Chemistry
Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 10/19/2024 - 12:17
A Picture-Perfect activity for National Chemistry Week 2024!
general public
The WEIRDEST Chemical Reaction I've Ever Seen!
Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 09/07/2024 - 11:17
This chemical reaction is just plain weird...but also beautiful!
Fluorescence Rocks! Exploring Glowing Sodalite
Dean Campbell | Wed, 08/21/2024 - 12:41
Syenite rocks containing sodalite that fluoresce yellow have been found on Lake Superior beaches in recent years and are of interest to collectors. The fluorescence of this mineral, which can be found in other localities, can be shown in classrooms and studied spectroscopically. Its structure can also be modeled with LEGO bricks, enabling further classroom connections.
Mechanochemistry with Phenolphthalein and Base
Dean Campbell | Wed, 07/24/2024 - 17:11
Grinding solid colorless phenolphthalein indicator and solid colorless magnesium hydroxide base can produce a reaction that causes the mixture to turn pink.
The Chemistry of Water Reveal Coloring Books
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/16/2024 - 07:01
How do Melissa & Doug’s “Water WOW!” Water Reveal coloring books work? Let's do some experiments to find out!
Exploring Color Separation in Salting-Out Experiments
Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 05/04/2024 - 07:44
Adding dyes to salting out experiments can create a variety of interesting color effects as the dyes differentially dissolve in the aqueous and organic layers. Can this differential solubility of dyes be explained using intermolecular forces as a guide?
Demonstrating the Glass Transition of Polylactic Acid with a Rattle
Dean Campbell | Wed, 03/27/2024 - 20:42
Polylactic acid (PLA) exhibits a glass transition from hard and brittle to soft and rubbery when immersed in boiling water. PLA-based structures containing a small metal object can be used as rattles when they are shaken. The sound of the rattles change when they are heated above or cooled below their glass transition, enabling them to be used as demonstrations.
The Chemistry of Pharaoh's Serpent with Calcium Gluconate
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 02/28/2024 - 13:59
Pharaoh's serpent is the name of a very interesting chemical reaction that produces a snake-like foam. Unfortunately, it requires the use of a toxic mercury compound. Explore this very similar reaction that can be achieved quite simply by using fuel tablets and calcium gluconate tablets and learn a lot about the chemistry that is involved!
Ice Clouds 2.0
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 01/16/2024 - 15:12
What is some of the chemistry involved in the formation of ice clouds when boiling water is thrown into icy air?
A pH Sensitive Highlighter “Flame”
Dean Campbell | Mon, 12/11/2023 - 10:06
Discover the secrets behind flame-shaped highlighter markings that not only disappear and reappear but also glow and flicker under the influence of acids, bases, and UV lights.