Solutions of copper (II) dissolved in acetone are easy to prepare, and can display orange, yellow, green, and blue color depending upon conditions. Such solutions allow for a variety of demonstrations and experiments that illustrate principles of chemical equilibrium.
I observe a red to blue color change when I rinse my bowl after eating frozen blueberries. Sounds like an acid-base reaction, doesn’t it? Well, read on to learn about the blueberry surprise!
Inspiring Teaching and Learning Chemistry for 97 Years
The January 2020 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: activities using household materials; demonstrations; health-oriented experiments; microplastics; environmental chemistry labs; fluorescence; surface chemistry; cost-effective equipment; augmented & virtual reality; laboratory curriculum; examining learning in general chemistry; organic chemistry teaching resource; from the archives: developing oral communication skills.
Chemistry and lasers can be used to create a demonstration that includes several colors and flashing lights. This demonstration connects to topics in quantum chemistry and phase changes.
Reimagining Chemistry Education: Systems Thinking, and Green and Sustainable Chemistry
The December 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. In response to a call for papers, chemistry educators from around the world have contributed articles to the Journal collected in the December edition as special issue on systems thinking, and green and sustainable chemistry.
The November 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: biochemistry and visualizations; fostering effective explanations and instructions; learning through games and contests; green chemistry; investigations involving light; discovery-based laboratories; innovations in teaching; chemistry teacher experiences; foundations of chemistry; from the archive: infrared imaging.
The Devil's Milkshake is a simple, yet interesting chemistry experiment that fits well as a Halloween demo.
Celebrating National Chemistry Week 2019
The October 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: marvelous metals; safety; engaging activities on nuclear chemistry and self-healing hydrogels; chemistry activities for students studying nursing; fostering community; mathematics and computer models in chemistry; innovative experiments; challenges of demonstrating the atmospheric greenhouse effect; chemical education research; resources for teaching.
Simple chemical tests are described that can indicate the presence of certain metals in coins. A wide variety of chemical concepts are involved. The experiments described are a natural fit for the 2019 National Chemistry Week theme of "Marvelous Metals!"
This post describes some simple experiments using various coins and neodymium magnets that connect to the 2019 National Chemistry Week theme of Marvelous Metals!
