Elmer's Glue Isn't Just for Making Slime: Simple Chemical Demonstrations with Elmer's Glue
Josh Kenney | Sat, 08/19/2023 - 09:13
Josh Kenney shares three simple and inexpensive demonstrations using Elmer’s glue.
acids/bases
Chemical Activities Involving Reversible Thermochromic Pigments
Dean Campbell | Wed, 08/16/2023 - 07:17
The color of a thermochromic system depends on its temperature. The colors of leuco dye-based systems can also be influenced by adding acids or bases to the thermochromic reactions. These can be used to create colorful demonstrations of acid-base chemistry. Thermochromism found in color changing cups can also be used to visualize heat flow, and therefore thermodynamic principles, associated with stretching and contracting elastomers.
Seashell Chemistry
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 06/01/2023 - 14:15
Placing dry ice in limewater is a great demonstration to accompany discussions on a variety of chemical topics, including the impact of ocean acidification on marine organisms that depend upon the formation of CaCO3.
A Demo A Day III: Demonstrations and Props Used in My General Chemistry II Classes
Dean Campbell | Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:50
Dean Campbell tries to use at least one demo for every class to illustrate concepts described in his chemistry courses. In this post, he includes short descriptions of the demonstrations and props he has used while teaching his collegiate General Chemistry II courses.
Making Natural Acid Base Indicators
Ariel Serkin | Wed, 04/05/2023 - 10:22
Ariel Serkin shares an activity she has explored using natural acid base indicators with her food chemistry elective students.
Secret Messages with Elmer's Glue Sticks - An Acid-Base Indicator Activity
Josh Kenney | Mon, 09/26/2022 - 19:23
This short activity uses Elmer’s Disappearing Purple Glue as an interactive introduction to acid-base indicators.
The Chemistry of Lightning
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 09/20/2022 - 09:42
Learn a bit about the chemical reactions that occur during a lightning strike, and how you can demonstrate these reactions in your classroom.
Chemical Mystery #20: Magic Kool-Aid
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 07/11/2022 - 10:05
You can solve Chemical Mystery #20 if you know your chemistry...and your magic!
Water Tower Reservoir Analogy of a Buffer
Joseph Lomax | Sun, 05/01/2022 - 14:50
In this blog the author describes how three components of a water tower reservoir is analogous to an acid-base buffer system.
Is Chocolate Cake an Acid-Base Indicator? Testing a Student Claim
Josh Kenney | Mon, 02/28/2022 - 10:21
Recently, Josh Kenney took time from his regular scheduled chemistry curriculum to investigate a student's claim that chocolate cake was an acid-base indicator.