The Sweet Side of Chemistry: Chemical Mystery #3
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 09/15/2014 - 15:44
National Chemistry week will be upon us in a little over a month.
acids/bases
Solution to Chemical Riddle #2
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 05/07/2014 - 10:18
Check out the answer to Chemical Riddle #2.
Chemical Riddle #2
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 05/01/2014 - 15:41
A student of mine, Anthony Shepherd, and I worked together to develop a new chemical riddle. Check out the video and see if you can come up with an answer.
Bath Bubblers
In this Activity, students use citric acid and baking soda to make "bath bubblers" similar to those sold in bath and body stores. They investigate the fizzing reaction that occurs when the bubblers are added to both cold and hot water. Bringing this real world product into the classroom adds interest and can lead to creativity, while introducing both acid/base concepts and rates of reaction.
pHantastic Fluorescence
In this Activity, students extract a fluorescent substance from shavings of narra wood. The pH-dependent fluorescence can be turned on and off using household acid and base solutions. A yellow filter blocks the exciting light but not the fluorescent emission. This Activity gets students thinking about the interaction of light and molecules.
A Kool Reaction from the Fine Print
In this Activity, students gain an understanding of the importance of reading reagent labels both in chemistry class and on consumer products. Students explore the chemistry behind the directive on a package of Kool-Aid "Do not store in a metal container". The Activity illustrates properties of acids and metals.
How Does Your Laundry Glow?
In this Activity, students examine the effect of pH on the intensity and color of the emission of fluorescent dyes in liquid laundry detergent. They perform two titrations using vinegar to estimate the pH at which the fluorescence properties change. In the second titration, sodium bicarbonate is added to buffer the detergent solution.
Chemistry Time: Factors Affecting the Rate of a Chemical Reaction
In this Activity, students use effervescent antacid tablets such as Alka Seltzer, and baking soda and vinegar, to investigate factors that determine how fast chemical reactions occur.
Soapmaking
In this Activity, students make soap using vegetable shortening as a base. They then test its properties and compare it to commercial soap. This Activity introduces students to an important reaction of organic chemistry. It helps students connect chemistry to something that they see and use every day and provides an opportunity for cross-curricular work.
Colors to Dye for: Preparation of Natural Dyes
In this Activity, students extract colored compounds from onion skins and blueberries, use them to dye white cloth, and investigate ways to change the color and prevent it from washing out. The Activity ties into the history of dyes. A study of the structures of dye molecules can be integrated into a discussion of organic chemistry and functional groups.