Plating Pennies with Tin
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 02/02/2021 - 10:06
Learn how to give pennies a beautiful, silvery-colored plating.
Oxidation / Reduction
Holiday Reflections on the Silver Mirror Demonstration
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 12/28/2020 - 17:26
Tom Kuntzleman tests to see if Powerade can be used as a source of reducing sugars in the classic silver mirror demonstration, and reminisces about Christmas days past when doing so.
Chemical Tests on Coins
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 09/16/2019 - 20:07
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!"
Introduction to the Concept of Antioxidant - A Demo
Andrea Amato | Thu, 05/31/2018 - 11:42
In this blog post, I would like to share a relatively simple demonstration you may use to introduce the concept of antioxidant along with its potential in everyday life.
Investigations of Pyrite Nugget Beads: An Experiment for National Chemistry Week, Part 2
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 10/13/2017 - 17:17
Decorative beads are tested for the presence of iron pyrite, or FeS2, in an activity well-suited for the National Chemistry Week theme of "Chemistry Rocks!"
Reduction of Permanganate Ion by Acids in Rhubarb, Apples, and Candy
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 06/05/2017 - 17:00
If rhubarb stem is placed in a solution of permanganate, the purple permanganate ion is reduced to the colorless Mn2+ ion. It is thought that the oxalic acid present in rhubarb causes this reduction. The investigations presented in this post provide evidence that this may not be the whole story...
Investigations of Chemicals in Natural Food Coloring. Part 2: Berry
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 02/27/2017 - 13:42
The chemistry of the Berry dye found in McCormick's Color From Nature food colors is explored. This is part two of a three-part series in which the chemistry of McCormick's Color From Nature food colors is presented.
The Case of the Barking Dog
Doug Ragan | Tue, 01/24/2017 - 21:12
The lab was a success as I watched startled students produce the so-called barking dog sound as they combusted the hydrogen gas in their inverted test tubes.
An Easy Copper Electroplating Demo for Your Redox Unit
Lowell Thomson | Sun, 11/20/2016 - 02:00
My IB seniors are just wrapping up our unit on electrochemistry and redox. This has always been a challenging topic within the IB curriculum. Admittedly, electrochemistry has not ever been my strong suit either, so this year I aimed to strengthen the unit with two additional demonstrations.
Using Chemistry to Find that Silver Lining
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 03/03/2016 - 08:29
The chemistry of silver and the process in which silver becomes tarnished is explored. Take a new look at an old JCE Classroom Activity.