Chemical Mystery #13: Bye Bye Blue!
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 11/19/2018 - 12:08
A simple, but tricky experiment is displayed. Can you figure out how the trick was done?
Public Understanding
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
Maria Gallardo-... | Sun, 10/14/2018 - 12:51
Radium Girls is one of those books that can’t be put down. It challenges us with imagery so vivid that sometimes you just want to look away, but you are so invested in the lives of the girls that you persevere to the end. It is tragic and strong but also hopeful and tender.
The Chemistry of Outer Space
Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 07/01/2018 - 12:33
A variety of activities performed at a science camp that relate to the chemistry of the solar system are reported. These activities could prove useful in the chemistry curriculum or in planning for National Chemistry Week in 2018, the theme of which is Chemistry is Out of This World!
Collection of and Experiments with Liquid Air
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 05/15/2018 - 20:18
Simple methods to prepare liquid air are described. In addition, ways to test the properties of liquid air and other liquefied gases are explored.
The Chemistry of Weight Loss
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 04/24/2018 - 18:48
If you want to lose weight, you have to burn calories. Anyone who has gone on a diet knows this. But when someone loses weight, have you ever wondered where the lost mass goes?
Temperature Experiments with the Scrub Daddy Sponge
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:59
What happens if you cool a Scrub Daddy sponge in liquid nitrogen (or dry ice) and subsequently strike it with a hammer? Let's find out!
Book Suggestion: The Alchemy of Air
Lowell Thomson | Fri, 01/05/2018 - 03:08
One of my goals for 2017 was to read more chemistry non-fiction. I accomplished that with three and a half books read. That doesn't seem like much, but given how busy I've been lately it was quite an accomplishment! I offer a brief review of my most recent book here, "The Alchemy of Air" by Thomas Hager.
Scrub Daddy Science
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 01/03/2018 - 18:20
The science behind the incredibly popular Scrub Daddy sponge is investigated. Part of the appeal of the Scrub Daddy sponge is that it changes from soft to hard depending upon temperature. This allows a single sponge to be transformed into a hard scrubber or soft sponge, depending upon the temperature of water into which it is placed.
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!"
Investigations of Hematite Beads: An Experiment for National Chemistry Week
Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 10/01/2017 - 19:32
I have been in the lab conducting tests on the chemical and physical properties of various geological samples. In my investigations I’ve found that hematite is a particular mineral that is easy to acquire and quite amenable to experimentation.