Demonstrations

Chemical Activities Involving Reversible Thermochromic Pigments

Dean Campbell | Wed, 08/16/2023 - 07:17

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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.

Not Playing with a Full Deck: Ideas For Electron-Counting Chemical Card Games

Dean Campbell | Fri, 08/04/2023 - 14:00

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Ordinary playing cards can be used in games where the cards model valence electrons in atoms. These games could provide players with a fun and active way to practice counting valence electrons in simple chemical structures.

How Do Color Changing Marshmallows Work?

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 07/19/2023 - 12:10

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With a little chemical investigation, you can figure out how Jet-Puffed's new color changing marshmallows work!

Seashell Chemistry

Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 06/01/2023 - 14:15

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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.

Candy and Car Exhaust with Acid Base Indicators

Chad Husting | Thu, 06/01/2023 - 09:16

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The candy "Toxic Waste" and "Pop Rocks" are fun ways to show changes in acid base indicators. There is also an easy way to test car exhaust with an indicator.

A Demo A Day III: Demonstrations and Props Used in My General Chemistry II Classes

Dean Campbell | Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:50

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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.

The Self-Carving Pumpkin: It's Not Just for Halloween!

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 05/02/2023 - 18:48

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Learn the chemistry behind the reaction between calcium carbide and water...melon...?!

Solar Eclipse Trip Recap

Dean Campbell | Mon, 05/01/2023 - 17:26

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A trip to see the 2024 solar eclipse provided the opportunity to explore ideas associated with sulfur in petroleum, sunlight intensity measurements, laser interference patterns from eclipse glasses, and large-scale light emission from excited hydrogen.

The Salting-Out Effect: A Colorful Demonstration That Leads to Student - Teacher Activities

Jim Webb | Wed, 04/26/2023 - 20:53

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Have you seen the "salting-out effect"? This interesting demonstration shows a separation of two layers in a solution of water and an organic solvent by adding an ionic salt. Although this concept has important applications in organic chemistry and biochemistry, it can also be visually stunning and engaging for audiences. Read on to learn how to incorporate this demonstration into your chemistry lessons.

Algae Connections to Chemistry Classrooms

Dean Campbell | Fri, 03/31/2023 - 09:55

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This timely post is a perfect fit for the theme of Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 2023! Algae is a rich topic with many possible connections to the chemistry classroom. Algae needs to take in light, carbon dioxide, and various simple nutrients and, though it can sometimes get out of control, can produce oxygen, diatomaceous earth, and other products. It can even fluoresce pink!