Demonstrations

Endo and Exothermic Demonstration

Chad Husting | Sun, 11/25/2018 - 09:19

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Observe both an exothermic and an endothermic reaction/process as I use a modified propane torch in the video demonstration.

Solution to Chemical Mystery #13: Bye Bye Blue!

Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 11/22/2018 - 08:12

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The solution to Chemical Mystery #13: Bye Bye Blue! is presented. This experiment is useful to demonstrate to students when discussing acid-base indicators, neutralization reactions, or the acidity of carbon dioxide when it dissolves in water.

Chemical Mystery #13: Bye Bye Blue!

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 11/19/2018 - 12:08

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A simple, but tricky experiment is displayed. Can you figure out how the trick was done?

Are Diamonds Forever? A Chemical Investigation

Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 11/02/2018 - 14:04

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You are likely aware that diamonds are converted - albeit slowly - to graphite under normal conditions. Thus, diamonds don't last forever, in contrast to the popular advertising slogan. However, did you know that you can use chemistry to prove that diamonds are not forever? It's simpler than you think...

There Is More to the Whoosh Bottle

Ben Meacham | Fri, 10/26/2018 - 11:59

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I added an extra step including a follow up Claim, Evidence & Reasoning activity to the familiar whoosh bottle activity.

The Mole - The Charred Marshmallow Souffle Podcast

Holly Kerby | Wed, 10/03/2018 - 17:37

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Tom Kuntzleman presented a story titled "Charred Marshmallow Souffle" during The Mole Storytelling Jam held as part of BCCE 2018. Listen to his podcast.

Charred Marshmallow Souffle

Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 09/27/2018 - 13:51

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A new event called "The Mole"was unveiled at BCCE 2018. I told the story of how one of my students discovered how to make marshmallows spark in the microwave oven.

Baffling Balloons Trick with Easily Obtained Gases

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 09/25/2018 - 19:47

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Based upon reader comments on previously published, Chemical Mystery #12, I experimented and found that this demonstration is easy to pull off with relatively inexpensive and easy to find materials.