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.
Colorful Copper Chemistry around the Campfire
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/28/2020 - 13:09
Learn how to form a blue-green copper compound on a penny, and then use that compound to make green flames. This is a great summer time activity for your next campfire!
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!"
Oxidation Argumentation Activity
Stephanie O'Brien | Mon, 07/08/2019 - 14:19
I facilitate a working group of chemistry teachers in the New York area and we recently created our own activity surrounding the topic of oxidation. The goal of the probe was to force students to think about what the meaning of oxidation is, as well as to allow students to engage in the science and engineering practice of argumentation. This was an introductory lesson to my oxidation and reduction unit prior to students learning the terms oxidation and reduction.
Formative Assessment via Redox Reactions
Stephanie O'Brien | Wed, 04/24/2019 - 15:51
My district recently provided a professional development session focused on utilizing three dimensional formative assessments in the classroom. The ideas I learned in the session as well an an activity for students to engage in formative assessment are outlined.
Citrus Fruit Peel Powder and its Capacity to Remove Copper From Wastewater
Andrea Amato | Mon, 04/15/2019 - 17:15
Biosorption is a method that can be used for the removal of pollutants from wastewater, especially those that are not easily biodegradable. This experiment uses citrus fruit peels as part of a iodometric titration to conduct a wastewater treatment binding copper.
Why Do Dead Batteries Bounce? Chemistry, of Course!
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 04/05/2019 - 07:16
Did you know there is a simple test you can do to see if an alkaline battery is fresh or dead? All you need to do is bounce the bottom of a battery onto a hard, flat surface. Guess what causes this difference in bouncing ability between fresh and dead batteries? Chemistry, of course!
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.
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.