energy

Elmer's Glue Isn't Just for Making Slime: Simple Chemical Demonstrations with Elmer's Glue

Josh Kenney | Sat, 08/19/2023 - 09:13

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Josh Kenney shares three simple and inexpensive demonstrations using Elmer’s glue.

Simple, Quick, and Accurate Determination of the Heat of Vaporization of Water

Michael Jansen | Mon, 04/10/2023 - 11:31

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This activity allows for the simple and accurate determination of the heat of vaporization, ΔH_vap, of water at 100°C, and ultimately the approximate strength of a hydrogen bond in boiling water, in kJ·mol^–1.

Upgrading a Classic Science Demonstration

Josh Kenney | Mon, 02/27/2023 - 09:31

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In a classic demonstration of energy conservation, smashing two large steel ball bearings generates sufficient heat to burn a hole through a piece of paper. Josh Kenney found this demonstration underwhelming because the paper doesn't look burned. So, he upgraded the experiment by covering the paper in Elmer's Color Changing Glue. Now, a spectacular color change reveals the increase in heat!

Flash Rocks from Green Chemistry and LEGO Brick Perspectives

Dean Campbell | Fri, 07/15/2022 - 23:56

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Flash rocks, typically pieces of quartz that produce light when struck together, are an example of the complex phenomenon of triboluminescence. The green chemistry aspects for the flash rock demonstration are considered, and LEGO models illustrating quartz crystals, piezoelectric materials, and nonpiezoelectric materials are presented.

Too Hot to Handle? Hydrogen Reacts with Oxygen on Palladium Foil

Dean Campbell | Thu, 04/28/2022 - 20:50

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The reaction of hydrogen and oxygen gases to form water is well known to be an exothermic reaction. That reaction can occur by first absorbing the hydrogen into palladium metal, and then placing the resulting palladium hydride into contact with oxygen in the air. Infrared and visible light videos were recorded for this process involving palladium foil, and the Green Chemistry and safety aspects of these activities are considered.

Exploring The “Two-Faced” Thionin Reaction

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 04/19/2022 - 11:44

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The "Two-Faced" thionin reaction involves causing a purple solution to fade to colorless by shining light on the solution. I wondered if it could be demonstrated the color of light that caused this transition.

Free Climate Science Workbook for Teachers

Stephanie O'Brien | Mon, 08/30/2021 - 16:08

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The Wisconsin initiative for Science Literacy has published Science Climate Concepts Fit Your Classroom - A Workbook for Teachers. This is a free online Workbook, readily available for secondary teachers and college faculty. This workbook includes many hands on activities that incorporate traditional science classroom concepts within the context of climate science.