The Density Bottle is Red, the Density Bottle is Blue...
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 05/30/2025 - 10:10
You're going to love this new color variation on the Density Bottle experiment!
General
Schrödinger’s Chef: Quantum superposition and the result-less-ness of unperformed experiments
Joseph Lomax | Wed, 05/21/2025 - 18:16
A pre-dinner conversation leads to a different way of thinking about quantum superposition. A meal from an idiosyncratic chef is not defined until “the reveal.” Discussion of this leads to the statement by Asher Peres that “unperformed experiments have no results.” Discussion of Peres’ statement, then contrasting versions of resultlessness in both macroscopic and quantum realms, leads to classroom discussion. This, hopefully, creates an easier and deeper understanding of quantum mechanics.
Not so Green Up Close: a Peek at a dyed Chicago River Sample
Dean Campbell | Sat, 05/17/2025 - 22:36
Light absorbance and fluorescence were studied for a sample of the Chicago River that had been dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day. The sample had weak green fluorescence, showing that the intense green appearance of the river was in part due to the long path length of light through the water. The ability of the green color to partition into 1-octanol was also explored.
Join Us at ChemEd 2025
Sarah English | Tue, 04/15/2025 - 20:47
Join us at ChemEd 2025 this July at the Colorado School of Mines. Check out this post to learn about all the exciting opportunities!
Egg-lectrons and McLewis Structures
Dean Campbell | Fri, 02/28/2025 - 22:13
Egg cartons and beverage holders can be used as models of atoms, with their dimples representing orbitals. Each dimple can hold up to two objects such as milk jug caps, plastic eggs, and cup pieces to represent electrons in the orbitals. Partially overlapping the trays by stacking the dimples represents chemical bonding and produces molecular models resembling Lewis structures. The models can be easily made from materials that can be readily found grocery stores and fast-food restaurants.
UNO OUT…..Demystifying Stoichiometry
Nina Hike | Tue, 02/25/2025 - 14:57
This article describes a game aimed at helping students become comfortable using dimensional analysis. Designed to mimic the popular card game UNO, MOLE-O encourages students to think about how to set up a stoichiometry problem utilizing a deck of UNO-like playing cards.
Facile Method to Synthesize an Organic Compound
Athavan Alias A... | Sat, 02/15/2025 - 08:57
Engage students in organic chemistry with a simple one-pot synthesis using the Mannich condensation reaction. This hands-on lab reinforces key concepts like reaction mechanisms, chromatography, and yield calculations, making abstract ideas tangible while building essential lab skills.
Red #40 Food Dye in a Cherry Cough Drop
David Cash | Fri, 02/14/2025 - 17:36
Looking for a simple, engaging Beer’s Law experiment? Use Red #40 from cherry cough drops! This hands-on activity introduces students to spectrophotometry and quantitative analysis. Read more for the full method and teaching tips.
How a Burning Candle Can Teach Stoichiometry
Todd Hollis | Fri, 01/10/2025 - 09:57
Make stoichiometry relatable! In this simple lab, students measure the mass of a burning candle and explore key questions like: 'How much CO₂ does a candle produce?' and 'How can we quantify CO₂ from engines?' Minimal setup, real-world impact, and engaging results!
Connecting Light Emissions from Aurora and Other Astronomical Phenomena to Chemistry Courses
Dean Campbell | Tue, 11/05/2024 - 19:26
Recent space-related phenomena like aurora and a comet were viewed by large numbers of people. These phenomena can be connected to concepts described in chemistry courses, such as electronic structures and light emission associated with species such as excited oxygen atoms.