Chemical Mystery #15: The Leaky Cup
Time for a new chemical mystery! Watch the video below and see if you can use your chemical knowledge to figure out how this experiment is done.
My guess is that this trick will be easy for the chemistry teachers to figure out. However, I'll bet this experiment will stump most of your students! Let me know in the comments how you think I carried out this trick. I'll post the solution in a few days.
Watch the Solution to Chemical Mystery #15!
Collection(s)
Tom Kuntzleman
Wayne State University Assistant Professor of Teaching - Chemistry
ChemEd X Associate_Editor, Author, Reviewer, Contributor, Subscriber
I have taught science at all levels from Kindergarten through upper division undergraduate. Member of ACS, AACT.
Comments
7Leaky Cup
Tom - Love your demos. This would make a great first day demo. Just guessing....don't want to give it away...does the answer involve possibly a polymer? If I'm right do I win a prize? Barring a family emergency, I hope to be at ChemEd in Naperville. Hope to see you there!
In reply to Leaky Cup by Chad Husting
You got it!
Hi Chad:
You are absolutely correct - the experiment involves a polymer! Hmmm....giving out prizes would be a great idea. Do you have any ideas as to what we could give away? I look forward to seeing you at ChemEd this summer, too. Are you presenting on anything?
Tom
Disappearing water
Tom:
I have my students perform chemistry demos for National Chemistry Week. Here is one of my students performing the "disappearing water" demo back in 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajsybLAGhzo
-Michael
In reply to Disappearing water by Michael Farabaugh
You got it!
Michael: Thanks for sharing the video...I loved it! I knew I'd have a hard time fooling chemistry teachers with this particular chemical mystery, and it looks like you were no exception.
Share Your Thoughts