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high school chemistry

Surprising Shrinking Styrofoam Stick: Using the Gas Laws to Get a Square Peg into a Round Hole

Dean Campbell | Thu, 11/10/2022 - 16:45

Polystyrene foam sticks with a square or rectangular profile will not fit into a round target hole (e.g., the opening of a soda bottle) at room temperature. However, they do contract sufficiently in contact with liquid nitrogen to fit into the hole and produce a simple demonstration of Charles’s Law. Many other polymer foams do not shrink under these conditions, but still provide opportunities to discuss and explore their structure and chemistry.

The Pumpkinator

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 10/17/2022 - 17:09

This Pumpkinator is a fantastic orange-to-blue-to-orange chemical reaction that will make a great addition to your Halloween-themed chemistry demonstrations.

A Visit to Natural Fiber Welding: Demonstrating Green Chemistry in Action

Dean Campbell | Mon, 10/10/2022 - 09:00

The theme to the 2022 National Chemistry Week, observed October 16-22, is “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics”. A visit to Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. in Peoria, IL, revealed how that company is using ionic liquids to solvent weld cellulose fibers together to produce more durable yarn which can then be made into more durable fabric. The production method and “greenness” of the product is discussed, from the cellulose itself to the recycling of the solution used in the welding process. Macroscopic demonstrations of the fiber solvent welding process are also described. 

Motivating Students While In COVID Times: Striving “Above and Beyond” For Students And Teachers Alike

Yvonne Clifford | Mon, 08/22/2022 - 13:52

The Trials and Tribulations of a Teacher During COVID Times! - Part 2: In this four part series of articles, Yvonne Clifford seeks to provide readers with some tips and concrete, workable ideas that have helped to fulfill her desire to provide a chemistry programme that is both interesting and rigourous.