The Self-Carving Pumpkin: It's Not Just for Halloween!
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 05/02/2023 - 18:48
Learn the chemistry behind the reaction between calcium carbide and water...melon...?!
combustion
Some chemistry related to the Ohio Train Derailment
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 02/28/2023 - 12:49
Diffusion of HCl(g) from concentrated solutions of HCl can be used to illustrate some chemistry related to the train accident in Ohio.
Effect of Temperature on the Whoosh Bottle
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/05/2022 - 13:45
Why does the "Whoosh Bottle" experiment behave differently at different temperatures?
Generating explosive gases from sand
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 01/07/2022 - 12:16
Did you know that sand can be converted into a mixture of gases that spontaneously ignites in air? The procedures involved are relatively simple to perform, spectacular to observe, and relate to a rich assortment of chemical principles.
How much carbon dioxide is produced from a gallon of gasoline?
Thomas Cox | Fri, 04/02/2021 - 22:30
This classroom activity challenges students to figure out the volume of gaseous carbon dioxide emitted from the combustion of 1 gallon of gasoline fuel.
Chemistry Experiments with the Flame Tube
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 05/26/2020 - 12:37
The Ruben's Tube (also known as a Flame Tube) is a classic experiment used in physics classes. There's also a bit of chemistry to be learned while experimenting with a Ruben's Tube...
The exploding Pringles design challenge: Formative assessment with a bang!
Scott Balicki | Mon, 05/04/2020 - 20:13
The Exploding Pringles can design challenge is an open-ended formative assessment developed by the ACCT team, which tasks students with designing an explosion that produces the maximum boom within a Pringles container with a fixed volume.
The Inexplicable Beauty of Michael Faraday's Chemical History of a Candle Lectures
Scott Donnelly | Tue, 05/07/2019 - 16:08
Bill Hammack, Michael Faraday, and the timeless beauty of the science behind the combustion of a candle. "There is no more open door by which you can enter into the study of science than by considering the physical phenomena of a candle," Michael Faraday.
Element of the Month - Oxygen
Stephen Wright | Sat, 03/16/2019 - 23:00
In honor of the International Year of the Periodic Table: A familiarity with the chemistry of some of the elements more commonly encountered in everyday life is a valuable learning experience for all students. Oxygen is the second in this series of elements to be discussed as part of the Element of the Month program. #IYPT
Are Diamonds Forever? A Chemical Investigation
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 11/02/2018 - 14:04
You are likely aware that diamonds are converted - albeit slowly - to graphite under normal conditions. Thus, diamonds don't last forever, in contrast to the popular advertising slogan. However, did you know that you can use chemistry to prove that diamonds are not forever? It's simpler than you think...