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Demonstrating the Glass Transition of Polylactic Acid with a Rattle

Dean Campbell | Wed, 03/27/2024 - 20:42

Polylactic acid (PLA) exhibits a glass transition from hard and brittle to soft and rubbery when immersed in boiling water. PLA-based structures containing a small metal object can be used as rattles when they are shaken. The sound of the rattles change when they are heated above or cooled below their glass transition, enabling them to be used as demonstrations.

Thermal Paper as a Polarity and Acidity Detector

Dean Campbell | Thu, 10/28/2021 - 14:09

Thermal paper such as that used for point of sale receipts typically functions by darkening when exposed to heat. The pigment system used in this paper also darkens when exposed to solvents of intermediate polarity and acids. This enables thermal paper to be used as an inexpensive sort of indicator paper for a variety of demonstrations.

Microplastics, Liquid Nitrogen, and Iodine: Polystyrene vs. Starch Foam Packing Peanuts

Dean Campbell | Wed, 07/28/2021 - 13:03

The differing electrostatic and solubility properties of starch and polystyrene foam packing peanuts are used in various demonstrations to describe aspects of microplastics and their interactions with the environment. Their differing responses to exposure to liquid nitrogen and iodine solutions are also described.

JCE 97.04 April 2020 Issue Highlights

Mary Saecker | Thu, 04/16/2020 - 08:45

Responsible Chemistry Citizenship - The April 2020 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: environmental chemistry; green chemistry; revisiting classic demonstrations & activities; teaching stoichiometry; foundations of teaching and learning; organic chemistry; inorganic chemistry; understanding chromatography; analytical methods; aids for spatial learning; computer-based learning; low-cost teaching tools; from the archives: resources for teaching online and articles for celebrating Earth Week 2020.

Flinn Scientific and Beyond Benign Launch Partnership to Deliver Green Chemistry Learning Solutions to Science Educators

Kate Anderson | Fri, 02/10/2017 - 13:21

Beyond Benign, a national nonprofit, established in 2007 to equip educators, scientists, and citizens with the tools to teach and practice green chemistry to achieve a sustainable society, just announced a strategic partnership with Flinn Scientific.