Chemical Mystery #11: Too hot to boil?!
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 03/02/2018 - 11:04
What happens if you place metal that is glowing orange-hot into some water? Watch this video and find out!
Physical Chemistry
Review: Introduction to Computational Physical Chemistry by Joshua Schrier
Mike Jezercak | Fri, 08/11/2017 - 11:48
Joshua Schrier has taken on a traditionally difficult task, teaching computational chemistry. To do this successfully, the student has to have programming skills, a solid foundation in the theory and background in the methods employed from classical physics to quantum methods. Thus the task is daunting and why so few have taken it on.
Exploring the Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 05/09/2017 - 07:39
I think this experiment provides a fantastic vehicle to involve students of all ages in small, hands-on and exploratory research projects. Like many others, my students and I have investigated various aspects of this interesting fountain.
Chemical Investigations of McCormick's Color From Nature Food Colors. Part 1: Sky Blue
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 01/31/2017 - 09:15
The chemistry of the Sky Blue dye found in McCormick's Color From Nature food colors is explored. This is part one of a three-part series in which the chemistry of McCormick's Color From Nature food colors is presented.
Solution to Chemical Mystery #9: Liquid Nitrogen vs. Dry Ice
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 01/16/2017 - 09:21
The solution to Chemical Mystery #9: Liquid Nitrogen vs. Dry Ice is presented. Why does liquid nitrogen launch the bucket so much higher than dry ice and water?
Chemical Mystery #9: Liquid Nitrogen vs. Dry Ice
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 01/12/2017 - 07:20
A 2L soda pop bottle is filled about one-third full with either liquid nitrogen or solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) and water. The bottle is sealed and a plastic bucket is placed on top. Do you think the liquid nitrogen or dry ice and water will make the bucket go higher? Can you explain the results using chemistry?
Dry ice in five different liquids
Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 01/01/2017 - 14:22
You probably know what happens when you place dry ice in water. Do you know what happens when dry ice is placed in acetone or glycerin? Read this and find out!
How a Photon Is Created or Absorbed
Robert C. Rittenhouse
Walla Walla College, College Place, WA 99324
John C. Wright and Jon L. Holmes
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Clarifying Electron Configurations
Dave Doherty | Fri, 04/29/2016 - 13:23
We’ve all seen and use the so-called Aufbau Diagram. It is a mnemonic used to remember the order of “filling” of atomic orbitals during the construction of the ground state electron configurations of the elements. The presentation of this diagram is largely disconnected from any physical meaning. Here’s what we tell our students: “Memorize the diagram, learn to use it, and you’re guaranteed to get the right answer.”
Conversations, Confessions, Confusions (and hopefully some Clarity) on Electronic Configurations
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 04/29/2016 - 10:06
A complete understanding of why each element has a particular electronic configurations is a very complex subject. Even so, some confusion regarding the electronic configurations of the elements may be alleviated by looking at the physical properties of the electronic orbitals.