Redox Reactions

Too Hot to Handle? Hydrogen Reacts with Oxygen on Palladium Foil

Dean Campbell | Thu, 04/28/2022 - 20:50

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The reaction of hydrogen and oxygen gases to form water is well known to be an exothermic reaction. That reaction can occur by first absorbing the hydrogen into palladium metal, and then placing the resulting palladium hydride into contact with oxygen in the air. Infrared and visible light videos were recorded for this process involving palladium foil, and the Green Chemistry and safety aspects of these activities are considered.

My Heart Beats for Chemistry

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 02/22/2022 - 18:21

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Tom Kuntzleman conducts a safer "mercury-like" beating heart experiment with an added splash of gratefulness.

Lithium Battery Flame

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 09/27/2021 - 16:42

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Inspired by a recent article in the Journal of Chemical Education, Tom Kuntzleman attempted to extract lithium from a coin battery, and to use the extracted lithium to produce a pink flame.

Solution to Chemical Mystery #18: Peek A Boo Blue!

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 08/18/2021 - 09:09

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Check out the solution to Chemical Mystery #18: Peek A Boo Blue!

Colorful Copper Chemistry around the Campfire

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/28/2020 - 13:09

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Learn how to form a blue-green copper compound on a penny, and then use that compound to make green flames. This is a great summer time activity for your next campfire!

Chemical Tests on Coins

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 09/16/2019 - 20:07

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Simple chemical tests are described that can indicate the presence of certain metals in coins. A wide variety of chemical concepts are involved. The experiments described are a natural fit for the 2019 National Chemistry Week theme of "Marvelous Metals!"

Formative Assessment via Redox Reactions

Stephanie O'Brien | Wed, 04/24/2019 - 15:51

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My district recently provided a professional development session focused on utilizing three dimensional formative assessments in the classroom. The ideas I learned in the session as well an an activity for students to engage in formative assessment are outlined.

Why Do Dead Batteries Bounce? Chemistry, of Course!

Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 04/05/2019 - 07:16

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Did you know there is a simple test you can do to see if an alkaline battery is fresh or dead? All you need to do is bounce the bottom of a battery onto a hard, flat surface. Guess what causes this difference in bouncing ability between fresh and dead batteries? Chemistry, of course!

Determination of Vitamin C in a Produce Protector - Iodometric Method

Andrea Amato | Thu, 05/31/2018 - 10:21

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This activity is designed to determine the concentration of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in a produce protector (in this case, Ball^®Fruit Fresh) by an iodometric titration method.

The case of aluminium metal in single replacement REDOX reactions

Andres Tretiakov | Sun, 01/21/2018 - 16:36

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I have tried many different methods to demonstrate or perform displacement reactions over the years with mixed results regarding one particular metal, aluminium. Based upon my experience, the behavior of aluminium in displacement reactions often confuses students.