The Diamonds of Winter
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 01/09/2025 - 09:44
Take a walk and explore the chemical winter wonderland of snowflakes...and diamonds!
solid state chemistry
Fluorescence Rocks! Exploring Glowing Sodalite
Dean Campbell | Wed, 08/21/2024 - 12:41
Syenite rocks containing sodalite that fluoresce yellow have been found on Lake Superior beaches in recent years and are of interest to collectors. The fluorescence of this mineral, which can be found in other localities, can be shown in classrooms and studied spectroscopically. Its structure can also be modeled with LEGO bricks, enabling further classroom connections.
Unit Cells and Layer Sequences using Dimpled Packaging
Dean Campbell | Sun, 10/01/2023 - 09:07
Regularly dimpled trays such as those used in food packaging can be used to represent layers of atoms in solid structures. For example, the square array of dimples in transparent plastic mini quiche trays can be used to depict layers within cubic or tetragonal unit cells. Multiple solid structures and ways to represent those structures are described.
Why Do Dead Batteries Bounce? Chemistry, of Course!
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 04/05/2019 - 07:16
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!
Charred Marshmallow Souffle
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 09/27/2018 - 13:51
A new event called "The Mole"was unveiled at BCCE 2018. I told the story of how one of my students discovered how to make marshmallows spark in the microwave oven.
Thermochromism: Mercury(II) Iodide - Temperature Increases
Mercury(II) iodide is heated to convert it from its red low-temperature alpha form to its yellow high-temperature beta form.
Thermochromism: Mercury(II) Iodide - Temperature Decreases
When the beta form of mercury(II) iodide cools to below the transition temperature of 126°C, it returns to the red/orange alpha form.
Memory Metal - Demonstration
When memory metal is bent, it deforms. When placed into hot water, the metal "remembers" its original shape.
Memory Metal - Animation
An animation shows how memory metal can be deformed then go back to its original shape.
Hardness of Solid Substances - Peeling Layers of Molybdenum Disulfide - Animation
An animation illustrates how peeling occurs between layers where bonding is weak in molybdenum disulfide.