Chemistry and the Titanic
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 01/04/2023 - 09:56
Some metals and metal alloys undergo a transition to brittleness at cold temperature. This phenomenon likely contributed to the demise of the Titanic.
Elements
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.
Lithium Battery Flame
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 09/27/2021 - 16:42
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.
Simple formation of metal mirrors
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 05/10/2021 - 09:57
Beautiful, metallic mirrors of copper or silver can easily be formed in test tubes. Simply add the appropriate metal salt to a test tube, and heat! These reactions should be performed in a fume hood.
A Simple Method to Determine the Number of Lone Pairs on a Hypervalent Central Atom
Joseph Lomax | Wed, 02/10/2021 - 16:21
Teaching about hypervalent structures is problematic. This post discusses a simple and quick way in determining the number of lone pairs on a hypervalent central p-block atom.
Colorful Copper Chemistry around the Campfire
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/28/2020 - 13:09
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!
Element of the Month - Iron
Stephen Wright | Sat, 12/14/2019 - 11:56
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. Iron is the last element in this series of elements to be discussed as part of the Element of the Month program. #IYPT
Element of the Month - Phosphorus
Stephen Wright | Fri, 12/13/2019 - 13:10
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. Phosphorus is the eighth in this series of elements to be discussed as part of the Element of the Month program. #IYPT
Element of the Month- Chlorine
Stephen Wright | Sun, 12/01/2019 - 13:38
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. Chlorine is the seventh in this series of elements to be discussed as part of the Element of the Month program. #IYPT
Element of the Month - Copper
Stephen Wright | Mon, 09/30/2019 - 18:31
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. Copper is the sixth in this series of elements to be discussed as part of the Element of the Month program. #IYPT