oxidation reduction

Burning paper towels soaked in various metal nitrates

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 10/16/2023 - 13:04

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Igniting paper towels that have been soaked in concentrated potassium nitrate and allowed to dry yields a flame reminiscent of that produced by guncotton. Repeating this experiment with other metal nitrates produces flames with different colors, plus a few other chemical surprises! This series of experiments is fascinating and connects to a wide variety of chemical topics including combustion, redox reactions, chemical thermodynamics, and flame tests. You don't want to miss this one!

Colourful Chemistry of Canning – Part 5

Iain Smellie | Wed, 09/06/2023 - 08:56

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Part 5 of Colourful Chemistry of Canning explores the ability of tinplated food cans to reduce aromatic azo compounds to amines.

Colourful Chemistry of Canning – Part 4

Iain Smellie | Fri, 08/18/2023 - 09:45

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Part 4 of Colourful Chemistry of Canning explores how to make gold in an old tin can!

Colourful Chemistry of Canning – Part 3

Iain Smellie | Thu, 04/13/2023 - 13:38

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Part 3 includes further anthocyanin experiments to make a connection between the food we eat and the chemical principles that are employed to ensure that canned foodstuffs can be preserved properly. These recent studies have focused on the reaction of tinplate cans with iodine.

A Demo A Day II: Demonstrations and Props Used in My Environmental Chemistry Class

Dean Campbell | Sat, 12/03/2022 - 21:08

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Short descriptions of demonstrations and props that Dean Campbell has used while teaching his collegiate Environmental Chemistry course. Many of these examples are also suitable for use in high school and collegiate General Chemistry courses.

The Pumpkinator

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 10/17/2022 - 17:09

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This Pumpkinator is a fantastic orange-to-blue-to-orange chemical reaction that will make a great addition to your Halloween-themed chemistry demonstrations.

Resources for Teaching Art, Archaeology, and Chemistry

Melanie Harvey | Tue, 09/06/2022 - 21:01

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A variety of resources are available for chemistry faculty interested in incorporating lessons and activities around art and archeology. Find out what they are in this follow up post from the inaugural ChemEd X virtual Journal Club held April 2022.

Exploring The “Two-Faced” Thionin Reaction

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 04/19/2022 - 11:44

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The "Two-Faced" thionin reaction involves causing a purple solution to fade to colorless by shining light on the solution. I wondered if it could be demonstrated the color of light that caused this transition.

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.

Generating explosive gases from sand

Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 01/07/2022 - 12:16

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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.