The Density Bottle is Red, the Density Bottle is Blue...
Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 05/30/2025 - 10:10
You're going to love this new color variation on the Density Bottle experiment!
solutions
Exploring Color Separation in Salting-Out Experiments
Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 05/04/2024 - 07:44
Adding dyes to salting out experiments can create a variety of interesting color effects as the dyes differentially dissolve in the aqueous and organic layers. Can this differential solubility of dyes be explained using intermolecular forces as a guide?
Colour Changes with Caffeine
Iain Smellie | Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:46
This initial study outlines the effect on the colour of anthocyanin-containing solutions when mixed with caffeine. Given the diversity of anthocyanin structures available from other vegetables, fruits or flowers, there is great potential for series of open-ended experiments for students in classes or science clubs to investigate.
A Demo A Day III: Demonstrations and Props Used in My General Chemistry II Classes
Dean Campbell | Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:50
Dean Campbell tries to use at least one demo for every class to illustrate concepts described in his chemistry courses. In this post, he includes short descriptions of the demonstrations and props he has used while teaching his collegiate General Chemistry II courses.
The Salting-Out Effect: A Colorful Demonstration That Leads to Student - Teacher Activities
Jim Webb | Wed, 04/26/2023 - 20:53
Have you seen the "salting-out effect"? This interesting demonstration shows a separation of two layers in a solution of water and an organic solvent by adding an ionic salt. Although this concept has important applications in organic chemistry and biochemistry, it can also be visually stunning and engaging for audiences. Read on to learn how to incorporate this demonstration into your chemistry lessons.
Solutions Interactive Notebook
Nora Walsh | Tue, 04/18/2023 - 15:54
Nora Walsh outlines the interactive notebook pages she uses for her unit on Solutions. All of the documents and foldables are available for download.
Colourful Chemistry of Canning – Part 3
Iain Smellie | Thu, 04/13/2023 - 13:38
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.
Colourful Chemistry of Canning – Part 2
Iain Smellie | Tue, 10/18/2022 - 17:06
Part 2 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.
A Visit to Natural Fiber Welding: Demonstrating Green Chemistry in Action
Dean Campbell | Mon, 10/10/2022 - 09:00
The theme to the 2022 National Chemistry Week, observed October 16-22, is “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics”. A visit to Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. in Peoria, IL, revealed how that company is using ionic liquids to solvent weld cellulose fibers together to produce more durable yarn which can then be made into more durable fabric. The production method and “greenness” of the product is discussed, from the cellulose itself to the recycling of the solution used in the welding process. Macroscopic demonstrations of the fiber solvent welding process are also described.
Solutions with Kristen Vanderveen
Deanna Cullen | Wed, 02/16/2022 - 18:00
Solutions are all around us in life and chemistry class! On February 10th, 2022, Kristen Vanderveen discussed solubility curves, molarity calculations, using particulate level modeling and simulations, making real world connections and so much more in this ChemBasics Talk. View a recording of her presentation and access materials she has suggested here.