The Chemistry of Lightning
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 09/20/2022 - 09:42
Learn a bit about the chemical reactions that occur during a lightning strike, and how you can demonstrate these reactions in your classroom.
Physics
Flash Rocks from Green Chemistry and LEGO Brick Perspectives
Dean Campbell | Fri, 07/15/2022 - 23:56
Flash rocks, typically pieces of quartz that produce light when struck together, are an example of the complex phenomenon of triboluminescence. The green chemistry aspects for the flash rock demonstration are considered, and LEGO models illustrating quartz crystals, piezoelectric materials, and nonpiezoelectric materials are presented.
Chemical Mystery #20: Magic Kool-Aid
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 07/11/2022 - 10:05
You can solve Chemical Mystery #20 if you know your chemistry...and your magic!
Seawater Chemistry and Global Trade- Part 2
Scott Donnelly | Mon, 06/06/2022 - 20:07
This is the second blog post describing a classroom activity relating seawater chemistry to oceanic shipping. Included are questions that challenge students to apply conclusions drawn from observations to making predictions.
Exploring The “Two-Faced” Thionin Reaction
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 04/19/2022 - 11:44
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.
Quantum Levitation and Superconductors
Tom Kuntzleman | Thu, 06/03/2021 - 13:21
Some explorations and explanations regarding superconductors and the quantum levitation (also known as quantum locking) experiment.
Skype with a Scientist Live
Stephanie O'Brien | Thu, 04/08/2021 - 09:31
This year so many in-person events at school have not been able to happen due to COVID restrictions. One activity that the author's science honor society students have enjoyed greatly is the Skype with a Scientist Live sessions. Students register in advance and then have the opportunity to be face to face with a scientist.
Polypropylene and the Cold Snap
Dean Campbell | Sat, 02/20/2021 - 10:43
Cold weather brings about the opportunity to demonstrate glass transition temperatures of polypropylene containers.
What Is the Pressure Inside a Bottle of Soda?
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 12/08/2020 - 13:01
What is the pressure inside a bottle of soda pop? Read this short article to find the surprising answer to this question, and also to learn how to do an experiment to answer this question for yourself!
Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Mask-wearing with Liquid Nitrogen
Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 06/28/2020 - 09:06
Liquid nitrogen is used to visualize the aerosol particles emitted while speaking, coughing, breathing, and sneezing. The ability of various masks to block these droplets was also tested.