The “Burning Steel Wool” demonstration is an engaging means to illustrate that increasing the amount of available oxygen increases the rate of combustion. A 9-volt battery is used to ignite a small piece of steel wool, first in air, and then in an oxygen-enriched environment.
The Chemical sunset demonstrates the Tyndall effect in a fun and engaging way. We have used this demonstration for both instructional and outreach purposes. Colloidal sulfur is produced by the reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid.
Elaine “Lainey” Williams learned the procedure for the thermoplastic shaping activity, tried out various combinations of the dyes, instructed her classmates and shared this activity with 4th to 6th grade girls who recently participated in the FEMMES (Females Engaged in More Math, Engineering, and Science) Capstone event. The following are Lainey’s thoughts about learning the procedure, the underlying chemical concepts and sharing the thermoplastic activity with others.
Propane Bubbles continues to be one of our most popular demonstrations among audiences and presenters alike. Propane-filled soap bubbles are generated, released into the air, and then ignited.
The “Whoosh Bottle” demonstration has proven to be very popular with audiences of all ages. A small amount of alcohol is placed in a plastic bottle, which is then capped and shaken to allow the alcohol to evaporate and mix with the air.
Oobleck, a mixture of cornstarch and water, derives its name from the story “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” by Dr. Seuss (Random House), in which the king, tired of the rain, snow, and sleet falling from the sky, wishes for something different. Soon his wish is granted; green, sticky, gooey oobleck falls making a mess of his kingdom, leading the king to regret his wish. Bartholomew saves the day by getting the king to say the magic words, “I’m sorry.”
In Canada, one challenge is to excite indigenous peoples about science, and chemistry in particular. For many years, with a series of student colleagues, we have been taking a Chemistry Show to schools in remote communities in western and central Newfoundland, coastal Québec, Labrador and even Nunavut (see References).
The determination of the limiting and excess reagents in a chemical reaction tends to be a challenge for many chemistry students. Teachers have used the making of cookies and hamburgers, or combinations of nuts and bolts, among other common items to help students understand these concepts. While students understand that if you have 10 hamburger patties and only 6 pickles one can only make 3 hamburgers, if each requires 2 pickles.
Demonstrating the magnetic ink used in printing US currency has proven to engage audiences of all ages because of its relevance to everyday life. Nearly everyone has used machines that distribute and/or accept currency but few understand how the machines distinguish between the various denominations. The key is in the face of each denomination.
Penney Sconzo presented this nifty demonstration at the ChemEd 2015 Generations Symposium in Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw GA. This is an easy, colorful and safe microscale version of the Ammonia Fountain.