Wednesday June 26th – Thursday June 27th, 2013: As part of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry’s outreach efforts through the REU Program, Casey and 5 JMU professors helped run a science…
July 10th, 2013: Casey, Natalie, and Dr. Caran hosted 29 middle and high school teachers throughout Virginia for an all day Chemistry Demonstration Workshop.
Electrodes made from pencil lead are attached to a 9V battery to electrolyze various solutions. Oxidation occurs and the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode. When a solution of tin (II) chloride is electrolyzed tin metal and chlorine gas are produced:
SnCl2 (aq) → Sn (s) + Cl2 (g)
When a solution of copper (II) chloride is electrolyzed copper metal and chlorine gas are produced:
CuCl2 aq) → Cu (s) + Cl2 (g)
A reaction between two white solids occurs when lead nitrate and potassium iodide are shaken forcefully producing a mixture of yellow and white solid products. The reaction occurs almost instantaneously when aqueous solutions of these compounds are mixed, precipitating yellow lead iodide.
Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI → PbI2 + 2KNO3
When magnesium ribbon is placed in hydrochloric acid, hydrogen gas is produced causing the mixture to bubble.
Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
If they hydrogen gas is collected, it can be ignited to demonstrate the potential safety concerns of an evolved gas.
H2 (g) + O2 (g) → H2O (g)
As two rusty cannon balls (one covered in aluminum foil) are smashed together, sparks and a cracking sound are produced.
Fe2O3 (s) + 2Al (s) → Al2O3 (s) + 2Fe (s)
http://www.vmi.edu/Content.aspx?id=10737419845
A program for K-12 teachers and high school students
When 50mL of water are added to 50mL of ethanol in a 100mL graduated cylinder, there are only ~97mL of liquid. Ethanol and water molecules are attracted to each other through hydrogen bonding. The two molecules pack closer together with each other than they do with just themselves.
Favorite Demo: Hydrogen Balloons!
Email: carankl@jmu.edu
Affiliation: JMU Chemistry & Biochemistry
Favorite Demo: Colored Flames
Email: rogersce@dukes.jmu.edu
Affiliation: Goochland High School