The Basics
| Site URL: | http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/demos/index.html |
| Who: | Charles E. Ophardt |
| What: | This site has a list of chemistry demonstrations, organized by household materials, and lab chemicals. Each one has directions and an explanation. Doesn’t appear to be updated since 2003. |
| Why: | This virtual textbook was used by Dr. Ophardt to teach his classes. |
| Cost: | Free |
| Log-In Needed: | No |
Demonstrations are organized first into two categories: using household materials and laboratory chemicals. Within those categories, demos are organized by topic. Each demo has a list of needed materials, directions and an explanation in addition to other information.
This online textbook is organized by topic with succinct overviews of concepts. The general chemistry section isn’t comprehensive to what is covered in a first year chemistry course, but what is there could be a resource for short student readings. The organic & biochemistry section could be used to incorporate biology in a chemistry class. There is also a section with environmental issues. The descriptions are written on a high school reading level and have informative graphics.