All Applications of chemistry articles – Page 11
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ExperimentThe ‘breathalyser’ reaction
Try this demonstration to recreate an early ‘breathalyser’ test, passing ethanol vapour through potassium dichromate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Dyeing three colours from the same dye bath
Show how dyeing involves chemical interactions between dyes and the molecular nature of different fibres in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Making glass
Try this class practical to make samples of glass using lead oxide, zinc oxide and boric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Making solder as an alloy of tin and lead
Try this practical to make solder by heating together the metals tin and lead before investigating the alloy’s properties. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Resource
What use is chemistry?
The Inspirational chemistry chapter ‘What use is chemistry?’ This chapter suggests exercises for students to carry out to appreciate the importance of chemistry and how it affects our everyday lives.
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Resource
Nanotechnology
The Inspirational chemistry chapter ‘Nanotechnology’. This chapter suggests games, activities, practicals and demonstrations for teaching various topics, including ways that nanotechnology can improve our everyday lives.
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Resource
The plastic that came out of thin air
The story of Roy Plunkett and the discovery of Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethene) can be used to show that many things in science were discovered accidentally.
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Resource
Norbert Rillieux and the sugar industry
This material is divided into two distinct pieces of work: Sparkling white crystals of sugar and Extracting sugar from sugar beet.
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Resource
Collecting climatic data from ice and sediment cores
Information sheet describing the collection of climatic data from ice and sediment cores
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Experiment
Neutralising an acidic solution
Use this simple practical to illustrate the pH and temperature changes as an acidic solution is neutralised. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Comparing light- and heavy-duty detergents
Try this set of experiments to compare the effects of light- and heavy-duty detergents with different pH values. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Making rayon
Use this demonstration to produce rayon fibres in the classroom using cotton wool or filter paper. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Phenol-methanal polymerisiation
Make Bakelite in class and investigate its properties using phenol, methanal and ethanoic acid in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Resource
Other infographics
A collection of visually stimulating and informative infographics that cover a wide variety of topics. These infographics would make a valuable addition to any science classroom. Topics include: the science of sunscreen; what the chemical composition of smartphones and British coins are; and potential indicators of ‘bad science’ in ...
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Resource
Everyday compounds infographics
A collection of visually stimulating and informative infographics about everyday compounds, which would make a valuable addition to any science classroom.
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Resource
Cosmetic chemistry infographic
A visually stimulating and informative infographic about the chemistry of red lipstick, which would make a valuable addition to any science classroom.
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Resource
Conservation chemistry book
This book shows how chemical techniques are used in conserving objects made from a wide variety of materials and seeks to introduce some of the ethical considerations of conservation to students. All of the chapters are freely available on Learn Chemistry. Follow the links below to buy a copy from ...
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Experiment
Detergents, soaps and surface tension
A series of brief experiments on the effects of detergents and soaps on the surface tension of purified and hard water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Experiment
Making soaps and detergents using castor oil
Try this class practical to make a soap or detergent using castor oil and either sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
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Resource
Only dust - is there a sign of life?
Determine whether the sample of dust originates from a living source or a non-living source and design a test for the dust sample that exploits a physical property of organic molecules from living sources, using only the equipment provided.
