Nuffield Foundation
These experiments are from the Practical Chemistry project, developed by the Nuffield Foundation and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
ExperimentElectrolysis of brine
Use this colourful practical to introduce students to the electrolysis of brine, or sodium chloride solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentThe equilibrium between two coloured cobalt species
In this demonstration the equilibrium between two different coloured cobalt species is disturbed. Le Chatelier’s principle is used to predict a colour change.
ExperimentTurning copper coins into ‘silver’ and ‘gold’
Perform what looks like alchemy with ordinary copper coins in this teacher demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentExtracting iron from breakfast cereal
Try this class practical or demonstration to extract food-grade iron from breakfast cereals using neodymium magnets. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentEnergy content in foods
Try this class experiment to investigate how much energy different foods contain. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentDetecting starch in food on a microscale
Test different foodstuffs for the presence of starch using iodine in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentUsing indigestion tablets to neutralise an acid
Investigate and measure the neutralising effect of indigestion tablets on hydrochloric acid in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentAcid or alkali? Acidic or alkaline? A litmus paper test
Test a variety of substances to see if they are acidic or alkaline, using litmus paper as the indicator. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentSeparating sand and salt by filtering and evaporation
Try this class experiment to practise manipulating mixtures of soluble and insoluble materials by separating sand and salt. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentBurning money: what makes combustion happen?
Surprise your students by soaking a piece of paper (or an old £5 note) in ethanol and water and igniting it. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentExploding bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen
Create a small explosion in this demonstration by electrolysing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen bubbles. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
ExperimentChemiluminescence of luminol: a cold light experiment
Show how the energy of a chemical reaction can be given out as light. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentCracking hydrocarbons in liquid paraffin with a catalyst
Model the industrial process of cracking larger hydrocarbons to produce smaller alkanes in this demonstration or class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentIron and sulfur reaction
This demonstration or class experiment shows the exothermic reaction of iron and sulphur. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentTurning ‘red wine’ into ‘water’
Use acidified potassium permanganate – or ‘red wine’ – to make ‘water’, ‘milk’ and ‘lemonade’ in this engaging demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentHeating group 1 metals in air and in chlorine
Use this demonstration to illustrate the reactions of lithium, sodium and potassium in air and in chlorine. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
ExperimentAmmonia fountain demonstration
Try this experiment to make a miniature chemical fountain using only soluble ammonia and atmospheric pressure. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentDetermining relative molecular mass by weighing gases
Use this demonstration to determine the relative molecular masses of different gases using the ideal gas equation. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
ExperimentElectrolysis of molten zinc chloride
Try this demonstration to show how an ionic salt will conduct electricity when molten but not when solid. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
ExperimentThe silver mirror test with Tollens’ reagent
Try this practical to explore the mirror-making reaction between silver nitrate (Tollens’ reagent) and glucose. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.