All Reactions and synthesis articles – Page 4
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SoundbiteA state secret leak is helping to solve the Skripal poisoning
The role of scientist whistle-blowers from Russia
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Reacting elements with oxygen
Many elements react with oxygen on heating. These reactions and the properties of their products illustrate the periodic nature of the elements.
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The reaction of magnesium with steam
Plunge a burning magnesium ribbon into the steam above boiling water and allow the hydrogen that is formed to burn – or collect it over water and test it with a lighted spill.
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The reaction between zinc powder and sulfur
A reaction between zinc and sulfur can be used to demonstrate that chemical changes are often accompanied by a large change in energy.
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Burning milk powder
Produce a spectacular fireball by sprinkling milk powder over a flame and witness how an increased surface area can also increase reaction rates.
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Hydrogen peroxide decomposition using different catalysts
Demonstrate the effectiveness of different catalysts for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by assessing the reaction rate of varying mixtures of hydrogen peroxide, washing up liquid and a selection of catalysts.
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Competition for oxygen
This experiment involves the reaction of a metal with the oxide of another metal. When reactions like these occur, the two metals compete for the oxygen. The more reactive metal finishes up with the oxygen (as a metal oxide). If the more reactive metal starts as the oxide then no ...
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Making nylon: the ‘nylon rope trick’
Perform this ‘trick’ with a solution of decanedioyl dichloride in cyclohexane floated on an aqueous solution of 1,6-diaminohexane. As nylon forms at the interface, it can be pulled out as fast as it is produced forming a long thread: the ‘nylon rope’.
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The methane rocket
A strong plastic bottle is filled with a 2:1 ratio of oxygen to methane and the mixture ignited with the bottle standing on a suitable ‘launch pad’. The mixture ignites with a loud bang and the bottle flies several metres.
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The effect of concentration on reaction rate
Sodium thiosulfate solution is reacted with acid – a sulfur precipitate forms. The time taken for a certain amount of sulfur to form can be used to indicate the rate of the reaction.
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Making silicon and silanes from sand
Heat magnesium and sand together to produce silicon by an exothermic reaction.
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Testing for negative ions
This activity is in two parts; first, students make observations while carrying out tests for various negative ions, then they use their observations to help identify the negative ions present in a number of solutions.
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Challenging Plants: Fertilisers - Practicals
Nutrients essential for plant growth are obtained naturally from soil or other growing media. However, supplies become depleted and fertilisers are needed to increase the availability of nutrients to plants. An understanding of chemical changes is used to making fertilisers, often designed to meet specific requirements such as particular nutrient ...
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Solids | Primary science video demonstrations
Display some exciting solid properties to primary learners: including biscuit bashing, dissolving and heavy sugar.
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Gases | Primary science video demonstrations
Showing the properties of gases to primary learners, with examples from: the leaky bottle and the sticky cups
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Changing materials | Primary science video demonstrations
Material changes are demonstrated using fun examples: bouncy custard, bath bombs, burning candles, fire extinguishers, lava lamps and many more.
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Chemistry and Sport - Shooting
Discover the chemistry and enthalpy of the exothermic reactions that power sport shooting events.
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Faces of Chemistry – Biosensors
Find out how scientists at the material science laboratory, QMUL, develop biosensors to enhance sport performance.
