Chemistry for non-specialists

Creating an effervescent universal indicator ‘rainbow’

By Grant Birchby and Alan Matear

This quick practical uses existing chemicals in your learning space, for students to observe the effervescent reaction that causes universal indicator to create a ‘rainbow’ of colour. Kit list and safety instructions included.

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.

The reaction between zinc powder and sulfur

A spectacular practical demonstration to show the differences between elements, mixtures and compounds

Making a reaction tube

Guide students through this practical to create a reaction tube. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Competition for oxygen | reacting metals with oxides

Explore the reactions of metals when exposed to the oxide of another metal. When reactions like these occur, the two metals compete for the oxygen. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Electrolysis of potassium iodide solution

Find out how the electrolysis of a potassium iodide solution works with this practical. Includes kit list, and safety instructions. 

An alternative to using compressed gas cylinders

By Mike Thompson

Getting gas under pressure allows exciting demonstrations such as igniting balloons filled with hydrogen gas. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Flame tests (the wooden splint method)

Find a new method to perform flame tests using wooden splints soaked in chlorides. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Making nylon: the ‘nylon rope trick’

The ‘nylon rope trick’ is a classic of chemistry classrooms, by mixing decanedioyl dichloride and in cyclohexane you can create a solution that will form nylon strings when floated on an aqueous solution of 1,6-diaminohexane. Kit list and safety instructions included.

Neutralisation circles

By Ted Lister

Support students to explore neutralisation circles in this experiment that can be performed with common chemistry classroom equipment. Kit list and safety instructions included. 

The methane rocket

Ignite methane with oxygen in a bottle, and amaze students with this methane rocket. Contains kit list and safety instructions.

The effect of concentration on reaction rate

Students react 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. Contains kit list and safety instructions.

Extracting limonene from oranges

By Andrew Thompson

Limonene is found in oranges, and now your classroom. Create a distillation apparatus and support students to make their own plant oils. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Diffusion of gases – a safer alternative to bromine

Diffusing gases can be a tricky thing to do, but by creating an alternative to bromine, you can make a safer classroom alternative for this process. Kit list and safety instructions included. 

Reduction of copper(II) oxide by hydrogen

Determine the formula of copper(II) oxide by reducing it using hydrogen or methane, in one of three methods available to you in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions. 

Making silicon and silanes from sand

Create silicon in your classroom using just sand and magnesium. This exothermic practical will show learners the nuances of heat based reactions and how to perform them safely. Kit list and safety instructions included. 

Testing for negative ions

Guide students into testing for negative ions with this practical. Students note their own observations and use their knowledge to discover more. Includes kit list and safety instructions.