Practical resources

Resources and inspiration for practical work and demonstrations. Practical chemistry activities are accompanied by our standard health and safety guidance.

Class practicals

Explore over 400 exciting practical experiments for your classroom

Diffusion in liquids
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Demonstrate the diffusion that takes place in liquids using colourless crystals of lead nitrate and potassium iodide at opposite sides of a petri dish of deionised water.
The microscale synthesis of azo dyes
Create fabric dye by synthesising an azo dye and using it to change the colour of a piece of cotton
Using a microscale conductivity meter
Let your students test which solids and solutions/liquids conduct electricity with a microscale conductivity meter
Experiments with particles
Predict what will happen to the volume of materials when they are added together… then observe
A test to distinguish between ethanol and methanol
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Reveal how methanol and ethanol behave differently when treated with iodine and sodium hydroxide solutions.
Chromatography of leaves
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Separate the different pigments present in a leaf using paper chromatography.

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Universal indicator ‘rainbow’

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Create a ‘rainbow’ effect in a glass tube using universal indicator solution, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

Reaction between aluminium and iodine

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Treat your students to a spectacular demonstration as aluminium and iodine are catalysed by water.

The combustion of iron wool

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Demonstrate a clear increase in mass as iron wool is heated in air on a simple ‘see-saw’ balance.

The equilibrium between two coloured cobalt species

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Watch as the equilibrium between cobalt species Co(H₂O)₆²⁺ and CoCl₄^2- is disturbed – with an accompanying colour change predicted by Le Chatelier’s principle.

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Simulations

Support practical chemistry with new ways to explore experimental work. Use these simulations for pre-lab learning and post-lab inquiry.

Get students aged 16–18 running their own organic synthesis on a computer or tablet before taking part in the real thing. This resource also features an in-depth practical guide and a set of worksheets covering the theory.

Titration screen experiment

Give students the opportunity to conduct their own titration experiment on a computer or tablet. This resource also includes a redox titration experiment.