Chemical Forums
Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: shadow1990 on May 12, 2007, 12:52:46 AM
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I'm looking for a demonstration that shows the properties of acids and bases; one that will amaze highschool chemistry students. Anything that's fun to look at. I have almost unlimited resources, (everything that can be found in a well-equipped highschool lab) so there's a lot to choose from.
I would have chosen a demonstration of what happens to a smal bit of Na or K when put in water... but my class has already seen that.
(if this should be put in the highschool forum, just tell me... I wasn't too sure where to put it)
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A fun one that is easy for you is to put universal indicator solution in a large (like 1-2L) graduated cylinder and drop a piece of dry ice in it. As the carbonic acid slowly forms from the CO2, you'll watch the color of the indicator change through the whole range.
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This isn't necessarily acid/base, but I like it a lot and it involves an acid. Place a few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid into sugar. There is a highly exothermic dehydration reaction that occurs. Caution though concentrated sulfuric acid is dangerous and painful. I'd do this in a well ventilated area.
The "Chemical demonstrations" topic in the chemical education board may be useful to you.
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=16244.0
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The dehydration of sugar with sulfuric acid smells mighty bad--so take constant thinker's advice and do it in a fume hood or outdoors.