practical experiments in chemistry

68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions

Whether you’re a student eager to explore the wonders of chemical reactions or a teacher seeking to inspire and engage your students, we’ve compiled a curated list of the top 68 chemistry experiments so you can learn about chemical reactions.

While the theories and laws governing chemistry can sometimes feel abstract, experiments bridge the gap between these concepts and their tangible manifestations. These experiments provide hands-on experiences illuminating the intricacies of chemical reactions, molecular structures, and elemental properties.

1. Covalent Bonds

By engaging in activities that demonstrate the formation and properties of covalent bonds, students can grasp the significance of these bonds in holding atoms together and shaping the world around us.

Learn more: Covalent Bonds

2. Sulfuric Acid and Sugar Demonstration

Through this experiment, students can develop a deeper understanding of chemical properties, appreciate the power of chemical reactions, and ignite their passion for scientific exploration.

3. Make Hot Ice at Home

Making hot ice at home is a fascinating chemistry experiment that allows students to witness the captivating transformation of a liquid into a solid with a surprising twist.

4. Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball

This hands-on activity not only allows students to explore the fascinating properties of polymers but also encourages experimentation and creativity.

Learn more: Thought Co

5. Diffusion Watercolor Art

This experiment offers a wonderful opportunity for students to explore the properties of pigments, observe how they interact with water, and discover the mesmerizing patterns and textures that emerge.

Learn more: Diffusion Watercolor Art

6. Exploding Baggie

The exploding baggie experiment is a captivating and dynamic demonstration that students should engage in with caution and under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

Learn more: Exploding Baggie

7. Color Changing Chemistry Clock

This experiment not only engages students in the world of chemical kinetics but also introduces them to the concept of a chemical clock, where the color change acts as a timekeeping mechanism.

Learn more: Color Changing Chemistry Clock

8. Pipe Cleaner Crystal Trees

By adjusting the concentration of the Borax solution or experimenting with different pipe cleaner arrangements, students can customize their crystal trees and observe how it affects the growth patterns.

Learn more: Pipe Cleaner Crystal Trees

9. How To Make Ice Sculptures

Through this experiment, students gain a deeper understanding of the physical and chemical changes that occur when water freezes and melts.

Learn more: Ice Sculpture

10. How to Make Paper

Through this hands-on activity, students gain a deeper understanding of the properties of cellulose fibers and the transformative power of chemical reactions.

Learn more: How to Make Paper

11. Color Changing Chemistry

Color changing chemistry is an enchanting experiment that offers a captivating blend of science and art. Students should embark on this colorful journey to witness the mesmerizing transformations of chemicals and explore the principles of chemical reactions.

12. Gassy Banana

The gassy banana experiment is a fun and interactive way for students to explore the principles of chemical reactions and gas production.

Learn more: Gassy Banana

13. Gingerbread Man Chemistry Experiment

This hands-on activity not only introduces students to the concepts of chemical leavening and heat-induced reactions but also allows for creativity in decorating and personalizing their gingerbread creations.

Learn more: Gingerbread Man Chemistry Experiment

14. Make Amortentia Potion

While the love potion is fictional, this activity offers a chance to explore the art of potion-making and the chemistry behind it.

Learn more: How to Make Amortentia Potion

15. Strawberry DNA Extraction

This hands-on experiment offers a unique opportunity to observe DNA, the building blocks of life, up close and learn about its structure and properties.

16. Melting Snowman

The melting snowman experiment is a fun and whimsical activity that allows students to explore the principles of heat transfer and phase changes.

Learn more: Melting Snowman

17. Acid Base Cabbage Juice

The acid-base cabbage juice experiment is an engaging and colorful activity that allows students to explore the pH scale and the properties of acids and bases.

By extracting the purple pigment from red cabbage leaves and creating cabbage juice, students can use this natural indicator to identify and differentiate between acidic and basic substances.

Learn more: Acid Base Cabbage Juice

18. Magic Milk

The magic milk experiment is a mesmerizing and educational activity that allows students to explore the concepts of surface tension and chemical reactions.

By adding drops of different food colors to a dish of milk and then introducing a small amount of dish soap, students can witness a captivating display of swirling colors and patterns.

Learn more: Magic Milk

19. Melting Ice with Salt and Water

Through this hands-on activity, students can gain a deeper understanding of the science behind de-icing and how different substances can influence the physical properties of water.

Learn more: Melting Ice with Salt and Water

20. Barking Dog Chemistry Demonstration

The barking dog chemistry demonstration is an exciting and visually captivating experiment that showcases the principles of combustion and gas production.

21. How to Make Egg Geodes

Making egg geodes is a fascinating and creative chemistry experiment that students should try. By using common materials like eggshells, salt, and food coloring, students can create their own beautiful geode-like crystals.

Learn more: How to Make Egg Geodes

22. Make Sherbet

This experiment not only engages the taste buds but also introduces concepts of acidity, solubility, and the chemical reactions that occur when the sherbet comes into contact with moisture.

Learn more: Make Sherbet

23. Hatch a Baking Soda Dinosaur Egg

As the baking soda dries and hardens around the toy, it forms a “shell” resembling a dinosaur egg. To hatch the egg, students can pour vinegar onto the shell, causing a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas.

Learn more: Steam Powered Family

24. Chromatography Flowers

By analyzing the resulting patterns, students can gain insights into the different pigments present in flowers and the science behind their colors.

Learn more: Chromatography Flowers

25. Turn Juice Into Solid

Turning juice into a solid through gelification is an engaging and educational chemistry experiment that students should try. By exploring the transformation of a liquid into a solid, students can gain insights of chemical reactions and molecular interactions.

Learn more: Turn Juice into Solid

26. Bouncy Balls

Making bouncy balls allows students to explore the fascinating properties of polymers, such as their ability to stretch and rebound.

 27. Make a Lemon Battery

Creating a lemon battery is a captivating and hands-on experiment that allows students to explore the fundamentals of electricity and chemical reactions.

28. Mentos and Soda Project

The Mentos and soda project is a thrilling and explosive experiment that students should try. By dropping Mentos candies into a bottle of carbonated soda, an exciting eruption occurs.

29. Alkali Metal in Water

The reaction of alkali metals with water is a fascinating and visually captivating chemistry demonstration.

30. Rainbow Flame

The rainbow flame experiment is a captivating and visually stunning chemistry demonstration that students should explore.

31. Sugar Yeast Experiment

This experiment not only introduces students to the concept of fermentation but also allows them to witness the effects of a living organism, yeast, on the sugar substrate.

32. The Thermite Reaction

The thermite reaction is a highly energetic and visually striking chemical reaction that students can explore with caution and under proper supervision.

This experiment showcases the principles of exothermic reactions, oxidation-reduction, and the high temperatures that can be achieved through chemical reactions.

33. Polishing Pennies

Polishing pennies is a simple and enjoyable chemistry experiment that allows students to explore the concepts of oxidation and cleaning methods.

34. Elephant Toothpaste

The elephant toothpaste experiment is a thrilling and visually captivating chemistry demonstration that students should try with caution and under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor.

35. Magic Potion

Creating a magic potion is an exciting and imaginative activity that allows students to explore their creativity while learning about the principles of chemistry.

36. Color Changing Acid-Base Experiment

Through the color changing acid-base experiment, students can gain a deeper understanding of chemical reactions and the role of pH in our daily lives.

Learn more: Color Changing Acid-Base Experiment

37. Fill up a Balloon

Filling up a balloon is a simple and enjoyable physics experiment that demonstrates the properties of air pressure. By blowing air into a balloon, you can observe how the balloon expands and becomes inflated.

38. Jello and Vinegar

The combination of Jello and vinegar is a fascinating and tasty chemistry experiment that demonstrates the effects of acid on a gelatin-based substance.

Learn more: Jello and Vinegar

39. Vinegar and Steel Wool Reaction

This experiment not only provides a visual demonstration of the oxidation process but also introduces students to the concept of corrosion and the role of acids in accelerating the process.

Learn more: Vinegar and Steel Wool Reaction

40. Dancing Rice

The dancing rice experiment is a captivating and educational demonstration that showcases the principles of density and buoyancy.

By pouring a small amount of uncooked rice into a clear container filled with water, students can witness the rice grains moving and “dancing” in the water.

Learn more: Dancing Rice

41. Soil Testing Garden Science

Soil testing is a valuable and informative experiment that allows students to assess the composition and properties of soil.

By collecting soil samples from different locations and analyzing them, students can gain insights into the nutrient content, pH level, and texture of the soil.

Learn more: Soil Testing Garden Science

42. Heat Sensitive Color Changing Slime

Creating heat-sensitive color-changing slime is a captivating and playful chemistry experiment that students should try.

Learn more: Left Brain Craft Brain

43. Experimenting with Viscosity

Experimenting with viscosity is an engaging and hands-on activity that allows students to explore the flow properties of liquids.

Viscosity refers to a liquid’s resistance to flow, and this experiment enables students to investigate how different factors affect viscosity.

Learn more: Experimenting with Viscosity

44. Rock Candy Science

Rock candy science is a delightful and educational chemistry experiment that students should try. By growing their own rock candy crystals, students can learn about crystal formation and explore the principles of solubility and saturation.

Learn more: Rock Candy Science

45. Baking Soda vs Baking Powder

Baking soda and baking powder have distinct properties that influence the leavening process in different ways.

This hands-on experiment provides a practical understanding of how these ingredients interact with acids and moisture to create carbon dioxide gas.

46. Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions Experiment

The endothermic and exothermic reactions experiment is an exciting and informative chemistry exploration that students should try.

By observing and comparing the heat changes in different reactions, students can gain a deeper understanding of energy transfer and the concepts of endothermic and exothermic processes.

Learn more: Education.com

47. Diaper Chemistry

By dissecting a diaper and examining its components, students can uncover the chemical processes that make diapers so effective at absorbing and retaining liquids.

Learn more: Diaper Chemistry

48. Candle Chemical Reaction

The “Flame out” experiment is an intriguing and educational chemistry demonstration that students should try. By exploring the effects of a chemical reaction on a burning candle, students can witness the captivating moment when the flame is extinguished.

49. Make Curds and Whey

This experiment not only introduces students to the concept of acid-base reactions but also offers an opportunity to explore the science behind cheese-making.

Learn more: Tinkerlab

50. Grow Crystals Overnight

By creating a supersaturated solution using substances like epsom salt, sugar, or borax, students can observe the fascinating process of crystal growth. This experiment allows students to explore the principles of solubility, saturation, and nucleation.

Learn more: Grow Crystals Overnight

51. Measure Electrolytes in Sports Drinks

The “Measure Electrolytes in Sports Drinks” experiment is an informative and practical chemistry activity that students should try.

By using simple tools like a multimeter or conductivity probe, students can measure the electrical conductivity of different sports drinks to determine their electrolyte content.

52. Oxygen and Fire Experiment

The oxygen and fire experiment is a captivating and educational chemistry demonstration that students should try. By observing the effects of oxygen on a controlled fire, students can witness the essential role of oxygen in supporting combustion.

53. Electrolysis Of Water

The electrolysis of water experiment is a captivating and educational chemistry demonstration that students should try.

Learn more: Electrolysis Of Water

54. Expanding Ivory Soap

The expanding Ivory Soap experiment is a fun and interactive chemistry activity that students should try. By placing a bar of Ivory soap in a microwave, students can witness the remarkable expansion of the soap as it heats up.

Learn more: Little Bins Little Hands

55. Glowing Fireworks

This experiment not only introduces students to the principles of pyrotechnics and combustion but also encourages observation, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the physics and chemistry behind.

Learn more: Glowing Fireworks

56. Colorful Polymer Chemistry

Colorful polymer chemistry is an exciting and vibrant experiment that students should try to explore polymers and colorants.

By combining different types of polymers with various colorants, such as food coloring or pigments, students can create a kaleidoscope of colors in their polymer creations.

Learn more: Colorful Polymer Chemistry

57. Sulfur Hexafluoride- Deep Voice Gas

This experiment provides a firsthand experience of how the density and composition of gases can influence sound transmission.

It encourages scientific curiosity, observation, and a sense of wonder as students witness the surprising transformation of their voices.

58. Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream

Liquid nitrogen ice cream is a thrilling and delicious chemistry experiment that students should try. By combining cream, sugar, and flavorings with liquid nitrogen, students can create ice cream with a unique and creamy texture.

59. White Smoke Chemistry Demonstration

The White Smoke Chemistry Demonstration provides an engaging and visually captivating experience for students to explore chemical reactions and gases. By combining hydrochloric acid and ammonia solutions, students can witness the mesmerizing formation of white smoke.

60. Nitrogen Triiodide Chemistry Demonstration

The nitrogen triiodide chemistry demonstration is a remarkable and attention-grabbing experiment that students should try under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor.

By reacting iodine crystals with concentrated ammonia, students can precipitate nitrogen triiodide (NI3), a highly sensitive compound.

61. Make a Plastic- Milk And Vinegar Reaction Experiment

Through the “Make a Plastic – Milk and Vinegar Reaction” experiment, students can gain a deeper understanding of the chemistry behind plastics, environmental sustainability, and the potential of biodegradable materials.

Learn more: Rookie Parenting

62. Eno and Water Experiment

This experiment not only introduces students to acid-base reactions but also engages their senses as they witness the visible and audible effects of the reaction.

63. The Eternal Kettle Experiment

By filling a kettle with alcohol and igniting it, students can investigate the behavior of the alcohol flame and its sustainability.

64. Coke and Chlorine Bombs

Engaging in this experiment allows students to experience the wonders of chemistry firsthand, making it an ideal choice to ignite their curiosity and passion for scientific exploration.

65. Set your Hand on Fire

This experiment showcases the fascinating nature of combustion and the science behind fire.

By carefully following proper procedures and safety guidelines, students can witness firsthand how the sanitizer’s high alcohol content interacts with an open flame, resulting in a brief but captivating display of controlled combustion.

66. Instant Ice Experiments

The Instant Ice Experiment offers an engaging and captivating opportunity for students to explore the wonders of chemistry and phase changes.

By using simple household ingredients, students can witness the fascinating phenomenon of rapid ice formation in just a matter of seconds.

67. Coke Cans in Acid and Base

Engaging in this experiment allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the chemical properties of substances and the importance of safety protocols in scientific investigations.

68. Color Changing Invisible Ink

The Color Changing Invisible Ink experiment offers an intriguing and fun opportunity for students to explore chemistry and learn about the concept of chemical reactions.

Learn more: Research Parent

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Cool Chemistry Experiments

Cool chemistry experiments raise student interest in science and boost enthusiasm for learning. They are also a lot of fun! Here are some spectacular demonstrations and experiments to try.

Elephant Toothpaste

Elephant toothpaste is one chemistry experiment you shouldn’t miss. The experiment produces heaps of foam, which you can color or even form into shapes by using special containers. The classic version is a reaction between sodium or potassium iodide and peroxide. There is also a kid-friendly version that is safe for children (and adults) to touch.

Color Change Chemiluminescence

Most likely, you know about chemiluminescence from glow sticks , but there are more dramatic reactions you can try. For example, there is a cool chemistry experiment where you mix together chemicals, add peroxide, and the solution glows red and then glows blue . This experiment illustrates an exothermic reaction and a decomposition reaction.

Colored Fire Cool Chemistry Experiment

Making colored fire certainly qualifies as a cool chemistry experiment. Just choose the chemical for the color you want. Some of the chemicals are appropriate for making colored fire spray bottles , too. In addition to looking awesome, colored fire demonstrates the emission spectra of ions.

Copper and Nitric Acid Chemistry Experiment

The copper and nitric acid experiment is as easy as it gets, but it produces dramatic results that illustrate the metal activity series and coordination complexes. All you do is drop a piece of copper into nitric acid. The liquid changes from clear to blue-green and the reaction releases bubbles of reddish-brown vapor. Eventually, the liquid changes color to brown.

Sodium in Water Reaction

Sodium and other alkali metals react vigorously with water. The reaction become more vigorous as you move down the periodic table, so mixing sodium and water is the safest version of this chemistry experiment. You only use a tiny bit of the metal, yet it burns brightly and gives of sparks and flames. Sodium burns with a yellow flame, but other metals have their own characteristic colors. For example, potassium in water has a purple flame and rubidium in water has a red flame.

Chemical Traffic Light

The chemical traffic light is one of many color change chemistry demonstrations . It is a redox reaction where a solution changes red, green, and amber, like a traffic light. Temperature affects the rate of the color change, so it also illustrates principles of kinetics.

Thermite Reaction

The thermite reaction is one of the more dramatic chemistry experiments. All you do is mix a metal and a metal oxide and ignite it. But, this is no ordinary fire. The reaction is very bright and extremely hot. It is the burning of metal, so it serves as an example of oxidation, combustion, and exothermic reactions.

Dancy Gummy Bear

The dancing gummy bear is a chemistry experiment featuring a gummy bear candy “dancing” in purple flames. But, you can use any candy. A related experiment involves dropping a bit of charcoal into a tube of molten potassium nitrate, making the charcoal dance . The project illustrates combustion, oxidation, exothermic reactions, and the flame test for potassium.

Sugar and Sulfuric Acid Cool Reaction

The sugar and sulfuric acid reaction has another name: the carbon snake. This is a dehydration reaction and decomposition reaction that breaks sugar molecules into elemental carbon, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water. The result is a steaming column of black carbon rising from its container. The experiment smells of burning caramel and rotten eggs.

Flower Shop Reaction

The flower shop or odor of violets reaction does not look as cool as some of the other reactions on this list, but it definitely smells the best. The simple reaction involves mixing two common chemicals and applying heat, releasing a chemical that smells like violets. This experiment demonstrates a rearrangement reaction. Another cool effect is the way the molecule affects the sense of smell such that the fragrance never becomes overpowering or fades.

• Shakhashiri, Bassam Z. (1983).  Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry  (1st ed.). University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN: 978-0299088903.
• Summerlin, Lee R.; Borgford, Christie L., Ealy, Julie B. (1988).  Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers Volume 2 (2nd ed.). American Chemical Society. ISBN: 978-0841215351.

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10 Fun Chemistry Demonstrations and Experiments

Chem Demos That Teach and Impress

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• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

From colored fire to magic rocks these 10 chemistry demonstrations , experiments, and activities are sure to wow kids and adults alike. 

Make Colored Fire

Fire is fun. Colored fire is even better. The best part is, the additives for this project are readily available and safe. They generally don't produce smoke that is any better or worse for you than normal smoke. Depending on what you add, the ashes will have a different elemental composition from a normal wood fire, but if you're burning trash or printed material, you have a similar end result. Colored fire is suitable for a home fire or kid's campfire, plus most chemicals are found around the house (even of non-chemists).

Make the Classic Chemical Volcano

The classic volcano is the old-school chemistry lab volcano, which is also known as Vesuvius Fire. The mixture glows and gives off sparks as it decomposes, and makes its own cinder cone of green ash. The compounds used in the classic volcano are toxic, so this is a chemistry lab demonstration and not a great choice for the armchair scientist. It's still cool. It involves fire.

Of course, the  baking soda volcano  is always safe, non-toxic option, too!

It's Easy To Make a Borax Crystal Snowflake

Growing crystals is a terrific way to examine the structure formed when molecules bond together. The borax snowflake is a favorite crystal project.

This is a crystal-growing project that is safe and easy enough for kids. You can make shapes other than snowflakes, and you can color the crystals. As a side note, if you use these as Christmas decorations and store them, the  borax  is a natural insecticide and will help keep your long-term storage area pest-free. If they develop a white precipitant, you can lightly rinse them (don't dissolve too much crystal). These snowflakes are super sparkly!

Make a Borax Crystal Snowflake

Make Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream or Dippin Dots

There are lots of fun chemistry ice cream recipes , but the liquid nitrogen versions are the exciting ones.

It's the quick way to make ice cream, plus, if you use your imagination, you can come up with lots of other fun activities involving liquid nitrogen . It's easier to  get and transport  liquid nitrogen than you might think. Try the basic liquid nitrogen ice cream recipe and then show off your skills by making homemade Dippin' Dots ice cream.

• Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Recipes
• Make Homemade Dippin' Dots

Oscillating Clock Color Change Chemical Reactions

Of all the chemical reactions, the color change reactions may be the most memorable. The oscillating clock reactions get their name because the colors transition between two or more hues as the conditions change.

There are many color-change chemistry reactions, pretty much using acid-base chemistry. The Briggs-Rauscher reactions are nice because the colors oscillate on their own for a long time (clear → amber → blue → repeat). The blue bottle demonstration is similar, and there are other colors you can produce depending  on the pH indicator  you select.

• Briggs-Rauscher Oscillating Clock
• Blue Bottle Color Change Demonstration (blue - clear - blue)
• Christmas Chemistry Demo (green - red - green)
• Hot and Cold Valentine (pink - clear - pink)

There's More Than One Way To Make Slime

You don't need to have esoteric chemicals and a lab to have a good time with chemistry. Yes, your average fourth grader can make slime. It's one of the first chemistry projects many kids try. That doesn't mean it's any less fun when you're older.

Recipes for Making Different Types of Slime

Write Secret Messages With Invisible Ink

Experiment with invisible ink to see how chemical changes affect the color of materials. Most invisible inks work by subtly damaging paper, revealing the message by making the alterations in the paper apparent. Other versions of the ink appear clear until an indicator chemical is applied, which reacts with the ink to make the message appear.

A variation is to make disappearing ink. The ink is a pH indicator that becomes colorless upon reacting with air. You can make the color reappear by applying a basic solution.

• Make Invisible Ink
• Make Disappearing Ink

Make Chemical Cold Packs and Hot Packs

It's fun to mix chemicals together to produce temperature changes. Endothermic reactions are those that absorb energy from their environment, making it colder. Exothermic reactions release heat into the environment, making it hotter.

One of the easiest endothermic reactions you can try is mixing water with potassium chloride, which is used as a salt substitute. A simple exothermic reaction you can try is mixing water with laundry detergent . There are many more examples, some much colder and hotter than these.

• Endothermic (Cold Pack) Reactions To Try
• Steel Wool Exothermic Reaction
• Hot Ice Exothermic (Hot Pack) Reaction

Make a Smoke Bomb and Colored Smoke

Chemical reactions are the basis for many "magic" tricks, pranks, and fireworks. One impressive chemistry project, which can be used for tricks or celebrations, is making and lighting smoke bombs.

A smoke bomb is a good introduction to pyrotechnics because it does not explode. It doesn't produce a lot of fire. It does give off copious amounts of smoke, so it's best to light your chemical masterpiece outdoors.

• Classic Smoke Bomb Recipe
• No-Cook Smoke Bomb Recipe
• Make Colored Smoke

Grow a Chemical Garden With Magic Rocks

This is the classic chemical garden or crystal garden, though it's more about precipitation than crystallization.Metal salts react  with sodium silicate  to form fanciful waxy-looking towers.

There are many inexpensive Magic Rocks kits for sale in stores and online, plus you can make Magic Rocks yourself with a few simple chemicals.

• Make Homemade Magic Rocks
• What To Expect from a Magic Rocks Kit (and where to buy one)
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Resource Type: Virtual Labs

The Virtual Lab is an online simulation of a chemistry lab. It is designed to help students link chemical computations with authentic laboratory chemistry. The lab allows students to select from hundreds of standard reagents (aqueous) and manipulate them in a manner resembling a real lab. More information and offline downloads . Please scroll below to find our collection of pre-written problems, they have been organized by concept and ranked by difficulty.

Stoichiometry

The mole, molarity, and density, glucose dilution problem.

In this activity, students use the virtual lab to create a 0.025M glucose solution from a standard 1M glucose solution. First, they calculate the correct volumes of 1M glucose solution and water to mix together…

Acid Dilution Problem

In this activity, students use the virtual lab to create 500mL of 3M HCl solution from a concentrated stock solution of 11.6M HCl. They must first calculate the correct volumes of 11.6M HCl solution and water to…

Cola and Sucrose Concentration Problem

In this activity, students use the virtual lab to prepare a sucrose solution for a soda recipe. They next calculate the concentration of their solution in terms of molarity, percent mass and density. Finally, they…

Making Stock Solutions from Solids

In this activity, students use the virtual lab to create stock solutions starting from solid salts. Students must first calculate the correct amount of solid to make the solution. Next, they prepare the solution…

Identifying the Unknown Metal (Metals Density Problem)

In this activity, students use the virtual lab to identify an unknown metal by measuring its density and comparing their measurements to the densities of known metals.

Identifying an Unknown Liquid from its Density

In this activity students use the virtual lab to design an experiment to determine the identity of mislabeled bottles using the densities of the solutions inside.

Alcohol Density Problem

Determine the concentration of an alcohol solution from its density.

Reaction Stoichiometry and Limiting Reagents

Gravimetric determination of arsenic.

Set in the context of ground water contamination in Bangladesh, this stoichiometry and analytical chemistry activity examines the issues around identifying wells contaminated with arsenic. (Part of a larger online…

Determining Stoichiometric Coefficients

In this activity, students use the virtual lab to determine how 4 unknown substances react with each other including their stoichiometric coefficients.

Stoichiometry and Solution Preparation Problem

In this limiting reagents problem, students mix together solutions in different ratios in an attempt to produce a final solution that contains only 1 product.

Textbook Style Limiting Reagents Problems

Textbook-style practice limiting reagent exercises with that can be used as a way to "predict and check" your answers using the virtual lab.

Textbook Style Limiting Reagents Problem II

In this activity, students practice with experiments involving limiting reagents and the test their knowledge to determine the concentration of an unknown solution.

Predicting DNA Concentration

In this limiting reagents problem, students are given specific concentrations of DNA solutions and are asked to predict what products and reactants will remain after a specific volumes are mixed and reaction has…

Unknown Concentration of DNA Solution Problem

In this advanced limiting reagent problem, students use the virtual lab to determine the concentration of a solution of DNA by reacting it with known amounts of a fluorescent dye which binds to the DNA.

Thermochemistry

Energy and enthalpy, camping problem i.

In this part of the MRE scenario, students measure the enthalpy of a reaction.

Camping Problem II

In this part of the MRE scenario, students determine change in the enthalpy of a reaction as the concentration of reactants are varied.

ATP Reaction (Thermochemistry and Bonding)

Determine the enthalpy of the ATP reaction.

Determining the Heat of Reaction in Aqueous Solution

In this activity, students perform an experiment to determine the heat of a reaction.

Coffee Problem

Use the virtual lab to determine how much milk to add to hot coffee to reach the desired temperature

Measuring the heat capacity of an engine coolant.

As an analytical chemist at a company developing new engine coolants your task is to determine the heat capacity of a newly developed product and then to determine if its heat capacity is greater of less than that…

Measuring the heat capacity of an engine coolant II (Advanced version)

Measure and compare the heat capacity of an unknown liquid with an unknown density.

Camping Problem III

In this part of the MRE scenario, students create solutions that when mixed, increase to a certain temperature.

Heats of Reaction - Hess' Law

This activity provides a demonstration of Hess' Law using three reactions: the solubility NaOH in water, the solubility NaOH in HCl and the reaction of a solution of HCl and a solution of NaOH.

Equilibrium

Lechatlier's principle, cobalt chloride and lechatlier’s principle.

In this activity, students safely explore the equilibrium reaction of the cobalt chloride reaction.

Equilibrium Calculations

Dna binding problem.

In this activity, students explore equilibrium constants in biochemical systems by measuring the binding constant of a DNA-Dye reaction.

Acid-Base Chemistry

Strong acids and bases, strong acid and base problems.

Textbook-style strong acid and base problems that can be checked using the Virtual Lab.

Determination of the pH Scale by the Method of Successive Dilutions

This activity was created as an accompaniment to an in-class demonstration of the method of successive dilutions using HCl, NaOH, a pH meter, and universal indicator solution. After the demonstration, students…

Weak Acids and Bases

Weak acid and base problems.

Textbook-style weak acid and base problems that can be checked using the Virtual Lab.

Determining the pKa and Concentration Ratio of a Protein in Solution

Use the virtual lab to determine the pKa of a protein then create a buffer solution with a specific concentration ratio of the protein in its protonated/ unprotonated form.

Unknown Acid and Base Problem

In this exercise, students graph the titration curve of an unknown acid and base to determine their pKa’s and concentrations.

Buffer Solutions

Creating a buffer solution.

An exercise to design a buffer solution with specific properties.

DNA - Dye Binding: Equilibrium and Buffer Solutions

Students examine equilibrium and buffer solutions in a biological setting.

Acid/Base Titrations

Standardization of naoh with a khp solution: acid base titration.

Use the Virtual Laboratory to standardize an unknown NaOH solution (approximately 0.2M) to four significant figures via titration with 25.00 mL of a KHP standard solution.

Solubility Product

Determining the solubility product.

Determine the solubility product constatnt (Ksp) for various solids.

Temperature and the Solubility of Salts

Examine the solubilities of salts based on temperature.

Determining the solubility of copper chloride at different temperatures

GIven the solubility of CuCl at 2 different temperatures, predict its solubility at a third temperature. Then test your prediction by creating the solution in the virtual lab

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72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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Top 10 Chemistry Experiments You Don't Want to Miss

May 03, 2021 3 min read

A few years back we shared a series about how to teach the different areas of science at home, which you can find here:

• Teaching Biology at Home
• Teaching Earth Science at Home
• Teaching Astronomy at Home
• Teaching Chemistry at Home
• Teaching Physics at Home

The posts in the series have remained some of our most popular posts and so we thought we would help you all out by sharing our favorite experiments for each discipline!

So far we have shared our favorite biology , earth science , and astronomy experiments. Today, we are going to share ten of our favorites for chemistry.

And without further ado, here are our top 10 chemistry experiments!

Top 10 Chemistry Experiments

1. Explore marker chromatography.

This STEAM activity versatile enough to do with what you have on hand and definitely delivers the "WOW" factor.

It's a great project for   decorating a tree, making   beautiful butterflies, or for making a scientific version of a   tie-dye t-shirt. Whatever you decide to do with your marker chromatography artwork, the process is the same.

2. Test which one freezes first. 

Winter is a great time to explore the principles of chemistry through experimentation! Although, with a freezer you can enjoy this experiment year-round.

This simple experiment will help your students to see   how salt changes the freezing point of water .

3. Make a bioplastic in your kitchen.

This chemistry experiment shares how to make a simple bioplastic in your microwave!! What is a bioplastic you ask? It's a plasticky material made from biological chemicals.

Now, we can't exactly make a completely hard bioplastic in our microwave. However, we will make a super cool gel-like bioplastic using cornstarch and a few other items.

4. Polishing silver with chemistry.

I know you are thinking - silver polish can't possibly be a super fun chemistry experiment. But, the directions in this post contain the best possible homemade silver polish.

Uncle Cecil and President Lincoln of Sassafras Science fame tried hundreds of experiments just to make sure. This silver-polishing, scientific magic trick will make an afternoon chore into a super fun chemistry experiment.

5. Experiment with Borax.

Borax is an old-school laundry booster that many of the slime recipes use. But what do you do with the rest of the box when you are done? 

You could get all retro and add it to your next load of laundry, but what fun is that? Today, we are going to share with you three chemistry experiments that use Borax - ones that you will want to do over and over again until the whole box is gone!

6. Do a kitchen acid test.

A kitchen acid test is always fun because of the color changes.  But more than that, this hands-on science activity is a great way to show your kids a bit about the chemistry of acids and bases!

7. Send a secret message.

You use chemistry to be like a spy and send a secret message ! This  kitchen science activity is one you can use over and over again.

8. Explode fireworks in your kitchen.

There is a lot of chemistry behind fireworks - the colors alone are due to different chemicals!

And although, you can't explode actual fireworks in your kitchen, but you can learn about them and then do a simple chemistry experiment to see fireworks in your kitchen !

9. Play with dry ice.

Dry ice is a fun way to explore the states of matter. It's one of those materials that appear to boil in room temperature water, sending out billows of white, wispy smoke.

This post shares three  chemistry activities with dry ice from our lab to yours that you can use to explore this amazing material.

10. Mix up a batch of crazy colors.

This chemistry experiment is part color-change , part stink-up-the-kitchen and it requires a bit of preparation, but it is totally worth it! It's one of the best ways to show the difference between acids and bases.

Wrapping it Up

There are loads more options for chemistry experiments out there that we love - in fact, we probably could have done a post with 100 experiments! But these are the ten we don't want you to miss.  If you want more chemistry experiments, check out our   Chemistry Pinterest board .

If you want it all pulled together for you, check out the following our homeschool science programs with easy-to-use plans for teaching chemistry:

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7 Cool Chemistry Experiments to Surprise All

Best experiments using fundamental chemical principles.

Chemistry is a brilliant Science subject that teaches us about matter and its various properties. We can learn many new things that are not visible to us until chemical experiments are conducted on them. Based on the studies done by Chemistry experts, these cool chemistry experiments are developed to show unique results and to teach students the outcomes.

The scientific reasons behind these chemical experiments are also explained in this blog. You will find it fascinating and easy to remember. These fun experiments can be tried as Chemistry projects but under the supervision of your teachers or parents.

Also Read: Science Experiments at home on National Science Day

Easy Chemistry Experiments for Education

List of Cool Chemistry Experiments

1. rubber bouncy egg.

We all know that eggs don’t bounce but rather get cracked when falling on the ground even from small heights. What if we can make an egg bounce without getting it cracked? For this, you will need simple things available in your kitchen.

This magic trick with an egg will need vinegar and a glass container. Pour the vinegar and put an egg in the glass container. Vinegar is essentially acetic acid (CH 3 COOH). It reacts with the calcium carbonate present in the shell and dissolves it. Eventually, the only thing left is the soft shell-less yolk with its protective covering. Hence, the egg turns out to be squishy and bouncing. This is a cool bouncy egg experiment you can try at home.

2. Nitric Acid and Copper

This experiment involves nitric acid. It means you will have to perform it in a lab. Nitric acid is slightly brownish in colour. Pure nitric acid is colourless. When copper is added to nitric acid, the colour turns green first. On waiting a little longer, it turns to brownish green. If you dilute the solution, it will turn into a blue-coloured solution. This colour coordination occurs due to the reaction between copper (Cu ++ ) ions and nitrate (NO 3 - ) ions.

3. Potassium Iodide (KI) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H 2 O 2 )

You might be familiar with this experiment as you have seen it multiple times. This is one of the chemistry practical experiments used to display volcanoes for science shows. When potassium iodide and hydrogen peroxide react with each other, even a small amount becomes a huge volume of foam. It is also called the elephant’s toothpaste.

The same chemical mechanism is used for creating a catalytic reaction with hydrogen peroxide. When yeast is mixed with hydrogen peroxide and dish soap, a huge volume of oxygen is released. It causes profuse foaming at a very fast rate. This is also known as the mystery inside toothpaste , taught to junior students.

4. Secret Message

What if you can write a message that no one can read but only your buddies can? All you need is a lemon, a piece of paper and a Q-tip. You can easily find them at home. Cut the lemon into two halves. Squeeze lemon juice and pour it into a cup. Dip the Q-tip and try writing down something on the piece of paper. Let it dry. Now, hold the paper on a candle or a bulb. You will see that the writings are becoming visible slowly. It is one of the chemistry lab experiments that can be used to write invisible messages. Cool, isn’t it?

5. Fog with Dry Ice

This is one of the cool experiments we can do using the basic chemical principles of dry ice. Dry ice is super-cooled carbon dioxide gas. Its temperature is -109° F. You can get it in chemistry labs but make sure you are using gloves to handle them. Dry ice can give bad frostbites and damage your fingers.

When dry ice is put on simple water, it forms a dense fog of carbon dioxide. The rapid formation of gaseous carbon dioxide in water causes the formation of this foam. It is completely harmless. Try not to touch the ice with your bare hands. Enjoy the cool outcomes.

6. Egg with Toothpaste and Vinegar

One of the super fun chemistry eggsperiments involves egg, toothpaste, and vinegar. We have already learnt that egg shells are eaten by vinegar. When we apply toothpaste to one half of an egg, we see that this part is not corroded by vinegar.

This happens due to the protection offered by the calcium fluoride present in toothpaste. This chemical compound does not let calcium carbonate react with acetic acid present in vinegar and protects it from corrosion. This means we can create a half-naked raw egg with this experiment.

7. Water Burns Metals

One of the best examples of an educational chemical reaction is burning metals in water. Alkaline metals burn when put in water. They displace hydrogen present in water molecules and combine with the remnant oxygen to form respective oxides.

The surprising part of this chemical experiment is that we know water is used to distinguish fire. In this case, water is the reason behind the burning of metals. Alkaline metals such as potassium, sodium, lithium, etc. burn on water producing different colours of flame. Potassium produces violet flames and sodium produces bright yellow. Make sure you use a very low amount of metal and use goggles to protect your eyes.

Try the Cool Chemical Experiments and Learn

These are the 7 cool experiments to perform and learn the basic fundamentals of Chemistry. Some of these experiments can be conducted at home and some need to be done in a chemistry lab with proper gear.

The outcomes of these experiments are what make them perfect for the students to learn the chemistry behind them. These experiments will also help students remember the scientific facts and will also make their inquisitive minds scout for more such experiments and find the scientific facts behind them. 

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20 Awesome Science Experiments You Can Do Right Now At Home

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We can all agree that science is awesome. And you can bring that awesomeness into your very own home with these 20 safe DIY experiments you can do right now with ordinary household items.

1. Make Objects Seemingly Disappear Refraction is when light changes direction and speed as it passes from one object to another. Only visible objects reflect light. When two materials with similar reflective properties come into contact, light will pass through both materials at the same speed, rendering the other material invisible. Check out this video from BritLab  on how to turn glass invisible using vegetable oil and pyrex glass.

2. Freeze Water Instantly When purified water is cooled to just below freezing point, a quick nudge or an icecube placed in it is all it takes for the water to instantly freeze. You can finally have the power of Frozone from The Incredibles on a very small scale! Check out the video on this "cool" experiment. 

3. Create Oobleck And Make It Dance To The Music Named after a sticky substance in a children’s book by Dr Seuss , Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it can behave as both a solid and a liquid. And when placed on a sound source, the vibrations causes the mixture to gloopily dance. Check out these instructions from Housing A Forest  on how to make this groovy fluid funk out in every way.

4. Create Your Own Hybrid Rocket Engine With a combination of a solid fuel source and a liquid oxidizer, hybrid rocket engines can propel themselves. And on a small scale, you can create your own hybrid rocket engine, using pasta, mouthwash and yeast. Sadly, it won’t propel much, but who said rocket science ain’t easy? Check out this video from NightHawkInLight on how to make this mini engine.

5. Create "Magic Mud" Another non-Newtonian fluid here, this time from the humble potato. "Magic Mud" is actually starch found in potatoes. It’ll remain hard when handled but leave it alone and it turns into a liquid. Make your own “Magic Mud” with this video.

6. Command The Skies And Create A Cloud In A Bottle Not quite a storm in a teacup, but it is a cloud in a bottle. Clouds up in the sky are formed when water vapor cools and condenses into visible water droplets. Create your own cloud in a bottle using a few household items with these wikiHow instructions .

7. Create An Underwater Magical World First synthesized by Adolf van Baeyer in 1871, fluorescein is a non-toxic powder found in highlighter pens, and used by NASA to find shuttles that land in the sea. Create an underwater magical world with this video from NightHawkInLight .

9. Make Your Own Lava Lamp Inside a lava lamp are colored bubbles of wax suspended in a clear or colorless liquid, which changes density when warmed by a heating element at the base, allowing them to rise and fall hypnotically. Create your own lava lamp with these video instructions.

10. Create Magnetic Fluid A ferrofluid is a liquid that contains nanoscale particles of metal, which can become magnetized. And with oil, toner and a magnet , you can create your own ferrofluid and harness the power of magnetism! 

12. Make Waterproof Sand A hydrophobic substance is one that repels water. When sand is combined with a water-resistant chemical, it becomes hydrophobic. So when it comes into contact with water, the sand will remain dry and reusable. Make your own waterproof sand with this video .

13. Make Elephant's Toothpaste Elephant’s toothpaste is a steaming foamy substance created by the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which sort of resembles giant-sized toothpaste. Make your own elephant’s toothpaste with these instructions.

14. Make Crystal Bubbles When the temperature falls below 0 o C (32 o F), it’s possible to freeze bubbles into crystals. No instructions needed here, just some bubble mix and chilly weather.

15. Make Moving Liquid Art Mixing dish soap and milk together causes the surface tension of the milk to break down. Throw in different food colorings and create this trippy chemical reaction.

16. Create Colourful Carnations Flowers absorb water through their stems, and if that water has food coloring in it, the flowers will also absorb that color. Create some wonderfully colored flowers with these wikiHow instructions .

17. "Magically" Turn Water Into Wine Turn water into wine with this  video  by experimenter Dave Hax . Because water has a higher density than wine, they can switch places. Amaze your friends with this fun science trick.

18. Release The Energy In Candy (Without Eating It) Dropping a gummy bear into a test tube with potassium chlorate releases the chemical energy inside in an intense chemical reaction. That’s exactly what's happening when you eat candy, kids.

19. Make Water "Mysteriously" Disappear Sodium polyacrylate is a super-absorbent polymer, capable of absorbing up to 300 times its own weight in water. Found in disposable diapers, you can make water disappear in seconds with this video .

20. Create A Rainbow In A Jar Different liquids have different masses and different densities. For example, oil is less dense than water and will float on top of its surface. By combining liquids of different densities and adding food coloring, you can make an entire rainbow in a jar with this video .

There you have it – 20 experiments for you to explore the incredible world of science!

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Oxford Education Blog

The latest news and views on education from oxford university press., practicals: my top 5 science experiments.

By Stacey Wheeler, Senior Science Technician

When students come to us from year 6 they are amazed to be in a real lab; the benches, the high stools, sinks, gas taps, and all the sockets around!

For some the novelty wears off quicker than others. Perhaps they realise that the stools aren’t actually that comfortable. Or, and I can’t believe I’m saying this but it could be down to a lack of interest in science. Whatever the reasons, this is where our science teachers come in. The people who inspire the next generation of scientists. It is our job to engage students and get them interested in something that is all around us. And what is one of the key tools to help us do this? A science practical . And more importantly, getting the practical done correctly so they get the results to prove a theory!

When students come to us we want to bring excitement, let them use the equipment as much as possible, without taking away from the learning.

Rainbow fizz

Those two words say it all really, do I have to explain further? This one throws probably the first colour change students will see right in front of their eyes into the mix. Incorporating steady skills and a challenge of who can produce the best pH range makes for a great experiment. Another bonus is that it’s cheap to do, consisting of only 4 chemicals and a few other pieces of equipment. I know I don’t have to tell you how special a pipette is to precise measurements!

• Using the standard hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions we pour around 20ml of acid into a boiling tube
• Add a spatula of sodium carbonate then a couple of drops of universal indicator.
• Now comes the precise part, slowly and sparingly, sodium hydroxide is dripped down the side of the boiling tube.

Technique is key, and there are many varying results. But great fun all round.

Rock salt experiment

• We start by crushing the rock salt with a pestle and mortar, then we mix with water using a measuring cylinder, beaker and stirrer.
• Next comes filtering using a conical flask, filter paper and funnel to get rid of the sand in the mixture.
• And finally pouring our solution into an evaporating basin.
• At this point you can either heat using a Bunsen burner or it can be left to evaporate naturally over a few days.

This is great experiment to show that not everything dissolves in water and that we can use the process of evaporation to separate substances. This is a very top heavy experiment for equipment but overall is not that messy! We can go into more depth with older students and do a specific weight of the rock salt and find out how much salt is produced at the end.

Wires all over the place! This experiment teaches students the basics of electrical circuits. What can conduct, what doesn’t? Is there a better material? How does your light switch work? What goes into the workings of the school bell (if you still use the old school electrics of course).

How can you work safely with electric. It is a great experiment and one that is relatively safe. Learning about things like this and being able to see it work right in-front of you is a great thing. Sometimes there is even time to get a solar panel out or design a wind turbine and see the production of power from these. Students really do thrive of being given some independence to lead their practical and find out what does and doesn’t work.

Burning foods

You read that and thought bunsen didn’t you? Surprisingly not on this occasion! When we teach about burning foods, we find that a tea light is a lot safer to use to get the food alight. For this experiment students are given a range of crisps, crackers and poppadums/ prawn crackers.

They light the piece of food and see what temperature the water gets to in their boiling tube from that piece of food. We can make this more complicated by using the same weight of the different food to make it a fair test. We make sure the same amount of water is being used by measuring it with a measuring cylinder. No prizes for guessing the most energy packed food!

Air resistance- parachute demo

Let’s face it, if you get out a parachute and challenge the students to run so far in a certain amount of time, a lot of them will jump at the chance, and if they don’t, you still know that you will have their full attention on what is going on! So we use 2 different sizes of parachute and compare our results as a class. Seeing these things in the now really does help.

These can be equipment and chemical heavy but they prove exactly what we want them to see, understand and learn. What practicals would you add to this list? Which ones do you think bring the necessary awe and wonder? And have any failed spectacularly?

Oxford Smart Activate is a complete Key Stage 3 science curriculum: informed by research and you. With  Oxford Smart Activate, you are fully supported to deliver a Key Stage 3 science experience that connects to your students lived experiences. One that nurtures students, builds skills and knowledge, and carries that curiosity through to GCSE.

Further reading:

• ‘ Lab Equipment that spark awe and wonder in classroom ‘ by Stacey Wheeler
• ‘ Using  Oxford Smart  Activate’ by Adele Read
• ‘ Developing metacognition through the science curriculum’ by Dr Andrew Chandler-Grevatt

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Summer holiday science: turn your home into a lab with these three easy experiments

Associate Professor in Biology, University of Limerick

Disclosure statement

Audrey O'Grady receives funding from Science Foundation Ireland. She is affiliated with Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick.

University of Limerick provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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Many people think science is difficult and needs special equipment, but that’s not true.

Science can be explored at home using everyday materials. Everyone, especially children, naturally ask questions about the world around them, and science offers a structured way to find answers.

Misconceptions about the difficulty of science often stem from a lack of exposure to its fun and engaging side. Science can be as simple as observing nature, mixing ingredients or exploring the properties of objects. It’s not just for experts in white coats, but for everyone.

Don’t take my word for it. Below are three experiments that can be done at home with children who are primary school age and older.

Extract DNA from bananas

DNA is all the genetic information inside cells. Every living thing has DNA, including bananas.

Did you know you can extract DNA from banana cells?

What you need: ¼ ripe banana, Ziploc bag, salt, water, washing-up liquid, rubbing alcohol (from a pharmacy), coffee filter paper, stirrer.

What you do:

Place a pinch of salt into about 20ml of water in a cup.

Add the salty water to the Ziploc bag with a quarter of a banana and mash the banana up with the salty water inside the bag, using your hands. Mashing the banana separates out the banana cells. The salty water helps clump the DNA together.

Once the banana is mashed up well, pour the banana and salty water into a coffee filter (you can lay the filter in the cup you used to make the salty water). Filtering removes the big clumps of banana cells.

Once a few ml have filtered out, add a drop of washing-up liquid and swirl gently. Washing-up liquid breaks down the fats in the cell membranes which makes the DNA separate from the other parts of the cell.

Slowly add some rubbing alcohol (about 10ml) to the filtered solution. DNA is insoluble in alcohol, therefore the DNA will clump together away from the alcohol and float, making it easy to see.

DNA will start to precipitate out looking slightly cloudy and stringy. What you’re seeing is thousands of DNA strands – the strands are too small to be seen even with a normal microscope. Scientists use powerful equipment to see individual strands.

Learn how plants ‘drink’ water

What you need: celery stalks (with their leaves), glass or clear cup, water, food dye, camera.

• Fill the glass ¾ full with water and add 10 drops of food dye.
• Place a celery stalk into the glass of coloured water. Take a photograph of the celery.
• For two to three days, photograph the celery at the same time every day. Make sure you take a photograph at the very start of the experiment.

What happens and why?

All plants, such as celery, have vertical tubes that act like a transport system. These narrow tubes draw up water using a phenomenon known as capillarity.

Imagine you have a thin straw and you dip it into a glass of water. Have you ever noticed how the water climbs up the straw a little bit, even though you didn’t suck on it? This is because of capillarity.

In plants, capillarity helps move water from the roots to the leaves. Plants have tiny tubes inside them, like thin straws, called capillaries. The water sticks to the sides of these tubes and climbs up. In your experiment, you will see the food dye in the water make its way to the leaves.

Build a balloon-powered racecar

What you need: tape, scissors, two skewers, cardboard, four bottle caps, one straw, one balloon.

• Cut the cardboard to about 10cm long and 5cm wide. This will form the base of your car.
• Make holes in the centre of four bottle caps. These are your wheels.
• To make the axles insert the wooden skewers through the holes in the cap. You will need to cut the skewers to fit the width of the cardboard base, but leave room for the wheels.
• Secure the wheels to the skewers with tape.
• Attach the axles to the underside of the car base with tape, ensuring the wheels can spin freely.
• Insert a straw into the opening of a balloon and secure it with tape, ensuring there are no air leaks.
• Attach the other end of the straw to the top of the car base, positioning it so the balloon can inflate and deflate towards the back of the car. Secure the straw with tape.
• Inflate the balloon through the straw, pinch the straw to hold the air, place the car on a flat surface, then release the straw.

The inflated balloon stores potential energy when blown up. When the air is released, Newton’s third law of motion kicks into gear: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

As the air rushes out of the balloon (action), it pushes the car in the opposite direction (reaction). The escaping air propels the car forward, making it move across the surface.

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Green Chemistry

A practical route to making ammonia from wastewater, porous solid electrolyte boosts the efficiency of converting nitrates to ammonia, by prachi patel, august 14, 2024 | a version of this story appeared in volume 102, issue 25.

• Electronic waste is a gold mine waiting to be tapped
• How can companies recycle wind turbine blades?
• Industrial ammonia production emits more CO 2 than any other chemical-making reaction. Chemists want to change that
• Periodic Graphics: Summer hair color changes
• What is ball lightning, a reality or myth?

Wastewater is laced with nitrates that harm ecosystems and human health. Engineers have now designed a practical reactor based on a solid electrolyte to efficiently convert those nitrates into ammonia ( Nat. Catal. 2024, DOI: 10.1038/s41929-024-01200-w ). The method could treat wastewater while making ammonia production more sustainable.

Ammonia-based fertilizers help feed the world. But the Haber-Bosch process to make ammonia results in 1.3% of global CO2 emissions . Synthesizing ammonia by the electrochemical reduction of nitrates, which could be powered by renewable electricity, is a greener alternative. In electrochemical devices, a catalyst at the anode oxidizes water to form hydrogen ions, which go to the cathode, where another catalyst reduces nitrate to ammonia.

But wastewater’s low nitrate concentrations mean much of the current ends up going toward producing hydrogen gas instead of ammonia. So researchers have previously added electrolyte solutions to conduct more hydrogen ions across the electrodes. “But in real wastewater treatment systems, you can’t add tons of electrolyte to convert nitrate to ammonia,” says Feng-Yang Chen , a chemical and biomolecular engineer at Rice University.

Chen, Haotian Wang , and colleagues designed a reactor that is split into three chambers using two electrodes. Each electrode is a ruthenium-embedded copper nanowire mesh to which the researchers attached an ion-conducting membrane. They packed the chamber between the electrodes with tiny beads of a porous polymer drenched with electrolyte solution.The new setup increased ionic conductivity and suppressed hydrogen gas formation. When the team fed simulated industrial wastewater with a typical 2,000 ppm nitrate concentration into the device, over 90% of electric current went toward ammonia production.

Previous systems suffer from much lower efficiencies at that concentration, says Xiao Su , a chemical and biomolecular engineering professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who was not involved in the study. “The porous solid electrolyte is a clever conceptual advance and gives a significant performance improvement.” The long-term challenge will be to ensure that the process, with its use of novel catalysts and electrolytes, can compete in cost with the Haber-Bosch method.

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A.L.S. Stole His Voice. A.I. Retrieved It.

In an experiment that surpassed expectations, implants in a patient’s brain were able to recognize words he tried to speak, and A.I. helped produce sounds that came close to matching his true voice.

Casey Harrell, who has A.L.S., received surgically implanted electrodes last July that help connect his brain to a computer allowing him to speak with the assistance of an A.I.-powered computer voice. Credit... Ian C. Bates for The New York Times

Supported by

By Benjamin Mueller

• Aug. 14, 2024

Four years ago, Casey Harrell sang his last bedtime nursery rhyme to his daughter.

By then, A.L.S. had begun laying waste to Mr. Harrell’s muscles, stealing from him one ritual after another: going on walks with his wife, holding his daughter, turning the pages of a book. “Like a night burglar,” his wife, Levana Saxon, wrote of the disease in a poem.

But no theft was as devastating to Mr. Harrell, 46, as the fading of his speech. He had sung his last Whitney Houston song at karaoke. A climate activist, he had delivered his last unassisted Zoom presentation to fellow organizers.

Last July, doctors at the University of California, Davis, surgically implanted electrodes in Mr. Harrell’s brain to try to discern what he was trying to say. That made him the latest test subject in a daunting scientific quest, one that has attracted deep-pocketed firms like Elon Musk’s company Neuralink: connecting people’s brains to computers, potentially restoring their lost faculties. Doctors told him that he would be advancing the cause of science, but that he was not likely to reverse his fortunes.

Yet the results surpassed expectations, the researchers reported on Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine, setting a new bar for implanted speech decoders and illustrating the potential power of such devices for people with speech impairments.

“It’s very exciting,” said Dr. Edward Chang, a neurosurgeon at University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in Mr. Harrell’s case but has developed different speech implants . A device that just years ago “seemed like science fiction,” he said, is now “improving, getting optimized, so quickly.”

Mr. Harrell’s team sank into his brain’s outer layer four electrode arrays that looked like tiny beds of nails. That was double the number that had recently been implanted in the speech areas of someone with A.L.S., or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in a separate study . Each array’s 64 spikes picked up electric impulses from neurons that fired when Mr. Harrell tried to move his mouth, lips, jaw and tongue to speak.

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Tips, ideas and practical experiments to help you make the most of microscale chemistry in your classroom

On this page

• Getting started

Why microscale?

Microscale chemistry practicals.

The fast guide to microscale practical work

By Maria Burke

Every chemistry teacher’s must-have guide to this no-fuss method for practical work

Apparatus and techniques for microscale chemistry

Find out what apparatus you need for common microscale experiments, learn about key techniques and discover how to prepare solutions of different elements.

Maximise learning with microscale

By Bob Worley

Find out why and how a small-scale approach to practical work reaps big rewards in your classroom

Making practical work more effective

By David Paterson

Microscale chemistry and well-ordered teaching sequences reduce cognitive overload

Why I love microscale

Advocating a practical approach to practical work in the classroom

More from Education in Chemistry

Escape the classroom: and try microscale chemistry

By Adrian Allan

Escape room puzzles based on simple microscale reactions for students

Exhibition Chemistry demonstrations

Engage and inspire your students with these exciting demonstrations, including videos, practical guidance and teaching notes

The movement of ions: bringing electrolysis to life

Demonstrate the movement of positive and negative ions with a simpler, safer version of this classic demo

Dynamite soap: The combustion of stoichiometric hydrogen–oxygen mixtures

Add this quick demo to the end of a lesson on squeaky pops to show the dramatic impact of mixing chemicals in the correct proportions

Practical videos

Video resources featuring microscale experiments, designed to support flipped learning and live practical work

Displacement reactions – practical videos | 14–16 students

Video and resources investigating the displacement reactions between the halogens chlorine, bromine and iodine and their respective halides in microscale

Identifying ions – practical videos | 14–16 students

Video resource showing how to identify ions in various solutions. Flame tests, sodium hydroxide test (microscale) and tests for negative ions: carbonate, sulfate and halide ions

Reactivity of metals | practical videos | 14–16 years

Video with supporting resources featuring three experiments investigating the relative reactivity of metals, including metal displacement reactions in microscale

Electrochemical cells | practical videos | 16–18 students

Video and supporting resources to support electrochemistry practical work, including two microscale experiments, animation and cell diagrams

More microscale experiments and demonstrations

Precipitation reactions of lead nitrate

Compare the colours of various lead compounds to identify which would be good pigments in this microscale practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Some reactions of sulfur dioxide

Observe the reactions of sulfur dioxide with potassium manganate (IV), iodide/iodate mixture and indicator solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions. 

The determination of copper in brass

Try this microscale class practical to investigate how much copper there is in brass using nitric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Microscale reactions of hydrogen sulfide

Observe the reactions of hydrogen sulfide with lead nitrate, silver nitrate and potassium manganate(VII) in this microscale practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Microscale reactions of ammonia

Try this practical to explore the reactions of ammonia with indicator solution, copper(II) sulfate solution and Nessler’s reagent. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Measuring density

By measuring the relative mass of seawater and tap water, students will be able to discover the density of these liquids. Includes kit list and safety instructions. 

The chemistry of thiosulfate ions

Sodium thiosulfate has several interesting reactions with a variety of chemicals. This experiment will let students explore and record these reactions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Some reactions of nitrogen dioxide

Using a range of chemicals and solutions, students can create an experiment that will explore some of the reactions of nitrogen dioxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Testing acids and bases on a microscale

Test various substances with indicator solution and look for colour changes in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Mass changes in chemical reactions

Perform two chemical reactions to see whether any mass changes occur in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The oxidation of cyclohexanol by nitric acid

Perform a ring opening oxidation using nitric acid to produce the dicarboxylic acid, 1,6-hexanedioic acid (adipic acid) – and then use the solid crystals that form to determine a melting point. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Exploring the chemistry of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten

Discover how transition elements differ in aspects of colour, precipitate formation, changes in oxidation state and equilibria. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Brady’s test for aldehydes and ketones

Identify aldehydes and ketones using Brady’s reagent (2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine) in this microscale experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The chemical properties of phenol

Observe and interpret some of the chemical reactions of hydroxybenzene (phenol), by adding five different substances to a Petri dish, and noting down findings. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Preparing ethyne on a microscale

Generate ethyne gas with calcium carbide and test its properties in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Observing chemical changes

Try this microscale practical to explore the chemical changes in displacement, redox and precipitation reactions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Diffusion of gases on a microscale

Try this class practical to explore the diffusion of gases and how relative molecular mass affects rate of diffusion. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Redox chemistry with dichromate ions

Observe the colour changes that occur with the reduction of dichromate ions by hydrogen peroxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Oxidation states of iron

Compare the two main oxidation states of iron and consider explanations for differences in this microscale practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Microscale reactions of metals with acids

Try this class practical to explore reactivity series with various metals as they react with acids on a microscale. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Unsaturation test with potassium manganate(VII)

Use a solution of potassium manganate to test for unsaturation in organic compounds in this microscale practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Properties of group 2 elements

Microscale experiment where various anion solutions are added to drops of group 2 element cations. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Testing for unsaturation with bromine on a microscale

Try this class experiment to prepare elemental bromine and use it to test for unsaturation in organic compounds. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Oxygen and methylene blue

Reacting hydrogen peroxide, and potassium manganate together will produce detectable oxygen so by using methylene blue solution, and a gas generating apparatus students can test for the presence of oxygen in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instruction.

Synthesis of aspirin on a microscale

Use this class practical to produce aspirin in a microscale esterification reaction using phosphoric acid as a catalyst. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Energy changes in neutralisation

Study energy changes in two chemical reactions using thermometer strips to measure temperature in this experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Formation of TCP (2,4,6-trichlorohydroxybenzene)

Delve into preparing TCP by reacting hydroxybenzene (phenol) with chlorine gas, and create this distinctive smelling compound.

Investigating redox reactions on a microscale

Carry out two redox reactions and observe and interpret the results in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The microscale synthesis of indigo dye

Carry out a microscale organic synthesis, the result of which will leave students with indigo dye. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Finding out how much salt there is in seawater

Use the microscale titration apparatus to titrate silver nitrate solution against sea water

The treatment of oil spills

Tackle the real-life environment problem of oil spills in your classroom, by creating and then treating a micro version of an oil event. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Some reactions of carbon dioxide

Create carbon dioxide from marble chips and acid, then test for its reaction with barium hydroxide by observing the carbonate precipitate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The microscale synthesis of azo dyes

Synthesise an azo dye, and use it to change the colour of cotton, with this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Sulfate and carbonate solubility of Groups 1 and 2

Try this microscale practical to explore the properties of elements in Groups 1 and 2 as they form various precipitates. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Measuring an equilibrium constant on a microscale

Use your microscale titration apparatus to determine the equilibrium constant for the reaction between silver(I) and iron(II) ions

Exploring the properties of the carvones

Test the smell of each enantiomer of carvone and detect the differences

Measuring the amount of vitamin C in fruit drinks

Explore ascorbic acid in fruit drinks through titration in this experiment, with specimen results and calculations, stock solutions, and detailed notes included. 

Displacement reactions of metals on a microscale

Examine the reactions between various metals and metal salt solutions in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Electrolysis using a microscale Hoffman apparatus

Investigate the electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution using a microscale Hoffman apparatus in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The chemistry of silver

Discover the properties of silver compounds with redox reactions, complex formation and colour/state changes. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Transition elements and complex compounds microscale experiment | 16–18 years

Try this microscale practical investigating the transition elements, complex formation and change in oxidation state. Includes kit list and safety instructions

Analysis of aspirin tablets on a microscale

Try this microscale class practical to analyse aspirin tablets and find out how much salicylic acid is present. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The temperature changes induced by evaporation

Explore the rate of evaporation for a trio of liquids, using just a temperature strip, and our worksheet. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Properties of stereoisomers

By soaking cotton wool in two limonene enantiomers, and adding a stereoisomer, students can explore the differences between each chemical and discuss how they each might react in different conditions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Using a microscale conductivity meter

Explore electrical conductivity with this practical that allows students to test different materials for how well a current will pass through them. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Microscale extraction of copper

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Try this practical to reduce copper(II) oxide to copper using hydrogen, revealing their positions in the reactivity series. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Practical potions microscale | 11–14 years

Observe chemical changes in this microscale experiment with a spooky twist.

Microscale technicians in trouble! investigation

Some solutions have been mixed up – help the technicians work out which is which

About this collection

A number of the practicals and demonstrations featured on this page are based on experiments previously published in Microscale chemistry: experiments in miniature . Royal Society of Chemistry members receive a 35% discount at the RSC bookshop.

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Energy & Environmental Science

An all-in-one free-standing single-ion conducting semi-solid polymer electrolyte for high-performance practical li metal batteries.

Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes, characterized by effective Li+ transport and dendrite mitigation, are emerging as promising candidates for the highly demanded lithium metal batteries. However, despite the promise, their current ionic conductivity and Li+ transference number fall short of application requirements. Herein, we have developed a free-standing single-ion conducting semi-solid polymer electrolyte (PBSIL), engineered through the synergistic interaction between anion acceptors and solvated ionic liquids. This innovative chemical synergy significantly enhances the complete dissociation of lithium salts while immobilizing anions, thus facilitating rapid Li+ transport. As a result, the PBSIL electrolyte exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity of 8.0×10-4 S cm-1, and an improved Li+ transference number of 0.75. These features effectively mitigate concentration polarization and dendrite growth, ensuring long-term cell stability. Moreover, Li|PBSIL|LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cells demonstrate an ultra-long cycle life of 1300 cycles, with a high discharge capacity of 183 mAh g−1 and excellent capacity retention of 75%. Additionally, PBSIL has been successfully integrated for the first time into the production of winding-processed semi-solid state cylindrical and Z-stacked pouch lithium metal batteries. Through the synergistic regulation of Li+ transport and anion immobilization, PBSIL provides an effective design strategy for free-standing semi-solid polymer electrolytes, showcasing superior electrochemical performance and contributing to the development and industrialization of long-cycling lithium metal batteries.

Supplementary files

• Supplementary information PDF (2282K)

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J. Zhang, J. Zhu, R. Zhao, J. Liu, X. Song, N. Xu, Y. Liu, H. Zhang, X. Wan, Y. Ma, C. Li and Y. Chen, Energy Environ. Sci. , 2024, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D4EE02208D

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