Chemical Reactions
Under construction... more to come!
Hydrogen Balloon and H2 + O2 Explosion
[L | t+| ★★★★]
A favorite demo for the first day of class! A balloon of hydrogen gas is ignited, followed by balloon with a stoichiometry mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas.
Blue bottle redox demonstration
[ S | t+ | ★★★★ ]
The solution in the bottle goes from clear to blue, then fades to colorless again! A fun demonstration of methylene blue reduced by dextrose, as well as kinetic effects.
Reactions of Li, Na, and K with Water
[ L | t+ | ★★★★ ]
Lithium, sodium, and potassium undergo reactions with water.
Microscale Thermite Reaction
[ S | t | ★★★★ ]
When two rusty iron balls, one wrapped in aluminum foil, are struck together, sparks and light are given off in this small scale thermite reaction.
Precipitation of Silver Chloride
[S | t | ★★★]
Sodium chloride solution is added to silver nitrate solution and a white precipitate of silver chloride is instantly formed.
Precipitation of Lead Iodide
[S | t | ★★★]
Potassium iodide solution is added to lead nitrate solution, and bright yellow lead iodide precipitates.
Metals in Acid
[ S | t | ★★ ]
Curls of zinc and magnesium are dropped into 2M hydrochloric acid, and bubbles observer'd.
Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition by Iodide
[ S | t | ★★★★ ]
Hydrogen peroxide 30% in a large round flask decomposes to boiling water and oxygen when postassium iodide is added.
Photochemical Reaction of Hydrogen and Chlorine
[ S | t++ | ★★★★ ]
Different colors of LED light illuminate a small corked test tube with no reaction. Ultraviolet light causes an explosion that shoots the cork across the room.
Benjamin Franklin's Thunder House
[L | t+ | ★★★★]
Ben Franklin's thunder house is blown apart by "lightning" causing a explosive chemical reaction.
[In-Depth Description]
Miner's Lamp: Acetylene Combustion
[ M | t+ | ★★★★ ]
The production and combustion of acetylene is shown in a beaker, as well as in an old-fashioned miner's lamp by reacting calcium carbide with water.
Butane bubbles: Hydrocarbon combustion
[ M | t | ★★★★ ]
Soap bubbles filled with butane gas are set on fire.
Whoosh bottle: Alcohol combustion
[ M | t | ★★★★ ]
Isopropanol vapor burns with a "whoosh" when ignited in a 5 gallon jug.
Gummy bear combustion: Energy in carbohydrates
[ M | t+ | ★★★★ ]
2 spectacular reactions in one demonstration: The decomposition reaction of potassium chlorate gives off oxygen gas, which causes the combustion of sugar in a gummy bear.
Contact Us
Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos@fas.harvard.edu