Chemical Behavior of Matter

Balls are rolled on a track to show two particles reacting or a potential well showing the bond between two atoms.

Sealed tubes of a mixture of NO₂ and N₂O₄ gas are placed in ice water and in boiling water, and an instant change in the equilibrium system is demonstrated, according to Le Chatelier’s Principle.

The ability of a buffer to resist changes in pH is colorfully shown by adding strong acid and base to water and buffer solution with universal indicator.

Video link to be added...

How it Works

A buffer solution contains both a weak acid and a weak base in...

What it Shows

Le Chatelier’s principle is demonstrated by color changes that result from the addition of solid chemicals to the iron (III) thiocyanate equilibrium system.

Link to Equilibrium of Iron (III) Thiocyanate video can be found here https:/...

What it Shows

Cyclohexane vapor catches on fire when it flows downwards to a burning candle at the bottom of a ramp.

How it Works

Cyclohexane is a clear, organic liquid with a formula of C₆H₁₂.

Because cyclohexane is a nonpolar molecule with only weak...

What it Shows

An inverted trash can is launched into the air by an exploding bottle of liquid nitrogen.

Link to Liquid Nitrogen Trashcan video can be found here https://harvard.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=6f33f468-528c-4ab5-acd6...

Calcium acetate and ethanol form a flammable gel that gives off enough heat to keep food hot! Additional chemicals can be added to color the flame.

Video of this demo is available at https://youtu.be/d0yP9Pvj-Yk?si=oPXINddIKNj_PiHD

 

What it Shows

When...

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.

Video of Microscope Thermite Reaction can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5VXt0hZOc8

What it

...

Bread dough is stiff but still flows. A big blob of foodstuff that slumps over time, like Silly Putty but large and edible.

Make bread dough enough for a couple loaves, and knead it stiff enough that a round ball of dough takes half an hour to slump to...

Three clear containers, about 10% full of water, and three immersion blenders are on the bench. Three students volunteer to mix air into water. To one container is added an egg white, and to another is added xantham gum. The students are met with varying...