Presentations

A variety of element samples to show on the first day of Gen Chem: compare metals and non-metals; solids, liquid and gas elements; compounds vs. elements.

A vintage collection of 16 wooden models of the s, p, d, and f atomic orbitals.

An old bomb calorimeter made by the Parr Instrument Company for show-and-tell. Circa 1964.

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.

Samples of substances are weighed on a balance. Each is one mole of the substance.

Balloons filled with helium, hydrogen, and hydrogen with oxygen are combusted. Great demo for the first day of class!

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.

How it Works

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

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...

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

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:/...

A solution with bromothymol blue indicator changes from blue to yellow as the instructor blows into the liquid with a straw.

Video of Professor's Acid Breath can be found here https://youtu.be/hfhNZEzBEtg

What it Shows

A person’s breath contains carbon...

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.

What it Shows

When...