College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
10A10.50 - Chemical Reaction Demos
See the files or the hardcopy 10A10.50 entry in the Chemistry and Physics of the Environment notebook for directions.
- "Fluid Flow Disruption", TPT, Vo. 52, # 8, Nov. 2014, p. 454.
- Camilla M. Saviz, Said Shakerin, "Serious Fun: Using Toys to Demonstrate Fluid Mechanics Principles", TPT, Vol. 52, # 6, Sept. 2014, p. 332.
- Charles Day, "Experiment Tracks the Progress of a Chaotically Mixed Chemical Reaction", Physics Today, Feb. 2006, p. 15.
- Theodore Gray, "Poison Light", Popular Science, May 2012, p. 77.
- Theodore Gray, "Fire in the Hole", Popular Science, August 2011, p. 72.
- Theodore Gray, "Let Burning Materials Lie", Popular Science, June 2008, p. 84.
- Theodore Gray, "Flash Bang", Popular Science, Oct. 2009, p. 72.
- Bathroom Readers' Institute, "We've Got Chemistry", Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for Kids - Did You Know?, p. 98.
- Charles Vivian, "Spaces Between Molecules", Science Experiments & Amusements For Children, p. 14.
- Pat Murphy, Ellen Macaulay, and the staff of the Exploratorium, "The Fungus Among Us", Exploratopia, p. 92.
- Martin Gardner, "Copying Fluid", Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects, p. 21.
- Martin Gardner, "Combustible Cube", Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects, p. 19.
- Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Sum is Less Than More", Bet You Can't!, p. 60.
- Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Rekindled Candle Caper", Bet You Can!, p. 38.
- Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Smoke But No Fire", Bet You Can!, p. 34.
- Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Leakproof", Bet You Can!, p. 33.
- Janice VanCleave, "11: New Stuff", Engineering For Every Kid: Easy Activities that Make Learning Science Fun, p. 81.
- Chemical Magic, "Specific Gravity: Floaters", Smoke and Vapors, p. 93.
- Bobby Mercer, "Breaking Water", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 67.
- Bobby Mercer, "Not-So-Permanent Marker", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 101.
- Bobby Mercer, "Chalk Chromatography", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 105.
- Bobby Mercer, "My Soda Has Gas", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 115.
- Bobby Mercer, "Rubber Egg", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 121.
- Bobby Mercer, "Clean Pennies", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 129.
- Bobby Mercer, "Green Pennies", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 131.
- Bobby Mercer, "Copper Nails", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 133.
- Bobby Mercer, "Coke Non-Float", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 136.
- Bobby Mercer, "Baking Soda Is the Bomb", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 141.
- Bobby Mercer, "The Self-Inflating Balloon, Type 1", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 155.
- Bobby Mercer, The Self-Inflating Balloon, Type 2", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 160.
- Bobby Mercer, "Are You Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot?", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 164.
- Curt Suplee, "To stick or not to stick", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 40.
- Curt Suplee, "Speeding Bullet", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 46.
- Curt Suplee, "Getting together", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 132.
- Curt Suplee, "Odd Couples", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 134.
- Curt Suplee, "Skeletons of substance", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 138.
- Curt Suplee, "A transparent world", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 140.
- Curt Suplee, Marriages of convenience", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 142.
- Curt Suplee, "Chemistry for contractors", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 152.
- Curt Suplee, "Those amazing halogens", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 154.
- Curt Suplee, "Halogens and the environment", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 156.
- Curt Suplee, "Ashes to ashes, rust to rust", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 158.
- Curt Suplee, "It's what's for dinner", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 160.
- Curt Suplee, "Carbon's black magic", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 162.
- Curt Suplee, "A world of fuels", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 166.
- Curt Suplee, "Endless variations on a theme", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 168.
- Guinness World Records, "Most Bioluminescent Insect", 2003, p. 86.
- Goose, "65. Name That Precipitate", Solutions and Solubili, p. 123.
- Brown, "Clean Copper or Brass", 333 Science Tricks and Experiments" p. 152-153.
- Brown, Science for You - 112 Illustrated Experiments, p. 106.
- Brown, "Shiny Aluminum", 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Childern, p. 87-88.
- Reader's Digest, "Invisible inks for secret messages", How in the World, p. 81.
- Color Changes: Invisible Inks, "Hot and Cold Colors", p. 5.
- Tik Liem, "5.34 Touch A Cracker", Investigation To Science Inquiry, Chemistry, Reaction Energy, p. 168.
- Tik Liem, "5.21 The Chemical Flag", Investigation To Science Inquiry, Chemistry, Spontaneous Combustion, p. 155.
- Tik Liem, "6.4 The Hot Acid", Investigation To Science Inquiry, Energy, Chemical Sources, p. 182.
- Tik Liem, "5.25 The Rocket Exhaust", Investigation To Science Inquiry, Chemistry, Exothermic Reaction Spontaneous Combustion, p. 159.
- Tik Liem, "5.24 The Magic Wand", Investigation to Science Inquiry, Chemistry, Exothermic Reaction Combustion, p. 158.
- Janice VanCleave, "117. Phenol Who?", 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 64.
- Tik Liem, "5.18 The Fiery Water", Investigation To Science Inquiry, Chemistry, Catalytic Reaction, p. 152.
- Janice VanCleave, "118. Pink!", 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 64.
- Chemical Magic, "Turpentine Fire", p. 68
- Chemical Demonstrations, Volume 1, 93. Making a Simple Battery: The Gerber Cell, Oxidation-Reduction, p. 155.
- The Acid in Water Puzzle, Chemical Demonstrations, Volume 2, Energy Changes, p. 103.
- Chemical Demonstrations, Volume 2, 109. Hydrogen Peroxide as an Oxidizing and a Reducing Agent, Oxidation and Reduction Reactions, p. 209.
- Chemical Demonstrations, Volume 2, 57. Nitrocellulose, Energy Changes, p. 105.
- 23. The "Aladdin's Lamp" Reaction, Reactions Involving Gases, p. 41.
- Tik Liem, "5.23 Color The Flame", Investigation To Science Inquiry, Chemistry, Strong Oxidants Spontaneous Combustion, p. 157.
- Flinn Scientific Inc., CHEM-FAX, Water to Grape Juice to Milk (A Refreshing Demonstration), 1999.
- Aluminum Silver Cleaner, p. 61.
- Salad Dressing, Vinegar Rocket-Launcher, Vinegar Cannon, p. 28.
- Dairy, "Glue from Milk", p. 36
- CHEM-FAX, "The Disappearing Aluminum Can", An Oxidation-Reduction Activity, Flinn Scientific Inc., 2007.
- Popular Science, "Tests Show Chemical Fire Hazards", August 1948, p. 212.
- Cy Tymony, "Sneaky Ethanol Demonstration", Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things, p. 111.
- Cy Tymony, "Sneaky Hydrogen Power Demonstration", Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things, p. 121.
- Martin Gardner, "Copying Fluid", Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects, Dover Publications, Inc., Bellaire Christian Academy Library, p. 21.
- Carl Ahlers, Expose Excite Ignite an Essential to Whizz-Bang Chemistry, "The Tube Cannon", 20.
- Sara Stein, "Kitchen Chemistry", The Science Book, p. 217.
- Herb Strongin, “Making a Cabbage Water Acid-Base Indicator“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 39.
- Herb Strongin, “Investigating Alka-Seltzer“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 41.
- Herb Strongin, “Investigating the Requirements for Fire: How Does a Match Work?“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 69.
- Herb Strongin, “Investigating Ways to Extinguish Fire“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 73.
- Herb Strongin, “Heating a Raisin“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 88.
- Herb Strongin, “Investigating Formulas and Pancake Syrup“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 91.
- Herb Strongin, “Dissolving and Recovering Salt“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 94.
- Herb Strongin, “Obtaining Pure Water from Salt Water“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 102.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Breaking a Compound“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 38.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Separating Immiscible Liquids“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 44.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Chemical Cold Pack - An Endothermic Process“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 57.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Endothermic Reactions Between Solids“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 58.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Add Water and the Egg Cooks“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 60.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Heat of Solution“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 64.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Foam - A Trapped State“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 82.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “A Test for Oxygen Gas“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 83.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Carbon Dioxide Cannon“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 89.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Ammonia Bottle“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 91.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Trendy Reactivity“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 132.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Evidence of Chemical Change“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 142.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Cleaning Silver“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 149.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Genie in a Bottle“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 150.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Elephant Toothpaste“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 151.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Slowing the Glow“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 156.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Red Cabbage in a Blender - A Great Indicator“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 178.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Acids React With Active Metals“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 179.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Disappearing Ink“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 184.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Acid Rain“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 186.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Polymers - An Introduction“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 194.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Dissecting a Diaper“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 198.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Inorganic Polymer“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 202.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Action - Reaction Pairs“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 235.
- Julius Sumner Miller, Q120 & A120, Millergrams II – Some More Enchanting Questions for Enquiring Minds, p. 15 & 78.
- Julius Sumner Miller, Q213 & A213, Millergrams II – Some More Enchanting Questions for Enquiring Minds, p. 65 & 113.
- Editors of Portable Press, "The Benzene Molecule", Strange Science, p. 211.
Permanganate and Glycerin
- Neil A. Downie, "28: Binary Match", Vacuum Bazookas, Electric Rainbow Jelly and 27 Other Saturday Science Projects, p. 229.
- Oxidation by Potassium Permanganate, A Chem Ed Tested Demonstration, p. 168.
- "Reaction Types: Glycerin and Potassium Permanganate", Unknown source.
- Leonard A. Ford, "Delayed Fire", Chemical Magic Second Edition, pp. 62-63.
- Theodore Gray, "Playing with Fire", Popular Science, Oct. 2012, p. 77.
Blue Bottle Experiment
- 5.36: Tik Liem, "Shaking the Blues", Investigation to Science Inquiry.
- "Experiment 27: The Blue Bottle Experiment or I Wonder Where the Color Went", University of Iowa Chemistry Lab Manual, 1976. p. 132.
- "Blue Bottle", Unknown source, p. 43.
- "XIII, Delayed or Consecutive Reactions: Disappearing Blue", Chemical Magic, Leonard A. Ford.
Acetone & Styrofoam
- Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "The Disappearing Coffee Cup", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 2, pp. 96.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Reduction of a Polymer“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 197.
HCl & Chalk
- 50 Fun Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You, "Ghost Glove", National Geographic Kids, p. 88.
- "Production of Carbon Dioxide", Countertop Chemistry, The Science House, North Carolina State University.
- "40, Rock Eater", Janice VanCleave, Earth Science for Every Kid, p. 92
- "100, Limestone Deposits", Janice VanCleave's 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre & Incredible Experiments, p. 55.
- "Acid Test for Carbonates", Robert W. Wood, Science for Kids: 39 Easy Geology Experiments. p. 72.
- "Rock Eater", Janice VanCleave, 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, & Fun Experiments, pp. 76.
- Joey Green, "Disappearing Chalk", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 2, p. 21.
- Herb Strongin, “Making and Using Carbon Dioxide“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 80.
Luminol Glow Light - Firefly
- Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "Oxidations of Luminol", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 1, p. 156.
- "Luminol: The Glowing Reaction", https://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/Interactive/luminol-glowing-r...
- "The Oxidation of Luminol", https://eic.rsc.org/section/exhibition-chemistry/chemiluminescence-the-o...
- "Luminol Glow Light: A Demonstration", C11-5-01.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Chemiluminescence: The Firefly Reaction“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 65.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Slowing the Glow“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 156.
Piezo Popper Kit
- Materials for High School and College: Piezo Popper Kit, Educational Innovations, Inc. p. 104, 2004/2005 Catalog.
Canned Heat
- "97, Production of Sterno: A Gel", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 1. p. 165.
- "Calcium Acetate Handwarmers", CAPOW (Chemistry and Physics on Wheels) Demonstration List, Dan M. Sullivan, University of Nebraska, Omaha.
- Leonard A. Ford, "Hard Water", Chemical Magic Second Edition, pp. 86-87.
Wave Demo
- Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "Waves in a Bottle", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 2, pp. 92.
- Bob Barrett, "Physics in a Soap Dispenser - Dancing Dolphins", TPT, Vol. 38, # 8, Nov. 2000, p. 480.
Mercury Beating Heart
- R. W. Pohl, "The Demonstration of Polarization by the Change in the Surface Tension of Liquids", Physical Principles of Electricity and Magnetism, p.
- Jearl Walker, "2.154, Chicken-Fat Oscillator", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 146.
- Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "An Improved Mercury Beating Heart", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 1, pp. 130, (Pre-1982, 2 Volume Set)
- Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "The Mercury Beating Heart", Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, pp. 260, 1992, 4 Volume Set.
- "Beating Heart", A Chem Ed Tested Demonstration, p. 143.
- "Mercury Amoeba", Unknown Source, p. 57
- "Pulsing Mercury", Leonard A. Ford, Chemical Magic, p. 107.
Cupric Chloride & Al Foil
- # 96, "Helper", Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky and Wonderful Experiments.
- Vladimir Haensel and Robert L. Burwell, Jr., "Catalysis", Scientific American, Vol. 224, # 7 to 12, 1971, p. 46.
- Nylon
- Theodore Gray, "Stir Up Some Nylon", Popular Science, May 2006, p. 80.
- Tik Liem, "Make a Nylon Tread Out of Two Liquids", Investigation to Science Inquiry, p. 172.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Mysterious Appearance of Copper“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 147.
Burning Metals
- Janice Van Cleave, "30: Golden Sparkles", Teaching the Fun of Physics, p. 47.
- Bobby Mercer, "Burning Steel", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 148.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Magnesium Burns and Burns“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 152.
Liquid Oxygen - Acceleration of Combustion
- See the 4A40.70 webpage in Heat and Fluids
Catalysts
- Theodore Gray, "Change Agent", Popular Science, Apr. 2012, p.76.
- Carl Ahlers, Expose Excite Ignite An Essential To Whizz-Bang Chemistry, Silicon from Sand, Extracting Silicon from Sand, p. 65.pdf
- Carl Ahlers, Expose Excite Ignite An Essential To Whizz-Bang Chemistry, Magnesium Pencil Sharpener Secrets, p.73.
- Carl Ahlers, Expose Excite Ignite An Essential To Whizz-Bang Chemistry, Sugar can go Whoosh, p. 93.
- Carl Ahlers, Expose Excite Ignite An Essential To Whizz-Bang Chemistry, Prepare Fire Paper, 106.
- Carl Ahlers, Expose Excite Ignite An Essential To Whizz-Bang Chemistry, Touch Sensitive Chemicals, 109.
- Borislaw Bilash II, “Catalytic Oxidation of Acetone“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 153.
Nylon
- Thomas Schaub, "Producing Adipic Acid Without the Nitrous Oxide", Science, Vol. 366, #6472, Dec. 2019, p. 1447.
- Tik L. Liem, "Make A Nylon Thread Out of Two Liquids", Invitations to Science Inquiry - Supplement to 1st and 2nd Ed. p. 73.
- Tik L. Liem, "Magic Flash Paper", Invitations to Science Inquiry - Supplement to 1st and 2nd Ed. p. 75.
Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.