Using a small amount of calcium carbide and water, we are able to demonstrate an explosive reaction – all while indulging our inner pyromaniac!

• Course: CH 301 | CH 320M

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

**Note: Prior to conducting this demonstration, it is imperative that the building manager(s) and UTPD be notified of a potential loud noise. 

A small, controlled example of pollution from burning fossil fuels. This specific example is showcased by burning sulfur.

• Course: CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Watch how two liquids having similar intermolecular forces can make their total volume shrink! In this demo, ethanol and water serve as excellent examples due to both exhibiting hydrogen bonding.

• Course: CH 302 | CH 353

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Explore limiting reactants, activation energies, and combustion with the bright and exciting alcohol cannon demonstration.

• Course: CH 301 | CH 320M

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Alkali metals react vigorously with water. Compare the reactivities of sodium and potassium metal and explore similarities & differences within a reactivity series with this spectacular demonstration.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

• Alternative Video Performance Link

Explain the ranges of unique and colorful emissions of atoms and compounds using plasma tubes and Tesla coils. Ever seen a neon sign?

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Just like sodas become “flat” from losing carbonation, observe the readiness with which gasses can fall out of solution.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Water can be forced to boil at room temperature. This is achieved through creating a low pressure system.

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Watch organic chemistry at work with this color-changing demonstration!

(Compounds containing bromine are extremely toxic. This experiment can only be remotely performed from a fume hood within a laboratory via webcam.)

• Course: CH 320M 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

In this demonstration, blowing through a straw into a basic solution containing an indicator causes the carbon dioxide from your breath to acidify the solution, resulting in a visible color change.

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Compare the buffer capacities of different solutions using acetic acid and sodium acetate!

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Say that five times fast! A great introduction to calorimetry using a simple apparatus – a coffee cup!

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Using the + and – enantiomers of two different chemicals, all that chirality entails is laid out for us to see… or, rather, smell! 

• Course: CH 320M 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Dissolving chalk isn’t exactly easy. However, it never hurts to try something once.

• Course: CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Be careful where you aim this exciting and explosive dry ice demo – in the wise words of ‘The Old Man’ from A Christmas Story, “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” 

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Changes in temperature produce colorful shifts in equilibrium between two cobalt complex species.

• Course: CH 301 | CH 302 | CH 431

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Observe the inverse relationship between pressure and volume with this implosive demo! By rapidly decreasing the internal pressure of water vapor inside an aluminum soda can, you can watch the relationship described by Boyle with your own eyes.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Watch the difference in the rates at which three different tubes fill with froth – all based on how much acetate they started with!

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

With just a light bulb and a carefully crafted electrode, we can visually differentiate the degree of dissociation in strong and weak acids.

• Course: CH 302 | CH 376K

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Sugar is a very dense carbohydrate, which is convenient for energy production. However, it is also very useful for weighing down whatever it is dissolved in… like many sodas!

• Course: CH 301 | CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

In proper paradoxical form, watch how an entire rod of aluminum foil appears to disappear, dissolving in a solution of copper (II) chloride!

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Bubbles filled with carbon dioxide are “heavy”, and sink instead of float! If you’re careful enough, you might even be able to hold one!

• Course: CH 301 | CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Various Dry Ice Experiments Mini-Protocols.

• Course: CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Elemental silver crystals form a beautiful coating onto a copper wire. Bend your copper wire into fun shapes and watch it grow using this electrochemical plating technique.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Create a foamy monstrosity worthy of any elephant’s teeth! Watch as hydrogen peroxide undergoes catalytic decomposition in the presence of food coloring and dish soap.

• Course: CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Using a small amount of calcium carbide and water, we are able to demonstrate an explosive reaction – all while indulging our inner pyromaniac!

• Course: CH 301 | CH 320M

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

**Note: Prior to conducting this demonstration, it is imperative that the building manager(s) and UTPD be notified of a potential loud noise. 

Breathing fire has never been more scientific.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Hydrogen balloons are an explosive spectacle of energy and color! Students will be amazed by the fantastic colors of inorganic salts and the bold detonation of hydrogen gas.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Observe a variety of vibrant colors when lighting different metal salts on fire!

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Why do roads get salted before big winter storms? Look no further than this demo for proof as to why; when a solution is created, its freezing point depresses.

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

A banana is frozen solid under liquid nitrogen and repurposed to drive a nail into a piece of wood – demonstrating how physical properties of matter can change by changing temperature.

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

In this demo, a beaker is frozen to a block of wood with nothing but a chemical reaction! This is a great way to show off the real world capabilities of endothermic reactions.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

The construction of an electrochemical cell has many practical functions in a world of electricity. This demonstration constructs a basic zinc-copper cell.

• Course: CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Compare the densities of two noble gasses using balloons of helium and argon.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

This demo illustrates how gasses diffuse via the chemical reaction of two gaseous species. In a closed vessel, hydrogen chloride and ammonia are reacted and produce a visible solid – ammonium chloride!

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Watch the exothermic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by a catalyst, manganese(III) oxide.

• Course: CH 301

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Most candies are absolutely packed with sugar – and gummy bears are no exception. While it may cause cavities, this sugar can also be explosively combusted to showcase all of the energy gummy bears contain! 

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Watch as sodium hydroxide pellets demonstrate their ability to absorb and adsorb water in this simple observation exercise.

• Course: CH 301 | CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Observe the differences between positive and negative heat and work through two contrasting experiments.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Demonstrate the behaviors of polar and nonpolar liquids using static electricity.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

A fun demonstration of intermolecular forces. See how liquids of various viscosities can affect the movement of glass marbles of equal weight and size. Which will win?

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

In this experiment, we will observe two liquids that are immiscible. Due to differing intermolecular forces and the properties they bestow upon a substance, they can’t mix together!

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Make your very own gummy worms! Using a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, witness the unique chemical properties of sodium alginate, particularly its ability to undergo ionic cross-linking in the presence of divalent cations like calcium!

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Enjoy a frozen treat –  made with liquid nitrogen!

• Course: CH 301 | CH 302

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Litmus paper is a quick, single-use indicator that can roughly estimate the pH of any solution. Litmus paper has a range of colors that serves to respond to a broad spectrum of pHs – from 1 all the way to 14!

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Using an alcohol gel, you can light any shape on fire – even Bevo!

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Explore oxidation via this illuminating experiment. Luminol glows in the dark when oxidized - a process called chemiluminescence. 

• Course: CH 320N

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

The combustion of lycopodium powder is capable of blowing the lid off a metal can. For this demonstration, we’ll just stick to blowing up balloons.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

One pitcher, but different colored solutions.

• Course: CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

The combustion of methane is a great introduction to either alkanes and their explosive nature. It is also useful for demonstrating exothermic chemical reactions.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Methane gas is bubbled through soapy water to make ‘methane bubbles’. Light the bubbles in your hands for a flashy, fiery, spectacle of combustion!

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

This demonstration shows how vastly different the chemical properties are of two substances that may appear similar. In this case, both ethanol and water are clear, colorless liquids – but they have very different specific heat capacities.

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Create an ethereal flame by igniting the gas produced in the reaction of aluminum and hydrochloric acid.

(This demo produces toxic gas. This experiment can only be remotely performed from a fume hood within a laboratory via webcam.)

• Course: CH 301 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

A long string of nylon is polymerized from two immiscible solutions.

• Course: CH 302 | CH 320M 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

This oscillating reaction is a great demonstration of competing equilibrium and kinetic concepts. The sequence of color repeats with a period of approximately 15 seconds at 25 ºC.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Osmosis can be easily demonstrated using a chicken egg and its semipermeable membrane. In this case, water will cause the egg to change color if the water is dyed. 

(This demonstration requires an advanced notice of 7 days minimum.)

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

A brief and simple demonstration of the oxidation of alcohols. Using the reaction of chromic acid and ethanol, we see a unique color change!

• • Course: CH 320M

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Three reactions are carried out with potassium permanganate. These reactions result in manganese existing in a variety of oxidation states.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Use perfume to demonstrate how quickly gasses move and diffuse inside an open lecture hall.

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

With the pressurized power of liquid nitrogen’s rapid evaporation, 1,500 ping pong balls can be launched across an incredibly large radius! 

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

**Note: Prior to conducting this demonstration, it is imperative that the building manager(s) and UTPD to notify of a potential loud noise. 

Three different liquids are slowly pipetted onto wax paper. The liquids will bead on the paper differently depending on their intermolecular forces.

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Aqueous solutions of potassium iodide and lead nitrate are used to form a yellow precipitate. This demonstration can also be used to explain limiting reagent.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Two clear, colorless liquids are mixed and form a gel. A drastic change in viscosity of the material occurs as the gel is formed.

• Course: CH 320M

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol

Observe the brilliant reaction of elemental sodium and chlorine gas combined to form table salt, producing a bright, glowing light..

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Experience the fascinating effects of static electricity as scotch tape demonstrates the attraction and repulsion of charges.

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Two colorless solutions are poured in a large round bottom flask. After a few minutes of swirling, the flask darkens and becomes a reflective mirror.

• • Course: CH 302 | CH 320M

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Witness the transformation of an ordinary penny into silver and then gold through a fascinating chemistry demonstration of electroplating and alloy formation!

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

A large metal spoon and dry ice meet. The spoon is so hot to the dry ice that it has to sing a song.

(Contact for availability.)

• • Course: CH 301 | CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Sodium polyacrylate is a highly absorbent polymer that has multiple applications. However, we use it to make snow here in central Texas.

• • Course: CH 320M

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Oxygen is a great accelerant for combustion. In this particular demonstration, a large concentration of oxygen is used to rapidly ignite steel wool.

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Experience the dramatic differences in combustion as balloons filled with varying ratios of hydrogen and oxygen demonstrate the principles of stoichiometry in explosive fashion!

• • Course: CH 302 | CH 320M

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

This demonstration utilizes a slow crystallization process in order to demonstrate supersaturated solutions. Very minor stimuli can cause the solution to begin crystallizing.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Water freezing is typically a very slow and gradual process. However, utilizing the colligative property of freezing point depression, we can make it happen instantaneously!

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Surface tensions of various liquids are compared using a simple penny drop displacement test.

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Watch as boiling water meets liquid nitrogen, creating a spectacular thundercloud of billowing vapor in an instant!

• • Course: CH 301 | CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

A simple electrolysis demonstration causes a large collection of tin.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

A brief and simple example of a titration is easily demonstrated using a pH meter. Endpoints can also be identified with indicators, making for a simple demonstration of a vital analytical test.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Play a quick game of red light, green light with this equilibrium demonstration. Be careful, you don’t want to get a ticket!

• • Course: CH 301 | CH 320M

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

A blue dot spontaneously appears in a red-orange solution thinly distributed over the bottom of a Petri dish and oscillates in concentric rings, growing outward from the dot’s point of origin.

• • Course: CH 301 | CH 320M

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

The triple point of a given element can be defined as the exact temperature and pressure at which all three phases of matter can exist – at the same time! In this case, the triple point of nitrogen is achieved.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Sublimation, dry ice, colors, and bubbles! This demo is a quick and fantastic demonstration of physical changes, pH, and what rising CO2 can do to our oceans!

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

This rainbow-in-a-cylinder is a colorful display of density, pH, and indicators.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Using UV-sensitive beads, watch the importance of using sunscreen in real time! In this demonstration, compare the color change of UV beads exposed to UV-blacklight with and without sunscreen. 

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

A Van de Graaff machine is used to produce an electric field; when touched, electricity is allowed to flow through the body. Side effects may include a bad hairdo.

• • Course: CH 301

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

Create a foamy monstrosity from the mouth of a pumpkin! Watch as hydrogen peroxide undergoes catalytic decomposition in the presence of food coloring and dish soap.

• • Course: CH 302

  • Protocols: 

    • Preparer's Protocol

    • Performer's Protocol

This is a demonstration of the ability of certain chemicals to react in very similar ways under different conditions. Not all chemicals demonstrate this property!

• Course: CH 301 | CH 302 

• Protocols: 

  • Preparer's Protocol

  • Performer's Protocol