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:
**Note: Prior to conducting this demonstration, it is imperative that the building manager(s) and UTPD be notified of a potential loud noise.
Wires of different metals are placed into various metal ion solutions to observe whether a reaction (such as metal displacement) occurs, illustrating each metal’s relative position on the activity series.
Course: CH 302
Protocols:
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 301 | CH 302 | CH 353
Protocols:
Explore limiting reactants, activation energies, and combustion with the bright and exciting alcohol cannon demonstration.
Course: CH 301 | CH 320M
Protocols:
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:
Atomic Emission Spectra: Gas Discharge Lamps/Plasma Tubes
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:
Observe the inverse relationship between pressure and volume with this demo! By decreasing the internal pressure of air inside a balloon within a vacuum chamber, you can watch the relationship described by Boyle with your own eyes.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
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:
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:
Compare the buffer capacities of different solutions using acetic acid and sodium acetate!
Course: CH 302
Protocols:
Observe the various levels of shrinkage a balloon undergoes when submerged in liquid nitrogen and discover how pressure and temperature relate in the context of gasses.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
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:
Changes in temperature produce colorful shifts in equilibrium between two cobalt complex species.
Course: CH 302 | CH 431
Protocols:
Watch as three acids bubble up at strikingly different rates, dramatically revealing the common ion effect in action.
Course: CH 302
Protocols:
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:
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:
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:
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 301| CH 302
Protocols:
Temperature Variation Protocols:
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:
**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:
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:
Observe a variety of vibrant colors when lighting different metal salts on fire!
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
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:
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:
Compare the densities of two noble gasses using balloons of helium and argon.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
Watch the exothermic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by a catalyst, manganese(III) oxide.
Course: CH 301 | CH 302
Protocols:
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 | CH 302
Protocols:
Observe the differences between positive and negative heat and work through two contrasting experiments.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
Demonstrate the behaviors of polar and nonpolar liquids using static electricity.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Enjoy a frozen treat – made with liquid nitrogen!
Course: CH 301 | CH 302
Protocols:
Explore oxidation via this illuminating experiment. Luminol glows in the dark when oxidized - a process called chemiluminescence.
Course: CH 320N
Protocols:
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:
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:
A long string of nylon is polymerized from two immiscible solutions.
Course: CH 302 | CH 320M
Protocols:
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:
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:
Create an ethereal flame by igniting the gas produced in the reaction of aluminum and hydrochloric acid.
Course: CH 301 | CH 302
Protocols:
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:
**Note: Prior to conducting this demonstration, it is imperative that the building manager(s) and UTPD to notify of a potential loud noise.
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:
Observe the brilliant reaction of elemental sodium and chlorine gas combined to form table salt, producing a bright, glowing light..
This demonstrations works with sodium metal and chlorine gas and must be performed in a fume hood.
Course: CH 302
Protocols:
Experience the fascinating effects of static electricity as scotch tape demonstrates the attraction and repulsion of charges.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
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 301 | CH 302 | CH 320M
Protocols:
Watch as boiling water meets liquid nitrogen, creating a spectacular thundercloud of billowing vapor in an instant!
Course: CH 301 | CH 302
Protocols:
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:
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:
This rainbow-in-a-cylinder is a colorful display of density, pH, and indicators.
Course: CH 302
Protocols:
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:
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
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:
Please note that while these demos are "retired", the Demos Lab still retains documentation and procedures internally. If you'd like to request one of these demonstrations, please provide advanced notice to ensure we have all of the necessary materials in stock.
A small, controlled example of pollution from burning fossil fuels. This specific example is showcased by burning sulfur.
Course: CH 302
Just like sodas become “flat” from losing carbonation, observe the readiness with which gasses can fall out of solution.
Course: CH 301
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
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
Dissolving chalk isn’t exactly easy. However, it never hurts to try something once.
Course: CH 302
Say that five times fast! A great introduction to calorimetry using a simple apparatus – a coffee cup!
Course: CH 301
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
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
Various Dry Ice Experiments Mini-Protocols.
Course: CH 302
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
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
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
Watch as sodium hydroxide pellets demonstrate their ability to absorb and adsorb water in this simple observation exercise.
Course: CH 301 | CH 302
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
Using an alcohol gel, you can light any shape on fire – even Bevo!
Course: CH 301
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
One pitcher, but different colored solutions.
Course: CH 302
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Surface tensions of various liquids are compared using a simple penny drop displacement test.
Course: CH 301
Protocols:
Preparer's Protocol
Performer's Protocol
A simple electrolysis demonstration causes a large collection of tin.
Course: CH 302
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
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
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