Adsorption of methylene blue and malachite green was carried out using "Luffa cylindrica" sponges as adsorbing material. We provide a very illustrative exercise about the use of common natural materials requiring little preparation to solve environmental tasks in a routine laboratory situation such as using dyes. In addition, the…

An experimental protocol that provides an excellent way to discuss concepts at the crossroads of organic chemistry and biochemistry employing biocatalysis is presented. By evaluating several reaction parameters (enzyme source, organic solvent, and acyl donor), it was possible to conduct an enzymatic kinetic resolution experiment using…

Elementary, middle-level, and high school science teachers commonly find their students have misconceptions about heat and temperature. Unfortunately, student misconceptions are difficult to modify or change and can prevent students from learning the accurate scientific explanation. In order to improve our students' understanding of heat and…

Describes a combination of solutions that can be used in the study of kinetics using the iodine clock reaction. The combination slows down degradation of the prepared solutions and can be used successfully for several weeks. (JRH)

Describes a simple redox reaction that occurs between potassium permanganate and oxalic acid that can be used to prepare an interesting disappearing ink for demonstrating kinetics for introductory chemistry. Discusses laboratory procedures and factors that influence disappearance times. (CW)

Explores the selection, source, funding, time constraints, and community support involved in developing carefully planned and executed science projects. Lists 21 kinetics experiments noting the instrumentation needed and the original references. (MVL)

Describes a technique that measures the deformation produced in a plastic material by a falling ball in order to compute the ball's kinetic energy. Varying the parameters produces accurate results and gives students a good understanding of the measurement of energy. Combines various mechanical concepts that students have learned separately in…

The loss of carbon dioxide from carbonated beverages provides an interesting case of the combination of equilibrium and kinetic principles. Adding air with a commercial device (the Fizz Keeper) has a negligible effect on various equilibria present but will slow diffusion in the gas space of a resealed bottle, decreasing the rate at which…

Presents an overhead projector demonstration that uses the idea of color fading to demonstrate reaction kinetics and diffusion controlled reaction kinetics. (JRH)

Everyone who teaches physics knows very well that sometimes a simple device or experiment can help to make a concept clear. In this paper, inspired by "The Jumping Pencil" by Martin Gardner, I will discuss a simple demonstration device that can be used to start the study of air pressure.

Presents a qualitative activity whereby students observe the effects of temperature on commercial lightsticks. Includes Internet resources. (WRM)

Describes a chemistry experiment that allows students to calculate rates of reaction, orders of reaction, and activation energies. The activity demonstrates that to increase a reaction's rate, a catalyst need only provide any additional pathway for the reaction, not necessarily a pathway having lower activation energy. (WRM)

Uses the context of sports surfaces to discuss the qualities of a surface that will produce a shock-absorbing effect. Discusses experiments to measure the shock-absorbing properties from two theoretical perspectives. Describes necessary equipment for the experiments. (MDH)

Describes an experiment in which a simple laser-based apparatus is used for measuring the change in refractive index during the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycidol into glycerine. Gives a schematic of the experimental setup and discusses the kinetic analysis. (MVL)

Provides an overview of an experiment on reaction kinetics of the anthracene-hydrogen system. Includes a description of the laboratory equipment, procedures, and data analysis requirements. Points out the advantages of the recommended technique. (ML)