Three experiments demonstrating the feasibility of encapsulating liquids within a starch matrix are described, including encapsulation of linseed oil using the zanthate method and of turpentine and butylate using the calcium adduct procedure. Encapsulated materials, including pesticides, are slowly released from the resulting matrix. Considers…

Background information, laboratory procedures, and discussion of results are provided for syntheses of cobalt (III) complexes, I-III, illustrating three possible bonding modes of glycine to a metal ion (the complex cations II and III being linkage/geometric isomers). Includes spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods to distinguish among the…

Laboratory procedures, background information, and discussion of experimental results are provided for the preparation of Thallium (I) Pentacyanocobaltate (II). The preparation of this pale green salt is carried out in an aqueous medium. (Author/JN)

Background information, laboratory procedures, and discussion of results are provided for the synthesis and chemiluminescence of adamantylideneadamantane-1,2-dioxetane (I). Results provided were obtained during a normal junior level organic laboratory course. All intermediates and products were identified using routine spectroscopic analysis.…

Background information, laboratory procedures, and discussion of results are provided for experiments designed to familiarize students with the biochemistry of nicotinamide coenzymes and the chemistry involved in their reactions. In addition, students are exposed to ultraviolet (UV)-spectroscopy as a tool for investigating reaction mechanisms in…

This article about science fairs provides a list of topics children can research and suggestions for evaluating the possibilities of project ideas before children invest much work in them. Ideas for selecting a fair date and location, choosing judges, and involving parents and the community are included. (PP)

Information is presented for teaching about the formation of tornadoes and their effects. Ideas for relevant class discussion topics, writing assignments, and experiments to illustrate how temperature and air pressure changes involved in the storms work are also given. (PP)

Describes use of laboratory kits for home-based experimental studies for external science students. Contents of kits and extra equipment the student would need are listed, selection of suitable experiments and arrangements for loan of kits are discussed, and performance of external students using kits is compared to that of internal students. (EAO)

Physicists had assumed that the world is distinguishable from its mirror image and constructed theories to ensure that the corresponding mathematical property (parity) is conserved in all subatomic processes. However, a scientific experiment demonstrated an intrinsic handedness to at least one physical process. The experiment, equipment, and…

Discusses the nature and use of scientific balloons. Topics addressed include: (1) types of balloons; (2) lifting gases; (3) polyethylene balloons; (4) duration of balloon flight; and (5) use of balloons in scientific research. (JN)

Although most waves studied by students satisfy the linear equation, particle physicists have become interested in nonlinear waves--those not satisfying the superposition principle. A mechanical wave system, satisfying the sine-Gordon equation, can be constructed using a modified transverse wave system to demonstrate nonlinear wave-particle…

Presents an experiment which includes fractional distillation with gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and infrared analysis. Objectives are to introduce students to fractional distillation and analysis of each fraction by GLC, to induce them to decide if each fraction is sufficient for infrared analysis, and to identify unknowns. (Author/JN)

Two laboratory procedures in experimental chemotaxonomy are outlined for determining the presence of betalains in genera representing different plant families. A list of materials and equipment needed is provided. (DC)

Describes a simple, relatively inexpensive, and easily implemented approach for introducing visually handicapped students to chemical instrumentation via experiments on operational amplifiers as examples of some of the electronic building blocks of chemical instrumentation. The approach is applicable to other chemical instruments having electrical…

Provides background information procedures, and results for the photochemical synthesis and reactions of nitrosomethane dimer. The experiments described have shown a high degree of reliability with student use and are suggested to illustrate some problems of physical and organic photochemistry. (Author/JN)