Two demonstrations are described which are suitable for introductory chemistry classes. The first involves the precipitation of silver, and the second is a demonstration of the relationship between rate constants and equilibrium constants using water and beakers. (BB)

Describes two elementary experiments involving plasma electrical conductivity. (SL)

Background information (including chemical reactions) and procedures used are provided for (1) three buffer demonstrations and (2) a demonstration of phase transfer catalysis and carbanion formation. (JN)

Describes experiments in which students determine the ground state ionization constant (GSIC) by analyzing the absorption spectra of 2-naphthol in acidic, basic, and buffered solutions. Information on the ground and excited state ionization constants and on the kinetics of the excited state deprotonation-protonation reaction is included. (JN)

Background information, procedures used, and equipment needed are provided for an experiment in which a series of readily available, inexpensive, and relatively nontoxic phenols are separated using thin-layer chromatographic techniques. The experiment permits a discussion of how relative Rf values may be rationalized by considering a molecule's…

A retroreflector is a mirror that removes distortion from a light beam. Describes experiments using the retroreflector as well as related phenomena. (JN)

Job's method of continuous variations is a commonly used procedure for determining the composition of complexes in solution. Presents: (1) a review of the method; (2) theory of a new procedure for measuring Job's plots; and (3) an undergraduate experiment using the new method. (JN)

Determining the pounds of sodium chloride needed for a water softener to replace all the calcium/magnesium ions in a month's water supply for a typical local household is used as an exercise to integrate several chemistry concepts. The solution to this problem and suggestions for related laboratory experiments are offered. (JN)

Background information, procedures, equipment, and results for two experiments are presented. The first involves the measurement of the mass-average and degree of coiling of polystyrene and is interpreted by the full mathematical theory of light scattering. The second is the study of transitions in gelatin. (JN)

Describes a physical chemistry experiment which allows such concepts as kinetics, catalysis, isotope shifts, coupling constants, and the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for quantitative work to be covered in the same exercise. Background information, experimental procedures used, and typical results obtained are included. (JN)

The use of sodium acetate solution to show supersaturation is a favorite among lecture demonstrations. However, careful adjustment of the solute-to-water ratio must be made to attain the most spectacular effect--complete solidification of the solution. Procedures to accomplish this are provided and discussed. (JN)

A relatively simple opto-electronic setup is described that utilizes a cadmium sulphide (CdS) photoconductive cell to detect resonance of a stretched vibrating string or wire. The display may be either an oscilloscope or a frequency counter. Also describes an inexpensive socket for flanged-base light bulbs. (JN)

Describes two demonstrations that require almost no preparation time, are visually stimulating, and present a variety of material for class discussion (with sample questions provided). The first involves a sodium bicarbonate hydrochloric acid volcano; the second involves a dissolving polystyrene cup. Procedures used and information on…

Describes an experiment (carried out in less than two hours) in which the merits of countercurrent extraction are immediately evident by visible colors. The experiment requires eight 125-ml separatory funnels, 250ml of 1-butanol, 250ml of 0.1-0.5 molar hydrochloric acid, and a small amount of Sheaffer's Skrip blue-black soluble ink. (JN)

Discusses materials needed, procedures used, and typical results obtained for experiments designed to make a numerical stepwise study of the oxygenation of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and other oxygen carriers. (JN)