Milk of Magnesia Demonstration

A very common misconception that students often possess is that solids are heavier than liquids. This demonstration will expose this misconception because two clear, colorless solutions will react instantly to form a white precipitate. If the total mass of the two solutions is determined, the final mass of the products should remain the same. Additional topics that can be explored in this simple demonstration include chemical changes and physical changes, precipitates, solubility, and antacids. The required chemicals are readily available and inexpensive. This chemical reaction can provide a relevant example of how typical chemical concepts can be found in our everyday lives. Most students are quite surprised to be able to connect their chemistry class with their real-life experiences.