Introduction
View the best chemistry demonstrations, experiments, and lab activities all with extensive lab hints, teaching tips, and instruction techniques. The Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry DVD Set includes Chemical Reactions and Mole Concept and Stoichiometry. Transform matter—and your teaching—using exciting, dynamic chemical reactions. They are more than formulas and equations!
Background
I. Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions are the lifeblood of chemistry! The wide-ranging selection of reactions in this series will help you teach students the “chemical literacy” skills they need to be successful in chemistry. 8 videos.
Synthesis Reactions
Learn how to safely demonstrate exciting synthesis reactions and teach students how chemical reactions are classified.
- Classifying Chemical Reactions—Sparks fly in the reaction of zinc and sulfur!
- Fuel Cells in Eggshells—Hydrogen and water combine to make water, whether in fuel cells for cars or in eggshells.
- The Chef—Fry an egg with the amount of heat released when calcium oxide combines with water.
- Reaction of Iodine and Aluminum—Synthesis reaction releases light and heat.
- “Underwater Fireworks” Reaction of Chlorine and Acetylene—Every day can be the 4th of July with this small-scale synthesis reaction of chlorine and acetylene.
Decomposition Reactions Compounds reveal their elements when they break down to produce two or more products.
- Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide—Novel approach using iron(III) ions as the catalyst.
- Simple Electrolysis—Demonstrate decomposition of water in simple but colorful fashion using just a 9-volt battery, pencil leads and alligator clips.
- Elephant Toothpaste—A cascade of steaming foam accompanies the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide with sodium iodide catalyst.
- Production of Sodium Carbonate Lab—Students must determine how much starting material they will need to produce a given amount of sodium carbonate.
- Magic Genie—Using a solid catalyst to decompose hydrogen peroxide leads to special effects.
Single Replacement Reactions Study metal activity using single replacement reactions, which typically occur in one direction only.
- The Floating Tin Sponge—Reacting zinc metal with tin(II) chloride in acid solution produces a tin “sponge” that bobs and floats before rising to the surface.
- Foiled Again—Observe all the classic signs of a chemical reaction when aluminum is added to a solution of copper(II) chloride.
- Smashing Thermit Reaction—Take two rusty iron balls, wrap one in aluminum foil, and bang them together. Watch the sparks fly!
- Safe Swimming with Sodium—Novel, two-phase method to observe the reaction of sodium with water in slow motion!
Double Replacement Reactions Explore the formation and properties of new ionic compounds via precipitation reactions, a common type of double replacement reactions.
- Classifying Chemical Reactions—Watch the beautiful crystals form in this large-scale demonstration of classic lead iodide precipitation.
- Colorful Stalactites and Stalagmites—Diffusion of transition metal ions from solid state into sodium hydroxide solution leads to interesting crystal growth patterns.
- Overhead Precipitation—Compare diffusion of cations and anions in microscale precipitation reactions in a Petri dish on an overhead projector.
- Solubility Patterns—Investigate solubility patterns for alkaline earth metal compounds via double replacement–precipita¬tion reactions.
- Carbide Cannon—Double replacement reaction of calcium carbide with water to give acetylene and calcium hydroxide, followed by ignition and take-off!
Bob Becker’s Favorite Combustion Reaction Demonstrations Bob Becker shares the inspiration and insight that led to some of his most creative and original combustion reaction demonstrations!
- Methane Mamba—Share the story and enjoy the result! Ignite a “dragon” column of methane-filled soap bubbles.
- Flame Tornado and Water Jug Race—One basic principle connects two seemingly unrelated but very fun demonstrations.
- An Egg-splosive Demonstration—Fill an empty eggshell with just the right ratio of hydrogen and oxygen—I’m sure you can imagine the rest.
- Flaming Vapor Ramp—What happens when you “pour” a hydrocarbon vapor? Great safety lesson!
- Wax Vapor Combustion in a Test Tube—What’s really burning in a burning candle?
Combustion Reactions Each activity in this selection of fiery reactions carries a very useful take-home lesson for your students.
- Ditto Rockets—An “uplifting” example of buoyancy currents and hot air.
- Gun Cotton—Compare physical and chemical properties.
- The Candle Snuffer—Extinguish candle flames by pouring carbon dioxide.
- Magnesium and Dry Ice—Magnesium will burn inside a block of dry ice because it removes the oxygen from carbon dioxide.
- The Hungry Dragon—Dramatic combustion of sugar (candy) with the oxygen produced by heating sodium or potassium chlorate. Includes essential safety discussion.
Combustion of Alcohols Learn to perform these combustion reaction demonstrations safely and for maximum educational benefit.
- Extreme Whoosh Bottle Trio—Compare rate of combustion for different types or concentrations of alcohols.
- Plenty Powerful Ping Pong Popper—Ping-Pong ball takes off when alcohol burns!
- Big Time Ethyl Alcohol Explosion—Great demonstration and comprehensive safety discussion!
- Canned Heat—Preparation, properties and applications of calcium acetate–alcohol gel.
- Giant Alcohol Cannon—Shoot a foam ball out of a PVC pipe.
Reactions of Calcium Carbide—Combustion of Acetylene
Calcium carbide reacts with water to form acetylene, which burns hot and provides interesting special effects.
- Instant, Instant Coffee—This coffee will be really hot!
- Flammable Ice—Acetylene burns brightly when calcium carbide reacts with ice.
- Combustion of Acetylene—An “explosive” way to introduce chemistry!
- Knock Your Socks Off—Easy to do with a sock and a carbide cannon built from PVC pipe.
- Getting a Bang Out of Chemistry—Fun illustration of why these real toy cannons were very popular!
II. Mole Concept and Stoichiometry
Understanding the mole concept makes it possible to analyze compounds and determine their formulas. It is the bridge that allows us to study the composition of matter in terms of atoms and molecules. 4 videos.
Introduction to the Mole Concept
Activities to help you get across the almost unimaginable size and utility of Avogadro’s number!
- Pie Demonstration—The pie contains one mole of sugar. How many times do you have to cut it in half to get one molecule of sugar?
- Mole Lab—“Counting by weighing” lab practical to make sure students understand the mole concept!
- Moles in Space—Imagination and creativity will help students remember what a mole is long after they have left your chemistry class.
- Bomb Bags—Explore the chemical reaction taking place in a bomb bag and perform elementary stoichiometry calculations.
Mole Relationships and the Balanced Equation
Investigate quantitative relationships governing the disappearance of reactants and the appearance of products in chemical reactions.
- Decomposition of Baking Soda—Inquiry lab and stoichiometry calculations to determine the balanced chemical equation for decomposition of baking soda.
- Target Mole Lab—Predict the mass of product obtained in the reaction of zinc with hydrochloric acid.
- Target Stoichiometry Lab—Precise technique and accurate calculations are required for success in this outcome-based stoichiometry experiment.
- Synthesis of Manganese(II) Chloride—Determine the percent composition and empirical formula of manganese chloride in this microscale lab.
Limiting and Excess Reactants
Creative labs and models will make even advanced stoichiometry concepts fun for your students!
- Micro Rocket Lab—Students compete to find the most efficient hydrogen/oxygen mole ratio.
- Bottles and Caps—An Analogy to Stoichiometry; the total number of “products” you can make depends on the limiting reactant.
- Fuel Cell Football—The “goal” is for the hydrogen/oxygen rocket bulb to sail through the goalposts!
Stoichiometry in Combustion Reactions
Exciting examples to teach a core concept, with important real-life applications!
- Carbide Cannon—Oxygen is the limiting reactant in the combustion of acetylene.
- Stoichiometry in Combustion of Acetylene—Collect varying amounts of acetylene gas and air in small test tubes.
- Big Time Ethyl Alcohol Explosion—Great demonstration and comprehensive safety discussion!
- Ethanol Explosion—Do it again! You can’t, because all the oxygen has been used up!
