Chemical Science
Activities & Experiments
The videos on this page explore the science of chemistry and reactions
Pepper Experiment
Explanation:
Materials:
- Shallow Dish
-Ground Pepper
-Water
-Toothpick/Cotton Swab
-Dish Soap
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Pepper is hydrophobic, meaning it doesn’t like water or is “scared” of it. Just like phobias, some people are scared of clowns, spiders, or heights. In this case, pepper is afraid of water allowing it to not dissolve. It floats on top of the water because water creates surface tension keeping the very light pepper flakes floating on top. When we add the soap, the surface tension is broken, which is what gives soap it’s ability to clean objects. The pepper flakes spread quickly because the surface tension is broken, but the water wants to keep the surface tension together so it pulls the water away from the soap along with the pepper flakes.
Ice Cream in a Bag
Materials:
- Large Ziploc Bag
-Medium Ziploc Bag
- Ice
- Tbs Salt
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 1 Tbs Sugar
- 1/2 Tps Vanilla
Explanation:
CAUTION: Please do not consume if you have dietary restrictions
Water has 3 states: solid, liquid, and gas. Water changes from liquid to solid at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Salt (NaCl) lowers the melting point of ice. This gives you time to shake the cream until it solidifies.
Milk and Dye Experiement
Materials:
- Shallow Bowl
- 1 Cup Whole Milk
- Food Dye (any color)
- Tooth Pick
- Dawn Dish Soap
Explanation:
When you add the dawn dish soap, it breaks down the lipid bonds (the building blocks of the whole milk) of the milk. When those bonds are broken the food dye can freely swirl around in the milk making cool designs!
Dancing Raisins
Materials:
- 1/4 Cup Vinegar
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 4-5 Raisins
- 1/2 Cup water
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Explanation:
The raisins sit at the bottom of the cup. Then, the vinegar and baking soda mixture creates carbon dioxide bubbles. The bubbles float the raisins to the top of the glass. Once the raisin hits the top, the bubbles pop, so the raisin sinks back to the bottom of the cup.