Chemistry Experiments
95 experiment protocols with step-by-step instructions
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Beer-Lambert Law Verification
Demonstrating the linear relationship between absorbance and concentration
Verify the Beer-Lambert law by measuring the absorbance of CuSO₄ solutions at various concentrations and constructing a calibration curve.
Colorimetric Determination of Glucose
Measuring blood glucose analog using the DNS method
Determine glucose concentration using the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method and understand reducing sugar chemistry.
Determination of Iron in Water
Measuring dissolved iron concentration using thiocyanate colorimetry
Determine the concentration of iron(III) in a water sample using the thiocyanate colorimetric method.
Food Dye Analysis by Spectrophotometry
Identifying artificial food colors by their absorption spectra
Determine the identity and concentration of artificial food dyes in commercial beverages by measuring their absorption spectra.
Crystallization of Salol (Phenyl Salicylate)
Observing crystal growth under a microscope in real time
Observe the real-time growth of salol crystals under a microscope, studying nucleation, crystal growth rates, and the effect of temperature …
Recrystallization of Benzoic Acid
Purifying a solid by dissolving in hot solvent and cooling
Purify impure benzoic acid by recrystallization from hot water, demonstrating the standard purification technique for organic solids.
Supersaturation and Instant Crystallization
Triggering instant crystal formation in sodium acetate
Prepare a supersaturated sodium acetate solution and trigger instantaneous crystallization, demonstrating metastable supersaturation and exothermic crystallization (hot ice).
Chemiluminescence with Luminol
Producing blue light through a chemical reaction without heat
Demonstrate chemiluminescence by oxidizing luminol with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst, producing visible blue light.
Iodine Clock Reaction
A timed reaction that suddenly turns dark blue after a predictable delay
Demonstrate reaction kinetics and the effect of concentration and temperature on reaction rate using the iodine clock reaction.
Daniell Cell Construction
Building a classic zinc-copper galvanic cell
Construct a Daniell cell to measure the standard cell potential and observe the electrochemical reactions at each electrode.
Electrolysis of Copper Sulfate
Quantitative electrolysis with copper electrodes
Perform quantitative electrolysis of copper sulfate solution using copper electrodes and verify Faraday's first law of electrolysis.
Electrolysis of Water
Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen gases
Decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using electrolysis, and verify the 2:1 volume ratio predicted by stoichiometry.
Electroplating with Copper
Depositing a thin layer of copper onto a metal object
Electroplate a metal key or coin with copper, demonstrating the industrial process of electrodeposition and Faraday's laws.
Barium Flame Test
Identifying barium by its yellow-green flame
Observe the pale yellow-green flame produced by barium ions and understand why barium compounds require extra safety precautions.
Flame Test Comparison Lab
Testing multiple metals to build a flame color reference chart
Perform flame tests on six different metal salts to create a reference chart of characteristic flame colors for qualitative analysis.
Boyle's Law Verification
Demonstrating the inverse relationship between pressure and volume
Verify Boyle's law (P1V1 = P2V2) by measuring the volume of a trapped gas at different pressures.
Diffusion Rate Comparison (Graham's Law)
Comparing diffusion rates of HCl and NH₃ gases
Verify Graham's law of diffusion by comparing the rates at which HCl and NH₃ gases travel through a glass tube.
Gas Stoichiometry with Magnesium
Calculating molar volume by reacting Mg with HCl
Determine the molar volume of hydrogen gas at room conditions by reacting a known mass of magnesium ribbon with excess …
Hydrogen Gas Collection
Generating and collecting hydrogen from zinc and acid
Generate hydrogen gas from the reaction of zinc with hydrochloric acid and collect it by water displacement.
Molar Volume of a Gas at STP
Experimentally determining 22.4 L/mol using butane
Determine the molar volume of butane gas at STP by measuring the mass and volume of gas released from a …
Biodiesel Production from Vegetable Oil
Converting cooking oil to biodiesel via transesterification
Convert vegetable oil to biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) by base-catalyzed transesterification with methanol.
Making Nylon 6,10 (Nylon Rope Trick)
Pulling a continuous strand of nylon from an interface
Synthesize nylon 6,10 at the interface of two immiscible solutions and pull a continuous strand from the beaker.
Soap Making by Saponification
Converting fats into soap using sodium hydroxide
Make soap by the saponification of vegetable oil with sodium hydroxide, demonstrating the hydrolysis of ester bonds in triglycerides.
Anion Identification Tests
Detecting common anions through selective chemical reactions
Identify unknown anions using specific precipitation, acid-decomposition, and redox tests.
Borax Bead Test for Metal Ions
Identifying transition metals by colored glass beads formed in a borax fusion
Identify transition metal ions by the characteristic colors they produce when fused into a borax (sodium tetraborate) glass bead.
Cation Identification by Precipitation
Systematic separation of Group I–V cations using selective reagents
Identify unknown cations in a solution using the classical qualitative analysis scheme with group reagents.
Chromatography of Plant Pigments
Separating chlorophyll and carotenoids using paper chromatography
Separate and identify plant pigments using paper chromatography, and calculate Rf values for each pigment.
Unknown Substance Identification Challenge
Using physical and chemical properties to identify mystery powders
Apply multiple qualitative tests to identify unknown white powders, developing systematic analytical thinking skills.
Bomb Calorimetry Simulation
Measuring the energy content of food using calorimetry
Measure the energy (calorie) content of different food items by burning them and measuring the heat transferred to water.
Coffee Cup Calorimetry
Measuring enthalpy of neutralization using a simple calorimeter
Determine the enthalpy of neutralization of HCl and NaOH using a polystyrene cup calorimeter.
Endothermic Reaction Demonstration
Barium hydroxide and ammonium thiocyanate cold reaction
Demonstrate a dramatically endothermic reaction where the mixture becomes cold enough to freeze water on the outside of the flask.
Exothermic Crystallization of Sodium Acetate
Measuring the heat released during instant crystallization
Quantify the heat released during the crystallization of supersaturated sodium acetate using calorimetry.
Specific Heat Capacity of Metals
Comparing heat capacities of aluminum, copper, and iron
Determine the specific heat capacity of several metals using the method of mixtures and compare with accepted values.
Acid-Base Titration with Methyl Orange
Titrating a weak base with a strong acid
Determine the concentration of a sodium carbonate solution by titrating it with hydrochloric acid using methyl orange indicator, suitable for …
Acid-Base Titration with Phenolphthalein
Determining the concentration of an acid using a standard base
Determine the concentration of an unknown hydrochloric acid solution by titrating it with a standardized sodium hydroxide solution, using phenolphthalein …
Back Titration of Antacid Tablets
Measuring the acid-neutralizing capacity of commercial antacids
Determine the acid-neutralizing capacity of a commercial antacid tablet using a back titration method.
pH Titration Curve
Plotting a complete acid-base titration curve with pH meter
Record pH measurements during an acid-base titration and construct a complete S-shaped titration curve showing the equivalence point and buffer …
Vitamin C Titration with Iodine
Measuring ascorbic acid content in fruit juice
Determine the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content of fresh fruit juice using an iodine titration with starch indicator.