Exciting Experiments to Do for Your Next Chemistry Homework
Chemistry is what makes science so cool and accessible. Moreover, it is a theoretical subject that has direct practical applications. In this article, you will go through 12 amazing experiments to help you understand the real-life application of new concepts. Whether you want to see colour transformations or explosive foam formation, this article covers it all. It even has experiments that can create an electrical tree, emit blue light, and the best one makes barking sounds. There is something to cater to everyone’s curiosity and fuel their creativity.
Also, you can document these experiments in your homework. However, if you face any difficulty, ask your teachers for guidance. Additionally, you can search for chemistry homework help on the internet. That way, you can contact experts, which include coaches, professors, professionals, and others. Always remember that not asking for help is the biggest mistake. Thus, it can make your homework go haywire. Hence, now would be the perfect time to improve your chemistry with some simple experiments.
12 Easy Chemistry Experiments You Can Perform
Read more to find twelve fantastic and exciting experiments you can do. Moreover, you can do a few of these experiments at home. If you feel intrigued by any experiment, find out more about them.
Copper & Nitric Acid
In this experiment, you place a piece of copper metal in cold and concentrated nitric acid. Thus, the Copper and Nitric ions react to turn the solution green, and later brownish-green. Additionally, if you add some water to the solution, it will turn blue. This experiment is magical as it changes colours at every step.
The equation for this chemical reaction is:
Cu + 4HNO₃ => Cu(NO₃) + 2NO₂↑ + 2H₂O
Elephant Toothpaste
The reaction between hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide is known as elephant’s toothpaste. It shoots out big columns of foam. Additionally, you can add food colours and make it colourful according to your choice.
The related equation for this chemical reaction is:
2 H2O2(aq) → 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)
However, the iodide ion can act as a catalyst in this reaction and speed it up.
H2O2(aq) + I–(aq) → OI–(aq) + H2O(l)
H2O2(aq) + OI–(aq) → I-(aq) + H2O(l) + O2(g)
Alkali Metal in Water
All the metals in Group 1 of the periodic table are alkali metals. These are highly electro-positive, and hence they react vigorously with water to form alkali (base). Being an exothermic reaction they produce heat and light. While performing this experiment, dip a piece of sodium in water and watch the show.
The Chemical equation for this reaction:
2 Na + 2 H2O → 2 Na+ + 2 OH– + H2(g)
Thermite Reactions
This reaction is highly exothermic and produces too much heat. Thus, ensure to take safety precautions and use tongs while performing this. It is used to melt the metal pieces and weld them together in railway tracks. You should mix fine powder of iron oxide (rust) with aluminium powder to perform this reaction. Then, ignite the mixture by heating it with a lighter or match. The metal will burn with a bright-coloured light, and you will find it molten later.
The chemical equation for this reaction:
Fe2O3 + 2Al → 2Fe + Al2O3 + heat and light
The Invisible Ink
How cool does it sound to write with an invisible ink that only you can reveal? You can use it to send coded messages to your friends, and nobody would know. To make this special invisible ink, mix baking soda in water. Ensure that you mix equal parts of it and then use it to write on paper. Only a heat source with mild heating can reveal it. Thus, you need to hold it against a light bulb or any other warm device.
Lichtenberg Figure
Lichtenberg figures are branching structure-type paths followed by electrons during electrostatic discharge. It can be done by statically charging an object and discharging through a sharp object onto an insulator (polythene sheet). However, to view the figure, dust some toner powder on the plastic sheet. Thus, the Lichtenberg figure will be visible to your eyes. It is a concept that is ages old; you can even write a historical paper on it. If you need any help, just look for history homework help.
Hot Ice Experiment
Sodium acetate is known as hot ice, it is formed as a product of reaction between vinegar and baking soda. If you super-cool the solution and crystallize it you will get hot ice. Its name comes from the fact that it evolves heat during crystal formation. Simply mix equal parts of vinegar and baking soda in a solution. Now you have liquid sodium acetate; cool it down by putting it in the fridge. Then simply pour it onto a surface, and it will start crystallizing instantly.
Its chemical formula is NA-CH3OOH.
Barking Dog Sound
In the barking dog reaction, nitrogen oxide/monoxide is combined with carbon disulfide. It acts as an exothermic reaction, emitting blue light and barking a “woof” sound. Additionally, you can also do it by igniting alcohol vapours inside a bottle. The latter part is much easier and it is recommended that you follow it. The reason is that it is much safer and easier. To perform it, just wipe the insides of a bottle with isopropyl alcohol and ignite it from the mouth. Thus, as it burns down, it will make a woof sound.
The chemical formula for isopropyl alcohol: C3H8O
Dehydrating Sugar
In this reaction, sugar reacts with cold and concentrated sulfuric acid. As a result, the sugar starts getting dehydrated violently, and a black column of carbon keeps growing. In this reaction carbon gets eliminated, as it forms covalent bonds. The extracted hydrogen and oxygen atoms combine to form water. Since the reaction is exothermic, much of the water gets
boiled off.
Its chemical reaction is:
C12H22O11 + H2SO4 → 12 C + 11 H2O + mixture of water and acid
Conclusion
In this article, you have gone through some exciting chemistry experiments. In addition to that, many of these can be performed at your home only. These will help you understand various concepts. Thus, it will increase your knowledge and grasp of the subject. You can even document these experiments in your practical notebook. If you need any help in this subject, just ask your teacher for some guidance. Additionally, you can search for chemistry homework help on the internet. Ensure to find out more about an experiment if you find it interesting. Understand the reason why the reaction happened and why it stopped later on.
