Experiments
Topics covered include endo- and exo-thermic reactions, indicators, precipitation reactions, redox reactions and decomposition. Many of these experiments can be used to demonstrate more than one principle. For example the “Fire Extinguisher” can be used to generate carbon dioxide to extinguish a candle, it is an endothermic reaction and it
All of these may be carried out with materials which are readily available. Usually they may be obtained in a pharmacy, hardware store or supermarket.
Click on the heading to link to the page. An alternative would be to use the search function – each experiment has a wider selection of searchable keyword tags.
Pressure
The experiments on this page may be used to demonstrate various aspects of pressure.
Density
Here we show what effect differences in density have on air and water. There is also a demonstration to show carbon dioxide is more dense than air.
Colour Changes
All of the experiments detailed here involve some sort of colour change. They include acid-base (alkali) indicators and some redox reactions.
Endothermic Reactions
The experiments linked from here are all examples of reactions which involve heat being taken in: endothermic reactions.
Exothermic Reactions
The experiments linked from this page are all examples of reactions which involve heat being given out: exothermic reactions.
Decomposition Reactions
Chemists must not only know how to make things, they must also know how to break them down. These reactions all involve something breaking down in some way.
Miscellany
These are a collection of reactions which do not obviously fit under any of the categories given above.
Safety
And most important of all, a few words on safety.