Chemists often talk about solutions and suspensions, and also emulsions and mixtures. In a solution, one substance is thoroughly dissolved in another (salt and water). In a suspension, one substance gets mixed throughout the other, but is not dissolved (soil and water).In an emulsion, one liquid “floats” in another, but is not dissolved. The spread […]

Let us make water appear to boil with only the touch from a finger. Things Required:Cotton handkerchiefClear drinking glass (with straight, smooth sides)Rubber band Directions:Wet the handkerchief with water. Squeeze out any excess water. Fill the glass to the top with water. Drape the wet cloth over the mouth of the glass. Place the rubber

Eggs don’t float in water but in this magical solution they will. Things Required:2 clear plastic cups3 tablespoonfuls of table salt2 small eggs1/4 teaspoonful of milk Directions:Fill both cups three-quarters full with water. Add the milk to one cup of water. Add and stir in the salt to the second cup of water. Write the

Chemists study suspensions and solutions. What are they all about? Try this simple experiment and find out. Things Required:2 large wide-mouth jars, half-filled with water2 tablespoonfuls of salt2 tablespoonfuls of soilA hand lensSpoon Directions:Add the soil to one jar of water, the salt to the other. Stir both. Look through your hand lens at both

In this experiment, you will be able to sink and raise an eye-dropper by changing its density. Things Required:Soda bottleGlass eyedropper5-inch balloon Directions:Fill the soda bottle so that it may overflow with water. Partially fill the eye-dropper with water and place it in the bottle. The eyedropper should float; if it sinks, squeeze some of

This experiment will explain that there are pockets of space between water molecules. Things Required:Measuring jar (see experiment How Much? for instructions)1 cup of rubbing alcohol7 cups of waterMeasuring cupBlue colouring Directions:Add five or six drops of food colouring to the water to make the water easier to see. Pour the coloured water into the

In this experiment, you’ll distil water or take salt out of it, and you won’t need a lot of expensive chemistry equipment to do it. Impossible, you say! Try it and find out. Things Required:A small clear jar with lid, half-filled with waterUse of microwave adult’s help recommended)Kitchen mitt, pot holder or dish towelA spoonSalt

Have you ever tried to inflate a balloon inside a bottle? No. Try this. Things Required:Cola bottle or any small-mouthed bottleBalloonNote: The balloon must be large enough to fit over the mouth of the bottle. Directions:Hold on to the top of the balloon and push the bottom inside the bottle. Stretch the top of the

Observe that two pieces of matter cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Things Required:Clear drinking glass12 oz 6 marblesMasking tape Directions:Fill one-half of the glass with water. Use a piece of tape to mark the top of the water level. Very carefully, add the marbles to the water by tilting the glass

Sometimes things change. When a toast burns, it is no longer the same substance. Its molecules have been rearranged by heat. What is left is carbon, an entirely new substance. This is called a chemical change. However, when ice turns to water and then to a gas, the molecules of water do not change. The

No two pieces of matter can occupy the same space at the same time. This is shown here. Things Required:Glass quart jar (large-mouthed with a lid)Small jacks ball or walnut Directions:Fill the quart jar one-quarter full with uncooked rice. Put the ball or walnut inside the jar and close the lid. Hold the jar upright;

This demonstrates that air is an example of matter and it takes up space. Things Required:Empty plastic broad sack Directions:Fill the empty sack by opening the top and moving the sack through the air. Close the top by twisting the opening and holding it with your hand. Squeeze the sack with your other hand. This

Do water molecules really move? If so, how fast and how slowly? Things Required:2 clear glassesFood colouringCool and hot tap waterMedicine dropper Directions:Fill one glass with cool tap water. Fill the other glass with hot tap water. Now, quickly place one drop of food colouring in each glass. (Make certain that all the variables are

See the effect of molecular motion. Things Required:Dark food colouringTall, one-half pint jar of water Directions:Place the jar of water where it will not be moved or touched for 24 hours. Hold the food colouring container above the water and allow two drops of colouring to fall into the water. Observe immediately and then again

The purpose of this experiment is to move a balanced toothpick without touching it or any object connected to it. Things Required:Clear plastic drinking cupflatToothpick coin (small)Balloon Directions:Stand the coin up on its edge. Balance the flat toothpick across the top of the coin. Carefully cover this balanced combination with a clear plastic cup.“Charge” an