Fun experiments

The experiments in this section provide a wide range of activities which can be used to enhance the normal range of classroom experiments. They are suitable as ‘chemistry club’ activities and many could also be used for ‘open day’ events.

While we are still at an early stage with this website it's probably more useful to look at the page with our complete list of experiments in alphabetical order. See the list on About this website.

We are starting with GCSE-level experiments.

Experiments

• Making soaps and detergents

  The manufacture of soaps and detergents is illustrated by the saponification of castor oil to form a soap, and the sulfonation of castor oil to make a detergent.

• Bubbles that float and sink

  Carbon dioxide is used to blow bubbles which sink in air. Hydrogen or methane is used to blow bubbles which float in air. Bubbles which sink and then float can also be made.

• Combustion of hydrogen in air

  Mixtures of hydrogen and air are ignited, to find which proportions of the two gases by volume produce the loudest explosion (‘pop’).

• The thermal decomposition of nitrates – ‘writing with fire’

  The thermal decomposition of sodium nitrate is used to reveal a hidden message written on paper.

• Supercooling - the energetics of freezing

  This experiment demonstrates the phenomenon of supercooling and illustrates the various associated energy changes which occur.

• Endothermic solid-solid reactions

  This experiment demonstrates an unusual endothermic reaction between two solids that occurs without the need for a solvent.

• Turning copper coins into 'silver' and 'gold'

  A copper coin is plated with zinc and appears silver in colour. Heating the zinc plated coin forms a coating of brass, and the coin appears gold in colour.

• 'Magic' writing

  A fun experiment for students of all ages involving writing messages with a variety of colourless solutions and exposing their presence by spraying with other solutions.

• Turning 'red wine' into 'water'

  A wine-coloured solution is poured into a set of glasses containing colourless solutions. The ‘wine’ turns to ‘water’, ‘milk’, raspberry milkshake’ and ‘lemonade’.

• A colourful clock reaction ('Old Nassau')

  Three colourless solutions are mixed. The mixture turns orange then, shortly afterwards, suddenly turns intensely blue-black. The time taken for the change can be varied.

• Making glass

  Students make a simple type of glass and then colour some of it using transition metal oxides.

• Allotropes of sulfur

  A demonstration of the preparation and properties of the allotropes of sulfur enables students to study the relationship between structure and properties.

• Disappearing plastic!

  Expanded polystyrene is placed in propanone. It shrinks and fizzes as it dissolves. A small amount of propanone can absorb an impressive volume of packing material.

• Investigating the solubilities of lead halides

  Solutions of soluble halides are mixed with a solution of a lead salt. Students investigate the formation of insoluble lead halides, and effect of temperature.

• Extracting iodine from seaweed

  Seaweed is heated to ash and leached with water. Hydrogen peroxide liberates iodine from the solution, and is extracted using a suitable solvent. Iodine crystals may be obtained by evaporation of the solvent.

• The thermal properties of water

  A paper cup containing water will not burn and a balloon containing water will not pop when heated.

• Extracting iron from breakfast cereal

  A magnet is used to extract some of the added iron from breakfast cereal.

• Chromatography of sweets

  A colourful experiment using chromatography paper to separate out individual dyes from different coloured confectionary.

• Making a crystal garden

  A colourful experiment to engage with students over a period of time whilst the crystals develop from the solution.

• Experiments with hydrogels – plant water storage crystals

  Students investigate plant water storage crystals, a product that contains hydrogels.

• Making a plastic from potato starch

  In this experiment a plastic film is made from potatoes.

• Experiments with hydrogels – hair gel and disposable nappies

  Students investigate two products that are readily available and contain hydrogels.

• Developing a glue

  This experiment shows how to make a glue from soured milk and a base.

• Making a photographic print

  In this experiment students make a photographic image of an object on photographic paper coated with silver chloride.

• Cooking potatoes

  In this experiment students look at the changes that take place when potatoes are cooked.

• Silver and lead halides

  A series of reactions showing the formation of silver and lead halides, and some of their properties.

• Rates and rhubarb

  A simple experiment showing how the rate of reaction between rhubarb and potassium manganate(VII) changes with surface area and concentration.

• Making a pH indicator

  Students make a pH indicator from red cabbage.