Dr. Helmenstine's 2004 Chemistry Articles
12/28/04 - Chemical Reaction OrdersLearn how to classify chemical reactions using kinetics. Identify and define zero, first, second, mixed, and higher order reactions.
12/20/04 - Christmas Chemistry - Make Peppermint Creme Wafers
Chemistry and cooking share a lot in common! You can have some Christmas chemistry fun in the lab making these peppermint cream wafer candies.
12/14/04 - Rules for Assigning Oxidation Numbers
Learn how to assign oxidation numbers to keep track of the distribution of electrons during a chemical reaction.
12/06/04 - Balancing Redox Reactions
Get step-by-step instructions for balancing redox reactions for conservation of mass and charge in electrochemistry.
11/08/04 - How To Grow Purple Chromium Alum Crystals
Learn how to grow purple chromium alum crystals and how to grow clear crystals over a core of colored crystals.
11/02/04 - Salt Formation
Learn about the chemistry behind salt formation, including neutralization and hydrolysis reactions.
10/25/04 - Chemical, Physical, and Nuclear Changes Quiz
Do you understand the differences between the types of changes and the concepts associated with these reactions? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
10/18/04 - Solubility Product Constants at 25°C
This is a table of the solubility product constants for some common ions in aqueous solution at 25 degrees Celsius.
10/04/04 - More on Red Mercury
William Yerkes offers insight into red mercury, a material purportedly implicated in fusion-device research.
09/27/04 - Elements Named for Places
Here's an alphabetical list of elements named for places or element toponyms.
09/19/04 - Phases & Phase Changes Quiz
Take this multiple choice quiz to test your understanding of the states of matter.
09/07/04 - Fluoridation of Water - Reasons for Opposing It
Readers ask me why I oppose fluoridation of public drinking water. Here's a summary of my reasons.
09/05/04 - What Is a Chemical?
Here's the answer to this fundamental chemistry question.
08/24/04 - Titration Basics
Learn the basic chemical concepts of titration, a technique used to determine the molarity of an acid or a base.
08/01/04 - Chemistry Laboratory Safety Rules
Make your chemistry laboratory experience safe by following these simple rules.
07/26/04 - Identify an Unknown
Use this chemistry lesson plan to help students use the scientific method to design experiments to identify the components of an unknown mixture.
07/20/04 - How Do Detergents Clean?
Learn about the chemistry behind the cleaning power of detergents.
07/07/04 - How Do Trick Birthday Candles Work?
You blow them out, but these candles re-light themselves. Magic? No, it's simple chemistry!
07/05/04 - Grow Sugar Crystals - Rock Candy
Sugar crystals are also known as rock candy since the crystallized sucrose (table sugar) resembles rock crystals and because you can eat your finished product. You can grow beautiful clear sugar crystals with sugar and water or you can add food coloring to get colored crystals. It's simple, safe, and fun.
07/01/04 - Atom Basics Quiz
Do you understand the basic concepts of atomic theory? Do you have your protons, electrons, and neutrons all sorted out? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
06/28/04 - Basic Model of the Atom
Are you confused about atoms, elements, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, and ions? Here's a basic look at the model of the atom. It's a great overview for kids or anyone looking to grasp the essentials of atomic theory.
06/22/04 - Baggie Chemistry
Introduce students to chemical reactions and experimentation using common and safe chemicals and plastic baggies.
06/17/04 - Why Students Fail Chemistry
Worried about failing chemistry? Here's a look at the main reasons why students fail. Avoiding these common problems could be a key to science class success!
06/07/04 - Make Your Own Magic Rocks
Do you remember this classic science project? Magic rocks are used to grow a chemical crystal garden in mere hours. Learn how magic rocks work and find out what you need to make them yourself.
05/30/04 - Alchemical Symbol Index
Here's a look at the alchemical symbols of the elements. Along with the symbol image, you'll find facts about how the element was used in alchemy.
05/24/04 - What Is the Smelliest Substance?
There are some man-made chemicals with a stench well beyond the gentle perfume of dirty gym socks and skunk spray. Do you know the names of these super-stinkers?
05/17/04 - Can You Drink Too Much Water?
It's important to drink plenty of fluids, but can you overdo it? Learn the truth about water intoxication and hyponatremia.
05/10/04 - What Is the Lightest or Least Dense Solid?
I'll give you a hint: it isn't styrofoam! The world's lightest solid resembles a sort of solid smoke, with a density of only 1.9 mg/cm3.
05/07/04 - Water - Wine - Milk - Beer Chemistry Demonstration
Chemistry demonstrations in which solutions appear to magically change color leave a lasting impression on students and help instill an interest in science. Here's a color change demo in which a solution seems to change from water to wine to milk to beer simply be being poured into the appropriate beverage glass.
