04/13/08 - Luminol Chemiluminescence Test for Blood
You can use the luminol chemiluminescence reaction as a quick and easy forensic test for blood. Here's a look at what you need to perform the test, how to do it, and an explanation of how the luminol test works.
04/09/08 - Colored Fire Spray Bottles
You can spritz a flame with chemicals to change the color of the fire. Colored fire spray bottles are easy to prepare and use common chemicals.
04/09/08 - Black Snakes or Glow Worms
You can make black snake or glow worm fireworks yourself, safely and easily.
04/09/08 - Aqueous Solution Dilutions
Here is a worked example of how to calculate a dilution of a stock solution.
04/06/08 - List of Gemstones
This list of gemstones includes the mineral names of the gemstones as well as links to photos of the gems.
04/03/08 - Carbon Cycle
Carbon is an element that is essential for life. The carbon cycle describes the storage and exchange of carbon between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
03/29/08 - Lichtenberg Figures
Lichtenberg figures essentially capture the image of lightning. Here's how you can make your own Lichtenberg figure from common materials.
03/25/08 - Nitrogen Cycle
Learn about the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle, the biochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen as it goes through nature.
03/24/08 - Emerald Hollow Mine Photo Gallery
The Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, NC is the only emerald mine in the United States open to the public for prospecting. I went to North Carolina to check the mine out for myself. Can you find emeralds? Yes! And rubies, sapphires, amethyst, citrine, the rare gemstone hiddenite, and much more.
03/23/08 - Gemstone Photo Gallery
See photos of rough and cut gemstones and learn about the chemistry of the minerals.
03/19/08 - Flame Tests
A flame test is an easy experimental technique used to help identify a metal or ionic salt based on its emission spectrum when it is heated in a gas flame. Here's how to perfom a flame test and interpret the results of the test.
03/11/08 - Endothermic Reaction Demonstration
Here's an endothermic reaction demonstration that is easy to do and cold enough to freeze water.
03/06/08 - Glow in the Dark Mountain Dew
All it takes is a few easily-obtained materials to turn a bottle of Mountain Dew into a glow in the dark bottle of Mountain Dew. You can't drink it, but that doesn't detract from the fun of making the bottle glow.
03/06/08 - Egg in a Bottle Demonstration
You don't see air and might not think much of it is contained in a bottle, but air and the pressure it exerts can be very powerful. The egg in a bottle demonstration illustrates the concept of air pressure.
03/02/08 - Benzoic Acid Snow Globe
Snow made from water crystals melts at room temperature, but snow made from benzoic acid crystals will still be decorating your snow globe when the weather warms up. Here's how to make a snow globe by precipitating benzoic acid to make the 'snow'.
02/28/08 - How to Use Flash Cards
Flash cards can be a great study aid. You can use them to help memorize facts, lists, and structures as well as to reinforce important concepts. Here's how to prepare and use flash cards to help study chemistry.
02/28/08 - How to Read a Meniscus
The meniscus is the curve seen at the top of a liquid in response to its container. When you read a scale on the side of a container with a meniscus, such as a graduated cylinder or volumetric flask, it's important that the measurement accounts for the meniscus. Here's how to read a meniscus.
02/25/08 - How to Clean Laboratory Glassware
Cleaning laboratory glassware isn't as simple as washing the dishes. Here's how to wash your glassware so that you won't ruin your chemical solution, laboratory experiment, or the glass.
02/22/08 - Glassware Gallery
Learn the names and uses of different types of chemistry laboratory glassware.
02/20/08 - Black Chemists
Black scientists, engineers, and inventors have made important contributions to the science of chemistry. Learn about black chemists and chemical engineers and their projects.
02/16/08 - Women in Chemistry
Women have made many important contributions to the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering. Here's a list of female scientists and a description of the research or invention that made them famous.
