Science, Tech, Math › Science Interesting High School Chemistry Demonstrations Print Science Chemistry Projects & Experiments Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on August 01, 2019 High school science students can be hard to impress, but here's a list of cool and exciting chemistry demonstrations to capture student interest and illustrate chemistry concepts. Sodium in Water Chemistry Demonstration Getty Images / Andy Crawford and Tim Ridley Sodium reacts vigorously with water to form sodium hydroxide. A lot of heat/energy is released! A very small amount of sodium (or other alkali metal) produces bubbling and heat. If you have the resources and space, a larger amount in an outdoor body of water forms a memorable explosion. You can tell people the alkali metals are highly reactive, but the message is driven home by this demo. Leidenfrost Effect Demonstrations Wikimedia Commons / Cryonic07 The Leidenfrost Effect occurs when a liquid droplet encounters a surface much hotter than its boiling point, producing a layer of vapor that insulates the liquid from boiling. The simplest way to demonstrate the effect is by sprinkling water on a hot pan or burner, causing the droplets to skitter away. However, there are fascinating demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen or molten lead. Sulfur Hexafluoride Demonstrations Getty Images / ollaweila Sulfur hexafluoride is an odorless and colorless gas. Although students know fluorine is extremely reactive and usually quite toxic, the fluorine is safely bound to sulfur in this compound, making it safe enough to handle and even to inhale. Two noteworthy chemistry demonstrations illustrate the heavy density of sulfur hexafluoride relative to air. If you pour sulfur hexafluoride into a container, you can float light objects on it, much like you would float them on water except the sulfur hexafluoride layer is completely invisible. Another demonstration produces the opposite effect from inhaling helium. If you inhale sulfur hexafluoride and speak, your voice will seem much deeper. Read More 10 Cool Chemistry Demonstrations for Educators By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Burning Money Demonstration Getty Images / Martin Poole Most high school chemistry demonstrations are hands-off for students, but this is one they can try at home. In this demonstration, 'paper' currency is dipped in a solution of water and alcohol and set alight. The water absorbed by the fibers of the bill protects it from ignition. Oscillating Clock Color Changes Getty Images / Trish Gant The Briggs-Rauscher oscillating clock (clear-amber-blue) may be the best-known color change demo, but there are several colors of clock reactions, mostly involving acid-base reactions to produce the colors. Supercooled Water Creative Commons License Supercooling occurs when a liquid is chilled below its freezing point, yet remains a liquid. When you do this to water, you can cause it to change to ice under controlled conditions. This makes for a great demonstration that students can try at home, too. Colored Fire Chem Demos Getty Images / Danita Delimont A colored fire rainbow is an interesting take on the classic flame test, used to identify metal salts based on the color of their emission spectra. This fire rainbow uses chemicals readily available to most students, so they can replicate the rainbow themselves. This demo leaves a lasting impression. Nitrogen Vapor Chem Demo All you need is iodine and ammonia to make nitrogen triiodide. This unstable material decomposes with a very loud 'pop', releasing a cloud of violet iodine vapor. Other reactions produce violet smoke without the explosion. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Interesting High School Chemistry Demonstrations." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/high-school-chemistry-demonstrations-604263. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Interesting High School Chemistry Demonstrations. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/high-school-chemistry-demonstrations-604263 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Interesting High School Chemistry Demonstrations." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/high-school-chemistry-demonstrations-604263 (accessed April 16, 2024). copy citation