Color Chemistry Demonstrations

The borax, microcosmic salt, or sodium carbonate bead test may be used to help identify unknown metals. Learn how to perform and interpret the results of this handy analytical test.

Easy to find chemicals are used to make a pale blue solution, which becomes sky blue and finally deep royal blue. Try this color change chemistry demonstration at home or in the lab.

Learn how to perform the blue bottle chemistry demonstration, in which a blue liquid becomes clear, then returns to blue when swirled around. Instructions are also given for red -> clear -> red and green -> red -> green reactions.

Blueprint paper is a specially-coated paper that turns blue where it is exposed to light, while areas kept in the dark remain white. Blueprints were one of the first ways to make copies of plans or drawings. Here's how to make blueprint paper yourself.

The Briggs-Rauscher reaction, also known as 'the oscillating clock', is one of the most common demonstrations of a chemical oscillator reaction. Three colorless solutions are mixed together, producing a mixture that oscillates between clear, amber, and deep blue.

Color change reactions are classic fare for chemistry demonstrations. You can perform a Christmas chemistry demonstration in which the color of a solution changes from green to red and back to green. The Christmas color change can be repeated over and over again.

This chemical volcano features lava that changes color. The chemical volcano can be used to illustrate an acid-base reaction and the use of an acid-base indicator.

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.

Make a colored fireworks rainbow. Burn the same chemicals used to color fireworks, in a row to produce a rainbow effect.

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.

The Old Nassau or Halloween reaction is a clock reaction in which the color of a chemical solution changes from orange to black. Here's how you can do this reaction as a chemistry demonstration.

This is a fun color change chemistry demonstration, just right for Valentine's Day. Take a pink solution and watch it turn colorless upon heating. When the solution cools it becomes pink again.

Make a rainbow in a glass using colored sugar solutions with different densities. This project is very easy and safe enough to drink.

An acid-base rainbow wand is an easy and colorful chemistry demonstration which illustrates the range of colors available for a pH indicator solution.

The Steve Spangler Science "Think Ink!" kit is a chemistry demonstration in which you mix together two clear liquids to cause a color change to blue and black. The reaction can be recharged again and again to produce the color change. The demonstration illustrates oxidation and reduction reactions and rate of reaction as a function of temperature and concentration. It's a great project for raisin…

Here's a color change chemistry 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.

Turn a clear liquid into a red liquid, then back to clear again. This demonstration is commonly called turning water into wine or blood, and can be used to demonstrate acid-base indicators.

The Vanishing Valentine chemistry demonstration is a color change demonstration in which a solution turns from clear to pink and back to clear. It can be used for Valentine's Day or to illustrate oxidation and reduction reactions any time of the year.

Produce the colors of the Olympic rings in this easy chemistry color change demonstration.

This color change chemistry project produces a liquid that oscillates between pink and blue according to temperature.

Mix two clear solutions, wait, and watch the liquid turn to gold! This is a simple and stunning alchemy project or chemistry demonstration.