Chemical Demonstrations with consumer Chemicals: The Black and White Reaction

摘要

Chemical reactions that produce color changes are popular with many audiences. They are especially effective when presented as "chemical magic" demonstrations to arouse interest in science with students or with public audiences of all ages. In connection with our ongoing effort to develop chemical demonstrations using consumer chemicals for public audiences, and particularly for primary and secondary school audiences, we have developed a new color-change reaction with good audience appeal. We wished to employ only consumer chemicals such as might be purchased at a supermarket and are commonly found in the home. Such a reaction would mitigate potential issues surrounding the transportation of chemicals, their use in a public setting, and the disposal of waste. Teachers or demonstrators at the elementary or secondary school level could also perform such a reaction. The use of consumer products also permits stimulating reactions to be carried out in distance learning situations.