Stuart Lacheen - spectacular experiment which kids will like

[stuartlacheen]

Hello,
I was wondering if anybody know some interesting experiments to do in a chemistry lab, an experiment wich children will enjoy, something spectacular, with colour changing substances, smoke coming out or flames...anyway something wich will make you go WOOOOOW!
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Stuart Lacheen

[hwguy]

Hmm i can think of a few things but wuld like to know more about what you are thinking about. Also what materials/expertise is available as well as a proposed budget?

[keithikle]

That sounds interesting and educational. If anyone has suggestions please let me know.

Thanks!
R Keith Ikle

Materials:
1. 1/2 head of *red* cabbage or so.
2. Metal grater.
3. Pot filled with enough water to cover the grated cabbage.
4. Strainer
5. Some acid/base solutions: for an acid try vinegar, for a base - mix some detergent in water.


Methods
1. Grate the cabbage into small pieces, put in pot with water
2. Boil the mixture for 20-30 minutes, untill dark purple.
3.Remove liqued only.
4. A good acid to test with is white vinegar.
5. Add a few drops of the liquedvto your solutions, and note any color changes. The juice should turn pink in acidic solutions, and green in basic solutions.


Red cabbage contains pigments call anthocyanins. The pigments give it the red/purplish color. Anthocyanins belong to group of chemical compounds called flavonoids.

Ari Dubov

[Paul Robbins]

connor xv's post reminds me of a good one, (best done out outdoors really). Pour potassium permanganate onto a heatproof mat - the type you'd place a bunsen burner on. Shape the permanganate like a volcano with a crater. Pour glycerol into the crater and stand back. You'll get a nice chemical volcano.