Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Aug 2

You can watch this method of filtering on youtu.be/6rSu-blfRZo. This is separating activated carbon from an aqueous suspension. Carbon was used to remove a dye.

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · May 26

Atmospheric chemistry is difficult for schools, but microscale techniques can help with evidence for ozone and hydroxyl radicals. Here are the videos referred to in the picture.
youtu.be/mlQRDuKm63w
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_PA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jNh...
#ITeachchem

1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · May 22

And there was I, thinking you sat down and watched these videos with pen in hand eager for all the information

1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · May 21

if you go to 13 seconds in the video, there is a QR code to a supplier. I hope that helps

1 1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · May 21

Here is a diffusing precipitate of silver iodide on a thermochromic plastic sheet so that the endothermic dissolving and the exothermic precipitation are seen.
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry
@sfed-rsc.bsky.social @beyondbenign.bsky.social,
bsky.app/profile/cerg...

1 2 4

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Apr 6

Watch highly coloured ions MnO₄⁻ & Cu(NH₃)₄²⁺ diffuse in a droplet of water using 2 different paths caused by presence of a magnet during electrolysis. Evidence of charged particles (ions). www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMta... and www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oM...
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry

1 3 6

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Mar 18

Using microscale techniques in school chemistry to show how carbon in CO₂ can be captured and imprisoned, but I had to let it go to show it worked! Video on www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tstu...
bsky.app/profile/did:...

1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Mar 1

Watch for the effect of a magnet on the iron/thiocyanate complex. Paramagnetism at work.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qipp...
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry @sfed-rsc.bsky.social

IronIII thiocyanate complex

YouTube video by Bob Worley

www.youtube.com

7 11

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Feb 22

Helplines asked #CLEAPSS for an alternative to CuO/H₂SO₄ neutralisation reaction salt making for students to make salts. Not easy, but using ed/ox metal/acid reactions uses the same skills. This is iron(II) sulfate made from staples.
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry

0.25 cm³ of 1M copper sulfate is added to the iron staples and 2 cm³ of 1.5M sulfuric acid It is heated for 10 minutes. Can also use steel paper clips. This is the personal spirit burner (ethanol biofuel) hotplate.

Using filter paper in small-scale chem does not work. Filtering the reaction mixture through cotton wool in a Pasteur pipette. Copper particles and bits of iron are separated from the iron(II) sulfate solution..

Heating the filtered solution for 10 minutes on my personal spirit-burner, bio-fuel, hotplate.

Then leave to cool. The crystals form slowly, which might take longer than a lesson, but the results are very beautiful.

2 7

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Dec 6

Making 1-5% soap solutions in 7:3 propan-2-ol/water. Filtered to get a colourless liquid. Laser light reflection indicates it is colloidal. Is the twinkling effect caused by collisions with water molecules?
#ChatChemistry #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social @cerg.bsky.social

2 12

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Nov 26

Evaporation with Thermochromic plastic and 2 kitchen thermometers. Visualise the flow of energy in an open endothermic process at room temperature—an evidence-based small-scale approach using easily available modern materials. #ChatChemistry #ITeachChem @sfed-rsc.bsky.social @cerg.bsky.social

1 1 5

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Nov 19

Students encounter a precipitate every day as they wash with soap & make scum. @cleapss.bsky.social has had this method for 20 years as traditional methods were risky but now introduce a personal hotplate. Students stay still. #ChatChemistry #ITeachStudents @sfed-rsc.bsky.social @cerg.bsky.social

2 3

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Nov 14

It works better with bottle top crucible. See Cleapss website. Do a comparison of methods if you want.

1 1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Oct 9

This is the link to www.rsc.org/news-events/... for an account of the chemistry education trip to Thailand. @bogwoppitfee.bsky.social #ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social @associationscied.bsky.social @roysocchem.bsky.social @beyondben.bsky.social , @unitednationsbk.bsky.social

Five go to Thailand

www.rsc.org

2 6

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Oct 2

It is all about energy. I think chemists are rather scared of the topic. We invent octet rules to explain and ditch it. We are awe of physics teaching.

1 1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 20

With the correct equipment on silica, you get this for Parker and Octopus Fountain Pen Ink. But inflation means schools are increasingly unable to afford this equipment. The effect is stunning using the solvent mixture butan-1-ol/ethanol/water in the ratio of 3:1:1 and a drop of conc ammonia.

3

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 20

Many helpline calls regarding aspirin syn come to @cleapss.bsky.social. The cost of the TLC slide is rising more than inflation for schools. Can use iodine to see the chromatogram. The hotplate design comes from teachers in Thailand. Applying #GreenChemistry principles. #ChatChemistry #ITeachChem

1 5

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 18

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj1B... This is copper wire into 0.06 AgNO3 on a plastic surface under a USB microscope. Mobuke phone are good now. ooops!

Silver nitrate reacting with copper wire

YouTube video by Bob Worley

www.youtube.com

1

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 18

Thanks. You can look at these slides and always contact me #ChatChemistry

1 2

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 18

See www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_MU... to see how to make NO gas in a syringe.

The reacion between nitrogen monoxide and oxygen.

YouTube video by Bob Worley

www.youtube.com

1 1 2

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 18

You can use the same approach to make prepene from propan2-ol and alkenes from polythese. See this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENyC... where I do a bromine titration of the cracked gases.

Advanced catalytic cracking

YouTube video by Bob Worley

www.youtube.com

1 2

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 18

Newish approach to an old experiment as white phosphorus is no longer available. Red phosphorus is. It was the first use of bottle top in school chemistry as an inexpensive alternative to the crucible. @cleapss.bsky.social subscribers see PS67l Burning phosphorus in air
#ChatChemistry #ITeachChem

1 3

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 13

We tried this after a Helpline call. "Is this still OK to do". Of course it is. It is also on edu.rsc.org/exhibition-c...
Our catalyst got so hot it vaporised. Clean the copper foil in acid beforehand and the reaction lasts nearly an hour.
#ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social

3 10

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 5

Rehearse any demos or student practical activitites so you look confident using chemicals and manipulating equipment "on stage". Because that is what you are but remember, you are NOT a children's TV entertainer.

2

Bob Worley @bobthechemist.bsky.social · Sep 5

I hope the new teachers & technicians explore the resources of @CLEAPSS on science.cleapss.org.uk. They can phone or email to get expert advice on any practical activities, safety, storage disposal, recipes, etc. We are not just the safety police! Enter "cracking" into the search engine.

CLEAPSS Science Home

CLEAPSS is a UK based organisation providing services to schools to support practical work in science, design technology and art and design. Most UK schools are already members and so can access all r...

science.cleapss.org.uk

1 1