For each chapter in the textbook we had a closer look at some of the
things covered in the chapter, and did an experiment that related to
the chapter. Most sessions were about an hour and a half long.
Chapter |
|
Related Experiment |
Chapter 1 – Ancient Metals. Iron,
lead, tin. |
|
Experiment 1 – Iron Combustion.
To see if iron will oxidise quickly (burn). |
Chapter 2 – The Money Metals. Gold,
silver, copper, plus mercury. |
|
Experiment 2 – Copper Flame Test.
T o use a flame test to check for the presence of copper in various
substances. |
Chapter 3 – The Search for Gold. Sulphur,
carbon, phosphorus. |
|
Experiment 3 – Match Rockets.
To find out what the best design of match rocket is. |
Chapter 4 – Gases in the Air. Hydrogen,
oxygen (and carbon dioxide), nitrogen (and explosives). |
|
Experiment 4 – Lime Water Test For
CO2. To use lime water to detect CO2. |
Chapter 5 – Electricity to the Rescue.
Static electricity, batteries, electrolysis and electroplating. |
|
Experiment 5 – Copper Plating a Coin.
To use electricity and copper sulphate to copper plate a coin. |
Chapter 6 – Search for Order. The
periodic table of elements. |
|
Experiment 6 – Separating Solids.
To separate a mixture of three solid substances. To get used to
working with chemicals and lab equipment like test tubes and a
meths burner. (This experiment was done by an earlier group.) |
Chapter 7 – Sunlight Shows the Way.
Spectral lines. |
|
Experiment 7 – Fire From Light.
To make fire using sunlight. To test if it's easier to burn dark
coloured paper. |
Chapter 8 – The Electron Shows the Way.
How electrons govern spectral lines, radiometers, oscilloscopes,
and famous New Zealander Ernest Rutherford. |
|
Experiment 8 – Radiometer. To
investigate the effects of sunlight on a Crookes radiometer. |
Chapter 9 – Compounds by Electrical Attraction.
How gaining or losing electrons help atoms join with other atoms,
sodium, chlorine, and lots about salt. |
|
Experiment 9 – Calcium Carbide.
To investigate some of the properties of calcium carbide. |
Chapter 10 – Water. |
|
Experiment 10 – Hidden Water.
To observe colour changed when water is driven out of copper sulphate
and cobalt chloride crystals, and when water is reabsorbed into
the crystals. |
Chapter 11 – Carbon and its Compounds.
Carbon dioxide in particular. |
|
Experiment 11 – Soot. To find
which flame is the best at producing soot.
Demonstration – Dry Ice. A hands-on session exploring the properties of dry ice. |
Chapter 12 – Organic Chemistry. Compounds
that come from plants and animals. |
|
Experiment 12 – BoPET. To investigate
the properties of biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate
polyester film, or boPET polyester film (commonly known by the
brand name Mylar). |
Chapter 13 – Nitrogen and Its Compounds.
Explosives, acids and bases. |
|
Experiment 13 – Urea Freeze Pack.
To see if a urea (carbamide) and water "freeze pack" really
gets to freezing temperatures. |
Chapter 14 – Silicon and Its Compounds. |
|
Experiment 14 – Silicon Amplification.
To use a silicon transistor to make a touch switch to switch LEDs
powered by a silicon solar panel. |
Chapter 15 – Modern Metals. Aluminium
in particular. |
|
Experiment 15 – Hydrogen Boom.
To see if hydrogen will seep out of rubber balloons. To produce
a boom from hydrogen. (Lots of safety precautions with this one.) |
Chapter 16 – Chemistry in Today's World.
Famous chemists in history, distillation. |
|
Experiment 16 – Chromatography.
To use paper chromatography to separate inks into their base colours
(component dyes). |
