Chemistry Projects

The black snakes will burn on their own if you get them hot enough. — Black snake fireworks are also known as Pharaoh’s snakes, Pharaoh’s serpent, or glow worms. Although called “fireworks” they are a type of small pyrotechnic that doesn’t explode or even give off sparks. When you light a black snake, it pushes out a column of ash that sort of resembles a […]

Make Black Snake Fireworks Using Calcium Supplements

This entry was posted on April 12, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on September 6, 2018)

Electroactive slime is a opaque slime that reacts to static electricity. (Josh Hallett) — This recipe makes cool, non-toxic slime that appears to have a life of its own! It’s electroactive slime, so it reacts when it’s close to electrically charged objects. Rub a piece of polystyrene foam or a balloon on your hair or a wall to charge it and observe how the […]

Cool Electroactive Slime That Reacts to Styrofoam

This entry was posted on February 13, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 13, 2017)

Use translucent glycerin soap to make soap slime you can see through. (darwin Bell) — Soap slime is an easy-to-make type of slime that is fun to play with and makes clean-up fun. Here’s how you make it. Soap Slime Materials leftover pieces from bars of soap (or you can use a whole bar) water jar Make Soap Slime You’ve probably made soap slime accidentally […]

Super Easy Soap Slime Recipe

This entry was posted on February 13, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 16, 2017)

Cobalt(II) chloride may appear either pink or blue in solution, depending on which ion is formed. (Chemicalinterest) — This color change chemistry project will give you a liquid that fluctuates between pink and blue as the temperature changes. In essence, it’s a color change thermometer. What You Need beaker or attractive clear container 3 g cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate (also known as cobaltous chloride hydrate) 500 ml alcohol Prepare […]

Make a Color Change Liquid Thermometer

This entry was posted on January 27, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine

You can make your own lava lamp using safe household ingredients. Anne Helmenstine — Lava lamps are interesting and cool. Have you ever wanted to make your own cool oozing display? Lava lamps that you buy use high heat and toxic chemicals, but you can make a lava lamp at home using safe kitchen ingredients. Here’s how: Materials This project results in a non-toxic […]

Make a Safe Homemade Lava Lamp

This entry was posted on January 25, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine

The color change violets project works because violets are natural pH indicators. — You can change violets from violet to green by exposing them to a household chemical. This is a fun chemistry demonstration, especially for the home. Color Change Violet Materials violets household ammonia Change the Color! Really, nothing could be easier. Hold violets over ammonia and watch them change from blue […]

Color Change Violets Chemistry Demonstration

This entry was posted on January 17, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 21, 2018)