This is a list of demos that we have found to work well at past chemistry shows. You may want to put your own spin on them.
Stars mean that someone has volunteered to do this demo at our 2006 show.
*Rainbow Connection
Addition of a colorless solution to 6 glasses turns each a different color. The solution in the glasses is turned back and forth from colored to colorless several times. This is traditionally done to the music of Kermit the frog singing "Rainbow Connection." See Dr. Hobbs for details.
Delayed Spontaneous Combustion
The mixture of a solid and a thick liquid create a nice fire....but not immediately, several minutes pass before the fire erupts. See Dr. Crute for details.
Nonburning Dollar
Set a dollar bill on fire. Lots of flames, but the money does not burn. See Dr. Crute.
*Explosive Iced Tea
A tesla coil is used to ignite gases in an iced tea pitcher. It blows the top off. See Dr. Crute
Wettest Link/Diaper Chemistry
Water is poured into several glasses. When poured on the head of a volunteer/victim water does not come out. At least not always. See Dr. Zuckerman.
*Bending Light
The properties of fiber optics are shown by allowing light to follow the path of water draining from a tub. See Dr. Zuckerman.
*Blue Bottle
Shaking a bottle turns the solution inside from colorless to blue. Generally done between longer skits. See Dr. Myers.
*Phenolphthalein Flowers
Spraying Windex on white flowers turns them pink. Generally done between longer skits. See Dr. Myers.
*Chemical Detective
A convenient bottle of solution is mistaken for water and "kills" the person foolish enough to drink it. Teachers from the audience are suspects in the murder. They are questioned and the evidence tested for "poison." The guilty party is removed in handcuffs. Dr. Myers is usually the detective, but always needs a willing victim. A "roving reporter" sometimes shows up as well. See Dr. Myers.
*Frustrated Waiter
A customer at a restaurant keeps changing his/her drink order. Behind the customers back, the waiter is pouring the same drink into new glasses. See Dr. Myers
Colors of MOM
A solution of Milk of Magnesia (MOM) is colored with universal indicator, the addition of acid changes the color of the indicator, but it keeps changing back! See Dr. Myers
Genie in a Bottle
Removing the stopper from a bottle releases the "genie", really a mist that rapidly pours out of the bottle. See Dr. Myers.
*Elephant Toothpaste/Puking Pumpkin
Addition of a small amount of solid causes foam to spew out of the container. A graduated cylinder for elephant toothpaste or out the face of a plastic puking pumpkin. See Dr. Myers.
Things that Go BANG!
Dr. Crute has a series of lessons about the fire triangle. His uses assistants. See Dr. Crute.