Question: Re experiment 36 in the STAWA Chemistry Laboratory Manual, Factors affecting the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, what it is in liver that is a catalyst for the decomposition? Answer: The enzyme which decomposes hydrogen peroxide in liver is catalase. The experiment works well.
Experiments
Globes-memory aid:
Small globes come in 2V, 6V and 12V sizes. The filament colours of the ones we use are different and the 6V globes are bigger than the others, so I find it easy to tell the difference. I now have the following poem pinned up near the globes. GLOBES! Blue are 2 6 are fat…
Energy content of food: peanut substitutes:
To determine the energy content of food products, substitute the following for peanuts: Cheezels, Doritos, potato chips, Vegie Chips, marshmallows, Tiny Teddies, Twisties, corn chips or Burger Rings.
Electro-magnets:
Question: Has anyone a good design for electro-magnets that actually works? It seems the designs in the texts are rather weak and not very effective. Answer: In order to have sufficient current passing through the wire, the wire must be rated to carry at least 3 amps. Wire of this thickness can cause the electromagnet…
Vitamin C content of fruit:
Question: Does anyone have information on how to test the Vitamin C content of different fruits? Answer: We do a simple practical using 5 different juices: freshly squeezed orange juice, bottled 100 percent cordial, lemon juice and boiled orange juice as comparisons. You could also use grapefruit but note that if you were using, for…
Tea bag rocket:
Use tag-bag teabags, the ones with the string and tag. These are actually tissue cylinders. Carefully remove the staple and the string and empty the tea out. Open the cylinder, but do not open out the fold. Place open side down on a bench. Light the folded part at the top, and observe. You can…
Sherbet:
Question: Does anyone have a recipe for sherbet which includes jelly crystals please? Answer: I tried many recipes, and the winners are: First prize: icing sugar 1 tablespoon Bicarb soda (Sodium hydrogen carbonate) quarter teaspoon citric acid quarter teaspoon jelly crystals 1 teaspoon Second prize: Bicarb soda 1 teaspoon icing sugar 10 teaspoons citric acid…
Senior Science- ideas for long-term projects:
Senior Science students can grow native trees from seed, in conjunction with the Men of the Trees. They germinate them in different media and measure growth rates. The students can set up aquaria with tropical fish and look after them. Alternatively, they set up the tanks with yabbies. The students enjoy doing this and the…
Science Snacks:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks Science Snacks are miniature versions of some of the most popular exhibits at the Exploratorium, San Francisco.