http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kh5FpSWVMo (this gets very interesting around 1:33)
Permanganate is sometimes called the “chemical chameleon” due to its extraordinary ability to change colors when changing oxidation states. In this particular experiment, scientists add diluted potassium permanganate to a solution of sugar, water, and sodium hydroxide. Sugar (sucrose) is an organic compound, which contains many –OH groups. These groups reduce the permanganate ion, which leads to the color changes you see in the video. Although this experiment may not have many practical uses in the world today, it is fun to watch and is a great way to visibly see the effects of oxidation and reduction in chemical experiments.
See also: http://81.207.88.128/science/chem/exps/chameleon/index.html
Posted by Lauren Riffle
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This post was a nice change of pace compared to the reports of chemical developments. I especially liked the youtube link because I was then able to click around and explore other experiments. I have included a link to one of my favorites. I think youtube is a great resource to gain excitement about chemical processes because the videos can be very cool for kids to watch and become inspired.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbmLMm2Mpa8&feature=related
I second your comment, Anne. There are some very interesting YouTube videos that I have seen, showing both chemical reactions and computer animations of processes at the molecular level. (Of course, there are also plenty of videos that are just bad science, or flat-out fakes.) I enjoyed watching both of these videos and following the link that explained the reduction reactions of permanganate. Understanding what's really going on in these videos enhances the experience so much; it's much more satisfying than just observing and passively accepting the color changes, for example.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both comments above in that I found the information and the video very interesting. I liked the video that was included because instead of just reading about the experiment I could actually see for myself what was happening.
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