Nuffield practical collection

Developed by the Nuffield Foundation and the Royal Society of Chemistry, each resource contains detailed information for teachers and technicians.

‘Dissolving’ polystyrene in acetone
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate what happens to polystyrene when it is placed in propanone (acetone) in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
‘Magic’ writing with colour changing reactions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Reveal invisible messages or pictures drawn with aqueous solutions by spraying them with suitable reagents in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A chromate–dichromate equilibrium
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to investigate an equilibrium between chromate(VI), dichromate(VI) and hydrogen ions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A controlled explosion using hydrogen and air
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Show how a hydrogen–air mixture can gain explosive properties using a plastic drink bottle in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A hydrogen powered rocket
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this spectacular demonstration to make a rocket using a plastic drink bottle fuelled by hydrogen and air. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A microscale acid–base titration
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use microscale titration to complete an acid–base neutralisation with sodium hydroxide in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A microscale oxidation of alcohols
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to investigate the oxidation reactions of various alcohols with acidified potassium dichromate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A red–blue oscillating reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical or demonstration to provide a visual illustration of an oscillating reaction and redox equilibria. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A reversible reaction of hydrated copper(II) sulfate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A class practical which investigates the reversible reaction of hydrated copper(II) sulfate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A simple oscillating reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to illustrate an oscillating reaction as bromate ions oxidise malonic acid to carbon dioxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A solid–solid reaction between lead nitrate and potassium iodide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration with kit list and safety instructions to prove that two solids can react together, making lead iodide from lead nitrate and potassium iodide.
A spontaneous exothermic reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the reaction between glycerol and potassium manganate(VII) to produce flames and steam in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
A test to distinguish between ethanol and methanol
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A class practical to distinguish between methanol and ethanol using the iodoform reaction. Includes kit list, safety instructions, procedure and teaching notes.
A thermometric titration
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to practise locating end-points in titration by measuring temperature during the reaction. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Acid or alkali? Acidic or alkaline? A litmus paper test
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Test a variety of substances to see if they are acidic or alkaline, using litmus paper as the indicator. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Addition polymerisation with phenylethene
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical or demonstration as an example of addition polymerisation using phenylethene to form polyphenylethene. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Allotropes of sulfur
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to explore the changes in the colour and consistency of sulfur as you heat it, melt it and eventually boil it. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Ammonia fountain demonstration
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this experiment to make a miniature chemical fountain using only soluble ammonia and atmospheric pressure. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Ammonium dichromate volcano
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to create a mini volcanic eruption illustrating the decomposition of ammonium dichromate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
An equilibrium using copper(II) and ammonia
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to explore an equilibrium involving copper(II) ions, with copper(II) sulfate, ammonia and sulfuric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Anodising aluminium
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore an application of electrolysis in this demonstration by anodising aluminium to improve corrosion resistance. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Burning money: what makes combustion happen?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Surprise your students by soaking a piece of paper (or an old £5 note) in ethanol and water and igniting it. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Cannon fire
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Increase the rate of burning with the inclusion of oxygen, in this loud exothermic practical
Carbon filtration and activated charcoal
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to remove objectionable tastes and odours from water using carbon in the form of activated charcoal. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Catalysing the reaction of sodium thiosulfate and hydrogen peroxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the effect of a catalyst as sodium thiosulfate is oxidised by hydrogen peroxide in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Catalysis of a sodium thiosulfate and iron(III) nitrate reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate the effect of transition metal catalysts on the reaction between iron(III) nitrate and sodium thiosulfate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Catalysis of the reaction between zinc and sulfuric acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Compare the rate of reaction between zinc and sulfuric acid with copper as a catalyst in this simple class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Catalysts for the thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to investigate the effectiveness of various catalysts for the decomposition of potassium chlorate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Catalytic oxidation of potassium sodium tartrate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to illustrate catalysis of the oxidation of potassium sodium tartrate by hydrogen peroxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Chemiluminescence of luminol: a cold light experiment
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Show how the energy of a chemical reaction can be given out as light. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Chromatography of sweets | 11–14 years
In association with Nuffield Foundation, By Holly Walsh and Sandrine Bouchelkia
Try this class practical to carry out chromatography using dye from different coloured M&M’s®. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Colourful reactions using ammonia solution
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Turn ammonia solution red, white or blue by adding phenolphthalein, lead nitrate or copper(II) sulfate in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Colourimetric determination of copper ore
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to introduce students to the determination of copper ore by colourimetry using copper(II) sulfate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Combustion of ethanol
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the large energy changes that take place during the combustion of alcohols with this spectacular demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Combustion of hydrogen in air
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration or class experiment to investigate how varying amounts of fuel and oxygen affect combustion. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Comparing heat energy from burning alcohols
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate the amounts of heat energy produced by the combustion of different alcohols in this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Comparing light- and heavy-duty detergents
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this set of experiments to compare the effects of light- and heavy-duty detergents with different pH values. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Comparing the melting points of solder, tin and lead
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Test the melting points of lead, tin and solder to investigate solder as a solid mixture and alloy in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Corrosion in different atmospheric conditions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to test the corrosion of metals in dry air, moist air and air polluted by acidic sulfur dioxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Cracking hydrocarbons in liquid paraffin with a catalyst
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Model the industrial process of cracking larger hydrocarbons to produce smaller alkanes in this demonstration or class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Cracking hydrocarbons on a microscale
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this microscale experiment to illustrate hydrocarbon cracking using paraffin, bromine water and aluminium oxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Dehydration of ethanol to form ethene
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical or demonstration to produce ethene gas as an example of an unsaturated hydrocarbon. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Detecting starch in food on a microscale
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Test different foodstuffs for the presence of starch using iodine in this microscale class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Detergents, soaps and surface tension
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A series of brief experiments on the effects of detergents and soaps on the surface tension of purified and hard water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Determining relative molecular mass by weighing gases
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to determine the relative molecular masses of different gases using the ideal gas equation. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Determining the relative atomic mass of magnesium
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to determine the relative atomic mass of magnesium using its reaction with hydrochloric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Determining the relative molecular mass of butane
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to calculate the relative molecular mass of butane using simple apparatus. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Diffusion in liquids
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Demonstrate that diffusion takes place in liquids in this practical using lead nitrate and potassium iodide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Diffusion of gases: ammonia and hydrogen chloride
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A demonstration to show the diffusion of gases, using ammonia solution and hydrochloric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Displacement reactions between metals and their salts
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Students will investigate competition reactions of metals and determine a reactivity series of the four metals used. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Displacement reactions of non-metals
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate a displacement series of non-metals using oxygen and chlorine in this class practical or demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Dissolved substances in tap water and seawater
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Compare the solids and gases dissolved in tap water and seawater in this class practical and demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Distribution of iodine between two immiscible solvents
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class experiment or demonstration to create an equilibrium distribution using iodine in two immiscible solvents. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Dyeing three colours from the same dye bath
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Show how dyeing involves chemical interactions between dyes and the molecular nature of different fibres in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Electrolysis of brine
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this colourful practical to introduce students to the electrolysis of brine, or sodium chloride solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore the electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution and related industrial processes with this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Introduce your students to the study of electrolysis through the production of metallic lead and bromine in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Electrolysis of molten zinc chloride
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to show how an ionic salt will conduct electricity when molten but not when solid. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
Emulsifiers in the kitchen
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Test a range of common ingredients to see which ones stabilise an oil and water emulsion in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Endothermic solid–solid reactions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Observe an endothermic reaction between two solids in this demonstration or class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Energy content in foods
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class experiment to investigate how much energy different foods contain. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Equilibria involving carbon dioxide in aqueous solution
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration or class practical to illustrate changes to equilibria in carbonated soda water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Estimating the concentration of bleach
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Compare the chlorine content and concentration of sodium hypochlorite in different bleaches in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Exothermic metal displacement reactions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class experiment to explore what happens when different metals are added to a copper(II) sulfate solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Exothermic metal–acid reactions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to explore the temperature changes resulting from adding different metals to hydrochloric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Exothermic or endothermic? Classifying reactions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Decide whether various reactions are exothermic or endothermic by measuring temperature change in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Exothermic redox reaction of zinc with iodine
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Using an exothermic redox reaction between zinc and iodine, student will make zinc iodide. This can be reversed using electrolysis to decompose the compound.
Exploding a tin can using methane
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to illustrate how methane can create an explosive mixture with the oxygen in air. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Exploding bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Create a small explosion in this demonstration by electrolysing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen bubbles. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
Extracting copper from copper(II) carbonate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to produce copper from copper(II) carbonate, modelling the extraction of copper from malachite. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Extracting iodine from seaweed
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Discover how ribbon seaweed (or kelp) can be used as a source of iodine in this demonstration or class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Extracting iron from breakfast cereal
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical or demonstration to extract food-grade iron from breakfast cereals using neodymium magnets. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Extracting metals with charcoal
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to illustrate the idea of competition reactions between metals and carbon. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Extraction of iron on a match head
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical as a small scale example of metal extraction, reducing iron(III) oxide with carbon on a match head. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Fat-pan fires and the conditions for combustion
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to illustrate the conditions required to start combustion, and how to put out a pan fire safely. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Fermentation of glucose using yeast | 14–16 years
In association with Nuffield Foundation, By Neil Goalby
Use this class practical to investigate the fermentation of glucose by yeast and test for ethanol. Includes kit list, safety instructions, questions and answers
Finding the formula of copper(II) oxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical with your students to deduce the formula of copper(II) oxide from its reduction by methane. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Finding the formula of hydrated copper(II) sulfate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this experiment students will measure the mass of hydrated copper(II) sulfate before and after heating and use mole calculations to find the formula.
Flame colours: a demonstration
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore how different elements rect when exposed to a flame, and discuss how alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and metal salts change the colour of fire.
Floating and sinking bubbles
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Make bubbles of carbon dioxide, hydrogen or methane in this demonstration exploring density, diffusion and solubility. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Generating, collecting and testing gases
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Read our standard guidance on generating, collecting and testing gases during practical experiments, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen and chlorine.
Halogen reactions with iron wool
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate an exothermic redox reaction by heating iron wool with chlorine, bromine and iodine with this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Halogens in aqueous solution and their displacement reactions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore the chemical properties of halogens using this demonstration or class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Handling liquid bromine and preparing bromine water
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Find out how to handle liquid bromine and prepare bromine water safely using these health, safety and technical notes.
Heating chocolate and egg
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to introduce students to physical and chemical changes and the safe use of Bunsen burners. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Heating copper in air
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore the reaction of copper with oxygen, producing copper oxide, when a copper envelope is heated in air in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Heating group 1 metals in air and in chlorine
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to illustrate the reactions of lithium, sodium and potassium in air and in chlorine. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
How can hardness in water be removed?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate the effects of three treatments for softening hard water in this class practical and demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
How much oxygen is used when iron wool rusts?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to investigate how much oxygen is used in rusting and calculate the percentage of oxygen in air. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Hydrogels in plant water storage crystals
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate plant water storage crystals as one application of hydrogels in this fun class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Identifying polymers by density
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate and identify a variety of polymers used in everyday materials by testing their density in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Identifying the products of combustion
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the presence of water and carbon dioxide in the products of hydrocarbon combustion in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Identifying the products of electrolysis
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class experiment to carry out the electrolysis of various solutions and investigate the products formed. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Indicators and dry ice demonstration
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Create bubbles, ‘fog’ and a colour change adding dry ice to alkaline ammonia or sodium hydroxide solution in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Investigating hydrogels in nappies and hair gel
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate hydrogels as polymeric smart materials in this series of activities using nappies and hair gel. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Investigating the role of water in acidity
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical or demonstration to explore the importance of water for acidity using hydrogen chloride and methylbenzene. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Investigating the solubility of lead halides
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Encourage students to make and test predictions about the pattern of solubility among lead halides in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Iodine clock reaction demonstration method
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this iodine clock reaction demonstration to introduce your students to rates of reaction and kinetics. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Iron and sulfur reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
This demonstration or class experiment shows the exothermic reaction of iron and sulphur. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Leaf chromatography
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to use paper chromatography to separate and investigate the pigments in a leaf. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Liquefying chlorine gas
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to produce liquid chlorine and compare it with bromine and iodine in their condensed state. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making a crystal garden
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Create chemical gardens with your students by growing crystals of coloured silicates in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making a pH indicator using red cabbage
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to make a pH indicator from red cabbage with your students. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making a photographic print using silver chloride
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical or demonstration to create a photographic image of an object using light sensitive silver chloride. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making and testing ammonia
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this experiment, students make ammonia, investigate its solubility in water and test its alkaline nature. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making esters from alcohols and acids
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate the reactions between a range of alcohols and acids by producing a variety of esters in this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making glass
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to make samples of glass using lead oxide, zinc oxide and boric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making glue from milk
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to prepare a polymer glue from milk using the protein casein. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making magnesium carbonate: the formation of an insoluble salt in water
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Students react magnesium sulfate and sodium carbonate to form magnesium carbonate, which is insoluble in water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making plastic from potato starch
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to make a plastic using potato starch and investigate the effects of adding a ‘plasticiser’. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making rayon
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to produce rayon fibres in the classroom using cotton wool or filter paper. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making soaps and detergents using castor oil
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to make a soap or detergent using castor oil and either sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Making solder as an alloy of tin and lead
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to make solder by heating together the metals tin and lead before investigating the alloy’s properties. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Melting and freezing stearic acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this class practical students take the temperature of stearic acid at regular intervals as they heat and cool it. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Microscale extraction of copper
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to reduce copper(II) oxide to copper using hydrogen, revealing their positions in the reactivity series. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Microscale reactions of positive ions with sodium hydroxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this microscale practical exploring the reactions of various positive ions with sodium hydroxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Microscale oxidation of cyclohexanol by potassium dichromate(VI)
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this quick class experiment to observe the oxidation of cyclohexanol to produce cyclohexanone. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Microscale preparation of ethyl benzoate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to prepare the ester ethyl benzoate on a microscale by warming ethanol and benzoic acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Modelling alloys with plasticine
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class activity to explore how alloying can be used to change the properties of a metal. Includes kit list and teaching notes.
Modelling the greenhouse effect
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to illustrate the greenhouse effect and the role of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Neutralising an acidic solution
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this simple practical to illustrate the pH and temperature changes as an acidic solution is neutralised. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Oxidation of ethanol
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this class practical, ethanol is oxidised by acidified sodium dichromate to form ethanal and then ethanoic acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Phenol-methanal polymerisiation
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Make Bakelite in class and investigate its properties using phenol, methanal and ethanoic acid in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Preferential discharge of cations during electrolysis
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to show that metal cations are preferentially discharged, in relation to the metal’s position in the reactivity series. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Preparing a soluble salt by neutralisation
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this practical, students react alkaline ammonia with sulfuric acid to form the soluble salt ammonium sulfate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Preparing an insoluble salt in a precipitation reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Produce an insoluble salt precipitate by reacting two soluble metal salts together in this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Preparing and using cobalt chloride indicator papers
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Make your own cobalt chloride indicator papers, which can be used to test for the presence of water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Preparing salts by neutralisation of oxides and carbonates
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try these class experiments to illustrate the production of soluble salts from insoluble metal oxides and carbonates. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Preventing rust
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to test methods for preventing rust on iron nails, including painting, greasing and sacrificial protection. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Properties of alkali metal compounds
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to explore the physical and chemical properties of various alkali metal compounds. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Purifying an impure solid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Purify alum as an example of obtaining a pure chemical from an impure sample in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
PVA polymer slime
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this fun class experiment student will make slime by adding borax solution to PVA. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Quantitative electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulfate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to find the value of the Faraday constant from electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Rate of evaporation
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to measure and compare the rate of evaporation of propanone under different conditions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Rate of reaction of potassium manganate(VII) and oxalic acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate the effect of surface area or concentration on rate of reaction using oxalic acid in rhubarb and potassium manganate(VII). Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reacting aluminium and iodine
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the spectacular reaction between aluminium and iodine with water as a catalyst in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reacting copper(II) oxide with sulfuric acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the reaction of an insoluble metal oxide with a dilute acid to produce crystals of a soluble salt in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reacting magnesium with copper(II) oxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate reduction, oxidation and the relative reactivity of magnesium and copper(II) oxide in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reacting zinc and copper(II) oxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate competition reactions using the exothermic reaction between copper(II) oxide and zinc in this class demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reactions of chlorine with water or halide ions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Generate chlorine gas on a microscale and investigate its reactions with water or halide ions in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reactions of chlorine, bromine and iodine with aluminium
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to produce some spectacular exothermic redox reactions by reacting aluminium with halogens. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reactions of metals with acids producing salts
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore the production of hydrogen gas and salts when metals react with acids in this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Reactivity trends of the alkali metals
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this experiment to demonstrate the trend in reactivity down group 1 of the Periodic Table, exploring the physical and chemical properties of the alkali metals.
Rechargeable cells: the lead–acid accumulator
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to demonstrate the chemistry behind rechargeable batteries, using a lead–acid accumulator cell. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Recovering water from a solution using a condenser
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to show how pure water can be recovered from copper sulfate solution using a condenser. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Recovering water from copper(II) sulfate solution
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to introduce students to aqueous solutions by distilling water from copper(II) sulfate solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Separating salts from seawater
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this simple practical to show that seawater contains a mixture of different salts. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Separating sand and salt by filtering and evaporation
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class experiment to practise manipulating mixtures of soluble and insoluble materials by separating sand and salt. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Silver and lead halides
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical or demonstration to produce silver and lead halides in a series of precipitation reactions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Sodium ethanoate ‘stalagmite’
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Quickly grow your own ‘stalagmite’ from a supersaturated solution of sodium ethanoate in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Solubility patterns of halogen anions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this microscale practical to identify and explain patterns in the solubility of fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide anions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Solubility trends of metal halides
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate patterns in the solubility of halides of silver and some Group 1 and 2 metals in this microscale practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Sulfuric acid as a dehydrating agent
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try these two demonstrations to illustrate the difference between dehydration and drying using sulfuric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Supercooling and the energetics of freezing
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore what happens when a liquid is supercooled using sodium thiosulfate in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Testing for catalase enzymes
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class experiment to detect the presence of enzymes as they catalyse the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Testing the pH of different solutions
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this practical to reinforce students’ understanding of pH by preparing and testing acidic and alkaline solutions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Testing the pH of oxides
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to investigate the pH of different metal and non-metal oxides using a universal indicator. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Testing the hardness of water
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical with your students to measure the hardness of water samples and investigate the effect of boiling. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The ‘blue bottle’ experiment
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this demonstration, the redox indicator Methylene blue can be oxidised many times by shaking. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The ‘breathalyser’ reaction | 16–18 years
In association with Nuffield Foundation, By Tim Jolliff and Sandrine Bouchelkia
Try this demonstration to recreate an early ‘breathalyser’ test, passing ethanol vapour through potassium dichromate. Includes kit list and safety instructions
The ‘Old Nassau’ or Halloween clock reaction
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate dramatic colour changes as a result of redox and precipitation reactions in this vivid demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The ‘whoosh’ bottle demonstration
In association with Nuffield Foundation
This exciting demonstration is a combustion reaction where a mixture of alcohol and air in a large bottle is ignited. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The acidic reactions of ethanoic acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore the properties of ethanoic acid as a weak organic acid in this class experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The change in mass when magnesium burns
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A class practical to measure the change in mass when magnesium burns and to find the formula of magnesium oxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The chemistry of cooking potatoes
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to investigate what happens to potatoes and potato cells when they are boiled. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The combustion of iron wool
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this quick teacher demonstration to demonstrate the increase in mass as iron wool is heated in air. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The composition and formula of water
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to determine the formula of water through the reaction of copper(II) oxide with hydrogen. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The conversion of alcohols to halogenoalkanes
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical or demonstration to produce bromoethane in a substitution reaction between ethanol and phosphorus tribromide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The cornflour ‘bomb’
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Create a small explosion inside a tin can using cornflour in this demonstration, illustrating energy transformation. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The density of carbon dioxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the higher density of carbon dioxide relative to air by pouring it over a lighted candle in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The density of ice
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Demonstrate to students what happens as ice cubes floating on oil start to melt and the density of the water changes. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The effect of concentration and temperature on an equilibrium | Le Chatelier’s principle
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to illustrate how changing chlorine concentration or temperature shifts the position of an equilibrium. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The effect of concentration on equilibrium | Le Chatelier’s principle
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate the reversible reaction between bismuth(III) oxychloride and bismuth(III) chloride in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The effect of pressure and temperature on equilibrium | Le Chatelier’s principle
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to explore the effects of pressure and temperature on an equilibrium mixture with your students. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The equilibrium between two coloured cobalt species
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this demonstration the equilibrium between two different coloured cobalt species is disturbed. Le Chatelier’s principle is used to predict a colour change.
The formation of a sol
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Convert a rusty-brown precipitate of iron(III) hydroxide into a cherry-red iron(III) oxide sol in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
$Equipment set up in a school laboratory for an experiment simulating the fractional distillation of crude oil, with a side-arm test tube, a thermometer and a delivery tube$
The fractional distillation of crude oil
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical or demonstration to simulate the industrial fractional distillation of crude oil. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The hydration of alkenes
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration and class practical to illustrate the addition reactions of alkenes, with the preparation and purification of an organic liquid.
The migration of ions during electrolysis of potassium manganate(VII)
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to investigate the migration of ions during electrolysis as evidence for the ionic model. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The properties of alcohols
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Ethanol and propan-1-ol are tested for pH, reaction with sodium, combustion and oxidation with acidified dichromate(VI) solution. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The properties of hydrogen chloride
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration and practical to investigate properties of hydrogen chloride, such as its solubility in water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The rate of reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A class practical on reacting magnesium with hydrochloric acid and how to measure the rate of reaction. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The reaction of aluminium and copper(II) sulfate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical or demonstration to illustrate the displacement of copper from copper sulfate using aluminium foil, with kit list and safety instructions.
The reaction of carbon dioxide with water
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Form a weak acid from the reaction of carbon dioxide with water in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The reaction of ethyne with chlorine
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this teacher demonstration with your students to illustrate the spontaneous reaction of ethyne and chlorine. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The reactivity of iron
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate iron’s position in the reactivity series by heating it with copper and magnesium oxides in this practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The silver mirror test with Tollens’ reagent
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this practical to explore the mirror-making reaction between silver nitrate (Tollens’ reagent) and glucose. Includes kit list, video and safety instructions.
The structure and properties of chocolate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate how melting chocolate changes its structure and affects properties like taste, texture and melting point. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The sublimation of air freshener | 11–14 years
In association with Nuffield Foundation, By Dorothy Warren
Use this experiment to demonstrate sublimation, showing how solid air freshener changes directly from a solid to a gas. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The thermal properties of water
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore water’s boiling point, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
The thermite reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Illustrate a highly exothermic thermite reaction resulting in molten iron in this teacher demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
In association with Nuffield Foundation
A class practical on the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Thermal decomposition of nitrates: ‘writing with fire’
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Make an invisible message ‘glow’ by applying a lighted splint to filter paper treated with sodium nitrate in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Thermal decomposition of metal carbonates
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to compare the thermal stabilities of carbonates of reactive and less reactive metals. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Titrating sodium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to explore titration, producing the salt sodium chloride with sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Turning ‘red wine’ into ‘water’
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use acidified potassium permanganate – or ‘red wine’ – to make ‘water’, ‘milk’ and ‘lemonade’ in this engaging demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Turning copper coins into ‘silver’ and ‘gold’
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Perform what looks like alchemy with ordinary copper coins in this teacher demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Universal indicator ‘rainbow’
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this demonstration to create a rainbow effect using universal indicator, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Unsaturation in fats and oils
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class practical to investigate the amounts of unsaturated fats and oils in different foods. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Urea-methanal polymerisation
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Explore condensation polymerisation by creating and investigating the properties of a thermosetting polymer in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Using indigestion tablets to neutralise an acid
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate and measure the neutralising effect of indigestion tablets on hydrochloric acid in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Water expands when it freezes
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this demonstration to show that water expands when it freezes, showing students how it can break a bottle. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
What are the dissolved solids in seawater?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Analyse the salts that crystallise from evaporating seawater, illustrating cation and anion tests in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
What causes iron to rust?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Use this class experiment to help students investigate what conditions are needed for iron to rust. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
What ions cause hardness in water?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Investigate how different cations and anions in dissolved salts affect the formation of a lather in this experiment. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
What makes a substance acidic?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try these experiments to investigate acidity and learn how the acidic properties of some substances require water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Where is carbon in the reactivity series?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Determine the position of carbon in the reactivity series by heating with metal oxides in this practical and demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Which substances conduct electricity?
In association with Nuffield Foundation
In this class practical, students test the conductivity of covalent and ionic substances in solid and molten states. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Yeast and the expansion of bread dough
In association with Nuffield Foundation
Try this class practical to investigate how temperature affects yeast and the expansion of bread dough. Includes kit list and safety instructions.