Background information, procedures used, typical results obtained, and calculations are provided for a short (4-6 hours) kinetic experiment which includes different methods both in performance and in analysis of the results. The experiment can be modified and extended depending on the level of students and the available laboratory time. (JN)

Describes a typical presentation in which slime is prepared for young, concrete operational students. Includes the procedures used and a summary written by a fourth-grade teacher after completing the slime experiment with her class. (JN)

Background information, list of materials needed, and procedures used are provided for a demonstration involving the transformation of a hydrophobic liquid to a partially hydrophobic semisolid. Safety considerations are noted. (JN)

An updated version of "Mr. Wizard" is returning to television three times a week on Nickelodeon, the cable network for children. Highlights the career of Don Herbert (who is Mr. Wizard) and his experiences with "Mr. Wizard" television programs. (JN)

Provides procedures for the study of osmosis and anthocyanin pigments utilizing wet mount techniques with purple onion. Suggests several activities using this preparation. (JM)

Discusses the physics behind making ice cream in a hand-cranked ice cream maker. Ingredients in the maker are cooled and hardened by a bath of ice, water, and rock salt. Several experiments to investigate the variables involved in preparing the ice cream (and related desserts) are included. (JN)

Presents (in the form of a dialogue between a student and teacher) an alternative method of using the Fine-Beam Cathode-Ray Tube to obtain the value for the specific electronic charge e/m. (JN)

Describes a five-period experiment which: (1) integrates preparative and analytical techniques; (2) utilizes a photochemical reaction that excites student interest both from visual impact and as an introduction to photoinduced processes; (3) provides accurate results; and (4) costs less than $0.20 per student per laboratory session. (JN)

Although polarimeters that illustrate rotation of plane-polarized light by chiral solutions have been previously described, the polarimeter described in this paper has certain advantages when used in conjunction with an overhead projector. Instructions for constructing this polarimeter and its use in demonstrating the optical activity of sugars…

Described is a bioluminescent assay for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reduced nicotineamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) that meets the requirements of an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course. The 3-hour experiment provides students with experience in bioluminescence and analytical biochemistry yet requires limited instrumentation,…

Describes a method which adapts itself to the characteristics of the kinetics of a chemical reaction in solution, enabling students to determine the Arrhenius parameters with satisfactory accuracy by means of a single non-isothermic experiment. Both activation energy and the preexponential factor values can be obtained by the method. (JN)

Examines (in the form of a hypothetical dialog between a teacher and a student) the nature of the mantle and the spectral content of the glow which lights up both beam and mantle. These phenomena are associated with excitation of helium gas in the presence of electromagnetic and electrostatic fields. (JN)

Describes a laboratory activity which provides practical experience in wiring an electrical circuit with line voltage and everyday components. Students use wooden frames, bulbs, wire, fuses, and switches to test their wiring skills. (DH)

Discusses issues related to examination questions which begin by asking students to "Describe an experiment to..." Indicates that this strategy is useful when focusing on important quantities/phenomena or "celebrated" experiments and that examining boards should not request students to describe experiments which verify or…

Describes an experiment which demonstrates changes in ammonia excretion and urine pH that occur in response to metabolic acidosis (induced by ammonium chloride ingestion) or metabolic alkalosis (produced by sodium bicarbonate ingestion). List of materials needed and background information are included. Typical results are provided and discussed.…