High School, Chemistry Science Experiments (Page 11)

Can You Change the Rate of a Chemical Reaction by Changing the Particle Size of the Reactants?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

The ingredients in Alka-Seltzer® tablets undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas as soon as the tablets hit water. Do you think you can cause the tablets to produce gas faster by breaking them into smaller pieces before dropping them in water? Find out for yourself with this project. Read more

Candy Lightning: A Flashy Activity

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Did you know that instances of miniature lightning can occur in your mouth when you bite on a hard candy? Would it not be fascinating if you could observe these light flashes? Life Savers® Wint O Green® mints might just be the tool we need to observe this science! Crush them, observe, and detect what makes the flashes visible. How many sparks can you see? Read more

Cucumber Chemistry: Moisture capture with desiccants

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Have you ever dropped your phone in the water and it stopped working? It would be great if you could somehow dry the phone from the inside before it got damaged, right? There are actually some substances that can absorb water from their surroundings. You might have noticed that when you buy new shoes, electronics or beef jerky, that often there is a little package inside that says “silica gel, do not eat.” This little bag of silica gel protects the product from water damage when it… Read more

Dancing Candy Hearts

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Have you ever opened a fresh bottle of carbonated water or soda, poured a glass of it, and just watched as the bubbles fizzed upward in the glass? Have you ever wondered what those bubbles are? They're made of carbon dioxide gas, which was packed tight in the soda before you opened the bottle. Not only can that carbon dioxide gas give you a fizzy drink to enjoy, but it can also give you a show. How? By making candy conversation hearts "dance!" Along the way you will discover some of the fun… Read more

Diaper Science: How Hydrogels Absorb Water

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Many disposable diapers contain a polymer, called sodium acrylate, which is useful for absorbing water. Do background research to learn about sodium acrylate, and how it reacts with water. Make sure that you understand the terms hydrophilic, polarity, hydrogel and hydrogen bonding. Cut out the middle, padded section of a disposable diaper. Cut this into equally-sized square pieces, approximately 10-12 cm on a side. Remove some of the stuffing material so that you can staple the open… Read more

Do Oranges Lose or Gain Vitamin C After Being Picked?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Are oranges highest in vitamin C when they are fresh from the tree (or, in a pinch, the grocery shelf)? Does the amount of vitamin C in an orange change over time, after it has been picked? In this science project, you will find answers to these questions by measuring the amount of vitamin C in a solution using an iodine titration method. Read more

Does It Sink or Float? Depends on the Soap!

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If you’ve ever had to wash dishes, you know that the right dish soap can make a dirty job a lot easier. Have you ever wondered how dish soap is able to clean dishes so much more effectively than water alone? Like many household cleaners, dish soap is a surfactant – it helps break up leftover food on plates by making it easier for food particles to dissolve in water. The dish soap also breaks up the water molecules themselves, which leads to some pretty interesting kitchen science… Read more

Excess Volume: Investigate the "Shrinking Liquids" Effect

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Cooking, washing, and many industrial processes involve the mixing of liquids. How liquids behave when they are mixed is dependent on many factors. Sometimes, the mixing behavior of liquids can be quite surprising! For example, when you mix 50 mL of one liquid with 50 mL of another liquid, you might not end up with a 100 mL mixture! In this science project, you will explore this phenomenon, which we call the "excess volume" of mixtures. How do you think your mixing volumes will… Read more

Explore Enzyme Activity with Toothpicks

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Do you know what enzymes are? They are like little machines that carry out many different chemical reactions that are essential for nature and our bodies. For example, they help break down the food we eat, or help make yogurt and cheese! In this activity, you will simulate an enzymatic reaction and explore what factors affect the activity of an enzyme. You only need a few simple items, including your hands, lots of toothpicks, and a timer. Read more

Explore the Effects of pH on Lead Testing.

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Lead is a very hazardous element. Even very small amounts can cause health problems, especially in babies and young children. One way to determine if a household item, such as a toy or a piece of jewelry, contains lead is to soak the item in a solution, and then test the solution for lead that might have leached out of the item. The goal of this chemistry science fair project is to determine how varying the pH of the test solution affects its ability to dissolve lead, which is a critical step… Read more

High School, Chemistry Science Experiments (165 results)

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