Blue Bottle Chemistry

Materials
tap water
two 1-liter Erlenmeyer flasks, with stoppers
7.5 g glucose (2.5 g for one flask; 5 g for the other flask)
7.5 g sodium hydroxide NaOH (2.5 g for one flask; 5 g for the other flask)
0.1% solution of methylene blue
Procedure
1. Half-fill two one-liter Erlenmeyer flasks with tap water.
2. Dissolve 2.5 g of glucose in one of the flask (flask A) and 5 g of glucose in the other
flask (flask B).
3. Dissolve 2.5 g of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in flask A and 5 g of NaOH in flask B.
4. Add ~1 ml of 0.1% methylene blue to each flask.
5. Stopper the flasks and shake them to dissolve the dye. The resulting solution will be
blue.
6. Set the flasks aside (this is a good time to explain the chemistry of the demonstration).
The liquid will gradually become colorless as glucose is oxidized by the dissolved
dioxygen. The effect of concentration on reaction rate should be obvious. The flask
with twice the concentration uses the dissolved oxygen in about half the time as the
other solution. A thin blue boundary can be expected to remain at the solution-air
interface, since oxygen remains available via diffusion.
7. The blue color of the solutions can be restored by swirling or shaking the contents of
the flask.
8. The reaction can be repeated several times.


Trading Places
two small identical glasses, such as shot glasses
water
oil or wine or whiskey or rubbing alcohol
a thin waterproof card, such as a driver's license
Procedure
1. Fill one glass completely full with water.
2. Fill the other glass completely full with the other liquid you selected.
3. Place the card over the water glass. While holding the card onto the glass, flip the
water glass over and set it and the card on top of the second glass.
4. Line the glasses up so that they are even and move the card so that there is just a tiny
bit of open space at the edge of the glasses.
5. Over the next few minutes (about 10 minutes for shot glasses), the liquids will
exchange places. The alcohol or oil will rise to the top while the water sinks and fills
the bottom glass.













Drinking Candle
Materials
Water
Saucer or shallow bowl
Tea light or small candle
Lighter or match
Glass
Food colouring (optional)
Procedure
Ask an adult for help using the lighter or matches. Make sure you carry out the
experiment away from flammable materials.
Pour water into the saucer or bowl to around 1cm deep. Adding a couple of drops of food
colouring will make the water easier to see.
Place the tea light or small candle in the centre of the bowl, making sure that the wick
doesn't get wet.
Use the lighter or match to light the candle.
Turn the glass upside down and place it over the candle.