Australia's Science Forum

I need desparate help. I have just been asked to do a presentation at our our local CONSTAT in june for lab techs. I have no *bleep* idea what. This is only my third year in the job so it's not like I have heaps of experience to impart.

I need ideas, stat!!!

Hi
hot ice always goes down well.
1) in a conical flask with balloon
2) universal indicator in water with hot ice
3) singing spoon with hot ice

rainbow measuring cylinders with different Ph layers+

Presentation on what? Do you mean some fun experiments?
Dont worry, we will all help!!
Lada

Sorry, bit light on info. I have to give a 55min presentation/workshop on whatever I like to other lab techs (and probably a few interested teachers)

I am sure we could all give you a hand.
Dry Ice
burning chlorides
crystal making
how to clean bunsen burners
How to make a lime water still

55 minutes, that's a while to keep people interested. Some kind of humor is always a good option.

What about volcanoes. We do a great volcano demo. Soln1 3 teaspoons Aluminium sulfate in 100mL water. Add some food colouring.
Soln2 3 teaspoons Bicarb in 60mL warm water. Add 2 teaspoons gelatine, add 40ml extra water and stir.
Put a conical flask in a tray. Pour solution1 into the flask.
Quickly but carefully pour in soln 2.
Flame tests go down well. Everyone loves a bunsen.
Good luck, Ellice.

Glad they asked you not me! I hate doing that type of thing! Seeing you are doing a presentation this year I will turn up, I'm not in Europe like last year.

Thanks Wayne. Maybe i'll just have to pick your brains then bwhahaha!

hi all,
just curious about the chemistry behind the volcano demo Elice mentions here

thanks in advance

The bicarb reacts with the acidic Aluminium sulphate producing froth. The gelatine provides substance to the froth which rises reminiscent to elephant toothpaste