Australia's Science Forum

Hi All

I have received a prac request for yr 11 - teacher demo. It comes with the question
"Do we have a solution that has a pleasant smell for diffusion demo?"

Up to now I can't think of one.
Does anyone have an answer please?

Thanks
Rita

So exactly what are they doing. Methyl Salicylate is menthol smell if that helps.

I think any perfume would do.

Is it just to demonstrate how a smell/odour diffuses across a classroom (with students noting the time they can smell the solution and then they plot the path of the diffusion)?
If so - I bring in old (empty) essential oil bottles from home. At the start of the class the teacher simply places it in a corner and removes the lid. Peppermint Oil is good, keeps the students' heads clear. And the room smells fresh.

You get honest responses when you use butyric acid! But a perfume or essential oil bottle is much nicer on the nostrils (and stomach!)

I have no idea what teacher is thinking of...will chase up.

I have eucalyptus oil and a lavender essential oil if it is for the classroom smell.

Thank you.

Bending a piece of orange peel works well too!

My first thought was butric acid.
But a bit of trivia I learnt this morning.
You all know Formic acid smells like dead ants, well Italian for ant is formica

Ocker wrote:My first thought was butric acid.
But a bit of trivia I learnt this morning.
You all know Formic acid smells like dead ants, well Italian for ant is formica

Back in the "Old Days" Mum's kitchen bench tops were made of Formica. ( a bit like "Laminex") I don't remember it smelling like dead ants, though!

Cheers

Ian

That's exactly what I thought when I read it Ian!

Ocker wrote:My first thought was butric acid.
But a bit of trivia I learnt this morning.
You all know Formic acid smells like dead ants, well Italian for ant is formica

Indeed. More precisely, Formic Acid is sprayed by many species of ants when they bite, to inflame the wound. It is why ant bites sting so much.

Ian wrote:Back in the "Old Days" Mum's kitchen bench tops were made of Formica. ( a bit like "Laminex") I don't remember it smelling like dead ants, though!

Oh, ha ha.

Despite the name, Formica Laminate is not actually related formic acid (or ants). It is composed of layers of craft paper set impregnated by a phenolic resin and set on a steel plate.