A session colored with discovery and exploration
Dear Parents,
It was a phenomenal session, productive, full of discovery and exploration.
In today's session we covered the basics of chemistry, as to what chemistry and matter is, the structure of the atom, why bonds form and that bonds form due to chemical reactions. After demonstrating how reactions lead to different molecules with different properties by burning cotton and nitrocellulose, the students had fairly free range to explore the different chemicals in life. First, the students used paper chromatography to separate the pigments in various flowers and leaves. Then, they explored how acid dissolves shells, sand and especially coral, which ends up leading to coral bleaching (and is what is currently happening in the ocean due to increased acidity and global warming). The students then saw an example of an indicator that binds to starch (makes black) while not heavily binding to the meat in chicken. Finally, the girls had fairly free range to start mix various chemicals that were provided, including dissolved plant pigments and acid solutions. Amazingly enough, the girls synthesized a new pigment, as the green chlorophyll solution flashed to orange upon addition of a purple pigment and acid. My hypothesis is that the acid catalyzed a carbonyl reaction between the dyes, although there are many possibilities. Either way it is incredible the students synthesized a new pigment molecule! I am also highly impressed by all of their abilities to work in the lab and have such quick learning of lab techniques and safety.
Here are some photos, the orange solution is the new pigment they created!
