Demonstrating Chemistry: Exciting Elements

This video, from Teachers TV, takes a look at some extreme chemical reactions and explores a number of exciting demonstrations that can be performed in the classroom. Dr Kay Stephenson from the Royal Society of Chemistry focuses on the trends in reactivity of elements from group one of the periodic table. Bob Worley from CLEAPSS demonstrates the extreme reaction of rubidium and caesium in water and highlights the risk assessments required before attempting these experiments. The scientists go on to demonstrate burning sodium in chlorine, burning calcium in air, the reduction of copper oxide using magnesium powder and the reaction of sulphur with both iron and zinc. In addition, Professor Holloway from Leicester University demonstrates some rarely seen reactions with fluorine and explores the reactivity of halogens as we descend into group seven of the periodic table. With the exception of fluorine, most of the experiments shown on this programme can be performed in school with appropriate safety precautions. Subject Science, Chemistry Age group 11-14, 14-16, 16-19 Activity Types Video & audio Published 2000 - 2009 Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.