Balloon Full of Carbon Dioxide
Effect of Pressure on Melting Point of Ice
The Liquid Phase of Carbon Dioxide
Vapor Pressure of Pure Liquids
Boiling Acetone at Reduced Pressure
Magic Sand Models the Hydrophobic Effect
Surface Tension: Floating Duck
Surface Tension of Water: The Floating Paper Clip
Will Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension
Computer NaCl Crystal Cleavage
Variation of Volume of Water With Temperature
Surface Spreading and Surface Temperature
Gel Formation with Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride
Boiling Acetone or Water at Room Temperature
Density of Sulfuric Hexafluoride and Sublimation of Certain Gases
Surface Spreading and Surface Tension
Description: Drops of mineral oil and olive oil placed on water are compared for their spreading properties.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 301
Keywords: Surface tension, Water, Olive oil, Mineral oil
Rating: 
Hazard: Low
- Nonreactive reagents
- Standard conditions
- No use of toxic chemicals
- Electric shock hazard if display is used
Effectiveness: Good
- Clear contrast between behavior of systems
- Low failure rate
- Results are clearly observable
- Good connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Medium
- Simple adding of nonreactive agents
- Demos in which a display is used
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection
- Gloves recommended
- Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
Class: Intermolecular Forces, Inter-Phase Forces, Thermodynamics
Division: General, Physical Chemistry
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