Organic Chemistry- Distinguishing Between HD and LD Polyethylene

Bromination of Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Blue Bottle

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Disappearing Coffee Cup

Formation of a Silver Mirror

Models 360

Nylon 6 – 10

Organic Synthesis With Familiar Materials

Oxidation of Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Alcohols

Oxidation of Luminol

Polyurethane Foam

Slime

Underwater Fireworks: Chlorination of Acetylene

Carbide Lamp

Differences in Miscibility of Organic Alcohols With Increasing Chain Lengths

Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton)

Different Smells of Carvone Isomers

Distinguishing Between HD and LD Polyethylene

Enviro-bond: Cleaning Oil Spills

Esterification Using a Dean-Stark Trap

Ethanol Cannon

Happy/Sad Ball

IR Demonstration – Atomic Coupling

IR Demonstration II – Molecular Vibrations

IR Demonstration III – Molecular Vibrations

Making a Rubber Ball from Latex

Plastic Samples

Reaction Intermediates in Organic Chemistry

Reducing Sugars and Fehling’s Solution

Rod Climbing by a Polymer Solution

Rotating Rainbows

Silly Putty

Soap Emulsifies Hydrocarbons

Superabsorbent Polyacrylate Gel

Tubeless Siphon

Alkimers

Aniline Hydrochloride – Formaldehyde Polymer

Phenol – Formaldehyde Polymer

Saponification

Relative Reactivity of Reducing Agents

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Reaction/EAS Reaction

Reactivity of Alkanes vs Aromatic Compounds

Inductive Effect

Optical Activity of Racemic Mixtures With Limonene

Relationship of Absorbed Light to Observed Color 

Density and Miscibility of Liquids

Extraction of Copper Ions from solution with Orform®

Gel Formation with Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride

Ozonolysis

Hydrolysis of T-Butyl Chloride: A Lecture and Lab Experiment

Distinguishing Between HD and LD Polyethylene

Description: Samples of high density and low density polyethylene are placed in a 50/50 water/alcohol mixture. The low density polyethylene floats while the high density polyethylene sinks.

Source: Journal of Chemical Education – Vol. 63

Year: 1986  Vol: 63  Page: 417

Keywords: Density, Plastics, Polymers

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

  • Acute toxicity hazard – oral, dermal, inhalation
  • Flammability hazard
  • Specific organ toxicity – single exposure – eyes

Effectiveness: Average

  • Results are observable without guidance
  • Contrast between systems is noticeable
  • Time to results is low
  • Mild effects are seen by audience
  • Excellent reliability

Difficulty: Low

  • Demos do not involve deep attention
  • Procedures are simple
  • Simple manipulations for most to perform

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Gloves required
  • ABC fire extinguisher on hand
  • Absorbent materials on hand

Class: Organic Chemistry, Polymers

Division: General, Organic Chemistry