top of page
...because the simplest of words become stories for a lifetime...
potato oxidation
10 oxidation inspired experiments
Oxidation is any chemical reaction that involves the moving of electrons. It is such an important part of our everyday life and oxidation happens everywhere around us. Often we notice it but don't realise. Some of the experiments are eye-catching while others are something that can be seen every day. However, the power of oxidation should not be underestimated.
So let's go on a hunt for easy to do at home oxidation experiments. Here are 10 of them.
1. Potato oxidation
Materials needed:
-
potato (or other fruits and vegetable)
-
knife
-
cups with water
-
lemon, salt, sugar, vinegar, honey and other (as per your choice)
-
labels
Instructions:
-
Cut your potato (or other fruit or vegetable).
-
Dilute each of your ingredients in a separate cup of water.
-
Dip each slice of your potato in different cups and label. Leave one potato undipped.
-
Let stand in the air and observe at intervals.
The science behind:
When you cut into a fruit or vegetable, the cells are severed, causing them to release enzymes, and be exposed to the outside air. Oxidation causes discoloration–usually a browning or darkening of the flesh–of fruits and vegetables.
Suggestions:
-
Experiment with different lengths of time and different fruits and vegetables- do they behave the same? How about citrus fruits?
This experiment was rather interesting. Later we have tried different fruits as well, but I helped my little one cut the potato and that got him very excited because he is not allowed to touch knives (more like 'it's dangerous, you can get hurt but do you want to try anyways?' 'no, thank you'). So this time we did it together and that was exciting.
The dipping in different cups was a bit messy but which child doesn't like dipping items in water? Well, mine does so that kept him occupied until I was a bit worried that the potatoes would get too oxidised before we get through them all.
And the last part was waiting and observing. I set a timer for 5, 10 and 20 minutes. Then I actually left it out for several hours and waited for my little one to remember about the potato and ask about it one more time, by that time it was rather brown and very unappetising. So here you have it.
Inspired by 'I'm a Baked Potato!' by Elise Primavera
When a baked-potato loving lady adopts a cute brown dog she can't help herself but call him 'Baked potato'. They love each other but what happens when the doggy goes searching for the lady and other animals insist he is not a 'baked potato'? The story has its charms and reminds readers to be perfectly happy with their own identity, lovely illustrations , even though I hope the plot was a bit more thorough.
2. Blue bottle
Materials needed:
-
methylene blue
-
NaOH (sodium hydroxide)
-
glucose
-
containers with water (preferably with a lid if small children
are around)
-
stirrers
-
protective gear, goggles
Instructions:
-
Add 6 g of sodium hydroxide to 1 dm3 flask of water add 300 cm3 of water. Stir until the solid is dissolved. Alternatively, you can buy a ready to use liquid that you simply dilute with water as necessary.
-
Add 10 g glucose and stir.
-
Add methylene blue (a dip would suffice) and stir. The solution will now be blue. Wait for it to turn colourless and shake. Shaking can be repeated several times.
Blue bottle
The science behind:
Methylene blue is a redox indicator and is colourless under reducing conditions but regains its blue colour when oxidised. The removal of the blue colour is caused by the glucose which, under alkaline conditions, is reducing the methylene blue to a colourless form.
Suggestions:
-
Experiment with different amounts of glucose and methylene blue, how does that affect colour and intervals between clear and blue solution? Personally, I put the solution in little flasks and sealed them for safety.
With this experiment, you have to be a little careful with the setup. You might have the little ones help with the initial water, methylene glucose part, but then you need to take over. The last thing you want is for them to spill, drink or splash it in their eyes! They can look, though.
Once you are done, it is super easy to pour a little to a container that you can safely close (I suggest sealing it with wax along the edges just to be on the safe side) and then let them have their fun. We even danced to Soul Train Shake Your Booty by KC & Sunshine Band and Shake, shake, shake with Nancy.
The amazement in their faces when they kept seeing the colour changing over and over and then tried to shake it even stronger. I left it with them for a few days and it still worked. Once it stops you can try to get some air back in and it will work again until it's all used up.
Inspired by 'The Heart and the Bottle' by Oliver Jeffers
'Once there was a child like any other' is the first line that already estabishes the premise that all the children are curious and inquisitive in nature until she faces an empty chair left by her (father/grandfather?) who helped to fuel her imagination. This is a beautiful story about loss of the loved ones and the grief a child experiences with illustrations reflecting the mood of the psyche with the play of dark and light. In the case of this girl it takes another child to help her regain her heart.
bottom of page