Gents, I do science demo's across a number of different fields for little kids. Note that I keep the subjects simple enough that I can't screw up
the explanations. The main purpose is to excite about science kids that have had either dead boring science classes or no science class at all of any
consequence.
I'm always puzzled by what is a hit or a miss. Recently I found a real hit. Powder up Malachite, heat it up in a test tube until copper oxide is all
that's left, mix in powdered carbon and heat again. Dump into water to get copper granules.
LOTS of excitement over this. Saerynide - 2-7-2009 at 09:32
Awwww.. That's such a waste of a pretty stone
Is there a cheaper (and less wasteful) industrial replacement available?watson.fawkes - 3-7-2009 at 07:07
Powder up Malachite, heat it up in a test tube until copper oxide is all that's left, mix in powdered carbon and heat again. Dump into water to get
copper granules.
This is essentially the same reaction as is thought to be the original discovery of copper
metal. Malachite was used of old as pottery glaze pigment. Fire too hot in a reducing atmosphere, you get copper beads on the surface of the ceramic.pantone159 - 3-7-2009 at 15:43
Attached is a J Chem Ed article about this experiment.
Awwww.. That's such a waste of a pretty stone
Is there a cheaper (and less wasteful) industrial replacement available?
You can just use powdered copper carbonate or hydroxide if you'd prefer.jgourlay - 7-7-2009 at 05:44
Unintentional, thanks. However, it's much better for the kidos if they see a stone being ground up. It makes it "real" for them. Starting with
powder causes to the experiment to occur with a "mystery" powder.
Wherever possible I like to start these things in the "as found in nature" or "as found in your house" condition.Daddy - 18-7-2009 at 07:09
Unintentional, thanks. However, it's much better for the kidos if they see a stone being ground up. It makes it "real" for them. Starting with
powder causes to the experiment to occur with a "mystery" powder.
Wherever possible I like to start these things in the "as found in nature" or "as found in your house" condition.
This is a fine principle, yes ... but now I would like someone to tell me where I can find some malachite in nature near the place where I live.
Otherwise I would prefer the variant with copper hydroxide, because I can prepare that at home.jgourlay - 20-7-2009 at 05:08
Daddy: three answers
1. (the smart ass answer) "At the musuem!"
2. (the sorrowful answer) Sigh, I know, I live in area made entirely of clay and void of interesting minerals.
3. (the jealous answer) "You jerk! Your sig line says Peru! What are you complaining about? Go get a hammer, a chisel, and walk out to the first
hillside you see!"
