USING STARCH TO DISPENSE INDICATORS AND REAGENTS

Nataša Zupančič Brouwer1¸ Saša A. Glažar2 and Metka Vrtačnik2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Amsterdam,
Nieuwe Achtergracht 166,  1018 WV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2Department of Chemical Education and Informatics, University of Ljubljana,
Vegova 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

The new experimental method described above can help in teaching and learning acid-base concepts. It is suitable for experimental work performed by pupils and can be used also for teacher's demonstrations. In this method, a soft medium based on flour is used as a reaction medium to carry out chemical reactions that can normally run in water solution. No laboratory glassware is necessary for the experiments, and there is no risk of spillage. The experiments can be done anywhere, safely and individually also in a larger group of pupils. Micro or semi-micro quantities of chemicals are employed, and the soft medium, which has been used, can be safely disposed afterwards.