Tag: chemistry

Periodic Table Element Videos on Ted-Ed

Periodic Videos - an interactive periodic table
TED-Ed has created a set of videos with complete lesson plans, quizzes, discussion and further research topics for each of the elements in the periodic table.  They’re called the Ted-Ed Periodic Videos.

The online system also allows you to adapt the lessons to your own needs and re-share that. This looks like an awesome resource, well worth having in your “toolkit”.

Awesome Chemistry: Volcano Squid

Burning NH4Cr2O7 with HgSCN. Nicknamed “lucifer’s squid” this experiment is actually two reactions taking place:

  1. the decomposition of ammonium dichromate which results in the jet black volcano.
  2. The second is the combustion of mercury (II) thiocyanate, which causes the enormous “tentacles” to appear from within the mound.

By the sound of the kids in the background, the video appears to have been made in Slavic language country. It’s funny to hear them exclaim the word “Kraken” when the tentacle-like structures erupt (Dr Seuss mentions a Kraken in “Oh the Places You’ll Go”).

Original reference Huffington Post UK (minus the dramatic verbiage).