To interest, not to bore - displays of chemical experiments are back

The popularisation of chemistry is the main goal behind the initiative of open demonstrations of chemical experiments conducted by dr Tomasz Pluciński at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Gdańsk. The topic of the next meeting will be chemical kinetics. - 'It is considered a boring branch of chemistry, which boils down to learning mathematical formulas of differential calculus by heart. I will propose a completely different approach,' - announces dr Tomasz Pluciński.

A series of open meetings and demonstrations of attractive, little-known chemical experiments at the UG has been conducted by dr Tomasz Pluciński for about 30 years.

- 'Their motto is "First of all, to make you interested, and second, not to bore you",' - says dr hab. Artur Giełdoń, Vice Dean for Internationalisation and Development of the Faculty of Chemistry UG. - 'It was mainly inspired by students who came to the shows and claimed that chemistry was boring, and by chemistry teachers who failed to make such a fascinating subject as chemistry interesting.'.

Although the development of the pandemic interrupted the programme of these classes popularising chemistry for a year and a half, they are resumed, this time in a hybrid formula (online, with a small audience in the hall of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk). They are addressed to pupils of primary and secondary schools as well as teachers. As kinetics, the topic of the December meeting is difficult in itself, this time the presentations will be addressed more to secondary school students.

- 'I have prepared 10 chemical reactions which I will present during the meeting,' – says dr Tomasz Pluciński. - 'Chemical kinetics is considered a boring branch of chemistry. I will propose a completely different approach: on the example of a colourful demonstration with a surprising course of the reaction, I will encourage students to define on their own the basic concepts describing the speed of changes occurring during chemical reactions. In a similar, spectacular way, sometimes drawing on anecdotal analogies from everyday life, I will try to demonstrate the course of more complicated chemical processes.'.

What will we have a chance to see? The classic colour reaction (alkaline hydrolysis of t-butyl chloride), the "clock" formalin reaction, the "Ludwig discharge", autocatalysis (the unusual course of the "clock" Landolt reaction), catalysis (the "cold" synthesis of water from hydrogen and oxygen), enzymatic reactions, self-organisation processes (the Briggs-Rauscher oscillatory reaction, the travelling colour waves of chemical reactivity) - and their surprising counterparts in the behaviour of human communities - emotional mob behaviour, global economic and military expansion. We will also learn how chemists decipher the mechanisms of processes on the atomic scale.

The next demonstrations of chemical experiments are scheduled for December 11, 2021, starting at 12.00 in room D1 at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Gdańsk. Those wishing to participate in the classes are asked to register via email at: biurodziekana.chemia@ug.edu.pl with the word POKAZY CHEMIA in the title. Only those who register in advance will be admitted to the show.

The show will be streamed online at zoom, details will appear on the website soon.

We warmly invite you to join us, as always it will be interesting, original and spectacular.

More information about the shows

Elżbieta Michalak-Witkowska/Press Office UG