DOUGLAS D. SMITH Guilford High School Rockford, Illinois 61 111
Wonder Water Another idea that is hard to work into a conversationWe all discuss with itur studrnts the structure of water in its various states and its collieative ~ r o ~ e n i eNow s . Srivnce' reports that Soviet scientists claim tohave found a form of water that has greater biological, and thus chemical, activity than ordinary water. "Wonder Water"ispure water that has been degassed. By taking water that js from freshly melted snow or from recently boiled and cooled pure water, they report beneficial gains in animals and plants. Yields were greater when seeds were soaked in water before planting, roots formed better on fruit tree cuttings that were soaked in "wonder water," and leaves absorbed water two or three times faster with melted snow than with tap water. White rats when given the degassed water for one month had an increase in hemoglobin levels. Also reported is that the Soviet construction
Antacids as an Extension to Neutralization Armitage andMcKendrick' examined a number of antacids to see if they were suitable for use as a laboratory extension of the study of acid-base behavior. Among their conclusions was that hromophenol blue was a suitable indicator while titrating an antacid hut that BDH universal indicator was only useful with magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia). Apparently most antacids only raise the pH to 5. They also found that the speed in establishing the correct color after each addition of 1.0 rn HCI made some antacids impractical for study. The slowness in reaching the correct color appears related to the water insoluble compounds present in the water solution of the antacid. Here is a summary of the active ingredients and their relative speed of reacting.
industry has found cement made with degassed water was &lo% stronger than cement made with ordinary water. Degassed water has been theorized as being more highly structured. i t eoes throueh the cell walls easier and saves the cells from haviig to degasthe water. Also suggested is that the recently melted snow retains some of the order that is found in solid water which affects reaction rates in the cell. Organ~cGardencng2 has also reported this phenomena to its readers, and is encouraging its readers to try the degassed water and submit their results to the magazine. Might we suggest this as a topic for an extra credit report, or maybe a sclence project. Maugh 11, Thomas H., Science, 202,414,1978. COX, Jeff, Organic Gardening, 26.84, (1919).
Actiue Ingredient
Speed
light magnesium earbonate sodium polyhydroxy aluminum mono-carbonate hexitol complex calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide magnesium earbonate gel Aluminum hydroxide magnesium carbonate gel Liaht maanesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate. hismuti; aluminate, calcium carbonate hismuth carbonate. sodium bicarbonate. heavv
reasonable slow slow slow slow fast very fast very fast
Armitage, G. M., and McKendrick., J., The School Science Reuiew, 60,210, (1978).
"The Bounce Principle" wbmitted by Doc, the Clown Imagine that you have two apparently identical black rubber balls with 1.5-cm diameters. One is "alive" and the ,the1 is "dead" in terms of their coefficients of restitution. When dropped to the floor, one will bounce while the other Soes not bounce. Realizing that it is easy to hide one of the balls in a oalm or nocket. can vou imaeine a demonstration [hat wouli get the'students inquiring?" I use thew at the end of a ~ e r i o dwhen there are onlv a few minutes left and I do not wish to start a new topic. o n e ap?roach is to suggest that you have a coordination test similar :o the "drop a clothespin in the bottle," which is dropping a >allin the beaker. Then, taking the "dead" hall, drop it (or try 338 1 Journal of Chemical ~ducaiion
to) into the beaker. Ask for volunteers, then you may switch the ball as you like. As the period ends ask the students to develop a hypothesis for the different results. Or if you wish, show the results of both balls. Have the students develop a hypothesis for what the differences may be in the balls. This is one of the few "magic" type demonstrations in which I show the students all the moves and equipment, because although the halls are sold in magic shops, it is more of a bar room or party trick. The instructions that come with the material do eive ideas in this reeard. The cost of the material is $3. Ask fa; Jimmie ~evison';~ounce.If it is not available a t your friendly magic shop, write to Doug Smith.
