The school chemistry course sometimes seems rather boring to adolescents. The study of this academic discipline will be much more successful if the child is introduced to it a little earlier than required by the standard school curriculum. This can be done in a special circle, at science shows, and even at home.
Necessary
- - soda;
- - vinegar;
- - paper cone:
- - copper sulfate;
- - salt;
- - indicator paper;
- - acid:
- - alkali;
- - a piece of iron;
- - chemical vessels;
- - gloves:
- - respirator.
Instructions
Step 1
Explain to your child that you are starting scientific experiments. They need special equipment and protective equipment. Of course, experiments with vinegar and soda can be carried out without chemical utensils, but it is better if the child gets used to the fact that working with chemical reagents requires caution from the very beginning.
Step 2
Buy a few chemical glass flasks and beakers, as well as a small spirit lamp or gas burner. Don't forget gloves and a respirator for yourself and your baby. All this can be purchased not only in a chemical reagent store, but even in an ordinary household.
Step 3
Do the first experiment with vinegar and baking soda. Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into a glass, pour about twice as much vinegar into it. The child will surely love that the baking soda sizzles. Explain that there is a chemical reaction between two substances that produces a gaseous substance. If the glass is narrow enough, you can cover it with a paper cap after pouring the vinegar. The cap will fly off like a rocket.
Step 4
Carry out several reactions during which substances change color. For example, pour any acid into one glass and alkali into the other. Dip equal pieces of indicator paper into both solutions. In an acidic environment, litmus paper will turn red, in an alkaline environment, it will turn blue. Experiments can be repeated with different acids and different alkalis. Explain to your child that these and other types of substances are caustic, so you need to work with them with gloves.
Step 5
Place a piece of iron in a beaker. Pour in some diluted acid. Bubbles will go. If you put a piece of iron in alkali, it will begin to rust after a while.
Step 6
You can also acquaint your child with chemistry at a science show. Now such performances are held in many cities. Wizards who can change the color of a substance, cause precipitation, dissolve a solid object, willingly leave for small towns and villages. Surely among your neighbors there are caring parents who want to show their child the world in all its diversity, so you can negotiate and invite actors. And nothing prevents you from arranging such a show yourself, if you have the right materials and equipment.
Step 7
It can be explained to the child that each substance has its own designation. You can also show the periodic system of Mendeleev. The child already knows some elements. You can mark the corresponding cells of the table. Make the same mark as you become familiar with new substances. Not everyone can be experimented with at home. But, for example, a child can be explained that the balloon contains helium, which also has its own house in the table, like mercury, which lives in a thermometer.
