Indicators in Chemistry

A magical demonstration where it appears that pouring a jug of water into different glasses produces a range of different drinks.  It is a great way to introduce a lesson on pH indicators at Key Stage Three and will hold students spellbound. Chemistry teacher Paul Grooby shows a starter demonstration, adding potassium permanganate to a series of glasses containing different reagents. The results give different chemical reactions and colour changes. Paul then demonstrates the effect of universal indicator before setting the class the challenge of creating three solutions the colour of traffic lights. Students are readily able to create red and green colours but creating the orange solution challenges even the most able students.