Chemistry is a subject that is known to all students. Attitudes towards it are different: some like to observe how the reagents behave during various experiments in the classroom, while others, on the contrary, chemistry only causes boredom. However, not everyone knows interesting facts about this discipline. Let's consider some of them.

dancing squid

Chemistry is a subject that finds practical applications in many different areas of life. One of the interesting facts about chemistry has to do with a Japanese dish called "dancing squid". Its zest is as follows: a freshly caught squid is served on the guest's table, shortly before pouring it with soy sauce. The squid begins to move its tentacles, as if dancing. This effect is due to the fact that a chemical reaction occurs in the tentacles of the squid, causing the muscles to move.

Skatol

Another interesting fact about chemistry is associated with a special substance called skatol. It is an organic compound that gives feces its characteristic odor. Its colorless crystals can be found in various essential oils, resins, they are also formed during the decomposition of protein. In small doses, this substance has a pleasant floral aroma. Manufacturers often add it to perfumes, cigarettes, and various food essences. Skatol is even found in food.

poison in alcohol

And the following interesting fact about chemistry will serve as a warning to those who are prone to drinking alcohol. They may contain a very dangerous substance, which is practically indistinguishable from ethyl alcohol in taste and smell. It's methyl alcohol. Its small amount can lead to blindness. A dose of 30 ml can cause cardiac arrest. When poisoning with methyl alcohol, the antidote to it is ethyl alcohol. This is due to the fact that the binding processes of both alcohols are directly dependent on the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme. This substance reacts faster with ethanol. As a result of the reaction, ethanol is exhausted, and most of the methanol remains unsplit, as a result of which a smaller amount of poison appears in the blood.

Rescue Canaries

A lot of interesting facts about chemistry are connected with the animal world. For example, it is a well-known fact among miners that canaries are highly sensitive to the smell of methane gas. This feature has always been used in the past by mine workers, who always took small birds underground with them. In the event that the canaries stopped singing, this meant that they should immediately go upstairs.

Discovery of antibiotics

Perhaps one of the most famous facts about chemistry is associated with the discovery of antibiotics by A. Fleming in 1928. The scientist conducted one of his ordinary experiments, which were devoted to the struggle of the human body with various bacterial infections. In test tubes, he grew cultures called Staphylococcus. For several days, the scientist accidentally left a test tube with bacteria unattended. At this time, a whole colony of mold mushrooms grew in it. After that, A. Fleming was able to isolate a separate active substance - penicillin.

For the first time in the history of mankind, these substances were isolated from wheat flour by the Italian scientist Bartolomeo Beccari in 1728. The scientist's discovery has since been considered the birth of a whole trend in science - protein chemistry. Consider some interesting facts from chemistry about proteins:

• Every living organism on our planet contains these substances. Protein makes up about half of the dry weight of each organism. For example, in viruses, its content ranges from 50 to 95%. In addition, proteins are one of the four main components of living matter (the other three are nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and fats). They occupy a special place in their biological functions.

• About 30% of the proteins in the human body are found in muscle tissue. 20% is found in bones and tendons. Only 10% is in the skin.
• In total, there are about a thousand different proteins in nature. They provide the opportunity for the vital activity of a variety of organisms - from the simplest to humans. In total, proteins provide life for two million types of living organisms.
• The brain is also a protein. When alcohol enters the body, nerve cells die. This is due to the fact that the protein is denatured when interacting with ethyl alcohol.

Six more interesting facts about chemistry

Let us briefly consider a few more facts from this area that will be of interest to both schoolchildren and adults.

• The Swedish researcher Karl Scheele is the record holder among scientists who have devoted their research to the discovery of chemical elements. He discovered fluorine, chlorine, barium, oxygen, manganese, molybdenum, and tungsten.
• The thinnest matter that can be seen by the human eye is a soap bubble. The thickness of tissue paper or, for example, a human hair is thousands of times greater than the thickness of the wall of a soap bubble. Its burst speed is only 0.001 sec. For comparison: the rate of a nuclear reaction is 0.000 000 000 000 000 001 sec.
• Iron is a strong and hard material, but even iron can melt and turn into a gas. This happens at a temperature of 1539 0 C.

• The next interesting fact about chemistry is related to the size of atoms. These particles are known to be extremely small in size. For example, hydrogen atoms are so small that even if they are placed one after another in the amount of 100 million pieces, the length of such a chain will not exceed 1 cm.
• One ton of ocean water contains only 7 milligrams of gold. However, the total mass of the precious metal contained in all waters is quite impressive and amounts to 10 billion tons.
• The most modern passenger aircraft use up to 75 tons of oxygen during their operation. The same amount of this substance is produced by 25,000-50,000 hectares of forest during photosynthesis.

Chemical reactions are part of everyday life. A person encounters their products literally at every step, but hardly thinks about it. We have compiled the top 10 most spectacular chemical reactions that will entertain adults, and perhaps encourage children to study chemistry.

1. Sodium and water in chlorine gas

Sodium is a highly flammable element and the mere addition of water can cause an explosion. The video shows how a drop of water is added to a small piece of sodium in a flask filled with chlorine gas. The yellow color of the emitted light is due to the work of sodium, which is often used in street lighting systems. The experiment also releases a large amount of heat. And if you combine sodium and chlorine, you get sodium chloride - ordinary table salt.

2. Reaction of magnesium and dry ice

Magnesium ignites very easily and burns very brightly. In this experiment, you can see how magnesium ignites in a shell of dry ice - frozen carbon dioxide. Magnesium can burn in carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Due to the intense light it burns, magnesium was used in photographic flashes and is still used today in naval flares and fireworks.

3. Reaction of potassium chlorate and candy

Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen. It is often used as a disinfectant, and in fireworks and explosives. When potassium chlorate is heated to its melting point, any element added to it will cause it to rapidly disintegrate in an explosive manner (as seen in the video). During this decomposition, oxygen is released. Because of this, potassium chlorate is often used in aircraft, space stations, and submarines as an oxygen source.

4. Meissner effect

When a superconductor is cooled to a temperature below a critical level, it becomes diamagnetic: i.e. it is repelled by the magnetic field rather than being attracted to it. This discovery by Meissner led to the concept of maglev trains, where the train "floats" over the rails rather than "using the wheels to ride".

5. Supersaturation with sodium acetate

Sodium acetate becomes supersaturated when heated or cooled. When it comes into contact with another object, it crystallizes again. This reaction also generates heat, so it has practical applications in making thermal pads. Sodium acetate is also used as a preservative, giving the chips their unique taste. We are talking about food additive E262 or sodium diacetate.

6. Superabsorbent polymers

Superabsorbent polymers (also known as hydrogels) are capable of absorbing very large volumes of liquid relative to their own weight. For this reason, they are used in the industrial diaper industry, as well as in other areas requiring protection from water or liquids, such as laying underground cables.

7. Floating sulfur hexafluoride

Sulfur hexafluoride is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non-flammable gas. Since it is 5 times denser than air, this gas can be poured into open containers, and light objects will float on it, as on ordinary water. Another amusing use of this harmless gas is that it lowers the voice dramatically when inhaled - the exact opposite of helium.

8. Superfluid helium

When helium is cooled to minus 271 degrees Celsius, it turns into superfluid helium-II. Since it passes even through even ultrathin capillaries, its viscosity cannot be measured. In addition, helium-II will crawl up the sides of the container in search of a warmer place, which seems to be against the force of gravity.

9. Thermite and liquid nitrogen

Thermite is a powdered mixture of aluminum with oxides of various metals, which produce the so-called thermite reaction. It is not an explosive, but it can create short flashes at very high temperatures. Burning during thermite reaction occurs at a temperature of several thousand degrees. In the video you can see an attempt to "extinguish" the thermite reaction with liquid nitrogen (minus 200 degrees).

10. Briggs-Rauscher reaction

The Briggs-Rauscher reaction is known as an oscillating chemical reaction. The freshly prepared colorless solution slowly turns amber, then suddenly becomes dark blue. After that, it slowly becomes colorless, and the process is repeated about ten times. This is because the first reaction creates certain chemicals, which then cause a second reaction, and the process is repeated.

Recently, in order to popularize chemistry, a project was launched, the developers of which wanted to open the complex world of chemical reactions and structures to the general public.

By the end of the 19th century, organic chemistry was formed as a science. Interesting facts will help you better understand the world around you and find out how new scientific discoveries were made.

"Live" dish

The first interesting fact about chemistry concerns unusual food. One of the famous dishes of Japanese cuisine is "Odori Donu" - "dancing squid". Many are shocked by the sight of a squid moving its tentacles in a plate. But do not worry, he does not suffer and has not felt anything for a long time. Freshly skinned squid is placed in a bowl of rice and drizzled with soy sauce before serving. The tentacles of the squid begin to shrink. This is due to the special structure of nerve fibers, which for some time after the death of the animal react with sodium ions contained in the sauce, causing the muscles to contract.

accidental discovery

Interesting facts about chemistry often concern discoveries made by accident. So, in 1903, Edouard Benedictus, a famous French chemist, invented safety glass. The scientist accidentally dropped the flask, which was filled with nitrocellulose. He noticed that the flask was broken, but the glass did not shatter into pieces. After conducting the necessary research, the chemist found that shockproof glass could be created in a similar way. This is how the first safety glasses for cars appeared, which significantly reduced the number of injuries in car accidents.

Live sensor

Interesting facts about chemistry tell about the use of the sensitivity of animals for the benefit of humans. Until 1986, miners took canaries underground with them. The fact is that these birds are extremely sensitive to mine gases, especially methane and carbon monoxide. Even with a small concentration of these substances in the air, the bird may die. The miners listened to the singing of the bird and monitored its well-being. If the canary shows anxiety or begins to weaken, this is a signal that the mine needs to be left.

The bird did not necessarily die from poisoning; it quickly got better in the open air. Even special hermetic cages were used, which were closed with signs of poisoning. Even today, no device has been invented that senses ore gases as subtly as a canary.

Rubber

An interesting fact about chemistry: another accidental invention is rubber. Charles Goodyear, an American scientist, discovered a recipe for making rubber that does not melt in the heat and does not break in the cold. He accidentally heated up a mixture of sulfur and rubber, leaving it on the stove. The process of obtaining rubber was called vulcanization.

Penicillin

Another interesting fact about chemistry: penicillin was invented by accident. forgot about the vial of staphylococcus bacteria for a few days. And when he remembered her, he discovered that the colony was dying. The whole thing turned out to be mold, which began to destroy bacteria. It was from the scientist that the world's first antibiotic was obtained.

Poltergeist

Interesting facts about chemistry can refute mystical stories. You can often hear about old houses filled with ghosts. And it's all about an outdated and poorly functioning heating system. Due to the leak causing poisoning, the inhabitants of the house have headaches, as well as auditory and visual hallucinations.

Gray cardinals among plants

Chemistry can explain the behavior of animals and plants. Over the course of evolution, many plants have developed defense mechanisms against herbivores. Most often, they are plants that secrete poison, but scientists have discovered a more subtle method of protection. Some plants secrete substances that attract… predators! Predators regulate the number of herbivores and scare them away from the place of growth of "smart" plants. Such a mechanism exists even in plants familiar to us, such as tomatoes and cucumbers. For example, a caterpillar undermined a cucumber leaf, and the smell of the secreted juice attracted birds.

Squirrel Defenders

Interesting facts: chemistry and medicine are closely related. During experiments on mice, virologists discovered interferon. This protein is produced in all vertebrates. A special protein, interferon, is released from a virus-infected cell. It does not have an antiviral effect, but it contacts healthy cells and makes them immune to the virus.

The smell of metal

We usually think that coins, handrails on public transport, railings, etc. smell like metal. But this smell is emitted not by metal, but by compounds that are formed as a result of contact with the metal surface of organic substances, for example, human sweat. In order for a person to feel a characteristic smell, very few reagents are needed.

Construction material

Chemistry has been studying proteins relatively recently. They arose more than 4 billion years ago in an incomprehensible way. Proteins are the building material for all living organisms; other forms of life are unknown to science. Half of the dry mass in most living organisms is made up of proteins.

In 1767, he became interested in the nature of the bubbles that come out of beer during fermentation. He collected the gas in a bowl of water, which he tasted. The water was pleasant and refreshing. Thus, the scientist discovered carbon dioxide, which is now used to produce sparkling water. Five years later, he described a more efficient method for obtaining this gas.

Sugar substitute

This interesting fact about chemistry suggests that many scientific discoveries were made almost by accident. A curious case led to the discovery of the properties of sucralose, a modern sugar substitute. Leslie Hugh, a professor from London who is studying the properties of the new substance trichlorosucrose, instructed his assistant Shashikant Phadnis to test it (test in English). The student, who did not speak English well, understood this word as "taste", which means taste it, and immediately followed the instructions. Sucralose is very sweet.

flavoring

Skatol is an organic compound formed in the intestines of animals and humans. It is this substance that causes the characteristic smell of feces. But if in high concentrations skatole has the smell of feces, then in small quantities this substance has a pleasant smell, reminiscent of cream or jasmine. Therefore, skatole is used to flavor perfumes, food and tobacco products.

cat and iodine

An interesting fact about chemistry - the most ordinary cat was directly involved in the discovery of iodine. The pharmacist and chemist Bernard Courtois used to dine in the laboratory, and he was often joined by a cat who liked to sit on his master's shoulder. After the next meal, the cat jumped to the floor, knocking over containers with sulfuric acid and a suspension of algae ash in ethanol, which were standing at the desktop. The liquids mixed, and a purple vapor began to rise into the air, settling on objects in small black-violet crystals. Thus, a new chemical element was discovered.

Chemical reactions are part of our daily life. Cooking in the kitchen, driving a car, these reactions are common. This list contains the most amazing and unusual reactions that most of us have never seen.

10. Sodium and water in chlorine gas

Sodium is a highly combustible element. In this video, we see a drop of water being added to sodium in a flask of chlorine gas. Yellow is the work of sodium. If we combine sodium and chlorine, we get sodium chloride, that is, ordinary table salt.

9. Reaction of magnesium and dry ice

Magnesium is highly flammable and burns very brightly. In this experiment, you see how magnesium ignites in a shell of dry ice - frozen carbon dioxide. Magnesium can burn in carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Due to the bright light it was used as a flash in early photography, today it is still used in naval rockets and fireworks.

8. Reaction of Berthollet salt and sweets

Potassium chlorate is a compound of potassium, chlorine and oxygen. When potassium chlorate is heated to its melting point, any object that comes into contact with it at that moment will cause the chlorate to break down, resulting in an explosion. The gas that emerges after the decay is oxygen. Because of this, it is often used in aircraft, space stations, and submarines as an oxygen source. The Mir station fire was also associated with this substance.

7. Meissner effect

When a superconductor is cooled to a temperature below the transition temperature, it becomes diamagnetic: that is, the object is repelled by the magnetic field, rather than being attracted to it.

6. Supersaturation with sodium acetate

Yes, yes, this is the legendary sodium acetate. I think everyone has heard about "liquid ice" more than once. Well, there is nothing more to add)

5. Super absorbent polymers

Also known as hydrogel, they are able to absorb a very large amount of liquid in relation to their own mass. For this reason, they are used in the diaper industry, as well as in other areas where protection against water and other liquids is required, such as the construction of underground cables.

4. Floating sulfur hexafluoride

Sulfur hexafluoride is a colorless, non-toxic and non-flammable gas that has no odor. Since it is 5 times denser than air, it can be poured into containers and light objects immersed in it will float as if in water. Another funny, completely harmless feature of using this gas is that it sharply lowers the voice, that is, the effect is exactly the opposite of that of helium exposure. The effect can be seen here:

3. Superfluid helium

When helium is cooled down to -271 degrees Celsius, it reaches the lambda point. At this stage (in liquid form) it is known as helium II, and is superfluid. When it passes through the thinnest capillaries, it is impossible to measure its viscosity. In addition, it will "crawl" up in search of a warm area, seemingly from the effects of gravity. Incredible!

2. Thermite and liquid nitrogen

No, in this video they will not pour liquid nitrogen on termites.

Thermite is an aluminum powder and metal oxide that produces an aluminothermic reaction known as the thermite reaction. It is not explosive, but very high temperature flashes can result. Some types of detonators "begin" with the thermite reaction, and combustion occurs at a temperature of several thousand degrees. In the clip below, we see attempts to "cool" the thermite reaction with liquid nitrogen.

1. Briggs-Rauscher reaction

This reaction is known as an oscillating chemical reaction. According to Wikipedia: "A freshly prepared colorless solution slowly turns amber, then turns sharply dark blue, then slowly turns colorless again; the process is repeated several times in a circle, eventually stopping at a dark blue color, and the liquid itself smells strongly of iodine ". The reason is that during the first reaction, certain substances are produced, which, in turn, provoke a second reaction, and the process is repeated until exhaustion.

More interesting:

If you think that chemistry is a very boring science, then I advise you to look further at 7 very interesting and unusual chemical reactions that will definitely surprise you. Perhaps the gifs in the continuation of the post will be able to convince you, and you will stop thinking that chemistry is boring;) Look further.

Hypnotizing Bromic Acid

According to science, the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction is an "oscillatory chemical reaction" during which "metal ions of the transition group catalyze the oxidation of various, usually organic, reducing agents with bromic acid in an acidic aqueous medium", which allows "to observe with the naked eye the formation of complex space-time structures." This is the scientific explanation for the hypnotic phenomenon that occurs when a little bromine is thrown into an acidic solution.

The acid turns the bromine into a chemical called bromide (which takes on a completely different hue), in turn, the bromide quickly turns back into bromine because the scientific elves that live inside it are overly stubborn assholes. The reaction repeats itself over and over again, allowing you to endlessly watch the movement of incredible undulating structures.

Transparent chemicals instantly turn black

Q: What happens when you mix sodium sulfite, citric acid and sodium iodide?
Correct answer below:

When you mix the aforementioned ingredients in certain proportions, you end up with a moody liquid that is initially transparent in color and then abruptly turns black. This experiment is called "Iodine Clock". Simply put, this reaction occurs when specific components are combined in such a way that their concentration gradually changes. If it reaches a certain threshold, the liquid becomes black.
But that's not all. By changing the proportion of ingredients, you have the opportunity to get a feedback:

In addition, with the help of various substances and formulas (for example, the Briggs-Rauscher reaction as an option), you can create a schizophrenic mixture that will constantly change its color from yellow to blue.

Creating plasma in the microwave

Do you want to do something fun with your friend but don't have access to a bunch of obscure chemicals or the basic knowledge needed to mix them safely? Do not despair! All you need for this experiment is grapes, a knife, a glass and a microwave. So, take a grape and cut it in half. Divide one of the pieces again with a knife into two parts so that these quarters remain bound by the peel. Put them in the microwave and cover with an upside down glass, turn on the oven. Then take a step back and watch the aliens steal the cut berry.

In fact, what is happening before your eyes is one way to create a very small amount of plasma. From school you know that there are three states of matter: solid, liquid and gaseous. Plasma, in fact, is the fourth type and is an ionized gas obtained by superheating ordinary gas. Grape juice, it turns out, is rich in ions, and therefore is one of the best and most affordable means for conducting simple scientific experiments.

However, be careful when trying to create a plasma in the microwave, because the ozone that forms inside the glass can be toxic in large quantities!

Lighting an extinguished candle through a smoky trail

You can try this trick at home without the risk of blowing up the living room or the whole house. Light a candle. Blow it out and immediately bring fire to the smoky trail. Congratulations: you succeeded, now you are a real master of fire.

It turns out that there is some love between fire and candle wax. And this feeling is much stronger than you think. It doesn't matter what state the wax is in - liquid, solid, gaseous - the fire will still find it, overtake it and burn it to hell.

Crystals that glow when crushed

Here is a chemical substance called europium-tetrakis, which demonstrates the effect of triboluminescence. However, it is better to see once than to read a hundred times.

This effect occurs during the destruction of crystalline bodies due to the conversion of kinetic energy directly into light.

If you want to see all this with your own eyes, but you don’t have europium tetrakis on hand, it doesn’t matter: even the most ordinary sugar will do. Just sit in a dark room, put some sugar cubes in the blender and enjoy the beauty of fireworks.

Back in the 18th century, when many people thought that ghosts or witches or the ghosts of witches caused scientific phenomena, scientists used this effect to play a trick on "mere mortals" by chewing sugar in the dark and laughing at those who ran from them like from fire. .

Hell monster emerging from a volcano

Mercury(II) thiocyanate is a seemingly innocent white powder, but as soon as it is set on fire, it immediately turns into a mythical monster, ready to devour you and the whole world.

The second reaction, pictured below, is caused by the combustion of ammonium dichromate, resulting in a miniature volcano.

Well, what happens if you mix the above two chemicals and set them on fire? See for yourself.

However, do not attempt these experiments at home, as both mercury(II) thiocyanate and ammonium dichromate are highly toxic and can cause serious harm to your health if burned. Take care of yourself!

laminar flow

If you mix coffee with milk, you end up with a liquid that you are unlikely to ever be able to separate into its component components again. And this applies to all substances that are in a liquid state, right? Right. But there is such a thing as laminar flow. To see this magic in action, just place a few drops of multi-colored dyes in a transparent container with corn syrup and gently mix everything ...

... and then mix again at the same pace, but now in the opposite direction.

Laminar flow can occur in all conditions and with different types of liquids, but in this case, this unusual phenomenon is due to the viscous properties of corn syrup, which, when mixed with dyes, forms multi-colored layers. So, if you just as carefully and slowly perform the action in the opposite direction, everything will return to its previous places. It's like time travel!