Catalytic Hydrogenation: The students
are adding hydrogen to a carbon double bond to make a
single bond. The reaction is catalyzed by small charcoal
particles coated in Palladinm. Today, the purpose of the lab is
to learn techniques.
Dr. Thompson is instructing the students on
the finer points of chemical reactions with
a demonstration, one handed! Just some of
Dr. Thompson's magic tricks. A flask holds
to the palm of his hand through a vacuum
containing a chemical that soon boils...then
stops boiling...then turns cold...and if one
waits long enough it would soon form ice!
Now how's that for a magic trick. Of course
there is a lesson in this and a number of
questions the students had the opportunity
to answer.
Here Dr. Thompson is using one of his
delicate instruments.
With all the tubes, glass and machines, you
still have to "watch the pot boil."
The group looks on.
Todd measures out the chemicals needed for
this experiment.
And Katie takes lots and lots of notes.
Whitney looks on while Emma and Sean hook up
the rubber hoses to the glass tubes which he
will then set to heat.
While waiting for the "pot to
boil", Brandon makes adjustments. OR you can
play! By squeezing the rubber tip the powder
will dance...
Karl Knight
(middle) is a senior and lab assistant. He
has a double major in biology and chemistry
and will be applying to the Medical College
of Georgia.
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