Consumer chemistry at the U3A
Chemistry Week 2018
Ann Hubbard ran a demo-packed session for her local U3A group during chemistry week, exploring the impact of chemistry on our everyday lives.
By Ann Hubbard, RSC Downland local section committee
At the RSC Downland local section we run a session called Kitchen Cupboard chemistry – a hands-on practical session that goes out to cubs, brownies, scouts and guides. We have been doing this for four years, and in an effort to find new interested audiences I contacted the U3A (University of the Third Age) in Dorking, with a view to doing something with grandparents and grandchildren. The group didn’t think it would be possible to arrange for a talk to the children, so they asked me to give the talk to the group instead.
People who attend the U3A are all retired, so I adapted the session so it would be of interest to them, and gave a talk – complete with around 12 practical demos – entitled ‘Consumer Chemistry’. The idea was to explain how materials are made up of chemicals, and their properties depend on their chemical structures.
I began the session by looking at solids. I had a number of objects made from acrylics, such as a scarf, a baby’s nappy and glasses, and explained that the building blocks are the same but the chemistry is modified to give very different properties. We talked about PTFE as well, such as that found in Teflon cookware and GoreTex anoraks.
Next we moved on to liquids and did a demo called ‘Waves in a Bottle’ – demonstrating how water doesn’t mix with non-polar liquids.
Finally we discussed gases and covered a whole range of topics. I used helium as an example of an element that needs to be conserved because there is only a finite amount of it. We looked at crisp packets and how they are filled with nitrogen, and discussed the different types of foams on different types of beer – some are pressured with CO2 and some with nitrogen.
I spoke about sodium bicarbonate, and how it is used in Gaviscon and baking powder, and I did a demonstration where I added some to vinegar. I got more than I bargained for when the fizzy mixture escaped the tall vase I’d got for it and went everywhere!
We finished with a discussion of hydrogen as a fuel for the future, and a demonstration with a small hydrogen rocket.
There is a U3A in every town in the UK, and they’re a great opportunity for outreach. Many of the talks are focused on the arts, so having a science speaker was something different. Very few people in the audience were chemists, but the session seemed to go down well and I was swamped with questions at the end. We’d like to inspire other local sections consider working with the U3A in future.
Chemistry Week
Chemistry Week is an annual celebration of the chemical sciences, centred around our members sharing their passion with public audiences. In 2018 it took place from 19–25 November, and the theme was 'Chemistry for Everyone'. Members were able to apply for grants from our Outreach Fund to organise activities.
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