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Welcome to the Chemistry Articles Page of David Cash Ph.D.
(Professor, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, Retired)

Version 3.0 Uploaded Nov 19, 2012
Questions? Problems with this Page?
dn.cash@uclmail.net or david.cash@mohawkcollege.ca


David Cash March, 2007

Professor Cash, March 2007


This Chemistry Articles Page has Five Sections.
Navigate to the Sections by Clicking the Links:

  1. Chemistry Articles Published in CHEM 13 NEWS click here
  2. Other Chemistry Articles click here
  3. Chemistry Articles Published in the STAO CRUCIBLE click here
  4. Other Chemistry Articles click here
  5. STAO 2008 Conference Chemistry Presentation
    (Handout and Overheads) click here

See Below for Brief Descriptions of the Chemistry Articles and the Conference Chemistry Presentation and Links to Some Articles and the Conference File.




1. Below are Chemistry Articles Published in CHEM 13 NEWS Listed in Reverse Chronological Order

CHEM 13 NEWS is published in printed form by the Chemistry Department of the University of Waterloo for Chemistry teachers.
The Web site of Chem 13 News contains an archive of issues from recent years which lists the contents of each issue and allows the free download of selected articles. One of my articles is available for download, as noted below.

Open the Web Page of CHEM 13 NEWS by Clicking: CHEM 13 NEWS

If you email me at either address given above, you can be sent a printed copy of any of these articles by surface mail or fax.
I can also send you related experiment and teaching material files by return email.

Generation of Carbon Dioxide

Generation of Carbon Dioxide
from Isotopically-Carbon-Labeled Urea


The breath test for ulcer

CHEM 13 NEWS, December, 2009, Number 370, pages 12-15.

The article describes testing for infection by Helicobacter pylori as the cause of gastritis by means of detecting isotopically-labeled carbon in the carbon dioxide collected from the patient's breath.

Quinic Acid

Two Representations of Quinic Acid


Quinic acid in fruit juices

CHEM 13 NEWS, April, 2008, Number 356, pages 4-6.

Quinic acid is a polyhydroxy cyclohexane derivative with an interesting stereochemical structure. It is found in many plants, including fruits, berries, and coffee beans. It has been used as the starting material for the synthesis of the antiflu drug Tamiflu.

Potassium Stearate

Making Soap:
Synthesis of Potassium Stearate


A variation on the theme of safe soap and a recipe for a cosmetic cream.

CHEM 13 NEWS, January, 2008, Number 353, pages 14-15.

The article describes a relatively safe method of synthesis of soap from a vegetable oil and 50 % sodium hydroxide solution. It takes about 45 minutes with gentle heating on a hot plate.

A recipe for the preparation of a simple cosmetic cream is also given.

Superabsorbant Polymer

Synthesis of a Superabsorbant Polyacrylate Polymer
by the Polyacrylamide Route


Superabsorbant polymers (SAP)

CHEM 13 NEWS, May, 2007, Number 348, pages 6-8.

The article describes the synthesis, safe handling, and uses of polyacrylate-polyacrylamide superabsorbants. Sources of these polymers for classroom use are listed. Several experiments and exercises are described in detail.

This article may be downloaded as a pdf file (208 kB)
from the CHEM 13 NEWS web site: Download


Malolactic Fermentation

Malolactic Fermentation:
The Bacterial Conversion of Malic Acid to Lactic Acid


Carboxylic acids in wine

CHEM 13 NEWS, October, 2006, Number 341, pages 12-13.

The article lists the carboxylic acids commonly found in wines, and decribes their taste properties. A thin layer chromatographic (TLC) method of analysis of the acids in a wine is described.



2. Other Articles in the Style of CHEM 13 NEWS

These articles are available for download.

Gravimetric Titration

Performing a Simple Gravimetric Titration


Gravimetric titration Part 1 – a simple, fast alternative to using a volumetric buret

The article describes the technique of gravimetric titration, and gives a complete summary of the application of the method to the titration of citric acid in a clear citrus soft drink and the titration of tartaric acid in a white grape juice.

This article is available as a pdf file.

File Details: GravTitr1.pdf (344 kB) Download

Gravimetric pH Titration

pH Titration Curve by the Gravimetric Method


Gravimetric titration Part 2 – a pH titration curve; a precision comparison to volumetric titration

Gravimetric titration is experimentally very convenient when applied to a pH titration curve determination. The method is described in detail. Also, a comparison of the precision of the gravimetric and volumetric methods of titration is given.

This article is available as a pdf file.

File Details: GravTitr2.pdf (348 kB) Download

Gravimetric pH Titration

pH Titration Curve by the Gravimetric Method


Two Applications of Gravimetric Titration

The method of gravimetric titration with a controlled, drop dispensing polymer squeeze bottle is simple, buret-free and precise. Descriptions are given of its application to acid-base titration of juices and drinks, and a pH titration curve determination.

This article is available as a pdf file.

File Details: TwoApplications.pdf (344 kB) Download

Food Dyes

Thin Layer Chromatography of Food Dyes


Four experiments with food dyes

Four experiments with food dyes are described in detail: spectroscopy of allura red (red # 40) with a Spectronic 20; paper chromatography; thin layer chromatography (TLC); dyeing fabrics with food colours and Kool-Aid powders.

This article is available as a Word for Windows file.

File Details: FourExp.doc (474 kB) Download



3. Below are Chemistry Articles Published in STAO CRUCIBLE Listed in Reverse Chronological Order

STAO CRUCIBLE ONLINE is published online by STAO, the Science Teachers' Association of Ontario.
STAO CRUCIBLE was formerly published in printed form.

The Web site of STAO contains an archive of issues which is available TO MEMBERS ONLY (PASSWORD PROTECTED).
For recent year online issues, members may download the articles. There is also an archive of print issues of past years.
The latter are large pdf files, each of which contains an entire issue.

Open the Web Page of STAO by Clicking: STAO

If you email me at either address given above, you can be sent a printed copy of any of these articles by surface mail or fax.

Mass Comparison

Mass Comparison Plot


An Inexpensive, Small, Portable Scale

CRUCIBLE ONLINE, Vol. 40, No. 5, June, 2009.

The article describes a small, low cost ($ 20), portable scale. The scale compared well to precision laboratory scales and might be suitable for use by teachers.

The article is downloadable by STAO members only.

File Details: 4C_scale.pdf (76.4 kB) Download

Two Absorbants

Two Absorbants: Activated Carbon and Silica Gel


Two Absorbant Substances: Activated Carbon and Silica Gel

CRUCIBLE ONLINE, Vol. 39, No. 1, September, 2007.

The article describes the properties and uses of activated carbon and silica gel. These substances are safe, readily available, and might be suitable for use by teachers. Several typical exercises are described in detail.

The article is downloadable by STAO members only.

File Details: 6Cabsorbent.pdf (170 kB) Download

Decay Curve

Radioactive Decay Curve of Carbon-14

Calibration Curve

Calibration Curve for Radiocarbon Age


Dating the Past: Radiocarbon Dating Part I.

STAO CRUCIBLE, Vol. 24, No. 5, November, 1993, pages 21-23.

Part I of the article gives the background theory and describes and compares the two methods of radiocarbon dating: beta counting and accelerator mass spectrometry.

Part I of the article is downloadable by STAO members only, in the form of a "whole issue" pdf file.

File Details: CRUCIBLE,VOLUME%2024.5,NOVEMBER,1993.pdf (17.7 MB) Download


Dating the Past: Radiocarbon Dating Part II.

STAO CRUCIBLE, Vol. 24, No. 6, December, 1993, pages 19-20.

Part II of the article describes in detail the accelerator mass spectrometry method for radiocarbon dating.
The necessity for calibration of the method, using dendrochronology, is discussed, and a sample of the calibration curve is presented.

Part II of this article is missing from the STAO archive.
It is available in the form of two single page pdf files.

File Details: CrucibleDec93page19.pdf (428 kB) Download

File Details: CrucibleDec93page20.pdf (430 kB) Download

Tin Can Scrap

Schematic: Recovery of Tin from Tin Can Scrap


The Recycling of Tin Can Scrap

STAO CRUCIBLE, Vol. 22, No. 3, July, 1991, pages 6-9.

This article was co-authored with Andrew Kellner of Metal Recovery Industries and Philip Thomas of Mohawk College. The article describes the steps and processes required to recover the tin metal from tin-plated steel scrap.

At the time of publication, soft drinks and beer were sold in tin-plated steel cans.

The article is downloadable by STAO members only, in the form of a "whole issue" pdf file.

File Details: CRUCIBLE,VOLUME%2022.3,JULY,1991.pdf (8.03 MB) Download



4. Other Articles in the Style of STAO CRUCIBLE ONLINE

These articles are available for download.

Food Dye Analysis

Analysis of a Food Dye by Colour Comparison


Analysis of a Food Dye by Visual Colour Comparison

The article describes a simple, safe, and fast method for determining the amount of the red food dye allura red (red # 40) in a cherry cough drop. The red # 40 in cherry Kool-Aid is used as the standard of comparison.

This article is available as a Word for Windows file.

File Details: ColourComp.doc (307 kB) Download

Dropper Bottles

Dropper Bottles for Titration


Gravimetric Titration 3

The article describes in detail the method, the equipment, and the experimental procedure for gravimetric titrations to determine the amount of acid in fruit juices or soft drinks. Safety is stressed.

This article is available as a pdf file.

File Details: GravTitr3.pdf (2.1 MB) Download

Drop Count Titration

Drop-Count Titration


Drop Count Titration

The article describes in detail the method, the equipment, and the experimental procedure for simple drop count titrations to determine the amount of acid in fruit juices or soft drinks. Safety is stressed.

This article is available as a pdf file.

File Details: DropCountTitr.pdf (16.3 MB) Download



5. STAO 2008 Conference Presentation: Two Demonstrations

This article is available for download.

Dyeing Fabrics

Fabrics Dyed Using Food Colour Dyes


STAO 2008 Conference Presentation: Two Demonstrations
Superabsorbant Polymer and Dyeing Fabrics with Food Colour Dyes and Kool-Aid

The conference handout describes harvesting the superabsorbant polymer in diapers, and using the polymer in demonstrations. Demonstrations of dyeing fabrics and multi-fiber ribbon with food colour dyes and Kool-Aid are described.

The conference handout is available as a pdf file.

File Details: TwoDemonstrations.pdf (267 kB) Download