Creating magic with chemicals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Many might be familiar with the Biblical reference to converting water to wine. Can you revert the process? Krishnapriya P and Chinchu G S Nair, students of first MSc Chemistry and second BSc Chemistry respectively, have come up with an experiment where acidified Potassium permanganate solution (resembling wine) in a reaction with Sodium thiosulphate and Sodium carbonate produces a fizzy lime water-like solution. Including theirs, a chemical gallery was opened at ‘Chemscape’, the Chemistry exhibition organised by the Department of Chemistry of the University College as part  of the celebration of the International Year of Chemistry.  In three categories, the exhibition was classified into experiments, awareness section and display of frames on Madame Curie. “This exhibition aims at highlighting the burning environmental issues and making the public aware of the consequences from the perspective of Chemistry,” said C Moly Mareline, Head of the Department of Chemistry. Students have come up with fascinating experiments laced in simplicity involving complex chemical reactions in the background. The processes behind a lot many experiments were more or less similar to classroom chemistry experiments such as electrolysis, oxidation, fermentation and the like. Anoop S S arrived with a different combination of making ‘coffee’. The third year BSc Chemistry student came up with the idea of ‘Instant coffee’ experiment involving Bismuth nitrate, water and Sodium sulphide. Alert! But, don’t venture to taste the ‘drink’. An MPhil student, Ananthakrishnan, came up with the Potassium permanganate and glycerol reaction to make fire, which happens as a result of oxidation.  In the awareness section, students have showcased the harmful side of many things that are part of our daily routine such as toothpaste, toilet soap, face cream, mosquito coil and so on. A display of materials by Akhila M and Ancy Yohannan highlighted the presence of the carcinogenic ‘parabean’ in face creams, formaldehyde in nail polish and the like. Mithun Mohan M and Haseeb M Hameed pointed to the inhalation of smoke coming out from a mosquito coil, which they said was equivalent to smoking 75 to 135 cigarettes.  In the exhibition on Madame Curie conducted by the Breakthrough Science Society, 50 frames representing the life and times of the scientist were put up. The exhibition was inaugurated by K P Dharmarajan, former head of the department of chemistry at University College, on Tuesday morning. It is on till Thursday.