It's safe to say that most households have used or currently use some form of bleach in their cleaning routine. This alkaline liquid (when combined with water) works well to remove stains from various surfaces. Although many people know that bleach cleans, most don't understand why it works.
Bleach removes color by either oxidizing (breaking chemical bonds) or reducing double chemical bonds in color to single bonds. Want to see this reaction in motion? Check out these neat experiments.
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1. The Power of Bleach
In this experiment, you'll see that water dilutes the color. This happens because there is a small amount of color than water in the mixture. The color lightens as is spreads out. The bleach, however, reacts differently to the color molecules. See what happens below.
In this experiment, you'll see that water dilutes the color. This happens because there is a small amount of color than water in the mixture. The color lightens as is spreads out. The bleach, however, reacts differently to the color molecules. See what happens below.
2. Bleach and Soda
In this experiment, you'll get a peek at what soda looks like before it's artificially dyed to look more appetizing. Make sure to throw out any bleached-soda as soon as you are done with the experiment to avoid accidental ingestion.
In this experiment, you'll get a peek at what soda looks like before it's artificially dyed to look more appetizing. Make sure to throw out any bleached-soda as soon as you are done with the experiment to avoid accidental ingestion.
3. Stains and Bleach (h/t Science Buddies)
If you've ever had your carpets cleaned, and no matter how many times they scrub, one stain just never goes away, it could be because of the color. In this experiment watch how bleach affects different colors. To get more in-depth, try using various cleaners (like vinegar, baking soda, or laundry soap) to see if it changes the colors.
If you've ever had your carpets cleaned, and no matter how many times they scrub, one stain just never goes away, it could be because of the color. In this experiment watch how bleach affects different colors. To get more in-depth, try using various cleaners (like vinegar, baking soda, or laundry soap) to see if it changes the colors.
4. Different drinks and bleach
How does bleach react to different mixtures? Color can be affected by other ingredients surrounding it. In this experiment, try adding bleach to various types of drinks and see if the color change happens quickly, slowly and if all of the colors are removed.
How does bleach react to different mixtures? Color can be affected by other ingredients surrounding it. In this experiment, try adding bleach to various types of drinks and see if the color change happens quickly, slowly and if all of the colors are removed.
5. Make glowing water (h/t Scientific American)
Tonic water contains an ingredient called quinine. The chemical adds a bitter flavor to the water, but it also glows in the dark. When you add bleach to the water, the bleach oxidizes and disrupts the quinine so that it can no longer absorb light.
Tonic water contains an ingredient called quinine. The chemical adds a bitter flavor to the water, but it also glows in the dark. When you add bleach to the water, the bleach oxidizes and disrupts the quinine so that it can no longer absorb light.
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