'Just Add Water' the magical formula at ANU

Secondary students from all over Australia gathered at the ANU to learn more about water, as part of National Science Week 2009.

Over 200 students listened in rapt attention as Dr Peter Wothers of UK’s University of Cambridge Chemistry Department demonstrated what surprising things can happen when you ‘Just Add Water’.

Water cracked cast iron pots and set bowls of rice bubbles on fire (with a little help from sodium peroxide), whilst balloons filled with hydrogen and oxygen, the two components of water, exploded in a giant fireball – the highlight of the show.

The lecture showed that there is more to water than meets the eye: this ‘harmless’ chemical can start powerful reactions and demonstrate remarkable strength in the right conditions. Dr Wothers took the opportunity to remind the students how unique water is at sustaining life – he used the example that most other liquids would freeze from the bottom up, killing aquatic life in streams and lakes during winter.

The event aims to increase appreciation of science in school students. “The whole purpose is to encourage younger kids to get that interest [in science] and to keep them in science,” says Dr Wothers, who has been presenting science lectures in the UK for over ten years. He believes that flashy demonstrations, such as explosions, are a good way of attracting people to science, but letting students do more practicals in school is the best way of holding their interest.
He says that entertaining programs can be used to correct misconceptions that people have about science. “People don’t realise how much our lives are enriched by science,” he said.

by Jessica Thoresen

Posted 25 August 2009