A festive Chemistry lesson for the 4th Form

On Christmas Jumper Day, 4^th Form pupils have been learning about redox reactions.

This is where oxidation and reduction happens at the same time. During this reaction we shake a solution containing indigo carmine and glucose to produce some festive colour changes. Indigo carmine exists in two forms - an oxidised form and a reduced one. When the solution is shaken the indigo carmine is oxidised with oxygen from the air and turns the solution green. When it is left to stand the glucose reduces the indigo carmine to form a red colour, and then even further to form a yellow colour. We call it the Traffic Light Reaction!

Hannah Townsend - Head of Chemistry

Watch our little video below.