Bob Worley
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bobthechemist.bsky.social
Bob Worley
@bobthechemist.bsky.social
380 followers 350 following 34 posts
Author of Understanding Chemistry through Microscale Practical Work. Can do the Traditional stuff as well but the educational, pedagogical, economical & environmental advantages of micro & small-scale techniques (MaSSTs) are becoming increasingly relevant.
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bobthechemist.bsky.social
Here is the video of the glistening crystals of lead iodide. The glistening crystals are formed during formation (as they are so thin) and by the bombardment with surrounding water molecules. #ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social
#chemistry #greenchemistry @rsc-eic.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
What a fantastic lead iodide precipitate by diffusion I obtained yesterday. The sparkling changes were beautiful.
Tiny speck of Pb(NO₃)₂ was introduced on the left (you can still see the remains) in a 1 cm diameter of water; I waited 10 seconds and put a tiny speck of KI from the right.
October 24, 2025 at 6:59 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
We are comparing the diffusion speeds of halogens along damp starch/iodide paper. This activity is conducted in Petri dishes on the bench. The final section shows iodine result and uses 1 tiny ball of iodine.
#ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social #chemistry #greenchemistry
October 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Confusion abounds as to whether iodine sublimes or evaporates at 1 atm. In fact, it melts and flows. A little microscale triumph. See tinyurl.com/2nw2hram

#ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem
@cleapss.bsky.social @rsc-educomscot.bsky.social @sfed-rsc.bsky.social @beyondbenign.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 7:38 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
You can watch this method of filtering on youtu.be/6rSu-blfRZo. This is separating activated carbon from an aqueous suspension. Carbon was used to remove a dye.
This is separating activated carbon from an aqueous suspension.
August 2, 2025 at 2:34 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Atmospheric chemistry is difficult for schools, but microscale techniques can help with evidence for ozone and hydroxyl radicals. Here are the videos referred to in the picture.
youtu.be/mlQRDuKm63w 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_PA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jNh...
#ITeachchem
May 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Here is a diffusing precipitate of silver iodide on a thermochromic plastic sheet so that the endothermic dissolving and the exothermic precipitation are seen.
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry
@sfed-rsc.bsky.social @beyondbenign.bsky.social,
bsky.app/profile/cerg...
May 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Watch highly coloured ions MnO₄⁻ & Cu(NH₃)₄²⁺ diffuse in a droplet of water using 2 different paths caused by presence of a magnet during electrolysis. Evidence of charged particles (ions). www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMta... and www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oM...
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry
April 6, 2025 at 4:44 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Using microscale techniques in school chemistry to show how carbon in CO₂ can be captured and imprisoned, but I had to let it go to show it worked! Video on www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tstu...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
March 18, 2025 at 10:40 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Watch for the effect of a magnet on the iron/thiocyanate complex. Paramagnetism at work.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qipp...
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry @sfed-rsc.bsky.social
IronIII thiocyanate complex
YouTube video by Bob Worley
www.youtube.com
March 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Helplines asked #CLEAPSS for an alternative to CuO/H₂SO₄ neutralisation reaction salt making for students to make salts. Not easy, but using ed/ox metal/acid reactions uses the same skills. This is iron(II) sulfate made from staples.
#ITeachchem #RealTimeChem #chatchemistry
0.25 cm³ of 1M copper sulfate is added to the iron staples and 2 cm³ of 1.5M sulfuric acid It is heated for 10 minutes. Can also use steel paper clips. This is the personal spirit burner (ethanol biofuel) hotplate. Using filter paper in small-scale chem does not work. Filtering the reaction mixture through cotton wool in a Pasteur pipette. Copper particles and bits of iron are separated from the iron(II) sulfate solution.. Heating the filtered solution for 10 minutes on my personal spirit-burner, bio-fuel, hotplate. Then leave to cool. The crystals form slowly, which might take longer than a lesson, but the results are very beautiful.
February 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Making 1-5% soap solutions in 7:3 propan-2-ol/water. Filtered to get a colourless liquid. Laser light reflection indicates it is colloidal. Is the twinkling effect caused by collisions with water molecules?
#ChatChemistry #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social @cerg.bsky.social
December 6, 2024 at 6:27 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Evaporation with Thermochromic plastic and 2 kitchen thermometers. Visualise the flow of energy in an open endothermic process at room temperature—an evidence-based small-scale approach using easily available modern materials. #ChatChemistry #ITeachChem @sfed-rsc.bsky.social @cerg.bsky.social
November 26, 2024 at 6:13 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Students encounter a precipitate every day as they wash with soap & make scum. @cleapss.bsky.social has had this method for 20 years as traditional methods were risky but now introduce a personal hotplate. Students stay still. #ChatChemistry #ITeachStudents @sfed-rsc.bsky.social @cerg.bsky.social
November 19, 2024 at 7:18 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
This is the link to www.rsc.org/news-events/... for an account of the chemistry education trip to Thailand. @bogwoppitfee.bsky.social #ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social @associationscied.bsky.social @roysocchem.bsky.social @beyondben.bsky.social , @unitednationsbk.bsky.social
Five go to Thailand
www.rsc.org
October 9, 2024 at 5:18 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Many helpline calls regarding aspirin syn come to @cleapss.bsky.social. The cost of the TLC slide is rising more than inflation for schools. Can use iodine to see the chromatogram. The hotplate design comes from teachers in Thailand. Applying #GreenChemistry principles. #ChatChemistry #ITeachChem
September 20, 2024 at 7:46 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Thanks. You can look at these slides and always contact me #ChatChemistry
September 18, 2024 at 7:41 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Newish approach to an old experiment as white phosphorus is no longer available. Red phosphorus is. It was the first use of bottle top in school chemistry as an inexpensive alternative to the crucible. @cleapss.bsky.social subscribers see PS67l Burning phosphorus in air
#ChatChemistry #ITeachChem
September 18, 2024 at 9:20 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
We tried this after a Helpline call. "Is this still OK to do". Of course it is. It is also on edu.rsc.org/exhibition-c...
Our catalyst got so hot it vaporised. Clean the copper foil in acid beforehand and the reaction lasts nearly an hour.
#ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem @cleapss.bsky.social
September 13, 2024 at 10:19 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Saw this at icce2024thailand.com. Your own hotplate. @CLEAPSS makes it safer to hold & move using 3D printing (thanks to D?T). Cools from 250C to hand-hot in one minute after removing the flame on its slider. #ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem . More details to come. No need to walk around the lab.
Ethanol fuelled spirit burner. The can is cut and sharp edges are folded over. 3D printed burner holder/slider and can-holder using the groove. The burner slides into the can. IR Thermometer indicates the temperature of the surface.. Removing the spirit burner. The can is hand hot in 1 minute.
September 1, 2024 at 2:39 PM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Shining white light though crystals with 2 refractive indexes, either side of polarizer light filters (one of which rotates), show stunning colours. Ben @cleapss.bsky.social
to schools with a simple arrangement. Here are sugar, benzoic acid & MgSO₄.7H₂O. #ChatChemistry, #ITeachChem
Sugar crystals between crossed polarizing filters. Benzoic acid between crossed polarizing filters. Magnesium sulfate crystals between crossed polarizing filters.
August 30, 2024 at 5:36 AM
bobthechemist.bsky.social
Back to the 300-character challenge. Been to a microscale meeting in Bangkok icce2024thailand.com. Microscale complements green chemistry & an approach the SDGs. Saw & had to make the smallest ion bridge ever. Contact details on book & other sites. See the diaphragm cell. @chatchemistry.bsky.social
August 24, 2024 at 3:36 PM