Cody Svoboda

The Magical Hand

Concept: By adding starch to an iodine solution, the liquid will turn from a light yellow/brown color to a dark blue.

Materials:

• Starch solution
• Iodine solution
• 500 mL beaker
• Beaker big enough for hand to fit in
• Vitamin C tablet

Procedure:

1. Put a few drops of Iodine into the beaker. Add just enough to turn the water a light yellow color.
Just before the show, dip your whole hand into the starch solution.

2. With the hand without starch on it show the audience that the hand isn't magical by placing it into the Iodine water and stir.

3. Then place the hand with the starch solution on it into the beaker and stir it around. This should make the solution turn from the light brown to a dark blue.

4. Next pick up the Vitamin C tablet and hold between your fingers. Again stir your hand around - this may take a about 30 seconds, but the solution should turn back to blue again.

Introduction:

A short time ago I came across a very special feature I have. Well, I have magical powers. Now you might be thinking, "Can I fly or do I have x-ray vision." But it's nothing like that. Today I am ready to show you for the first time ever what my magical power is.

Explanation:

The iodine in the water solution is the yellow color. I had dipped my hand into a starch solution before putting it in the iodine solution. The starch is an indicator for the iodine. When both are present, the solution turns a deep blue color. The starch is used to enhance the color of the iodine and also helps to detect if iodine is present. Starch is a long polymer molecule in one shape of a coil - like the spring on a spiral notebook. The iodine molecules goes inside of the coil and this is what makes it turn blue. Iodine is a diatomic element with the formula, I2.

The vitamin C chemical gives an electron to each of the iodine atoms to form the iodide ion with a negative charge. This then shows that the iodide ion is colorless in water solution even in the presence of the starch. This reaction changes the form of the iodine element to the iodide ions.

Safety: This solution isn't harmful to your skin, so you do not have to wear any gloves. It would be recommended to wear safety goggles, since the solution could splash up when stirring.

Waste Disposal: This solution is completely safe for the water and disposal down the sink. It can be put down the drain.

Resource: Unknown