Description
The Ink Spell demonstration is a dramatic way to engage audiences into the wonders of chemical reactions. Two potions are swirled together in an Erlenmeyer flask as an incantation is delivered. As the spell is concluded, the liquid instantly turns from clear to purplish black when the wizard’s hand rubs the bottom of the flask. It is actually the well-known iodine clock reaction dressed up as the opening act of a chemistry course or a wizard show. It is a great example of chemical kinetics, allowing chances for demonstrating the effect of concentrations and temperature on the rate of the reaction.
Publication Date
9-2025
Document Type
Book Chapter
Rights
© 2025 Garon C. Smith
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Smith, Garon C., "Chapter 1: The Ink Spell" (2025). G. Wiz’s Book of Spells. 3.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/gwizchemistrymagic/3