Goodbye to National Chemistry Week 2014

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Dr. Matthew Asplund, a Chemistry Department professor, ACS member, and annual magic show host, said of National 
Chemistry Week: “This is my favorite time of year because I get to blow lots of things up!”  The chemical magic shows, which have gained great fame in the community over the years, drew full crowds every night. Audiences contained a
wide variety of ages: professors with their grandchildren, families with babies, university students on dates, and middle school students doing extra credit reports.  As always, there were explosions to please everyone.

This year’s theme, “The Sweet Side of Chemistry—Candy,” inspired several confectionary reactions as well. Dr. Asplund intrigued the crowd by asking “How much energy is in a Swedish Fish?” He then proceeded to chemically ignite 
the candy which flared brightly for a few seconds. Dr. Asplund used this reaction to explain why human bodies could not run long on sugar alone. Of course, the balloon finale, where a small torch was used to turn gas-filled balloons into
flaming infernos, remained the crowd favorite.

National Chemistry Week is an annual celebration sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS).  Here at BYU, the activities and programs are run by the Central Utah Section of ACS and the students of Y-Chem.  This year, events included a research poster session, a symposium featuring the chemistry involved in making chocolate and sweeteners, a hands-on workshop for kids in the community, and two lectures by distinguished lecturer and chemist, Dr. Alexandra Navrotsky.  Y-Chem sold liquid nitrogen ice cream each day in the main hall of the Benson Building, as well as t-shirts and chemistry mugs, and students won prizes by answering questions about candy chemistry posted in the fishbowl display case.

National Chemistry Week continues to grow at BYU with help from ACS, Y-Chem, the Chemistry Department, and the community.  This year's celebrations were even featured live on Fox 13 news with “Big Budah.”  Thanks to everyone who made the week a success.

Mark your calendars: National Chemistry Week 2015 will take place October 18-24.

Article and photos by Jordan Wright