Everyday chemistry comes alive in “Craze” program

When most people think of chemistry, they picture safety goggles, white lab coats and exotic concoctions. Certainly, chemists have made many great scientific discoveries working with strange compounds in high-tech laboratories. However, chemistry isn’t just something that happens in futuristic labs; it pervades our daily lives.

Our lives can be seen as a string of chemical reactions. Every time we wash our hands, bake a cake or use an ink pen we are shaping and changing matter with chemistry. Even the cells of our own bodies might be thought of as microscopic test tubes, bubbling with the chemicals of life.

If you’re curious how chemistry shapes your life, you won’t want to miss “Chemistry Craze,” a Family Exploration program taking place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Explorit Science Center, 2801 Second St., Davis. This program, which is free with paid admission, will explore the chemical secrets hiding inside everyday substances like black ink, laundry detergent and even cabbage juice.

Chemistry is a science with deep roots. The English word “chemistry” comes from the older term “alchemy” which in turn derives from an Arabic word for “Egypt,” a reference to the potions of ancient Egyptian magicians.

While our understanding of the physical world has come a long way over the past 5,000 years, chemistry can still seem quite magical. Many modern marvels, from synthetic fabrics to life-saving vaccines, owe their “miraculous” properties to their unique chemistry.

Chemistry has been called “the central science” since it connects to so many other scientific disciplines. Scientists today use chemistry for everything from solving crimes (as seen in TV’s “CSI” shows) to unlocking ancient climate records from Antarctic ice cores.

You can even perform chemistry magic in your own kitchen. A simple but dramatic pH indicator can be made by boiling red cabbage leaves in water for several minutes until the water turns a deep purple. After removing the cabbage leaves, try adding a bit of vinegar or liquid soap to a sample of your cabbage water.

Flavin, a compound found in red cabbage and other purplish fruits and vegetables, is highly sensitive to pH, turning bright pink in acidic solutions and green or yellow in basic ones. Test other household products like lemon juice or baking soda and see what colors you can create.

Those fascinated by chemistry will also want to mark their calendars for another upcoming Family Exploration, “Made with Molecules.” On June 16, chemist-turned-artist Raven Hanna will share some of her artistic creations inspired by the molecular world.

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Explorit Science Center is open at its new site, 2801 Second St., Davis. The current hands-on exhibition is “Looking Up: The World Above Us.” Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information: www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.