Performance of some small experiments involving plants and pigments, to explain concepts like transpiration, fluorescence and pH.

1) We insert celery stalks into coloured water, that over time is “called” at the top of the stem by the process of transpiration. People can observe different stages of the process and then section the celery and observe the plant vases where the water is transported. Here we can explain the process of transpiration and plant structure

2 ) We let the visitors prepare a mixture of mashed spinach leaves and alcohol until all chlorophyll is released, and pour it into a glass. We then shine a uv-/black light on the glass and show them that it’s fluorescent. Here we can explain what is chlorophyll and the process of fluorescence

3) We prepare beforehand some water in which red cabbage was cooked. This mixture changes colour depending on the pH of the liquid it is mixed into. Here we can explain what pigments are in the red cabbage and what is pH.

Englischsprachige Mitmachexperimente