Vitamin C

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In this activity, learners investigate vitamin C. Using a simple starch and iodine demonstration, learners discover that vitamin C is an antioxidant, and protects us by reacting with toxic compounds before they can harm us. This activity is currently used in the Everyday Chemistry Unit in OMSI's Chemistry Lab. Cost estimates are per 100 learners.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
Under 5 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Two 100-ml Erlenmeyer flasks
  • One 100 ml dropper bottle
  • One 10-ml graduated cylinder
  • One 250-ml squeeze bottles (see-through)
  • One 30-ml dropper bottle
  • One 500-ml brown (opaque) plastic bottle
  • Vitamin C crystals (keep 50 g on hand)
  • Soluble starch (soluble potato powder) (keep 100 g on hand)
  • Povidone iodine (keep 250 ml on hand)
  • One 1000-ml storage bottle

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • Health and Nutrition
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Bonding
      • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
      • Chemistry of Life

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation