Peep Wars:
Revenge of the Mole
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Although
scientific and health research has been conducted on Peeps, most
notably that appearing on the Peep Research website (see http://www.peepresearch.org),
we have noted an absence of research focusing on destructive analysis
of Peeps for the sake of destruction. To address this lack, we invited
the Mole to perform
experiments and otherwise abuse Peeps in the Leighty-Tabor Science
Center at Millikin University in celebration of Mole Day, October 23,
2005. The theme of Mole Day 2005 was "Mole Go 'Round." Follow the links
below to see the Mole go 'round the building hurting Peeps.
The Mole Arrives
at the Laboratory and Begins Its Work
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The mole arrived at the chemistry laboratory in a customary
manner, as evidenced by
the photograph above, in a labcoat and safety glasses.
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The mole begins his work with a physical inspection of Halloween Peeps.
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Beginning
Solubility Testing
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The Mole
began by trying to reproduce the results reported at peepresearch.org
under the Solubility category. This work was difficult, though, because
the concentrations of the solutions were not included in the original
work. Thus, the Mole attempted to dissolve the Peeps in water, 5%
aqueous sodium hydroxide, 5% aqueous hydrochloric acid, and acetone.
Water and acetone had no observable effect. On the other hand, both the
sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid solutions took on an orange
color, indicating that the coating was being dissolved. This result was
contrary to what was found at peepresearch.org, but it should be noted
that this experiment involved Halloween Peeps whereas the previous work
was performed on Easter Peeps. |
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The Mole decided to test the solubility of Peeps in 5%
aqueous sodium bicarbonate. Again, the solution took on a bright orange
color. |
Advanced
Solubility Testing
The
peepresearch.org page reported that Peeps did not dissolve in sulfuric
acid, which comes as a surprise because of the sugar content of Peeps,
but the concentration of the acid was not indicated. So, the Mole
decided to test a Peep in concentrated sulfuric acid. Note that the
Mole conducts these experiments in the fume hood.
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The edges of the Peep begin to turn dark brown. |
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The reaction proceeds to affect the areas of the Peep not
submerged in acid.
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The acid begins to erode the coating of the Peep.
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The
Mole tried to re-constitute the Peep by mixing the sodium bicarbonate
solution with the sulfuric acid solution. Alas, this attempted
synthesis of the Peep failed.
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IR Spectroscopy: The
Mole prepares the Peep for IR spectroscopy by placing it on the
hydraulic press. Once the appropriate thickness is achieved, the Mole
places the peep in the laser of the IR spectrophotometer.
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Polarimetry: The Mole prepares to measure the optical
rotation of the Peep. |
Purification:
The mole removes volatile impurities from the Peep by
successively heating the Peep on a hotplate, concentrating the Peep by
rotary evaporation, and applying low-pressure vacuum to the Peep. |
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Completing the
experimentation
The
conclusion of the experimentation involved oven-drying the Peep and
storing it in a dessicator.
About this project:
This
page was created in celebration of Mole Day, October 23, 2005. Any
similarity in either content or format to other pages is purely
coincidental.