Year 12 Chemists at the Royal Institution

Year 12 chemists headed to the Royal Institution this week for a fascinating day exploring the Chemistry of Colour. Students delved into the science of colour perception, discovering how the three cones in the human eye compare with the astonishing 16 found in the mantis shrimp. They then got hands-on, synthesising both natural dyes and synthetic azo dyes before putting their analytical skills to the test in a colorimetry competition to identify unknown dye concentrations. A nail-biting finish saw Tanav and Ben crowned winners in what was described as the closest race yet! A special mention goes to the students for their thorough equipment rinsing, which apparently brought great joy to the Royal Institution team. A brilliant day all round!