A laboratory experiment is described in which students
synthesize yellow colloidal silver, estimate particle size using
visible spectroscopy, and study aggregation effects. This experiment,
which can be included in the general chemistry
laboratory course, introduces students to nanotechnology
while reinforcing topics such as redox chemistry, limiting and
excess reactants, spectroscopy, and atomic size. The experiment
has also been made available for advanced high school
classes through the Science in Motion outreach program.1