ChemMatters Archive

ChemMatters is produced by the American Chemical Society in October, December, February, and April. The archive gives you access to all of ChemMatters’ past articles, dating back to February 1983. The most recently released issue is available through a complimentary subscription, if you chose to receive one when you joined AACT.

For recent articles, issues, or available teacher’s guides visit acs.org/ChemMatters.

AACT members can access the archive and generate a Student Pass that gives their students access to the articles. Available Teacher’s Guides can also be found next to the corresponding issue and article in the archive.

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  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Mad Scientists and Misinformation

    Perception is everything. When chemistry is exaggerated or inaccurately portrayed in movies, TV, and social media, the consequences are not always benign.

    Issue Date | February 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Quick Read: Can Lightning Be Stolen?

    Issue Date | February 2024

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. 5 Things to Know About Glitter

    What is glitter made from? Why does it stick to everything? Here are five things to know about glitter.

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Applying What You Learn

    Applying what we learn takes practice and intention. The best learners not only see how to master the concepts, but how they relate to everyday life. How many of us are able to do this?

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Fighting Frost with Ice

    Late- or early-season frosts can wreak havoc on fruit orchards. Farmers use ice to protect the fragile buds from late-season frosts in the spring or fragile fruit like grapes and citrus in the fall.

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Hot and Cold Therapies for Injury and Disease

    Thermotherapy and cryotherapy have their roots in ancient Egypt. Today we use chemistry to make hot and cold packs available anywhere. Which should you use when? And what happens within your body when you apply hot versus cold?

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Keeping the Playing Field Level

    Performance-enhancing drugs have been used for centuries. To keep the playing field level, the World Anti-Doping Association uses sophisticated methods for determining natural testosterone from its synthesized counterpart.

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Quick Read: Quantum Dots

    Today, quantum dots are used in high-definition electronic displays, light emitting diodes, and photovoltaic cells. They can also be used to label and track individual cells for bioimaging.

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Using Social Media to Teach Chemistry

    When COVID-19 made it hard for people to attend live science demonstrations, Chemical Kim found a way to bring science to them, through YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

    Issue Date | December 2023

  • Access is an AACT member benefit. Bones

    We’ve all seen pictures of skeletons during Halloween or the skull and crossbones on a pirate flag. You’ve probably also seen images of actual bones on X-rays. These popular pictures of bones can make you think that bones are only made of hard white material, but they are so much more.

    Issue Date | October 2023

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Teacher Members, use a Student Pass to give your students 7 days of access to our locked member-only videos, animations, and archived articles of ChemMatters Magazine.

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About ChemMatters Magazine

Published four times a year since February 1983, ChemMatters Magazine is an award-winning high school chemistry magazine from the American Chemical Society that helps students demystify chemistry and make connections to the world around them. AACT members receive a complimentary subscription.

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Discover how an AACT membership enhances your experience in the chemistry classroom. Join now to access a wealth of resources, professional development, and other member benefits. Members have access to the archive and can generate a Student Pass.

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