Power ultrasound in the classroom: Efficient methodology for the fast degradation of organic matter in urine

Urine analysis is an important analytical process; the topic offers an excellent link between the theory and practical skills acquired in the classroom and "real" examples, both from the research and the public arena. These two experiments require students to follow the degradation of organic matter in urine by UV-visible spectroscopy. Potassium permanganate in acidic medium is the oxidising agent, and students use an ultrasonic probe to accelerate the oxidation. These experiments can be used to explore the practical implications of a range of theory concepts, such as redox theory and the oxidation of organic matter.