Amphoteric Properties of Aluminum Hydroxide
The first photo shows a white precipitate appears in the bottom of the beaker on the left. The beaker on the right contains cloudy liquid. The second photo shows a stoppered bottle with an identifying label and clear liquid, a beaker with clear liquid, a beaker that contains less clear liquid, and a stoppered bottle with an identifying label.
Description: Precipitates of aluminum hydroxide dissolve in either strong acid or base.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 128
Keywords: Amphoteric properties, Aluminum, Solubility, Acid, Base
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Flammability hazard
- Production of flammable gases
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Serious eye damage
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Contrast between systems is noticeable
- High reliability
- Time to results is low
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
- Requires precise attention to reaction progress
- Use of mildly reactive substances
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Chemically resistant surface recommended
- Sodium bicarbonate on hand
- Absorbent materials on hand
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Acids and Bases, Amphoteric Properties, Solubility
Division: General
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