Atomic Structure and Periodicity- Relative Reactivity of Alkali Metals With Water

Relative Reactivity of Alkali Metals with Water

Description: On an overhead projector, small samples of lithium, sodium, and potassium are added to water in petri dishes to compare their reaction rates.

This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 2 CD-Rom.

Source: UW Card Catalog

Year: 1999 Vol: 76  Page: 1311

Keywords: Group 1 metals, Group 2 Phthalein, Hydroxide

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

• Skin corrosion hazard
• Flammability hazard
• Explosion hazard
• Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases
• Serious eye damage
• Sharps hazard

Effectiveness: Good

• Good connection from demo to course material
• Good effects are seen by audience
• Results are observable without guidance
• High reliability
• Time to results is low
• Clear contrast between systems behavior

Difficulty: Medium

• Handling of air sensitive material
• Handling of reactive metals
• Some intermediate steps to results
• Simple procedures
• Some precise manipulations required
• Prior practice recommended

Safety  Precautions:

• Gloves required
• Eye protection required
• Absorbent material on hand
• Sand or Class D fire extinguisher
• Use heat and chemically resistant surface
• Perform in a well-ventilated area
• Avoid vapors or liquids produced during reaction
• Avoid open flames
• Sodium bicarbonate on hand

Class: Redox, Groups IA, IIA, IIIB (1,2, and 13)

Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry

Home|  Inorganic Chemistry Demonstrations