Combustion Product of Sulfur
Description: Sulfur is burned and placed in a flask containing oxygen. Sulfur dioxide is produced and dissolves in water containing an indicator, which changes color as the water becomes acidic. This can be extended to an acid rain demonstration.
This demonstration is also available on video and JCE Software: “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 2 CD-Rom.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 116
Keywords: Sulfur, Acid, Sulfur dioxide, Indicator, Combustion
Ratings: 
Hazard: Medium
- Acute toxicity
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Serious eye damage
- Flammable solids
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Results are deeply engaging to audience
- Obvious contrast in system behavior
- Negligible failure rate
- Experiment challenges preconceived concepts
- Good connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Medium
- Use of reactive substances
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Potential for creation of toxic products
- Demos at non-standard conditions
- Some careful manipulations required
Safety Precautions:
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Performance may be done outdoors
- Downdraft hood or fume hood equivalent required
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Lab coat recommended
- Minimum observation distance is two meters
- Avoid exposure to vapors, mists, and gases
Class: Acid Base Chemistry
Division: General
The demonstration Combustion Products of Sulfur may be found under Acids and Bases- Combustions Products of Sulfur.
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