Absorption of UV Light by Ozone
Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid
Extinguishing a Magnesium Fire
Extinguishing Candles With Carbon Dioxide
Preparation and Properties of Liquid Oxygen
Preparation and Properties of Sulfur Dioxide
Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine
Water Softening – Hard and Soft Water With Soap
Colorful Stalagmites: The Silicate Garden
Preparation and Properties of Carbon Dioxide
Preparation and Properties of Oxygen
Reaction Between Carbon Dioxide and Limewater
Will Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension
Oxidation of Carbon by Fuming Nitric Acid

Demonstrations: Fuming Nitric Acid is added to a 5L RB flask. A lump of charcoal is heated to red hot with a Meker burner, and the charcoal is added to the flask.
C(s) + 4HNO3 → CO2(g) + 4NO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Oxidation, Carbon, Activation energy, Fuming Nitric Acid,
Rating:
![]()
Hazard: Medium
- Oxidizing liquids
- Corrosive to metals
- Acute toxicity- Inhalation, Dermal
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Serious eye damage
- Flammability hazard
- Asphyxiation hazard
Effectiveness: Average
- Effects are clearly observable without guidance
- Medium effects are seen
- Some connection from demo to course material
- Contrast between systems behavior is clear
- Moderate failure rate
- Time to results is medium
Difficulty: High
- Coordinated and timed manipulations are required
- Multi-step procedures with varying results
- Reactions with toxic reagents and products
- Demos at non-standard conditions
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Hot gloves required
- Lab coat recommended
- Perform with working fume hood, outdoors, or with a working downdraft hood
- Open flames in use
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Perform on a heat and chemically resistant surface
- Perform in a well-ventilated hood
- Avoid exposure to toxic reagents
Class: Redox Reactions, Main Group Elements
Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry
Return to General Chemistry Demonstrations