Main Group Elements- Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine

Absorption of UV Light by Ozone

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Extinguishing a Magnesium Fire

Extinguishing Candles With Carbon Dioxide

Oxidation of Sodium

Preparation and Properties of Liquid Oxygen

Preparation and Properties of Sulfur Dioxide

Properties of Nitric Oxide

Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine

Water Softening – Hard and Soft Water With Soap

Colorful Stalagmites: The Silicate Garden

Phosphorus Writing

Preparation and Properties of Carbon Dioxide

Preparation and Properties of Oxygen

Reaction of Aluminum in NaOH

Reaction Between Carbon Dioxide and Limewater

Water Gas Reaction

Will Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension 

Film of Hindenburg Fire

Plastic Sulfur

Samples of Silicate Minerals

Reaction of Chlorine and Aluminum

Oxidation of Carbon by Fuming Nitric Acid

Reaction of Potassium Metal with Bromine

A solid is held in a container with yellow gas and orange liquid. The second photo shows a dark substance and red light appearing around the solid and tip of forceps.
A solid is held in a container with yellow gas and orange liquid. The second photo shows a dark substance and red light appearing around the solid and tip of forceps.
 

 

Description: A small piece of potassium held at a distance in forceps is touched to a small amount of liquid bromide. A vigorous reaction ensues, accompanied by a loud snap.

This demonstration is also available on video and on JCE Software “Chemistry Comes Alive!”  Vol. 1 CD-Rom

Source: UW Card Catalog

Year:   2000    Vol: 1  Page: N/A

Keywords: Group 1, Group 7, Potassium, Bromine, Exothermic, Ionic

Rating:

Hazard: High

  • Acute toxicity hazard – oral, dermal, inhalation
  • Serious eye damage
  • Skin corrosion hazard
  • Flammability hazard
  • Acute aquatic toxicity hazard
  • Substances that emit flammable gas when wet
  • Target organs: eyes, skin, mucus membranes, lungs, nervous system
  • Explosion hazard

Effectiveness: Good

  • Results are clearly observable without guidance
  • Good connection from demo to course material
  • Strong effects are seen by audience
  • High reliability
  • Time to results is low

Difficulty: Medium

  • Demos with some intermediate steps to results
  • Use of highly reactive reagents
  • Demos that require training to perform correctly
  • Some fine manipulations required
  • Sequential manipulations

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Gloves required
  • Lab coat recommended
  • Vent hood or downdraft hood required
  • Use of safety rod and secondary containment required
  • ABC fire extinguisher on hand
  • Sodium thiosulfate on hand
  • Avoid exposures to mists, vapors or gases
  • Prevent release of reagents to  the environment

Class: Main Group Elements

Division: General

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The demonstration Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine may be found under Atoms and Molecules- Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine.

The demonstration may be found under Types of Chemical Reactions- Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine.

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