Thermochemistry- HCl Cannon

Description: A test tube filled with a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine is placed in a cannon. When the bright light of burning Mg is brought near, the mixture explodes, ejecting the cork from the test tube.

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

Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1989 Vol: 1 Page: 121

Keywords: Hydrogen, Chlorine, Cannon, Magnesium, Cork, Photochemical reaction

Rating:

Hazard: High

Acute toxicity hazard
Burning metals
Flammability hazard
Explosion hazard
Inhalation hazard
Skin corrosion hazard
Serious eye damage hazard
Projectile hazard

Effectiveness: Excellent

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

Difficulty: High

Use of toxic and flammable reagents
Some careful manipulations required
Some intermediate steps to results
Precise control of components required
Prior practice required

Safety Precautions:

Eye protection required
Gloves required
Lab coat recommended
Downdraft hood required
Perform on chemically inert surface
Hearing protection optional
Aim stopper away from people and fragile objects
ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class D fire extinguisher on hand
Avoid exposure to high intensity light

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

Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry

Home| Inorganic Chemistry Demonstrations| Physical Chemistry Demonstrations

Return to General Chemistry Demonstrations