Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton)
Comparing the Specific Heat of Metals II
Endothermic Reactions of Barium Hydroxide and Ammonium Salts
Explosive Decomposition of Nitrogen Triiodide
Explosive Reaction of Hydrogen and Oxygen
Comparing the Specific Heat of Metals I
Decomposition of Ammonium Dichromate
Evaporation as an Endothermic Process
Evaporation of Ether is Endothermic
Explosions of Lycopodium and Other Powders
Reaction of Calcium Oxide and Water
Reaction of Potassium Permanganate and Glycerine
Spontaneous Combustion of White Phosphorus
Reactions of Metals and Hydrochloric Acid
Reaction of Aluminum and Mercury (II) Chloride
Description: A portion of liquid Mercury (II) Chloride is painted onto a sheet of Aluminum foil. The reaction causes the aluminum to oxidize, and heat is generated.
2Al(s) + 3HgCl2(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3Hg(s)
2Hg(s) + O2(s) → 2HgO(s)
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Spontaneous, Oxidation, Mercury, Amalgam, Exothermic
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Acute toxicity – oral
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Serious eye damage
- Germ cell mutagenicity
- Reproductive toxicity
- Specific target organ toxicity- CNS
- Short-term (aquatic) hazard
- Long-term (chronic) hazard
- Flammable solids
- Substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases
- Electric shock hazard
Effectiveness: Average
- Hard to see or perceive results
- Time to results is medium
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Contrast of systems behavior is low
- Good reliability
- Secondary effects
Difficulty: Low
- Simple procedures
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
- Demos do not involve deep attention
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Thermal gloves recommended
- Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
Class: Transition Metals, Groups IA, IIA, IIIb (1, 2, and 13) Redox Reactions, Thermochemistry
Division: Inorganic Chemistry, General Chemistry
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