Electrical Conductivity of Liquids and Solutions
Lecture Size Breath Alcohol Test
Reaction of Potassium Metal with Bromine
Reduction of Copper Oxide by Hydrogen
Using Large Glass Cylinders to Demonstrate Precipitation Reactions
Coin-Operated Red, White, and Blue Fountain: Reaction of Nitric Acid and Copper
Conductivity of Acetic Acid – Water Mixtures
Dissolving an Ion-Exchange Resin on Conductivity
Oxidation of Chloride Ion by Permanganate
Reaction of Aluminum with NaOH
Conductivity of Acetic-Acid – Water Mixtures
Description: Glacial acetic acid does not conduct electricity. Neither does distilled water. Mixing the two solutions creates a conductive liquid.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol. N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Acetic acid, Electricity, Conductivity, Water
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Concentrated weak acid
- Electrocution hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Flammability hazard
- Skin corrosion hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Some connection from demo to course material
- Results are observable with guidance
- Good reliability
- Time to results is low
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Counterintuitive effect
Difficulty: Medium
- Serial manipulations
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Exposure to live voltage
- Volume-dependent addition
Safety Precautions:
- Gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Electrically insulated spatula required
- Isolation transformer required in lieu of switch
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- Use caution when handling live electrical equipment
- Perform on electrically insulated surface
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Physical Properties, Acid Base Chemistry
Division: General, Analytical Chemistry
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