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 on Acetic Acid – Water Mixtures
Effect of Ion-Exchange Resin on Conductivity
Oxidation of Chloride Ion by Permanganate
Reaction of Zinc and Iodine
Description: The addition of a few mL of water to a mixture of elemental Zinc and Iodine results in evolution of purple vapor and heat.
This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 1 CD-Rom.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 49
Keywords: Zinc, Iodine, Exothermic, Water, Vapor, Heat
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Acute toxicity hazard – dermal, inhalation
- Eye irritation
- Short term aquatic toxicity hazard
- Burn hazard
- Skin irritation
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Time to results is low
- Moderate reliability
- Moderate effects are seen by audience
- Fair connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Medium
- Intermediate steps to results
- Demo at non-standard conditions
- Volume-dependent additions for proper results
- Prior training recommended
- Sequential manipulations
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Thermal gloves recommended
- Lab coat recommended
- Downdraft hood recommended
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Heat resistant surface recommended
- Avoid exposure to gases, dusts, and vapors
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Transition Metal Chemistry
Division: General
The demonstration of Reaction of Zinc and Iodine may be found under Atoms and Molecules- Reaction of Zinc and Iodine.
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