Extinguishing Candles with Carbon Dioxide
Preparation and Properties of Carbon Dioxide
Colorful Stalagmites: The Silicate Garden
Equilibrium Between Nitrogen Dioxide and Dinitrogen Tetroxide
Explosive Decomposition of Nitrogen Triiodide
Catalytic Oxidation of Ammonia
Leeching Lead Into Acidic Solution
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
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 manipulation for most to perform
- Demos do not involve deep attention
Safety Precautions:
- Electric shock hazard
- Gloves required
- Thermal gloves recommended
- Use UL approved 3-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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