Reaction of Aluminum in NaOH
Description: An aluminum can is placed into 3M NaOH. The base reacts with the aluminum to produce hydrogen gas and NaAl(OH)4.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Aluminum, NaOH, Hydrogen gas, NaAl(OH)4, Can
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Acute toxicity
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Serious eye damage
- Flammability hazard
- Sharps hazard
Effectiveness: Average
- Some connection from demo to course material
- Results are observable with guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Time to result is high
Difficulty: Medium
- Some difficult manipulations
- Prior practice recommended
- Direct handling of chemical reagents
- Reactions in which flammable gases are produced
- Simple procedures
Safety Precautions:
- Gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Absorbent material on hand
- Sodium bicarbonate on hand
- Lab coat recommended
- Avoid exposure to mists, droplets, or vapors
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
Class: Acid/Base Reaction, Groups IA, IIA, and IIIB (1,2, and 13), Redox Reactions
Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry
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