Kinetics- Explosive Reaction Between Hydrogen and Oxygen

Explosive Reaction of Hydrogen and Oxygen

Description:

A) Balloons filled with hydrogen alone, oxygen alone, and a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen are ignited.

B) Soap bubbles are filled with a mixture of hydrogen-oxygen and ignited.

C) A special cannon is filled with mixture of hydrogen-oxygen, corked, and ignited, using a spark-plug built into the cannon.

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: 106

Keywords: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Balloons, Soap bubbles, Cannon

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

• Flammability hazard
• High noise explosion
• Electric shock hazard
• Slip hazard
• Explosion hazard

Effectiveness: Excellent

• Results are clearly observable without guidance
• Good connection from demo to course material
• Profound effects are observed
• Time to results is low
• High reliability

Difficulty: Medium

Ver. A)

• Simple procedures
• Simple intermediate steps to results
• Simple manipulations for most to perform

Ver. B)

• Simple procedures
• Some intermediate steps to results
• Precise manipulations required
• Simultaneous manipulations required
• Prior practice recommended
• Two performer demo optional

Ver. C

• Simple procedures
• Some intermediate steps to results
• Simple manipulations for most to perform

Safety Precautions:

• Eye protection required
• Ear protection required
• ABC fire extinguisher on hand
• Ceiling higher than three meters
• Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
• Avoid high voltage end of coil
• Use caution when employing soap during demonstration

Class: Main Group Chemistry, Stoichiometry, Thermochemistry, Groups IA, IIA, and IIIB  (1, 2, and 13), Kinetics

Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry

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