Crazy Chemistry

With Calli

Thunderstorm In a Test Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyzlt-dVgWQ

• Test Tube• Pipette• Potassium permanganate

• Sulphuric acid• Methanol• Beaker

Materials

1. Place a test tube into a beaker2. Pour one millilitre of methanol into a test

tube 3. Use a pipette to inject a layer (six

millilitres) of concentrated sulphuric acid into the bottom of the test tube

4. Use a scupula to obtain approximately 1/8 a tsp of potassium permanganate and drop it into the alcohol and sulphuric acid

5. Turn off all the lights6. To dispose submerge the test tube into

water

Procedure

How Oxidization Effects The World

Oxidization-Reduction reactions play a very important role in our every day life. An oxidization reaction is a chemical transfer involving a loss of electrons: Historically used in organic chemistry to describe any reaction involved in the addition of oxygen atoms or the loss of hydrogen atoms.

Although it may not be obvious, civilization has slowly progressed with the help of oxidization-reduction reactions.

As many people know one of the first and most important discovery in prehistoric times was fire. Fire is a rapid oxidization of a material in the chemical process of combustion.At first fire was used to cook food, provide warmth, and light caves. Humans then discovered they could burn animal fat in torches and lamps, which then progressed to candles. Fire was also used as punishment in the medieval times which helped enforce right from wrong.

It was a while before civilization took another step forward with the help of oxidization-reduction reaction, but when it did happen it was huge.

How Oxidization Effects The World

In the early 17th century the steam engine was made. The steam engine used the combustion of coal to produce heat which boiled water, providing the power to run the train. This invention opened up a world of possibilities. From people being able to immigrate to the transfer and trade of goods.

Shortly after the steam engine was made the steam boat was invented. Which made it possible for people to immigrate to other places where trains couldn’t reach. This also opened up great opportunities in the world of trade.

How Oxidization Effects The World

As the world progressed so did the knowledge of oxidization and combustion. In the 20th century combustion was used in the internal combustion engine to power cars, another big step forward for civilization.

Oxidization-reduction reactions have not only constantly been pushing civilization forward but the world of business forward as well. It has led to a numerous amount of opportunities, which has lead to other opportunities.

How Oxidization Effects The World

How Oxidization Effects The World

For example TNT was used to mine gold, silver, nickel, and diamond which in turn created currency and jewellery. From this banks and jewellery stores were founded creating numerous amounts of jobs.

Even little things such as paint ,wax, and Ziploc bags were invented because of oxidization reactions. In order to stop metals from rusting paint or wax is applied and in order to stop food from rotting we place it in a Ziploc bag.

Oxidization-reduction reactions have provided us with not only heat, cooked food, and transportation it has also provided us with businesses and jobs which has helped further civilization and will continue to help further civilization dramatically.

The Reaction

2 KMn2O4 +2 H207 Mn2O7 +H20 +2 KHSO4

Potassium Permanganate

Molecular Formula: KMnO4

Molar Mass: 158.034

Density: 2.703g/cm3

Appearance: Purplish-bronze-gray needles, magenta –rose in solution

Other names: Potassium manganate (VII) Chameleon Crystals

Sulfuric Acid

Molecular Formula: H2SO4

Molar Mass: 98.08 g/mol

Density: 1.84g/cm3

Appearance: Clear, colorless, odourless liquid

Other names: Oil of Vitriol

Methanol

Molecular Formula: CH4O

Molar Mass: 32.04 g/mol

Density: .7918g/cm3

Appearance: Color less liquid

Other names: Hydroxy methane Methyl alcohol

Manganese Heptoxide

Molecular Formula: Mn2O7

Molar Mass: 221.87 g/mol

Density: 2.79 g/cm3

Appearance: Dark red oil with brownish precipitate

Other names:Permanganate acid Manganic oxide

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are needed to see this picture.

The Perfect Storm

The Presentation

To present this reaction to a grade nine class I would start by playing the song thunderstruck by ac/dc. Then I would run in with an umbrella over my head and pretend I got struck by lightning. I would then get up and say ”WOAH did you see that lightning bolt!? No ? You didn’t? really ? Well ill show you some lightning ! In fact ill make it! Then I would perform the expirement and it probably wouldn’t work because it is so unpredictable. So I would try over and over again until it does work or I r un out of sulphuric acid .

The End

Although this was a very fun experiment to do it did have its complications. Because the internet held no information on the quantities of the chemicals to use I had to experiment to maximize the reaction. At first the reaction did not work at all which was quite the bummer since it looked so cool on the internet. The first thing I decided to change was the type of alcohol. So i tried methanol, rubbing alcohol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and watered down rubbing alcohol. Methanol seemed to react the most, but still no sparks occurred . From here I adjusted the amount of alcohol used. It seemed the more I used the less of a reaction occurred. So I used 1 millilitre I then adjusted the potassium permanganate. Using to much would completely wreck the reaction and using to little would cause no reaction at all. So I stuck with using about 1/8 of a tsp. After I was done with that I then adjusted the amount of sulphuric acid. Which seemed to work best with 6 millilitres. Finally with theses measurements I got sparks, but the experiment still has its flaws and even with these measurements sometimes doesn’t work. Even though it wasn’t as explosive as I hoped it would be it was still a lot of fun