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Learners create a small explosion by collecting hydrogen and oxygen gas together and squeezing them into a flame. Two test tubes are used to generate the gases: zinc and hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas, hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide to produce oxygen gas. A stopper with a hole is inserted in both the test tubes, and learners fill a small pipette bulb with water. They let the gases from the two test tubes displace the water. The gases are squeezed into a flame to make a "pop," and the gas ratio can be varied to change the magnitude of the "pop." This reaction can be related to the hydrogen/oxygen reaction that powers the space shuttle. For safety reasons, this activity works best as a demonstration for younger audiences.
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Under 5 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per group of students
- Ages 14 - adult
- Activity, Demonstration, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- 6-8 15-mm by 100-mm test tubes
- 6-8 1-hole rubber stoppers (size 0)
- One 100-ml plastic beaker
- One large glass bowl
- One 600-ml beaker
- 4-6 small plastic pipette bulbs
- 6-8 micro pipette tips
- Two mason jars
- Two mason jar lids with two test-tube sized holes
- Two sponges cut to fit bottom of mason jars
- One fine-mesh strainer
- Manganese dioxide (MnO2) chunks (keep 20 g on hand)
- Granular zinc (Zn) (keep 20 g on hand)
- Two 250-ml squeeze bottles
- One large plastic bottle with lid (for waste HCl)
- 200 ml 1.0M HCl (hydrochloric acid) (keep 500 ml on hand) OR — 200 ml of concentrated HCl
- 200 ml 3% H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) (keep 500 ml on hand) OR — 100 ml of 30% H2O2
- One bunsen burner with rubber tubing (from general storage)
- Protective Plexiglas barrier (to place in front of the bunsen burner and over the gas valve )
- Vertical Plexiglas display stand, 8½ in. wide by 11 in. high
- Piece of black paper, 8½ in. by 11 in.
- Handheld spark generator such as a piezo lighter (from general storage )
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Astronomy
- Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
-
Astronomy
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
-
Technology
- Transportation
-
Engineering
-
Physical Sciences
-
Chemistry
- Chemical Reactions
-
Chemistry
Informal Categories
- Transportation
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- hear
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 1997
Funding Source:
- National Science Foundation