3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Fun With Acid!

Fun With Acid!
I'll show you something neat you can do with some easy to obtain acid.


 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1Supplies

Supplies
«
  • MuriaticAcid.png
  • PenniesAndGlass.png
You'll need the following:

- Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid)
You can find this at your local hardware or paint store.

- Small glass

- Some shiny pennies
Only pennies from 1982 and newer will work.

« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
59 comments
1-40 of 59next »
Aug 14, 2011. 4:37 PMDrWeird117 says:
WEAR A RESPIRATOR.
Jul 19, 2010. 12:31 PMmacingtosh says:
does it wok with old muratic acid because ive had some in my garage for about 3 years and also how can you trick someone if the dime dosent have the other side of the penny
Aug 23, 2007. 7:22 AMKiteman says:
"Don't breath the fumes" No problem breathing the fumes - they're competely non-toxic. They do, however, go bang - It's hydrogen. Leave an inverted tub over the penny to collect the bubbles, you can celebrate getting your (quite excellent) penny shell by lighting the hydrogen!
Sep 20, 2009. 4:30 PMlobo_pal says:
I depends on the molarity of the acid, HCl produces Chlorine gas naturally, which is one of the most notorious killing devices known to man.
Sep 21, 2009. 8:57 AMKiteman says:
Not when reacting with metals: HCl + metal -> metal halide (salt) + hydrogen gas.
Sep 21, 2009. 2:25 PMlobo_pal says:
Yes, but any unreacted HCl will still put out chlorine gas, and since these are amateur chemists they probably won't balance the moles, and while he gives measurements, not everyone will follow these.
Jul 24, 2009. 11:43 AMPKTraceur says:
Kiteman, I thinks thats the first time you've had fun on 'Ibles...
Jul 24, 2009. 1:28 PMPKTraceur says:
Fine, fine, but the first time having fun with chemistry, and not the social kind. Plus, I haven't been on ibles for about 4 months...
Jan 16, 2009. 9:21 AMlaci37 says:
After the first smell you will consider berathing it again because the hydrogen-chloride goes out of the heated solution, and it is irritating.
Sep 11, 2009. 3:37 PMmellis1995 says:
wow that is really cool would it work with 1p and 2p coins to
Aug 16, 2009. 8:55 PMsharlston says:
nice ible its really cool and well written :)
Sep 24, 2008. 12:25 AMdhdishner says:
Put it in a plastice 20oz coke bottle (1/4 way full) add a couple foil balls and close it up..... mustard gas bomb.... and you all say you cant have fun with acid!!!
Jan 16, 2009. 9:27 AMlaci37 says:
That's not mustard gas! Do NOT try to make mustard gas becasue that's NEUROtoxic(it affects your brain). With this bomb the sound of the exploding hydrogen or your hurting lungs will affect your brain not the gas...
Jul 7, 2009. 4:10 PMM4industries says:
A) What you described is a felony to detonate in public areas. B) Neurotoxins arent something many people can make in their backyard.
Jul 11, 2008. 11:35 AMSunny124613 says:
how can you have fun with acid? It burns....
Sep 16, 2008. 6:14 PMmspark400 says:
how can you NOT have fun with acid? IT BURNS!!!!! cheers, (and safety) mspark400
May 18, 2009. 11:00 AMlil_pyro says:
nice
Sep 30, 2008. 4:46 AMSunny124613 says:
yah,your right.I have GOT to try it on my bros...... mwahahaha....
Apr 26, 2009. 9:50 AMdombeef says:
Ouch...
Jul 7, 2009. 9:13 AMM4industries says:
I've gotten it on my skin before, it itches.
Jul 7, 2009. 9:36 AMdombeef says:
Oh ok man did it burn?
Jul 7, 2009. 4:08 PMM4industries says:
Stung a little bit, felt like touching a stinging nettle plant. I only got burned because I was stupid enough to forget about washing it off.
Aug 23, 2007. 7:16 PMMagnelectrostatic says:
Why shouldn't you put water in acid? That should just dilute it. Also would an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid work?
Feb 5, 2008. 1:21 PMThe Real Elliot says:
The reason to add acid to water is that many acids boil at low(ish) temperatures and heat up when combined with water. If you add acid to the water, you end up diluting the acid out very quickly, raising its boiling temperature closer to that of the water. Hot water with a little bit of acid in it is no big deal. If you add water to acid, the first few drops of water mix up and create heat in a very concentrated acid mixture. This can boil or fume or worse. Hot acid with a little bit of water in it is a problem.
Jan 16, 2009. 9:16 AMlaci37 says:
HCl(hydrogen-chloride) is not a liquid, it's a gas, hidrochloric acid can be mixed safely with water since it's the solution of HCl, but do not try this with sulfuric acid, because the water boils because of the exothermal reaction and the acid can go out of the container. If you want thin sulfuric acid you need to mix aysmall amount (few drops) of sulfuric acid with much water, because the water absorbs the heat of the reaction.
Aug 23, 2007. 8:51 PMskegger says:
Adding water to HCl is an exothermic reaction. If you add water to the acid there's a chance that it will splash up and get you on the skin or in your eyes. You always slowly add the acid to water. Not water into acid.
Aug 24, 2007. 4:40 PMlemonie says:
Yes, you're right. Concentrated sulphuric is quite exothermic, you need a bit of stirring even if you are doing it in the right way L (Hydrogen-bonding)
Aug 24, 2007. 11:01 AMProject_Nightmare says:
If you mix HCl with lye (NaOH), you'll get salt and more water. But who knows how violent the reaction will be
May 13, 2008. 8:58 AMDerin says:
and poisonous fumes

"If you are cordless,you are free.But if you are corded you are chained to a socket."Sir Derinsleep
Jan 16, 2009. 9:08 AMlaci37 says:
There are no poisonous fumes if you mix the hidrochloric acid with enough water and it won't boil, else some HCl can be produced, so do it outside

HCl+NaOH=H2O+NaCl
Oct 12, 2008. 1:08 PMcodongolev says:
you could just file a small hole at the edge and end up with a hollow penny.
Oct 10, 2008. 3:48 PMinstructors says:
You cude make your own scotch an soda (magictrick) with this method!
Sep 24, 2008. 12:27 AMdhdishner says:
Also had another thought. You could take the shell of that penny and glue it to another one to make a double sided coin...
Aug 23, 2007. 1:39 AMGrimling says:
When i readed : Fun With Acid! , i was really hoping it would be an instructable about our good friend , Lycergic Acid Diethylamide :p Nice Instructable anyhow
Mar 10, 2008. 4:51 AMminerug says:
what is 'Lycergic Acid Diethylamide'?
Jun 11, 2008. 8:33 PMmannys9130 says:
lysergic acid diethylamide also known as LSD, is among many hallucinagens. LSD was created by albert hoffman. look it up on wikipedia, it'll tell you all about it.
Jul 1, 2008. 7:32 PMx z i t says:
THE ACID IS CALLED DURANGAD INSULATED COLMEAD KINETIS ACID ALSO CALED dick
Jul 1, 2008. 7:32 PMx z i t says:
LOL JK
1-40 of 59next »

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
96
Followers
9
Author:NK5