Safe Video Demonstration Sodium and Potassium Exploding In Water

video Safe Video Demonstration Sodium and Potassium Exploding In Water

The demonstrations of many remarkable experiments include a high safety risk (e.g. the reaction of large pieces of sodium/potassium with water; the reaction of potassium with liquid bromine; the reaction of sodium with concentrated sulfuric acid, etc.). Chemistry teachers and instructors are usually reluctant to perform experiments that include a hazard. As a result, a number of fascinating experiments remain unknown to the public.

A very violent reaction of sodium and then potassium with water.
2Na + 2H2O --> 2NaOH + H2

2K + 2H2O -->2KOH + H2

Small pieces of these metals are dropped in water.

geodez says: Sep 28, 2009. 8:30 AM

elephant noises.

antienoob says: Sep 1, 2009. 4:51 PM

is this video also on youtube because my computer is playing up and i cant view it.

codongolev says: Jul 9, 2008. 4:06 PM

did anyone notice that the potassium made the water green, but then it exploded and turned purple?

lobo_pal in reply to codongolevJun 20, 2009. 6:11 PM

That was a Ph indicator. It turned purple because of the presence of NaOH in the water after the reaction.

Resident Expolsives Expert in reply to codongolevMar 29, 2009. 6:48 PM

(removed by author or community request)

codongolev in reply to Resident Expolsives ExpertApr 2, 2009. 3:18 PM

just shake to combine the potassium with the water, draw while you still can, then run and hope it doesn't blow up! if it doesn't, then keep drawing in purple. if it does, then hey! abstract art.

mr.space in reply to codongolevJun 11, 2009. 1:15 PM

that probably universal indicator solution, green is neutral, the purple indicates a strong alkali solution i.e. potassium hydroxide

high1 in reply to codongolevNov 26, 2008. 2:23 PM

yeah, I did, it is strange...

adsa says: Jun 17, 2009. 2:00 AM

As an alternative fill a beaker with water to create a positive meniscus. Add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein to the water and then place a piece of filter paper on the beaker ensuring the paper absorbs some of the water. Place some Na onto the paper, stand back and enjoy. Unfortunately my school is not allowed to have K or Na anymore, so keep your videos coming!!!

THESTU says: Apr 11, 2009. 11:27 AM

super cool.

fd93 says: Apr 18, 2008. 10:12 AM

we also did that but we used some other alkilane that i cant remember. i think ribidium or cesium it was realy ausome.

Tubetech762 in reply to fd93Feb 12, 2009. 5:56 PM

Try lithium if you can get any. It isn't radioactive like cesium and the reaction is quite entertaining. Lithium is VERY reactive and when contact with water the reaction is explosive so be VERY carefull

fd93 in reply to Tubetech762Feb 12, 2009. 9:24 PM

if you have lithium my fave is to use it in fireworks makes great deep reds

Tubetech762 in reply to fd93Feb 13, 2009. 3:19 PM

I was reffering to metallic lithium but in this form it is hard to find, as few people are experianced enough to handle it safely. But you are correct lithium makes a beautiful red

Holden_vy_s in reply to fd93Feb 10, 2009. 3:38 AM

I HIGHLY doubt you used Rubidium. And i doubt you used Caesium either, they were most likely Sodium or Potassium.

fd93 in reply to Holden_vy_sFeb 10, 2009. 9:50 AM

ya i have since checked with my teacher it was like 5 grams of potassium

heavy.metal.nguyen in reply to fd93May 11, 2008. 11:49 AM

I doubt you used rubidium in a school science experiment. Alkali metals react very violently when it reacts with water.

FunkNattidelic says: Mar 15, 2008. 5:02 PM

I noticed that the thing that the crap was put in was green before the explosion and purple after the explosion. any body else notice that??

Scar21 in reply to FunkNattidelicMar 20, 2008. 9:15 PM

Yeah, you can even see the color change when it goes to slow motion. And the thing the crap was put into was water. And the crap is Potassium. We did this at our school, but with sodium instead. It caught fire, but not actually exploding like that :D

conrad2468 in reply to Scar21Mar 20, 2008. 9:44 PM

go to unitednuclear.com to get some sodium and other reactive elements plus other junk that you might want

Scar21 in reply to conrad2468Apr 1, 2008. 3:46 AM

That's right. We did that too. I remember now.

metroidfreak108 in reply to conrad2468Mar 29, 2008. 8:41 PM

I think they added a Ph tester to the water since water is normally green with it. After potassium hydroxide is produced, it turns purple or pink cause I think potassium hydroxide or whatever is made is somewhat acidic...?