Introduction: 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.
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24 Comments
13 years ago on Introduction
we also did that but we used some other alkilane that i cant remember. i think ribidium or cesium it was realy ausome.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 1 year ago
ceusium isn't radioactive i think.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
if you have lithium my fave is to use it in fireworks makes great deep reds
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I HIGHLY doubt you used Rubidium. And i doubt you used Caesium either, they were most likely Sodium or Potassium.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
ya i have since checked with my teacher it was like 5 grams of potassium
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I doubt you used rubidium in a school science experiment. Alkali metals react very violently when it reacts with water.
12 years ago on Introduction
elephant noises.
12 years ago on Introduction
is this video also on youtube because my computer is playing up and i cant view it.
13 years ago on Introduction
did anyone notice that the potassium made the water green, but then it exploded and turned purple?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
That was a Ph indicator. It turned purple because of the presence of NaOH in the water after the reaction.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
yeah, I did, it is strange...
12 years ago on Introduction
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!!!
12 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
that probably universal indicator solution, green is neutral, the purple indicates a strong alkali solution i.e. potassium hydroxide
12 years ago on Introduction
super cool.
13 years ago on Introduction
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??
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
go to unitednuclear.com to get some sodium and other reactive elements plus other junk that you might want