# Chemical Reactions ## expand\_more Under construction... more to come! ### Hydrogen Balloon and H2 + O2 Explosion \[L | t+| ★★★★\] A favorite demo for the first day of class! A balloon of hydrogen gas is ignited, followed by balloon with a stoichiometry mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gas. ### Blue bottle redox demonstration \[ S | t+ | ★★★★ \] The solution in the bottle goes from clear to blue, then fades to colorless again! A fun demonstration of methylene blue reduced by dextrose, as well as kinetic effects. ### Reactions of Li, Na, and K with Water \[ L | t+ | ★★★★ \] Lithium, sodium, and potassium undergo reactions with water. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/reactions-li-na-and-k-water)\] ### Microscale Thermite Reaction \[ S | t | ★★★★ \] When two rusty iron balls, one wrapped in aluminum foil, are struck together, sparks and light are given off in this small scale thermite reaction. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/microscale-thermite-reaction)\] ### Precipitation of Silver Chloride \[S | t | ★★★\] Sodium chloride solution is added to silver nitrate solution and a white precipitate of silver chloride is instantly formed. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/precipitation-silver-chloride)\] ### Precipitation of Lead Iodide \[S | t | ★★★\] Potassium iodide solution is added to lead nitrate solution, and bright yellow lead iodide precipitates. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/precipitation-lead-iodide)\] ### Metals in Acid \[ S | t | ★★ \] Curls of zinc and magnesium are dropped into 2M hydrochloric acid, and bubbles observer'd. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/metals-acid)\] ### Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition by Iodide \[ S | t | ★★★★ \] Hydrogen peroxide 30% in a large round flask decomposes to boiling water and oxygen when postassium iodide is added. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/hydrogen-peroxide-decomposition-iodide)\] ### Photochemical Reaction of Hydrogen and Chlorine \[ S | t++ | ★★★★ \] Different colors of LED light illuminate a small corked test tube with no reaction. Ultraviolet light causes an explosion that shoots the cork across the room. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/photochemical-reaction-hydrogen-and-chlorine)\] ### Benjamin Franklin's Thunder House \[L | t+ | ★★★★\] Ben Franklin's thunder house is blown apart by "lightning" causing a explosive chemical reaction. \[[In-Depth Description](/presentations/benjamin-franklins-thunder-house)\] ### Miner's Lamp: Acetylene Combustion \[ M | t+ | ★★★★ \] The production and combustion of acetylene is shown in a beaker, as well as in an old-fashioned miner's lamp by reacting calcium carbide with water. ### Butane bubbles: Hydrocarbon combustion \[ M | t | ★★★★ \] Soap bubbles filled with butane gas are set on fire. ### Whoosh bottle: Alcohol combustion \[ M | t | ★★★★ \] Isopropanol vapor burns with a "whoosh" when ignited in a 5 gallon jug. ### Gummy bear combustion: Energy in carbohydrates \[ M | t+ | ★★★★ \] 2 spectacular reactions in one demonstration: The decomposition reaction of potassium chlorate gives off oxygen gas, which causes the combustion of sugar in a gummy bear. ### Contact Us **Mailing Address**: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 **Campus Location**: Science Center B-08A | **Tel**: (617) 495-5824 | **Email**: