• Question: which is the best chemical reaction you have seen?

    Asked by Carmela 7C to Hephzi, Imogen, Jen, Jennifer, Tom on 10 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Jennifer Rudd

      Jennifer Rudd answered on 10 Mar 2015:

      The best reaction I’ve seen is the reaction to make something called chloroterpy. It’s a collection of white solids, then we add a solvent (methanol I think) and heat the reaction and the reaction heats so quickly with so many bubbles that yellow stuff shoots everywhere. You have to be careful to set up your reaction so that there is enough room and equipment to contain all the yellow stuff! I also really like seeing liquid oxygen, it’s a very pretty blue colour.

    • Photo: Thomas Barrett

      Thomas Barrett answered on 10 Mar 2015:

      I have made explosive bubbles (not really a reaction i know but still). If you put a hose on your gas tap and put it into washing up liquid you make bubbles that you can light on fire. There is a picture of me “throwing a fireball” because I got the bubble on my hand then lit them. I would ask your teacher for consent first but it is harmless if your sensible.

    • Photo: Imogen Napper

      Imogen Napper answered on 10 Mar 2015:

      The best reaction is something my chemistry teacher did called elephants toothpaste. It is called this because it creates lots of foam!

      In scientific terms it is the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by potassium iodide.

      Watch the video to see!

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