Fire
Foam

What happens if hydrogen burns? It results in an explosion with powerful sound. Let’s do an experiment to generate hydrogen and make it blast!
Duration 40 Min
Difficulty 3/4

Material list

  • Pipe cleaner (sodium hydroxide)
  • Aluminium foil
  • Liquid soap
  • Glycerine
  • Plastic bottle
  • Glass bowl
  • Tube
  • Matches
  • Polymer clay
  • Scissor

Safety Note

Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses before doing the experiment.

What is happening

Metals react with base to give metal salt and hydrogen gas. Here, sodium hydroxide(drain cleaner), a strong base reacts with aluminium metal and produces hydrogen gas. The gas then passed to the soap solution, creating a foam composed of hydrogen bubbles. Hydrogen loves to react with oxygen, creating an explosion with a powerful sound BOOM!

Directions

Gather the materials

Aluminium foil, glycerine and liquid soap can be purchased from a stationary shop and pipe cleaner from a hardware shop

Step 01

Take water in glass bowl

Take some water in a glass bowl or plastic container. Don’t use containers with narrow openings, for example bottles.

Step 02

Add soap to the water

Add a few drops of soap and some glycerin. Glycerine will make the bubbles last longer

Step 03

Add drain cleaner to bottle

Poke a hole on the cap of the bottle using the scissor. Insert the pipe through the hole. Seal the cap with some polymer clay.

Step 04

Add drain cleaner to bottle

Put on rubber gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes. Add 2 small spoons of drain cleaner to the plastic bottle.

Step 04

Add piece of aluminium foil

Cut strips of aluminium foil and put them into the bottle. Don’t crumble the pieces.

Step 05

Add water

Add water to the bottle, the reaction. Hydrogen bubbles will begin to form on the surface of the foil. This chemical reaction produces heat. It is recommended to keep the bottle in a pan of water,  thus we can prevent it from getting too hot. If the bottle starts to deform and chemical spills stop the experiment put the bottle in a lot of water.

Step 06

Make hydrogen bubbles

The hydrogen starts to generate on the bottle and comes out through the tube. Put the end of the tube in the soap solution, You will see bubbles forming.

Step 07

Suck air out of the leaves

Show a burning match stick on the foam. BOOM !

Swirl the bottle or add more aluminium strips to repeat the experiment.

Step 08

More Science

Metals react with base to give metal salt and hydrogen gas. Here, sodium hydroxide(drain cleaner), a strong base reacts with aluminium metal and produces hydrogen gas. The gas then passed to the soap solution, creating a foam composed of hydrogen bubbles. Hydrogen loves to react with oxygen, creating an explosion. Even a tiny spark can start the reaction. Actually, the thermal impulse needed to ignite hydrogen is about 10 times less than that necessary to ignite an equivalent mixture of air and natural gas. . It is crucial to observe safety precautions when working with hydrogen. As soon as the impulse is given, this simple reaction starts:

2 Hydrogen + Oxygen → 2 Water + Heat


 
 
 

Safety Rules

Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with eyes or mouth.

Keep children, animals, and those not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area.

Store the experimental set out of the reach of children under 12 years.

Clean all equipment after use.

Ensure that all empty containers are disposed properly.

Do not use any equipment which has not been supplied with the set or recommended in the instructions.

Do not replace foodstuffs in the original container.

In case of eye contact: Wash out eye with plenty of water. Seek immediate medical advice.

If swallowed: Wash out mouth with water, drink fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice.

In case of inhalation: Move the person to fresh air.

In case of skin contact, injury and burns: Wash the affected area with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes.

In case of doubt, seek medical advice without delay. Take the chemical and its container with you.

The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to health.

The experimental set is for use only by children over 12 years.

The experiments should be conducted under the supervision of adults.

The supervising adult should discuss the warnings and safety information with the child before commencing the experiments.

Handle acids, alkalis and flammable liquids with utmost care.

Conduct experiment in a clear, ventilated area which is close to water supply and away from food storage.

Substances in non-reclosable packaging should be used up (completely) during the course of one experiment, i.e. after opening the package.

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