Today in class we did three experiments which involved chemical reactions and equations. I really enjoyed these experiments and getting balance the equations of what we were experimenting with.

The three experiments were with calcium metal and water, the decompostion of hydrogen peroxide, and sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid.

Calcium Metal and Water

In this experiment the gas we were testing for was hydrogen gas and we could tell that it was hydrogen gas because we used the splint that was lit by the candle and water. When the splint reacted to the calcium and water combined together, the heat from the the lit splint and the chemicals made a loud high pitch sound because of how quickly and how hot everything in the test tube was. The noice was created because because the molecules expanded and caused the flame to extinguish.

Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide

In this experiment the gas that we tested for was oxygen gas and we could tell that it was oxygen gas because the glowing embers of the splint were able to ignite when we placed it inside the test tube. The reason why the embers on the splint sould create a larger flame was because when hydrogen peroxide decomposes, it turns into water and oxygen. Fire needs oxygen and a fuel to ignite and with the oxygen that was in the test ube, it immediatley caused the embers to create a larger flame. There was also i quiet popping noice when we put the splint into the test tube when the flame was created and the noise was created because of how quickly the heat and oxygen molecules reacted with one another.

Sodium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid

In this experiment the gas that we tested for was carbon dioxide and we could tell that it was carbon dioxide because the flame on the splint was extinguished when it entered the test tube. For a flame to stay ignited, it needs heat, fual and oxygenand when one one of these components are missing, the flames cannot stay lit. Because of the products of this reaction created carbon dioxide, this made it impossible for a flame to stay lit.

Learning how embers and flames react with gases, such as the ones that we used in our experiments, can be extramely helful in our day to day lives. Knowing what extinguishes and ignites flames can be useful for stopping a fire from spreading, since you know what could kill the flame and what would make it worse. Knowing this,  you could also know what is safe or unsafe to expose to open flames to and this could also help prevent a fire in your home or even at school.