Hydrogen – it is perhaps the simplest of the atoms and most abundant in universe. Consisting of just a proton and an electron it occupies the very first box of periodic table. Abundance of Hydrogen in universe is perhaps a good proof that our universe is young, with lot of energy to spend before it starts collapsing under its own weight.<\/p>\n
To make hydrogen in your home you will need a pile of nails, about 50 gms
will do nicely. You will also need Hydrochloric Acid. Muriatic Acid sold to clean toilets etc. is a good source of HCl for our purpose.
For the experiment we shall use a glass bottle, with a two hole stopper. Put a glass tube that should go near the bottom and project out by at least 70mm out side. In the other hole insert a short tube. With the short tube attach a rubber tube about 50cm in length. Fill 1\/5th of the bottle with nails. Then pour water till 1\/3 of bottle. Then pour Muriatic acid to cover 2\/3rd of the bottle. Quickly place the stopper on the bottle, taking care not to break the glass tube. Place the bottle on a tray. You will notice hydrogen bubbles coming out from the nails. Now take other end of the rubber pipe under a shallow through, and collect the gas in a water-filled test tube. Gas bubble will replace the water to fill the test tube.<\/p>\n
You will notice Hydrogen is a colorless gas. If you take a lighted stick the gas will explode with a “pop” sound. Hydrogen explodes in presence of oxygen. As time goes the gas will have little oxygen mixed with it, then it will burn slowly with a bluish flame. If manage to blow a bubble with the gas, this will fly, as Hydrogen is lighter than air. Actually it the lightest of all elements.<\/p>\n
Think of other things that you can do with hydrogen and write to me how your experiment go.<\/p>\n
Good Luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hydrogen – it is perhaps the simplest of the atoms and most abundant in universe. Consisting of just a proton and an electron it occupies the very first box of periodic table. Abundance of Hydrogen in universe is perhaps a … Continue reading