Week 19

Week 19 was an odd week for the Chem team. On Monday, we tried an experiment in which we mixed hydrogen chloride with a pebble of zinc to produce a gas. However, the experiment didn't produce any gas. So, the next day we tried the same experiment using a more potent hydrogen chloride. The two reactants were placed into a flask that was plugged with a stopper that connected it to a trough. We then had a bell jar in the trough filled with water. As the gas was produced, water left the bell jar until there was only gas left. We carefully removed the jar, trying to let the least amount of gas escape using a watch glass under it. To test if it was combustible, we lit a match and held it under the jar. Quickly removing the watch glass, the gas escaped and combusted down onto the table and made a popping noise. We found out that the gas produced here was hydrogen glass. We then moved to practicing balancing equations which is still very difficult for me. I will need more practice with it. While working with this concept we learned a few things. First, we know that the total number of particles in a closed system gets conserved which helps us balance equations. Then, we learned all the diatomic elements using an acronym. Dr. Hofbrincl, standing for: hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, bromine, iodine, nitrogen, and chlorine. Finishing the week, Mr. Abud did an experiment for us lighting a piece of magnesium on fire. It was a very cool experiment, watching the magnesium ignite and get so bright so quickly. However, we didn't get to finish it and mass the magnesium afterwards. We would have had an assessment at the end of the week but had the pleasant surprise of a snow day!