Today in class we studied atoms and how they worked, looked and worked together. Atoms are the smallest unit of an element and make up all things known to man. These atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. After learning how the atoms were structured and learning that each have certain numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons we learned how they fit into the table of elements.
When we were taught how atoms work and bond/react we began an experiment to see these reactions first hand and to see how reactions can create new elements. In this case we were trying to make hydrogen.
Each table was given a balloon, a piece of magnesium, citric acid and a flask. We put the piece of magnesium in the flask along with the citric acid and added water as instructed. When the water was placed the reaction immediately happened and the citric acid was dissolving the magnesium. We put the balloon over the opening of the flask so we could trap the gas being released which was hydrogen.
After the gases were captured in the balloon we tied it off and let it go. Since hydrogen is less dense than air it floated very easily. When we were done with the balloons, Andrew taped the balloon on a stick and put it over an open flame. The balloon exploded and reacted- the hydrogen with oxygen to form drops of water on the balloon’s remaining pieces.
This project showed me about how the result of two chemicals reacting can make a new element.
It taught me how electrons are passed on to create the reaction too. Something I can take away from this project is that hydrogen is less than air and also very flammable .
When we were taught how atoms work and bond/react we began an experiment to see these reactions first hand and to see how reactions can create new elements. In this case we were trying to make hydrogen.
Each table was given a balloon, a piece of magnesium, citric acid and a flask. We put the piece of magnesium in the flask along with the citric acid and added water as instructed. When the water was placed the reaction immediately happened and the citric acid was dissolving the magnesium. We put the balloon over the opening of the flask so we could trap the gas being released which was hydrogen.
After the gases were captured in the balloon we tied it off and let it go. Since hydrogen is less dense than air it floated very easily. When we were done with the balloons, Andrew taped the balloon on a stick and put it over an open flame. The balloon exploded and reacted- the hydrogen with oxygen to form drops of water on the balloon’s remaining pieces.
This project showed me about how the result of two chemicals reacting can make a new element.
It taught me how electrons are passed on to create the reaction too. Something I can take away from this project is that hydrogen is less than air and also very flammable .