C1403 Homework 2 and Demos

Chapter 5 Problems 5,9,13,17,19,21,25,27,29,33,37,41,47,51,59.
Chapter 6 Problems 3,5,7,11,13,17,21,23,27,29.
Chapter 7 Problems 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23.

Some the following will be performed in class.

  1. Colorful Pyrotechnic Display of salts of strontium, barium, and sodium. The reactions are exothermic and produce characteristic colors which have their origins in events taking place at the atomic level.
    (a) strontium nitrate/potassium chlorate/charcoal/sulfur.
    (b) barium nitrate/potassium chlorate/sugar.
    (c) sulfur/charcoal/potassium chlorate/sodium oxylate.

  2. Discharge tubes filled with different gases at low pressures also can produce characteristic colors in the visible when excited. With the aid of a spectroscope, the sets of lines that are the visual fingerprints of the gases can be seen. A number of different gas-filled tubes will be illuminated. Note the characteristic colors:
    Neon Hydrogen Helium Mercury Argon Xenon

  3. Line spectra can be observed through a spectroscope directed at a hydrogen lamp and the Balmer (visible) series in the bright line spectrum can be examined

  4. Nodes and Waves. With a "Slinky" toy and a long spring, certain wave properties can be described, particularly harmonic motion, wave length, and "nodes." Standing waves of different wavelengths can be generated.

  5. . Laser light. Using a packet-sized laser pointer, and a silk scarf, diffraction can be illustrated along with certain other properties of laser light.

  6. Diamagnetism and paramagnetism. Liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen are tested for their magnetic properties by bringing them in close proximity to a powerful magnet and observing the effects. Since the boiling point of liquid nitrogen is below that of liquid oxygen, it is possible to use the former to condense the latter out of the air.

  7. Chemiluminescence, or cold light, is produced in a complex set of photochemical reactions involving, among other molecules and ions, an organic substance called luminol (which responds much as luciferin does when the firefly sends a glowing message to prospective mates) and a peroxide oxidizing agent - in this case, hydrogen peroxide.

  8. "Light Sticks" are commercial products based on chemiluminescence displays. The packaging is interesting. There is an ampoule within that contains the peroxide.

  9. Phosphorus Moon is a luminescent display involving the burning of phosphorus in an oxygen atmosphere. Burning elemental (white) phosphorus (P4) in an oxygen atmosphere is a spontaneous process that produces a characteristic bright yellowish-white glow. Why does the reaction product produce an acidic response to litmus or phenolphthalein, in water? Although you can imagine it, or even write chemical equations for the reaction, the spontaneous combustion reaction is not easily reversible. From thermodynamic data, available in your textbook, calculate the heat of reaction.

  10. The Franck-Hertz Experiment. The characteristic absorption of mercury vapor in the ultraviolet was used as a key piece of experimental evidence that helped confirm the Bohr theory of the atom with its "quantized" energy gaps. The actual experimental demonstration is known as the Franck-Hertz Experiment. In this simpler demonstration, a UV lamp is used to illuminate a gas mercury vapor.