Hydrogen Exploding and Balancing Chemical Equations

When a balloon filled with hydrogen gas is ignited, a synthesis reaction occurs. Diatomic hydrogen and oxygen act as the reactants producing water. You could also call this a combustion reaction since diatomic hydrogen experiences deflagration (rapid burning followed by an explosion) when it mixes with cooler diatomic oxygen. This demonstration is a great way to introduce or revisit the concept of balancing chemical equations. In this demonstration, I introduce the parts of a chemical equation such as: reactants, products, coefficients, subscripts and product sign. In addition, I demonstrate one method of balancing chemical equations that lets you analyze how many atoms of each element exist on either side of the equation. In order for the equation to be balanced, the same number of atoms of each element must be present as products and reactancts. Antoine Lavoisier's work reminds us that matter can not be created or destroyed...it can only change its form (Conservation of Mass). It is pretty cool watching the explosion frame by frame. The entire explosion takes about 4 frames when recorded at 30 frames per second (.13 seconds).

Category:

Education

Tags:

• hydrogen explosion
• hydrogen bomb
• science demonstrations
• chemistry demonstrations
• science safety video
• deflagration videos
• Interwrite lesson plans
• science lesson plans
• dose of science
• Chuck Seligman
• Hannah Seligman

[1adnilem5]

Yes, but I didn't get the balancing.

[doseofscience]

We will be working on this in class.

[doseofscience]

Hi, good job clicking in and viewing the video...I hope it was useful.

[rhettkelley]

On the balancing part I teach my students to make a T chart with Reactants on one side and products on the other, with the elements to the far left of the chart. This helps lessen the confusion and helps the students just see the numbers compared and not an element in between the numbers. Love your enthusiasm and your students are lucky to have you as a teacher!

[rhettkelley]

I applaud your efforts to make your students learn through a very exciting chemical reaction. I myself teach chemistry and they eat this stuff up. This chapter lumps all five reactions together and the students are asked to remember everything they have learned before this point for the purpose of correctly balancing the equation. We are expected to teach this chapter in a short period of time and its hard. I find the best way to motivate students is through showing things like this.Great Job!

[crossfixation]

I want a teacher like you :c

[MrAyton12]

First equation is incorrect...it's ZnCl2 since Zinc has a +2 charge.

[iiMusicGeekXD]

hi from Holly B. per. 5

[jco354]

Yes, I agree with Taylor. I am confused... Are we doing this expiriment in class?

Tina O. per 5

[jco354]

Yes, I agree with Taylor. I am confused... Are we doing this expiriment in class?

Tina O. per 5

[pandagurl17]

are we going to do this in class? because i am confused. taylor gardner per. 5

[Dman3981]

Thank you, I needed help on that whole hydrogen explosion reaction.