Purpose
Illustrate a chemical change involving chemiluminescence.
Materials
- Sodium carbonate 10-hydrate, Na2CO3 · 10H2O
- Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3
- Luminol (3-aminophthalhydrazide)
- Ammonium carbonate monohydrate, (NH4)2CO3 · H2O
- Copper (II) sulfate 5-hydrate, CuSO4 · 5H2O
- 2 - 1 L Erlenmeyer flask
- 2 - 400 mL glass
- 100 mL graduated cylinder
- Electronic balance
- Read the MSDS/WHMIS sheets for all chemicals before using them
- Wear chemical safety glasses, and lab coat
- Have an audience member remain by the light switch so no one has to move while the lights are dimmed
Procedure
- Add 500 mL of deionized water to a 1 L Erlenmeyer flask labeled solution A.
- Add 10.7 g of sodium carbonate to solution A. Stir.
- Add 0.2 g of luminol to solution A. Stir.
- Add 24.0 g of sodium bicarbonate to solution A. Stir.
- Add 0.5 g of ammonium carbonate to solution A. Stir.
- Add 0.4 g of copper sulfate to solution A. Stir.
- Add deionized water to Solution A flask to a final volume of 1 L.
- Add 950 mL of deionized water to a 1 L Erlenmeyer flask labeled solution B.
- Add 50 mL of 3 % hydrogen peroxide to solution B. Stir.
- Pour equal volumes (~100 mL) of solution A and B into separate beakers.
- Dim the lights and then mix the solutions in the two beakers together.
Results
Upon mixing the resulting solution glows for several minutes.
Follow-up Teaching Notes
The two solutions can be poured simultaneously down a clear spiral plastic tube for a more dramatic effect.
Concept
Chemiluminescence.
Disposal/Clean-up
The resulting solution can be placed in the science department’s organic waste container for proper disposal by a licensed disposal company.
