sternman318
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Relatively 'safe' ammonium nitrate reactions
I have a small amount of ammonium nitrate, and I would like to excercise it's properties as an oxidizing agent and well- oxidize stuff xD I have tried
multiple times to do the standard Sodium Nitrate and Sugar reaction, but it was always pretty unsatisfactory, most likely due to large particle size
and poor quality reagents.
Anyways, what would you guys recommend? I don't want an explosion by any means ( unless it is somehow delayed, small scale, or otherwise 'do-able' by
an amateur). Aside from sugar, I also know that powdered aluminum or magnesium work, but from what I have read these really arent that safe.
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The WiZard is In
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Quote: Originally posted by sternman318  | I have a small amount of ammonium nitrate, and I would like to excercise it's properties as an oxidizing agent and well- oxidize stuff xD I have tried
multiple times to do the standard Sodium Nitrate and Sugar reaction, but it was always pretty unsatisfactory, most likely due to large particle size
and poor quality reagents.
Anyways, what would you guys recommend? I don't want an explosion by any means ( unless it is somehow delayed, small scale, or otherwise 'do-able' by
an amateur). Aside from sugar, I also know that powdered aluminum or magnesium work, but from what I have read these really arent that safe.
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It has been t---h---a---t long since I last did this!
http://tinyurl.com/5vfl99x
For the chemistry I borrow from —
Summerlin and Ealy, Jr.
Chemical Demonstrations : A Source Book for Teachers
Volume 1, Second Edition
and/or
A Shakhashiri
Chemical Demonstrations : A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Volume 1
NH4NO3 (s) --- [Cl catalysts] --> N2O (g) + 2H2O (aq)
The overall reaction is probable as follows:
Zn (s) + NH4NO3 (s) ---> N2 (g) + ZnO (s) + 2H2O (g).
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Bot0nist
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Aside from the exothermic oxidation-reduction reactions, you could dissolve it in a small amount of water to demonstrate an endothermic reaction. (It
gets cold.)
You could rig a simple gas capturing apparatus and gently heat the NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub> to get some nitrous oxide.
(Not pure enough for inhalation! Works for the 'barking dog' though.)
Reflux in solution with NaOH to produce ammonia and dissolve the evolved NH<sub>3</sub> in water, methanol, ect. http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=16061#...
The safety of these experiments is relative though. Except maybe the dissolution in water. It's hard to screw that one up.
U.T.F.S.E. and learn the joys of autodidacticism!
Don't judge each day only by the harvest you reap, but also by the seeds you sow.
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symboom
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negative x - ammonium chloride you can get from the spice section in a store. grind up some pennies add the ammonium nitrate then water and it flares
up. fire with water reaction as some called if you dont have ammonium chloride can use hcl but it will light it up.
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Paddywhacker
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Aqueous ammonium nitrate used as an oxidising agent in organic chemistry.
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sternman318
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the ammonium nitrate and zinc reaction worked very well! I actually didnt feel like making an ammonium chloride solution, so I just made a sodium
chloride solution and a drop from that did the trick! Thanks guys! And thank you for the other suggestions, but they all used chemicals or equipment
out of my reach D:
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