• Question: what is your favourite science test, best answer gets my vote

    Asked by anon-238284 to James, Hannah, Chris, binuraj, Alice on 19 Mar 2020.
    • Photo: Hannah Blyth

      Hannah Blyth answered on 19 Mar 2020:

      I really like the metal ion colour flame demonstration/tests that the chemistry teachers do! Barium is such a cool green colour!

    • Photo: Binuraj Menon

      Binuraj Menon answered on 19 Mar 2020:

      Hi Science-ace,

      My best science experiment was sodium fusion test, also called as Lassaigne’s test. The test is to determine the presence of foreign elements, namely halogens, nitrogen, and sulphur, in an organic compound. The test involves heating the organic sample strongly with clean sodium metal, “fusing” it with the sample in a small tube. When an organic compound is heated strongly with sodium, any halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur will be converted into inorganic sodium salts which can be dissolved in water, filtered and perform colorimetric determination.

      Due to rapid reaction of sodium metal with atmospheric moisture, it is often kept in kerosene. My favourite part (it is highly dangerous, so do not try it !) was to add small sodium flakes to the laboratory sink. Then we will pour lots of water into the sink hole. Within few seconds you could see the water splashing high above the sink like a volcanic explosion. You could watch video about fusion test here.

Comments