Description of experiment
Below follows a plain text transcript of the selected experiment.
Needed compounds:
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sodium iodate : NaIO3
sodium formiate : HCOONa
Class:
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elem=C,I
redox
Summary:
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Iodate and formiate react very nearly explosively at high temperature.
Description:
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Put a spatula full of anhydrous sodium formate in a test tube and carefully
heat the test tube in the flame of a propane torch: The sodium formate melts
and forms a colorless liquid. On somewhat stronger heating the liquid starts
bubbling slowly, the sodium formiate slowly decomposes.
To this hot liquid add a TINY (diameter < 2 mm) granule of sodium iodate: When
the granule of sodium iodate touches the hot liquid there is a loud POP sound
and liquid molten sodium formiate is sprayed around up into the test tube.
Along the glass walls of the test tube some brown and yellow material can be
observed and inside the test tube there is a white smoke after the pop sound.
The brown and yellow material most likely is due to the presence of small
amounts of free iodine or iodine, combined with io