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Hydrogen Chemistry Materials
Hydrogen has become a buzz word of late when it comes to finding renewable sources of energy and as such the hydrogen chemistry materials now available have increased dramatically. When it comes to the study of things such as hydrogen the main field to be considered is Organic Chemistry which focuses much of its work on carbon based compounds such as hydrocarbons, a mixture of carbon and hydrogen. While the science is far from a new one, the advances made over the last few decades are what have propelled it into a new, more popular light. With the help of the already mentioned ‘renewable energy source’ tag hydrogen has finally hit the mainstream.
Chemicals in Our Homes
Many of our modern day household chemicals are also hydrogen based, or have some form of hydrogen in their makeup meaning that it is actually quite simple to perform experiments at home with hydrogen chemistry materials. One of the more common experiments is known as ‘Elephant Toothpaste’ and only requires very basic hydrogen chemistry materials to achieve some great effects. While the main ingredient is not exactly hydrogen in this experiment, it uses hydrogen peroxide; the end effect is a way of showing the rapid decomposition of the compound.
When looked at form a scientific angle the experiment is quite a simple one. Hydrogen peroxide is mixed with liquid soap, from here at catalyst is added (normally some kind of metal) and now the fun begins! As the compound breaks down the hydrogen peroxide separates into water and oxygen. As the oxygen escapes the liquid soap causes it to form into tiny bubbles. While this may all seem very juvenile it is actually quite a sound experiment and it is not too far away from the technology that is used in Hydrogen powered cars. Ok, so it is a lot further away than one or two steps but the point is that with such simple experiments being performed all over the world people are showing an interest in organic chemistry in ways that we have never seen before.
Purchasing Chemistry Materials
Simple experiments like this require very little hydrogen chemistry materials. All you need is:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Soap
- A catalyst
- A test tube or container
The effect that gives the experiment its name is that it is usually performed in a container with a small opening in the top, thus forcing the tiny bubbles out of the container in a tight stream the resembles toothpaste, giant elephant toothpaste! For those of you who have been around a while longer you may remember the volcanoes we made at school that used pretty much the same compounds to achieve their explosive effect.
If you search through your local library you will find many books that talk about hydrogen chemistry materials and the small experiments that can be performed with them. This is also a great way to introduce the younger generation to a science that is both interesting and intrinsically part of our daily lives. If there was ever a way to pique your child’s interest in science it would be to make a mess!