In class we did an experiment studying Hydrogen. It involved magnesium, citric acid, water and a balloon. This experiment was to show the structures of an atom. Atoms are created with three subatomic particles; Protons (p+), Electrons (e-), and Neutrons (n^0). Protons are positively charged, Electrons are negatively charged, and Neutrons are what holds Protons and Electrons together. The structure of an atom is similar to an onion, they have layers. The electrons are stored in each layer and the protons and neutrons are stored in the nucleus. The number of protons and electrons is the atomic number and the number of neutrons is the atomic mass minus the number of protons.
For this experiment we had magnesium, citric acid, water, a balloon, and a volumized flas . We added the magnesium, then poured the citric acid and the water into the flask. I saw that once the water went in the citric reacted almost immediately. We covered the the top of the flask with the balloon. After the citric acid dissolved the magnesium completely we took the balloon off the flask and tied it off. The magnesium and the citric acid turned into Hydrogen which filled the balloon. Hydrogen is the lightest element on the periodic table so that means it is lighter than air (oxygen) so when we let it go it floated up.
Looking back:
I think I could have done more if there were more steps to take care of. I thought it was interesting watching the magnesium breakdown by the water and the citric acid.
For this experiment we had magnesium, citric acid, water, a balloon, and a volumized flas . We added the magnesium, then poured the citric acid and the water into the flask. I saw that once the water went in the citric reacted almost immediately. We covered the the top of the flask with the balloon. After the citric acid dissolved the magnesium completely we took the balloon off the flask and tied it off. The magnesium and the citric acid turned into Hydrogen which filled the balloon. Hydrogen is the lightest element on the periodic table so that means it is lighter than air (oxygen) so when we let it go it floated up.
Looking back:
I think I could have done more if there were more steps to take care of. I thought it was interesting watching the magnesium breakdown by the water and the citric acid.