genie+in+a+bottle

Genie in a Bottle by Anna Pamula
Materials: - 2 liter soda bottle - Funnel - Spatula - Safety Goggles - 30 % hydrogen peroxide - Manganese dioxide Procedure: 1. Pour 50-100 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide into a 2 liter bottle with a funnel, just enough to cover the "dimples". 2. Add a pea-sized amount of manganese dioxide to bottle with the scoop spatula. 3. Stand back as the gaseous oxygen will be emitted from the bottle.

Pictures:



Explanation:

The genie in a bottle demonstration shows a decomposition reaction. A decomposition reaction is when a substance is broken up into two or more different substances. In this case, hydrogen peroxide, whose molecular formula is H202, is being broken down into oxygen and water. Hydrogen peroxide is easily decomposed by light and that is why they are sold in brown bottles in drugstores.

To speed up the reaction, the compound manganese dioxide is being used as the catalyst. A catalyst provides an alternative way for the reaction that has a lower activation energy and its used to speed up the length of chemical reaction.  This experiment also demonstrates an exothermic reaction which means when the hydrogen peroxide decomposes it also releases heat. Therefore, the bottle will be very hot after the reaction.

Chemical Equation : 2 H2O2 (aq) O2 (g) + 2 H2O(l)

Cool Facts:  Hydrogen peroxide reacts easily with other substances and is able to kill bacteria, viruses, and some types of tumor cells. Hydrogen peroxide must be present for our immune system to function properly. Practical Applications:

The hydrogen peroxide used in this experiment is ten times more concentrated the the one sold in drugs stores. The less concentrated hydrogen peroxide is used to clean and sterilize woulds and cuts.

Catalysts help with everyday life, they are usually found in laundry detergent to speed up cleaning time and in the human body in cells to help in reproduction and growth.

Cited Sources:

http://www.herbs2000.com/h_menu/hydrogen_peroxide.htm http://www.chem.umn.edu/services/lecturedemo/info/genie.htm http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/content/science-video/genie-in-a-bottle http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/basicrates/catalyst.html http://i-breathe-chemistry.blogspot.com/