A safe way of performing dangerous experiments. III. The safety box. 2. Demonstrating the reactions of alkali metals with concentrated oxoacids

Abstract

A way to conciliate one of the most dangerous reactions and at the same time, a way of a systematic approach towards studying the reaction of the alkali metals and acids, has been offered. Explanation of the observed phenomena considering the extent of how vigorous the reaction is and the circumstances contributing to the rate of reaction due to the precipitate formation or water presence, are discussed.  In this paper, the reaction between some concentrated aqueous solutions of oxoacids (HNO3, H3PO4, H2SO4, HClO4) and alkali metals (Li, Na, K) are considered. Video clips of the experiments were prepared as an aid for those instructors that lack experience and/or the necessary materials. This publication is a continuation of the previously published article about the reaction of alkali metals with hydrohalic acids and is part of the series of publications under the general title “A Safe Way of Performing Dangerous Experiments”.