Potassium Combined With Bromine Is...

Reaction of Potassium with Bromine

The protective coating of mineral oil is removed from a piece of potassium metal. The soft metal is hands cut with a metal spatula. A small piece of potassium is carefully added to liquid bromine, producing a vehement reaction.

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Keywords

alkali metals, combination reaction, descriptive chemistry, bear witness of chemical reaction, exothermic process, explosive, halogens/halides/hydrohalic acids, ionic compounds - bonding/properties, redox reaction, spontaneous process, stiff oxidizing agent, strong reducing agent

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Play picture show (QuickTime 3.0 Sorenson, duration 70 seconds, size 4.9 MB)

Because of its high reactivity, potassium metal is stored in mineral oil, a relatively inert liquid. The protective coating of mineral oil must exist removed from the metal'southward surface. The soft potassium will and so exist cut, and a minor piece will be picked upwards with forceps and carefully added to a pocket-sized chalice of liquid bromine. The large covered beaker prevents the escape of bromine vapor and reaction products into the environs.

Additional still images for this movie

Discussion

This is a very dangerous reaction, but it provides a nice illustration of what happens when a stiff reducing agent and a strong oxidizing agent are brought together. Information technology also illustrates formation of an ionic compound. A great bargain of energy can exist given off when an electron is transferred from atom that can lose an electron hands to an atom that tin can proceeds an electron easily and an ionic crystal lattice is formed.

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Demonstration Notes, Warnings, Safety Information, etc.

Exam and Quiz Questions

ane. What would happen to the potassium if it were not stored in mineral oil?

2. Is the reaction between potassium and bromine endo- or exothermic? Cite testify from the demonstration to support your reply.

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