Embedded Files
Poppy's Message to you this week
Poppy's Message to you this week
Research Material
Research Material
QUESTIONS To KEEP IN MIND:
QUESTIONS To KEEP IN MIND:
- Why is Sulfuric acid an effective drain cleaner?
- What is an 'exothermic reaction'?
- What precautions can be taken to prevent acid burns?
SULFURIC ACID
SULFURIC ACID
Sulfuric acid is a popular choice for unclogging drains and toilets. This is because it can easily break down organic components, such as skin and hair.
Sulfuric acid is a popular choice for unclogging drains and toilets. This is because it can easily break down organic components, such as skin and hair.
But don't forget.... YOU ARE MADE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, so precautions need to be taken!
But don't forget.... YOU ARE MADE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, so precautions need to be taken!
MixING Acid and Water
MixING Acid and Water
If you need to mix acid with water, you must always add the acid to the water, not the other way around.
If you need to mix acid with water, you must always add the acid to the water, not the other way around.
Remember this golden rule: "Add the Acid"!
Remember this golden rule: "Add the Acid"!
Exothermic reactions
Exothermic reactions
When Sulfuric acid is added to a glass of cold water, the glass will quickly become too hot to hold with your bare hands!
When Sulfuric acid is added to a glass of cold water, the glass will quickly become too hot to hold with your bare hands!
When you add acid to water, you can cause an exothermic reaction, which means your solution will start producing heat.
A strong enough reaction could even result in your solution boiling and splashing out of its container. This is why it is important to wear protective gear.
When adding strong acids to water...
When adding strong acids to water...
Use a volume of water large enough to absorb the heat of the exothermic reaction.
Add the acid a small amount at a time, and make sure it is thoroughly mixed each time, before adding more.
using Sulfuric Acid to clean a drain
using Sulfuric Acid to clean a drain
DO NOT INHALE THE FUMES
DO NOT INHALE THE FUMES
When Sulfuric Acid is poured down a drain, it reacts with the compounds that are clogging the drain.
When this happens, gases such as Sulfur Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfide are often produced.
These fumes can damage human tissue and, in high doses, can even cause life threatening conditions, such as pulmonary edema.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
PROTECT YOUR EYES
When mixing sulfuric acid into water, protective goggles should be worn. If any of the acid gets into your eyes, it can result in serious damage to your sight.
PROTECT YOUR SKIN
PROTECT YOUR SKIN
Protective clothing should be worn. You should never use your bare hands to mix strong acids into water.
If Acid Splashes...
If Acid Splashes...
Skin: immediately rinse the affected area with running water
Surfaces: neutralise the acid by adding a weak base solution, such as baking soda + water.
Robot hands
Robot hands
A robot hand can enable us to pour liquid from one container into another, without our bare hands touching anything!
A robot hand can enable us to pour liquid from one container into another, without our bare hands touching anything!
What to use if you don't have straws?
What to use if you don't have straws?
There are probably lots of cylindrical or loop-like things in your house.
Four examples below:
Tubes made from thin cardboard and tape
Cylindrical dried pasta/macaroni
The unscrewed ends of several pens
A paperclip bent and pierced through the cardboard so a loop protrudes in the right spot.
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