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Luminol Demo
Materials
Solution A
(1 liter) |
0.1 g Luminol (3-aminophthalhydrazide) and
5 mL 5% NaOH (sodium hydroxide) |
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Solution B
(1 liter) |
10 ml 6% H2O2
(hydrogen peroxide) and
0.25 g potassium ferricyanide |
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Small bottle of potassium ferricyanide crystals
White glow sticks
2-Liter flask or bottle
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Procedure
In a 2-liter erlenmeyer flask, mix one liter each of solution A and solution
B. This produces a fluorescent yellow mixture that you can see glow when the
lights are turned off.
To get a brighter glow, you can pour potassium ferricyanide crystals into
the solution. They should glow on the way down.
The luminol demo has 2 solutions. Solution A is 0.1 g luminol, 5 mL 5% NaOH
(sodium hydroxide) per liter water; solution B has 10 mL H2O2
(6% hydrogen peroxide) and 0.25 g potassium ferricyanide per liter. Should
use equal amounts of A and B but it will glow if you use unequal amounts.
The room has to be dark to really see it; bring white light sticks so you
can see to pour. Should glow for a minute or two.
When glowing begins to fade, or if you want it brighter, you can sprinkle
ferricyanide crystals into the solution. They should glow on the way down.
Bring a liter of each solution and a two-liter flask. Cap the flask and return
to stockroom for disposal.
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