Properties of Hydrogen and Other Colorless Gases

Problem Students tend to identify colorless gases as air, without critical reflection. For this reason, it is useful to demonstrate several colorless gases and look at their corresponding reactions, which would clearly show the characteristics of the various gases. 

It is especially necessary to place emphasis on carbon dioxide gas, which can cause death. It is produced through the fermentation process by gaining ethanol from sugar solution and may fill the wine cellar by it s high density compared to air (see E3.13). Persons entering the cellar cannot breathe the air is displaced by carbon dioxide. Therefore, such a cellar has to be tested with a burning candle before one enters it. 

Because hydrogen properties and the imminent danger of explosions of hydrogen-oxygen mixtures, experiments on hydrogen should be demonstrated with care. 

Material Five cylinders, glass plates, wood splint, balloons, combustion spoon, test tube, beakers, empty can with concentric hole of approx. 1 mm diameter lecture bottles of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and butane gas, candle (tea-light), limewater. 

Procedure Fill the cylinders with the gases replacing the air, cover and label, (a) First place a burning wood splint in all cylinders and then a glowing one. 

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