Chemistry Experiment I: Part II

I hope you're all having a kick-ass St. Patrick's Day! If you're of age, put down the beer for a second and read this post. You won't regret it, if science and photography is your style (and it is, right?)


So, this is continuing the experiment I performed last night. The difference this time is substantial: the components in the flask are now strictly a ratio of 1:2 (tonic water : veggie oil). When adding the Alka-Seltzer, the reaction proceeded a tad more "violently":

Oh, and yeah. The Goonderbog has a youtube account now. If you have a youtube account, subscribe! You won't be disappointed!

Anyway, included in the video description is the explanation of the science behind these chemical processes:

Once in the container, water will sink to the bottom and push oil to the top because water (in terms of density) is heavier than the veggie oil. They do NOT mix. Agitating the mixture at this point may break up the oil into droplets, which will eventually reform into the oil (top) layer.

In water, Alka-Seltzer tablets (specifically, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid) will react and form sodium citrate, water, and carbon dioxide gas. The bubbles produced may take water molecules up when they rise through the oil, but when they pop at the surface said water molecules will sink back down into their respective water layer.

With regards to Tonic Water, a sample will glow bright blue when hit with UV light due to the presence of quinine. When UV light hits this particular molecule (baring a delocalized aromatic system with delocalized electrons), it excites an electron and when it subsequently falls down back into its ground state, it releases a photon (and thus being fluorescent in UV light) 

Pretty neat, huh? Here's a picture capturing one of the "violent" reactions:

Tumblr Hi-Res Link!

That's it for today. The last and final part of this experiment will be the introduction of food coloring to the reaction flask. You won't wanna miss that (expect by the end of the week, if not sooner).

Take care, everyone. And enjoy your holiday. (:

- Christian
Tags; Chemistry, Science, Low-light Photography, lava lamp,