Chemistry of the Stars

Explosive Hydrogen

Hydrogen is less dense than air and therefore any balloon filled with Hydrogen floats. People used to think that making a floating hydrogen baloon that carries people was a really good idea. In 1937, the Hindenburg disaster proved that it was not

We can demonstrate this on a small scale using Sodium Hydroxide and Aluminium to make Hydrogen. Aluminium is often used to make pots and pans and can seem very un-reactive. In actual fact, Aluminium is very reactive. It seems unreactive because it is always covered by a layer of un-reactive Aluminium Oxide. This is formed as soon as you expose Aluminium to Oxygen in the atmosphere. Sodium hydroxide breaks down this layer so we can see the true reactivity of Aluminium, The test for Hydrogen is to hold a lit splint next to the mouth of a test tube of Hydrogen. You shoudl hear a distinctive "squeeky pop". Here, we're catching the Hydrogen as bubble in soapy water.

Next - Our Celebrity for Hydrogen

Previous - Hydrogen - Small but Perfectly Formed

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The Universe is Expanding - The Big Bang - Fusion - We Were Made in the Stars! - Stars? - Most Common Elements - Iron is in you! - Iron is in Ink! - Our Star for Iron - Oxygen - It Keeps You Alive! - More Oxygen for a Better Flame - Our Celebrity for Oxygen - Nitrogen - Seemingly boring but not... - Liquid Nitrogen - Colder Than Cold - Our Celebrity for Nitrogen - Carbon is Amazing! - Carbon Dioxide - Our Celebrity For Carbon - Hydrogen - Small but Perfectly Formed - Explosive Hydrogen - Our Celebrity for Hydrogen - The End of the Universe

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