Q&A for How to Conduct the Squeaky Pop Experiment

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Question

What are the products of a pop test?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a scientific researcher based in Brookline, Massachusetts. Currently working as a Senior Patent Technology Specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Meredith is able to leverage her expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology. She received a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, focusing on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases. She went on to work as a Postdoctoral Associate at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

The products of the squeaky pop test are soluble magnesium chloride (MgCl2 (aq)) and hydrogen gas (H2 (g)).

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Question

Is the hydrogen gas dangerous to inhale?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a scientific researcher based in Brookline, Massachusetts. Currently working as a Senior Patent Technology Specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Meredith is able to leverage her expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology. She received a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, focusing on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases. She went on to work as a Postdoctoral Associate at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

Hydrogen is not toxic, but in its pure form is a chemical asphyxiant. Avoid inhaling it.

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Question

Does the gray coating on the magnesium ribbon need to be removed?

Community Answer

No, as long as the strip is magnesium, it should work fine for this experiment.

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Question

Could I use a different acid?

Lin Ying Tey

Community Answer

Yes. The only difference would be in the salt produced. If you use hydrochloric acid, magnesium chloride would be formed. If you use sulphuric acid, magnesium sulphate would be produced. Either way, hydrogen gas would still evolve.

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What is the conclusion of the squeaky pop experiment?

The Fact-O-Logy

Community Answer

It concludes that the reaction has a product of hydrogen, which is a flammable gas. And we can use this property of hydrogen to test for it.

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Question

What is a balanced equation to the reaction of the hydrochloric acid with magnesium and the lit match?

Community Answer

The reaction of hydrochloric acid with magnesium is as follows: 2 HCl (aq ueous)+ 1 Mg(s olid) ==> 1 MgCl₂ (aq) + 1 H₂ (g as). The MgCl₂ (magnesium chloride) is aqueous because it is a soluble salt. The dihydrogen proceeds to enter in contact with the flame which is dioxygen and energy as follows: 2 H₂+O₂ ==> 2 H₂O. Yes, the hydrogen *burns* into *water*. Things actually generally burn into water, carbon dioxide or dinitrogen (the gas that consists of 80% of Earth's atmosphere/air.)

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