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Catalytic Oxidation Demonstrations

  • Page ID
    2973
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    Chemical Concept Demonstrated

    • Catalytic oxidation

    Demonstration

    A penny is heated to glow red-hot and hung over acetone. penny.gif

    Observations

    The penny glows until all of the acetone is consumed.

    Explanation

    The copper penny catalyzes the oxidation of the acetone to its combustion products of CO2 and H2O. However, although the combustion products are being formed, keep in mind that combustion itself is not taking place. The copper is simply providing a catalytic surface for the acetone to react upon.

    The copper, being a catalyst, is not expended during the reaction.

    Contributors


    Catalytic Oxidation Demonstrations is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by George Bodner.

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