February 22 2011

Oxygen and a Burning Splint
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Oxygen Flare-up 1
Oxygen Flare-up 2  
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     These students are watching demonstrations that reveal some of the properties of carbon dioxide and oxygen.  These concrete experiences are intended to aid them in their understanding of photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle (that we'll study in the following lesson), and some other concepts that will be the subjects of future lessons (fungi respiration, global warming).  Some of the pictures have explanations above them.
      Students did not handle matches, flames, or have contact with hazardous materials. 

Carbon Dioxide and a Burning Splint
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Pouring 1
Pouring 2
Pouring 3
Pouring 4
 Besides extinguishing a flame they students learned that  this "heavy" gas can be poured.

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The chemical reaction that occurs when vinegar and baking soda are mixed produces carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide will extinguish a flame.


We produced oxygen with hydrogen peroxide and beef liver dog treats. (Really!  I'm not kidding.)
We also relit a glowing splint in this oxygen rich environment, and we observed that a lighted splint will flare up and burn brighter.

Cutting off a flame from air will extinguish the flame.

These students were surprised to find that water took the place of oxygen consumed by a burning candle.  Afterward, they learned that the "air" left in the jar would not support combustion when I dipped a lighted match into the jar.

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