Luminol fountain

The chemiluminescence of luminol is a popular demonstration. Students really enjoy experiencing the eerie 'cold light' released from the reaction. This is often shown by pouring one liquid into another, either directly, or via a coiled length of transparent tubing as explained in a previous Exhibition Chemistry. This reaction can be displayed even more dramatically by using a fountain apparatus to mix the liquids. The basic environment of the ammonia fountain lends itself well to the luminol reaction, which works best at high pH.

This demonstration works particularly well with 14-16 year old students who may be studying the solubility of gases, the properties and reactions of ammonia and introductory thermodynamics around the same time

With an accompanying video, Declan Fleming explains how to create a luminol fountain, from preparation to demonstration.