The ammonia fountain

By 2010-07-01T00:00:00

EXHIBITION-350

Demonstrations designed to capture the student's imagination

The ammonia fountain is a classic experiment used to demonstrate the solubility of ammonia in cold water and the alkaline nature of the ammonia solution formed. The following method is a variation of the norm in which I initiate the reaction using body heat instead of water.

Kit

  • 1000 ml volumetric flask with bung
  • 500 ml conical flask with bung
  • glass trough; glass tubing
  • phenolphthalein solution
  • 1 M sulfuric acid
  • concentrated ammonia solution - 35 per cent ('880')
  • retort stand and clamp
  • Bunsen burner, heat-resistant mat, tripod and gauze

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